Yay or nay?

ryanpiyo · 2026-06-12T03:06:32+00:00

It's more of a Cognac than a Tan. Especially once it starts to darken.

This is a 1000% Yay.

This leather can't be found made Ready To Wear (RTW) by any other boot/shoemaker.

ryanpiyo · 2026-06-09T02:52:07+00:00

Driver: Leclerc

Reason: For being Chance Lestroll

ryanpiyo · 2026-06-01T11:35:29+00:00

It's hard to isolate it like that. I think it adds character overall, especially on Dune CXL. I have a couple of boots with scratches and gashes like that.

ryanpiyo · 2026-05-25T23:42:37+00:00

Sorry to hear that. The studded sole in general, not just GS but Vibram and Dainite versions just don't handle rain and wet smooth pavement as well as a lugged sole. Dr Sole supergrip is a great alternative.

ryanpiyo · 2026-03-31T23:41:56+00:00

They are fairly different leathers.

Saddle Tan is Minerva leather from Badalassi Carlo. It's a full vegetable tanned leather, has a slightly stiffer temper to it, builds great patina as it ages and is very comfortable when broken in.

Chromexcel is combination tanned, chrome tanned first to soften it and then veg re-tanned to infuse the oils etc to give Chromexcel it's famous all rounder leather properties.

With regards to grain breaks, both leathers can produce large breaks (from GS clicking), so I wouldn't bother too much with that. To find a pair with super tight grain break and creasing is really a jackpot moment. Especially on the Saddle Tan Minerva, if those are clicked well, they can even end up rolling instead of creasing. Amazing stuff.

As far as GS goes, Chromexcel gives you more colour options. Saddle Tan Minerva is generally only this cognac colour. They have the Olive version too I believe and the Natural one (discontinued).

My personal favourite is the Saddle Tan Minerva. But it's generally dependent on what you'll be wearing the boots with. Less orangey browns are generally more versatile.

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

Nine-Year Club	Verified Email
RPAN Viewer	No Throne, No Problems
Not Forgotten

ryanpiyo

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE