Grant Stone - Official Affiliate Thread

[too_poor_for_this]

@XxLogo how hefty were the import duties on your GS purchase? CBSA loves sniffing out my packages qq

 

[7_rocket]

@XxLogo how hefty were the import duties on your GS purchase? CBSA loves sniffing out my packages qq

I know you did not ask me. But I recently got a USA address from cross border pickups. So far I only got some car parts shipped.

Basically any US vendor will ship it to the address which is in Niagara falls and you declare it and they bring it over. A friend of mine who buys stuff all the time said he once shipped an entire engine and only paid about $80 bucks in fees.

 

[Garrister]

The main reason I don't like the brass boot in this. In the picture on the right (black CXL) the toe box looks good IMO. But on the right, it just looks weird to me. The area of the moc toe stitching seems really small, compared to the black pair.

I can't unsee it. View attachment 1816096

I agree with you and generally feel that the moc stitch looks a little off on all the GS boots. I know it's just a matter of personal taste though -- and that most people (especially here) would disagree me so it's not really a big deal. Personal preferences I suppose.

 

[manowar]

The main reason I don't like the brass boot in this. In the picture on the right (black CXL) the toe box looks good IMO. But on the right, it just looks weird to me. The area of the moc toe stitching seems really small, compared to the black pair.

I can't unsee it. View attachment 1816096

I think a lot of people share your opinion, but here's a few thoughts for you.

Firstly, his boots are 9E and mine are 10.5D. Not only will the stitching and hardware look larger on a smaller-sized boot, but the E-width vamp/toe will extend further away from the moc stitching before it descends to the welt (assuming an upper of the same dimensions is used in the construction of both a regular width and it's wide counterpart). For instance, I love the look of the longwing brogues in smaller sizes because the perfing/pinking stands out more in proportion to the size of the shoe. The converse is true for larger sized brogues .

Another example of sizing & proportions: when comparing both the 10E and 10.5D side-by-side I noticed that the proportions were slightly different, and the shaft of the E-width boot was a quarter inch shorter. This could be attributed to slight variances during several stages of production (maybe human error) as well as the specific leather used and how it responds to the process. I think a larger/wider lasted boot will end up with a slightly shorter shaft height because of the extra volume used up when lasting.

Also somewhat related, the size/width of the welt trim makes a big difference in perception, especially top-down. Compare the Traveler penny loafer to the Brass Boot, it has similar moc stitch but looks completely different because of its closer welt trim (and different last).

Secondly, camera distance, shot angle, and lens type can make a HUGE difference. First example is the same overhead shot from shin height and shoulder height to demonstrate how distance affects proportions.



The second example is eight different shots from a similar distance but with varying angles on a vertical plane. I can't believe I went to this amount of trouble, hah!

Third, it is ultimately a matter of taste, right? What we consider to be a balanced aesthetic depends on how our preferences have been conditioned!

 

[brandonboot]

Brass boots are cool cause they make leather that would never roll in a million years roll

… I have a pair in maduro shell those should roll even better

these are eee before somebody From the alden thread tells me my boots are too big for their liking

 

[7_rocket]

@manowar Perfectly well said. I appreciate the effort that went into the post and the detailed pictures

 

[XxLogo]

@XxLogo how hefty were the import duties on your GS purchase? CBSA loves sniffing out my packages qq

I usually just pay taxes + the usually broker fee of $15 I believe.

 

[Moeck14]

Got my Essex Brass Boots in before my trip around the globe...20 hours later and made it to India. Excited to see how these patina over the next week!

 

[Erikdayo]

Color 8 CXL Diesel today

 

[manowar]

Out for a quick jaunt in the woods.

 

[shahtirthak]

Dune LWB today.

 

[Erikdayo]

Trying out some tan Tricker’s laces. Think I like these better than the Guarded Goods options.

 

[RogerKaputnik]

Dune LWB today.
View attachment 1817023 View attachment 1817024 View attachment 1817025 View attachment 1817026

Did you add a Topy or some kind of rubber sole? GS double leather soles are a non-starter for me - I burn through the toe in about a dozen wears and I'm left with needing a resole or metal toe taps (which I hate). I should have done this on both my pairs with leather soles, which are now sitting in the closet nearly brand new until I get them changed out to rubber soles. Live and learn.

 

[Hotel Cali]

Did you add a Topy or some kind of rubber sole? GS double leather soles are a non-starter for me - I burn through the toe in about a dozen wears and I'm left with needing a resole or metal toe taps (which I hate). I should have done this on both my pairs with leather soles, which are now sitting in the closet nearly brand new until I get them changed out to rubber soles. Live and learn.

I put a dab of Shoegoo. It is not esthetically clean looking but it worked for me for preventing toe wear.

 

[shahtirthak]

Did you add a Topy or some kind of rubber sole? GS double leather soles are a non-starter for me - I burn through the toe in about a dozen wears and I'm left with needing a resole or metal toe taps (which I hate). I should have done this on both my pairs with leather soles, which are now sitting in the closet nearly brand new until I get them changed out to rubber soles. Live and learn.

Yes I added a Vibram Topy over the double leather soles. I live in Singapore where it can rain any day throughout the year and hence all my leather soles get a topy by default.