Grant Stone

The company operates as a family business with five team members and emphasizes direct-to-consumer sales. Grant Stone's mission centers on creating "non-disposable footwear that fits properly" with pricing ranging from $280 for sneakers to over $700 for shell cordovan boots. Their flagship boot models retail for $380 and are available in sizes 6-13 with half sizes and three width options.

Grant Stone was established in 2016 by Wyatt Gilmore and his father Randy, drawing on extensive family experience in the footwear industry. Wyatt's grandfather worked at Alden for 60 years, while his father Randy worked as an Alden salesman in the Midwest for over 15 years before transitioning to act as an agent for the Xiamen factory that would later produce Grant Stone footwear.

The company name "Grant Stone" came from an old Alden shoe salesman, described as a "perfect gentleman who never swore in his life, and would never ever call on an account without a jacket or tie." Randy Gilmore began working with the Xiamen factory in 1994, establishing a relationship that would span nearly three decades by the time Grant Stone launched.

Wyatt Gilmore spent eight years at the Xiamen factory learning both the craft of shoemaking and Chinese culture, forming the foundation for the company's manufacturing approach. This extended apprenticeship period informed Grant Stone's philosophy of combining traditional construction methods with modern materials sourcing.

Grant Stone manufactures all footwear in Xiamen, China, on Xiamen island, utilizing a factory with decades of experience in Goodyear welt construction. The facility employs approximately 10-20 people in the shoe production process, with Randy Gilmore maintaining oversight through his longtime relationship with the Xiamen team.

The company chose this manufacturing location based on existing relationships and quality-driven production capabilities rather than cost considerations alone. Wyatt Gilmore's eight-year residency at the factory established deep cultural and technical understanding of the production process.

Grant Stone operates with a five-person team split between China and Southwest Michigan. The team includes Wyatt Gilmore as founder, Josh handling inventory and buying, Parker managing customer service and fulfillment, Lulu serving as accountant and Wyatt's wife, and Randy Gilmore providing oversight and factory liaison services. This lean structure enables direct communication between design decisions and manufacturing execution.

All Grant Stone footwear uses Goodyear welt construction, which the company describes as being "in their DNA." The construction method involves multiple layers including rubber outsole, leather midsole, cork layer, steel shank for stability, vegetable-tanned leather insole, and vegetable-tanned leather lining.

The company sources components worldwide from specialized suppliers, including thick vegetable-tanned hides from San Miniato, Italy, oil-dipped leather outsoles from Pennsylvania, and leather welts manufactured in Massachusetts. Grant Stone emphasizes proper fitting lasts and correct components as basic fundamentals of quality construction.

Leather sourcing focuses on full-grain materials from boutique tanneries worldwide. Primary suppliers include Horween of Chicago, Charles F. Stead of England, Badalassi Carlo of Italy, and Gallun. Vegetable-tanned leather uppers measure 1-2.2 millimeters thick with leather-lined interiors, while leather insoles are 3.5 millimeters thick. Construction details include brass eyelets, cork filler, steel shanks, and full grain leather heel counters.

Grant Stone offers a comprehensive range of Goodyear welted footwear across multiple categories. The company's product lineup includes several notable models that exemplify their construction standards and design philosophy.

Boot Models: The boot collection features the Edward Boot, Ottawa Boot, Diesel Boot, Brass Boot, Garrison Boot, Field Boot, Cap-toe Boot, Nora Boot, and Chelsea Boot. Each model combines traditional boot silhouettes with Grant Stone's consistent construction methods.

Dress Shoes: The formal footwear range includes the Cap-toe Oxford and Longwing blucher models, crafted with the same attention to construction quality as the boot lineup.

Casual Styles: The company also produces the Chukka, Plain-toe Blucher, Dirty Buck, and Traveler Penny loafer to complete their casual offerings.

All models utilize consistent construction methods and materials sourcing, with variations primarily in styling, last shape, and leather options. For detailed specifications and history of individual models, see the dedicated product articles.

Grant Stone provides sizing from 6-13 with half sizes and three width options: D (standard), E (wide), and EEE (extra wide) to accommodate different foot shapes. Pricing ranges from $280 for sneakers to over $700 for shell cordovan boots. Flagship boot models retail for $380 and are available in various colors including Horween's famous '#8' burgundy.

The company also offers B-Grade footwear featuring light imperfections at reduced prices and pre-owned options. The current best-selling style is the "Crimson Plain-toe Blucher," which utilizes a custom "Leo last" designed to accommodate four major foot shapes. Grant Stone's approach emphasizes encouraging customers to "buy better and acquire less" as part of their mission to create non-disposable footwear that provides proper fit and lasting value.