GS Edward boots 6 months of wear, leather just started aging
Grant Stone Edward Boot in Badalassi Carlo Natural MinervaBy Hatsandboots • April 6, 2025"These boots were on final sale, I thought it would be a great leather to follow the patina process. My wife freaked out when she saw the original pale or natural color, as I usually wear darker brown boots. I had to explain that this leather will darken. Where do I start? Boy this leather is stiff and firm. The clicking is really nice, as the vamp developed some nice rolls, 0 grain break.I was expecting them darken them faster, they significantly darkened, but not enough to my liking. I believe more exposure to natural light would make these look darker sooner. 6 months don’t do the justice, I expect them to darken much more in 6 months from now. I haven’t applied any conditioner yet, as they didn’t need much care yet. I did spray 50-50% rubbing alcohol and water mixture on my left pinky toe area, as I still have some hotspots there at the end of the day, due to the stiff nature of this leather...."Read the full review
Very impressed with these fantastic boots.
Grant Stone Diesel Boot in Badalassi Carlo Saddle Tan MinervaBy Patrick_I._Nas • April 3, 2025"This leather has been very interesting to break in. It is initially very tough and super thick, which means it takes a while to soften up. Once it does break in though (and it will eventually, trust) it becomes sooo comfy and feels so nice to the touch. A nice aspect of the thickness is that it doesn’t crease much, but forms more like rolls, and it doesn’t have any loose grain (really satisfied on that point). Being such a light color to begin with, you would think it would be easy to patina, but in fact it shrugs off stains and scratches, so even a super dark pair of jeans didn’t show as much crocking as I expected, and scratches just rub out easily. This made the patina process longer but I am pleased with the results...."Read the full review
A great all around boot
Grant Stone Edward Boot in Badalassi Carlo Natural MinervaBy JonathonC • April 6, 2025"The break in was slower than I expected and it’s a very firm leather. I conditioned them once throughout the thunderdome and infrequently brushed them. They’re still quite stiff even after months of wear...."Read the full review
Hiking the Watkins Glen State Park
Grant Stone Ottawa Boot in Badalassi Carlo Natural MinervaBy Bossa • October 3, 2024"Because of the nature of the veg tanned leather, they were pretty stiff. The boots still don’t feel too comfortable after walking a few miles, but that’s not unexpected. The leather sole was very slippery and I almost fell a few times. Again, not unexpected. However, they did get scuffed and eventually provided more traction even on the wet and slippery gravel/stone roads I traversed. I think the boots experienced a very minor color change and have started to patina slightly due to the weather and wear they’ve experienced. I’ll definitely give them a thorough wipe down and brushing after the mud that caked them...."Read the full review
Fortis first timer
Fortis Goldrush in Badalassi Carlo Cognac MinervaBy Zeonic • October 5, 2024"Roughout bison and badalassi cognac. The bison is very supple and comfortable. The badalassi is taking time to break in it seems resistant to bending rn..."Read the full review
Great versatile boots from Fortis!
Fortis Goldrush in Badalassi Carlo Cognac MinervaBy Zeonic • April 4, 2025"The uppers were badalassi cognac and they were sort of stiff even to the end with sharp creases. It makes for an interesting look but can cause some sharp points when bending. The lowers were a local roughout bison and it seems great. The color change on the badalassi was nice as well. I didn't have to do much care for these at all...."Read the full review
10/10 Would Buy Again
Grant Stone Ottawa Boot in Badalassi Carlo Natural MinervaBy Bossa • April 5, 2025"The boots started off very light beige and very stiff. After months of wear, they’ve broken in and patina-ed amazingly! The leather started off super stiff and cutting into my legs despite the socks. I would actually double up the cuff of my longer socks to ease the break-in of the top of the boot. Now, months later, they fit like a glove, and have become a handsome tan. They’re still a bit stiff when I initially put them on, but they warm up within a few minutes and feel amazing. The break-in and care was very simple. Break-in: wear, wear, and more wear. Care routine: brush when I remember to, and venitian shoe cream before and after winter...."Read the full review
Tough but Elegant
John Lofgren Donkey Puncher Boots in Badalassi Carlo Cognac MinervaBy shakincheese • April 5, 2024"It’s held up very well I will certainly not win but they will last and look good for quite a while...."Read the full review
Boots with excellent comfort and world-class clean make
Jack & White Brothers Letterman ZERO in Badalassi Carlo Cognac MinervaBy shoegazing • April 5, 2024"Aged nicely, from a tan shade to a nice warm medium brown. Handled all scratches and beating well. Been cleaned with Tarrago WASC super cleaner and conditioned with Saphir Medaille d'Or Nappa conditioner every month. Of course always used shoe trees, since want to use them for many more years to come.
Surprisingly comfortable from the get go, and after a couple of weeks breaking them in really comfy...."Read the full review
