I wore my boots nearly daily for the Dome. They have been in 4 states and DC. They have been to the Outer Banks of NC, the Chesapeake Bay, James A. Lovell Federal Healthcare Center in North Chicago, Capital Hill and the Potomac River. I have worn them with jeans, work pants and a suit. I expected wearing them with a suit to result in odd looks and questions. It didn’t. I actually received compliments and questions about what they were and where to get some.
I love the leather on these boots. It doesn’t need to be broken in. It has an interesting crease/roll thing it does that is somewhere between shell (the leather that made me think about shoes) and cow. I brushed them regularly but had very little shoe tree discipline. I conditioned them once a month with whatever I picked up. I believe the first was VSC, in the middle I used Bick 4 and i used Saphir prior to the final photos. I was worried out the gate that the leather was patina proof. It is very stable and self correcting with brushing and conditioning. By the final two months they really developed a lovely patina. I will wear these boots for a long time.
I am a fan of the Leo last. It is in the same category as the Alden 379x and truebalance lasts for me. They each work extremely well for my feet. I previously purchased a pair Of Diesels in 9.5E. I prefer the fit of the 10D. My brannock is 10.5 D\E. I wear the truebalance in a 10D and the 379x in a 10.5D. I have a high instep and did not have an issue with pain across the top of my foot which can happen to me with some shoes when I am not active, while wearing them.
It is excellent. I have quite a few pairs of boots and these are beautiful, well made and well finished boots. I was admiring the welt stitching as I conditioned them. I would recommend Grant Stone to any friend or Stranger. In fact I have done both during the course of the patina thunderdome contest. For enemies, I have a different recommendation that I won’t share. The only problem I encountered was one of the speed hooks was sharp on the inside and was digging into the tongue. I corrected this with sandpaper on day 5.
I like it. It is not a good wet sole. It Is very slippery in wet conditions. I have deep appreciation for leather soles, which have nearly vanished in ready to wear. Even the preponderance of Alden make ups are on the commando. It looks good, wears well and has plenty of grip for outdoor activities as long as it isn’t wet.
I love these boots and now I love kangaroo leather. The original laces didn’t last 30 days.