Need some wisdom on leather boots

[Caber]

I have a few questions for your guys. I had a pair of Alden Madison shell cordovan boots that I only wore maybe 2x a week for the last 2 years. I really took care of them and did not wear them in the rain. Well Unfortunately the leather began to crack. I sent them In and they can not be repaired. Alden Madison is a good company and made things right. Now im in the market for a new pair. I don't have enough money to get another Pair of AM.

question 1. Can CXL number 8 color burgundy be considered dress boots?
2. Will this color work with black dress pants?
3. Can you get a mirror shine with this leather
4. Are grant stone better quality shell cordovan than Alden Madison?
5. Any other brand that may be as good as AM ?
6. Are grant stone lower quality boots since they are made in China ?

 

[One Drop]

I have a few questions for your guys. I had a pari of Alden Madison shell cordovan boots that I only wore maybe 2x a week for the last 2 years. I really took care of them and did not wear them in the rain. Well Unfortunately the leather began to crack. I sent them In and they can not be repaired. Alden Madison is a good company and made things right. Now im in the market for a new pair. I dont have enough money to get another Pair of AM.

question 1. Can CXL number 8 color burgundy be considered dress boots?
2. Will this color work with black dress pants?
3. Can you get a mirror shine with this leather
4. Are grant stone better quality shell cordovan than Alden Madison?
5. Any other brand that may be as good as AM ?
6. Are grant stone lower quality boots since they are made in china ?

I have a pair of Alden cap toe shell Cordovan boots in Colour 8 with some fine broguing,, I consider them to be a casual dress boot, that can be dressed up or down. They shine when brushed but Cordovan isn't really meant to be covered in polish and given a mirror shine. CXL leather even less so, it's an oily waxy leather that can be polished and given a bit more shine but it's not at all the right leather or finish fr mirror shines.

IMO Colour 8 works well with black, blue denim, and tan, brown, and green shades, it's very versatile, but not very formal while still beinf fairly dressy if worn with the right clothes.

Alden Madison is a NYC store that sells stock Alden stock and custom make-ups they design and order from Alden, many shops that have a long relationship with Alden are able to order runs of shoes and boots with their chosen colours and features, but the articles are all made by the Alden Shoe Company.

IME Grant Stone probably have about similar build quality and quality of materials, but Aldens are way more expensive like for like because they made in the US instead of China, they sell through resellers, and have a mark-up based on their reputation and luxury image surrounding the brand.

 

[Zoro]

I'm not the most stylish (or at least not when it comes to fit a consensus or a traditional way or whatchacallit), but I'm planning on wearing my Grant Stone Diesel in #8 to a wedding in a couple months along a blue suit, so I would personally consider it stylish. I think you can get close to a mirror shine with the right product (I think Saphir would be the best), but I'm not fond of such effect so I personally avoid it.

The quality but made in China is precisely how they manage their low price. I haven't been exposed to Vibergs, Lofgrens or Aldens, but I've liked GS better than what I've seen from Red Wing, Loake and Carmina (caveat I've only tried on store a pair of one of their cheapest or least expensive shoes, though). The country where something is made doesn't automatically correlate to lower or higher quality.

 

[Caber]

I'm not the most stylish (or at least not when it comes to fit a consensus or a traditional way or whatchacallit), but I'm planning on wearing my Grant Stone Diesel in #8 to a wedding in a couple months along a blue suit, so I would personally consider it stylish. I think you can get close to a mirror shine with the right product (I think Saphir would be the best), but I'm not fond of such effect so I personally avoid it.

The quality but made in China is precisely how they manage their low price. I haven't been exposed to Vibergs, Lofgrens or Aldens, but I've liked GS better than what I've seen from Red Wing, Loake and Carmina (caveat I've only tried on store a pair of one of their cheapest or least expensive shoes, though). The country where something is made doesn't automatically correlate to lower or higher quality.

I agree. Was just wonder if they used really good quality leather for their shell cordovan leather. I know CXL speaks for its self

 

[One Drop]

I agree. Was just wonder if they used really good quality leather for their shell cordovan leather. I know CXL speaks for its self

Horween CXL and Horween Shell Cordovan are two different leathers, both are available in Colour 8. Are you conflating the two? My answer mentions the difference regarding mirror shines.

 

[Ulysse]

Personally, I’m extremely satisfied with two shoe brands: Crockett & Jones and Caulaincourt. Both offer excellent craftsmanship, great materials, and timeless designs. Couldn't recommend them more! https://eu.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-icons-collection/products/alex-black-calf

https://www.caulaincourt.paris/fr/produit/souliers/habilles/field-grained/?v=82a9e4d26595

 

[Caber]

Horween CXL and Horween Shell Cordovan are two different leathers, both are available in Colour 8. Are you conflating the two? My answer mentions the difference regarding mirror shines.

No Im interested in both. The boots I had were shell cordovan. Not sure if they were horween. My question on whether or not it can be used with dress pants is aimed at the horween cxl

 

[One Drop]

No Im interested in both. The boots I had were shell cordovan. Not sure if they were horween. My question on whether or not it can be used with dress pants is aimed at the horween cxl

Understood!

 

[cbez]

Chromexcel is more a work/casual leather.

But people on the internet are more likely to critique wearing it with dress pants than anyone is to give a shit in real life.

 

[Caber]

What about the Garnet color in shell cordovan? I really like the almost purple/ burgundy color of the #8 Is the Garnet more brown?

 

[Caber]

Would it go with black dress pants or black chinos ?

 

[cbez]

shell is generally considered dressier as its smooth and glossy which people associate with dress shoes.

other good options are horsebutt or calf.

the makeup of the boot matters too, a chunky boot with a lug sole will look much more casual.

 

[01flhr]

Have you looked at bakers or any of the pnw brands? They will do pretty much whatever you want as far as toe shape, heal, leather, and sole. Id also recommend looking at like prof barnetts and some of the singapore makers too

 

[Caber]

Have you looked at bakers or any of the pnw brands? They will do pretty much whatever you want as far as toe shape, heal, leather, and sole. Id also recommend looking at like prof barnetts and some of the singapore makers too

I have not. I look into it

 

[Jiantle]

Both Alden and Grant Stone source their shell cordovan from Horween so the quality of shell will be more or less the same. The only difference is the end finishing that each maker may put on the shell after receiving it from the tannery. Alden's "eggplant" color 8 is an example of this.

Also keep in mind each maker is free to give the shell color their own unique name. For example Grant Stone's Garnet shell is really just color 2 (not sure what the official name is from Horween), so it's not actually as confusing as it may initially seem.

As others have said, country of manufacture is not a direct correlation to quality. Grant Stone is among the best-made boots in the workwear scene at the moment using quality materials.

For dress shoes/boots, I'd stick to either shell or calfskin as they hold their shine/elegance better than waxy pull-up leathers like CXL. For makers, although Grant Stone is great value for money, I'd stick to the traditional dress shoe makers like Alden, Crockett & Jones, and Carmina rather than Grant Stone who I feel excel more in their casual designs, similar to Viberg.