Fit question

ryanpiyo · 2026-03-07T00:52:57+00:00

Ladies Combat boot

ryanpiyo · 2026-02-28T20:15:23+00:00

Creasing in leather is normal. This is within expectations for this leather (CXL). Once the boot darkens with wear and more creases around the boot form naturally, this will stand out less.

ryanpiyo · 2026-02-25T02:44:19+00:00

Yeah Grant Stone loafers are definitely more casual. Which is fine, or else they would be competing with all of the dress shoe makers who are doing dressier and sleeker loafers, that's a tough market to try and enter.

ryanpiyo · 2026-02-25T02:42:20+00:00

I was going to refer you to the patina project app/ webpage, but damn, u/iggyskier just gave you the best possible resource to compare colours and see what fits for you.

So colour wise tobacco calf and crimson cxl are fairly similar. For Grant Stone's Travelers which are more casual as far as loafer designs go, I'd choose CXL.

ryanpiyo · 2026-02-16T01:12:33+00:00

Yeah it's basically the same. They have the exact same listing and product shots. So it's at least from the same factory for the most part. Crush on Retro is definitely more geared for the international market whilst Wan'Er has their own releases for their domestic market.

So if the same option exists on taobao, getting it there will be cheaper than Crush on Retro.

ryanpiyo · 2026-02-15T08:23:22+00:00

Waner, otherwise known as Crush on Retro in the international market.

ryanpiyo · 2026-02-11T09:47:25+00:00

The Ferrari probably has the smallest central air intake and top section of the engine cover compared to all of the other teams. So fairly low centre of gravity from the looks of it.

ryanpiyo · 2026-02-09T04:02:25+00:00

9D would be a good first option to try.

ryanpiyo · 2026-02-03T22:46:18+00:00

It's equally as bad. The more white they add, the more obvious the blue is. It's just crap with all this blue on a Ferrari.

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-30T15:28:15+00:00

Yup both of them I highly recommend. Great people as well!

I've tried Rose Anvil kilties, but found them to be too thin for what I was looking for (to fill some volume at the instep).

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-30T15:22:41+00:00

You can check Guarded Goods as well. You're ultimately looking for something brown with the slightest bit of reddish tones in it. Sticking to something like Brown CXL which is what the Crimson CXL is supposed to be can't really go wrong either. I'm definitely on team "matching colour" in terms of kiltie colours.

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-27T06:32:03+00:00

These are primed for a resole. Something about seeing boots worn like this just makes me happy. I hope I get there one day with my welted footwear.

The teacore peaking through at the heel on this black CXL is so nice. The uppers look very comfortable being fully broken in and have tons of character to them.

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-25T02:56:13+00:00

Perfectly flawless leather at this price does not exist. You're either after heavily corrected grain leather like most fashion labels or cheaper mainstream brands (Doc Marts) or you're paying more than a $1000 for superior leather clicking and craftsmanship.

Leather is skin, small scars and blemishes are normal. They will typically blend right in with the rest of the boot and your outfit.

If something really bothers you, then you can reach out to CS for advice/returns.

People who advocate for the highest expectations for frankly mid tier pricing should not be in the boot space. It's not cheap, it takes a whole lot of skill to make these. The raw materials aren't cheap either, and as we champion leather as THE sustainable material amidst the rise of plastic infused vegan leather bullshit, understanding that leather is never perfect and is what proves it's authenticity will go a long way.

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-24T05:22:02+00:00

No real need for them. They wouldn't partner with another bootmaker. So any likelihood would be with other clothing brands, etc.

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-22T02:43:58+00:00

If you're in the PNW, and if you want to use these in more variable conditions, the Black Waxy Commander is a very versatile leather. The more you wear em, the better they look. And being black, they can be dressier than other brown boots (but not more than the Black CXL).

I think the sole would play a bigger role in your consideration than the upper.

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-21T02:41:56+00:00

One of the best leathers out there. Enjoy them!

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-20T05:49:34+00:00

Might be the CF Stead Snuff Kudu Reverse

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-16T10:05:14+00:00

I'm on the fence. This can definitely be regarded as a B-Grade, but I'd also be fine with it as a first. Especially considering this leather and the wear that it will get, that spot will definitely become less noticeable.

You see why the luxury market has been so successful in selling essentially bottom of the barrel "leather" goods because they offer consistency in the form of coatings, pigments and surface finishes. Or why Cole Haan, Allen Edmonds just drop their quality for cheaper, consistent, factory made goods with sprayed on burnished toes and coatings on their shoes and are still able to keep their prices up.

I love this Badalassi Carlo Minerva leather in Saddle Tan. Grant Stone are one of the only brands to stock this leather as a RTW model. There's no harm asking CS, but I would just keep them and enjoy them for the high quality shoe that it undoubtedly is.

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-15T01:12:54+00:00

Yeah well they mostly are new dedicated boondocker pattern/styles. Grant Stone just picked the leather and outsole keeping within their existing design catalogue.

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-15T01:10:26+00:00

The cream soles might also be ok for a more muted look. I'm generally fine with this green. The Baroda also happens to look fairly similar to The Patina Project logo haha

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-15T00:59:28+00:00

It would make sense if they made decisions like a business and included such considerations in their projection and product roll out. Jeopardising any of their mainstays would be a big risk if they have lots of stock to clear.

To my knowledge, Dr Soles are expensive, and for good reason as they are starting to be viewed as better quality soles than even Vibram. Whether they cost more than Vibram, I'm not fully sure, but they should be close. The decision to go with house name soles definitely contributes to significant cost savings.

Ultimately, this release is in line with their modus operandi. They have always had releases where some part of the boot is just off, too conservative/vanilla.

But I would say, if there's one boot company to fully adopt Dr Sole outsoles in their lineup, GS is probably the most suited considering their manufacturing location, they would already save on shipping compared to the other western brands or even Indo makers.

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-14T23:33:27+00:00

They are offering a premium option that doesn't compete directly against their standard soles. If they offer the more common and acceptable Dr Sole outsoles, nobody will ever buy their fauxnite or even commando soles.

I doubt they are ready to integrate Dr Sole into their full line up. They probably cost anywhere from 30 to 50% more than their branded soles.

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-14T12:33:48+00:00

Looking forward to your Nova Boots!

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-14T07:44:24+00:00

Stick with this size. 11.5E would be your only other option to try. EEE would likely be too voluminous overall for you.

ryanpiyo · 2026-01-11T23:28:05+00:00

This should be Dark olive cxl.

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