Crimson Kudu - Aging of a Wild Leather
See specs
Maker
Grant Stone
Model
Garrison Boot
Leather
Last
Sole
Purchased from
Grant Stone
Order info
Cost: 267 USD
Availability: Stock Model
Lead Time: 8 days
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Why did you choose this item?
I am a fan of kudu leather and wanted something darker in color for my repertoire. These were a nice compromise between the reddish tones but not going full oxblood. The Garrison style with the captoe also caught my eye. So all in all, purchased on the GS Labor Day sale in 2025 these fit my needs for a darker kudu boot that I could wear in multiple settings (work and casual) all while being able to be sported through the 25-26 Thunderdome.
How did you determine your size?
I know I fit well in an 11UK in width 5 and also have found my Viberg 2055 Munson last boots in 11EE fit well. So I reached out to GS for opinion. Not wanting to go full Munson size for these we opted to try an 11E and they came in perfect. Fit nice and snug but just enough wiggle using a standard Darn Tough sock with cushioning.
What was the ordering process?
I ordered directly from GS online during their Labor Day sale. My brothers and father all got together and purchased pairs on the same ticket to take advantage of the free shipping.
Use & wear
These garrison boots have been put through the wringer stretching from office, to long hikes with kids. The leather has held up phenomenally and clearly the kudu can take a lot of punishment.
Leather
The crimson kudu is very resilient to wear and tear. The color darkened subtly, with some lightening through the camp that I hope continues to grow into a two tone look in the years to come. No polish was used nor any conditioner the whole 6 months, just lots of brushing to bring back the leathers shine and luster.
Fit
The fit on these boots was perfect all around offering support in the arch and a good feel all day long with little to know foot fatigue. The leather did stretch out quite a bit which is evident looking at side by side photos from day one till now, but the fit is still comfortable especially with medium to thick wool socks.
Craftsmanship
The boots held up great overall through miles of trails and hikes. The leather and components took a beating but nothing ever failed. My laces had to be replaced twice but that was the only thing.
Sole & heel
The soles have held up incredibly well, having treaded on all kinds of surfaces including office floors, muddy hiking trails, and snowy mountains. The treads held up over 6 months and offered great traction, never feeling like I couldn’t trust their grip.
Final thoughts
The Grant Stone Garrison Boot in Crimson Kudu held up incredibly well during this Thunderdome. Across offices floors and muddy Missouri trails, to snowy sidewalks and Copper Mountain hikes, the boots took quite a beating and held up almost too good for the dome. The kudu leather must be beyond resilient, as I’m sure its heritage would lend you to believe. Every crease, every scratch, every splash of dirt seemed to be deflected by the tough leather. But even while it was tough, the leather molded to my feet quickly, and even after 6 short months they may be more crafted to my foot shape than many others I’ve had in my collection for years. The crimson color took a long time to really show a patina, but began to get there in the end. A darker, rich brown color took began to take shape, particularly on the toe and heel while the vamp began to lighten in spots of heavy wear. I was hoping for a two-tone finale, and maybe a couple more heavy months of wear and it would appear. Overall these boots held up, became more comfortable with every day of wear, and adopted a subtle patina that still shows the shine of what they looked like on day one.
