The BEST Chelsea Boots for Men | Red Wing vs Grant Stone vs Thursday vs Beckett Simonon

[@StrayReviews]

What’s your favorite Chelsea boot?

[@richyclubsport5155]

My Trickers Henry, country Chelsea, I've got old patinated 30 year's old, blue suede and chocolate brown

[@StrayReviews]

@@richyclubsport5155 Sounds amazing!

[@11perception]

love the video man, please do a long review of the grant stone roughout definitely my favourite

[@StrayReviews]

Thanks Tom! I’ve got one coming up in a couple weeks. 👍

[@BigBobbyBoLo]

Ive had enought boots at this point to realize that the whole half size down thing, rarely is accurate.. just get your sneaker size

[@StrayReviews]

Truth. Even some brands (like Danner) I’ve been going up a half size from my sneaker size.

[@Ray03595]

100% agree. Alden boots are the only time I’ve actually needed to size down.

[@AgSunfall101]

I only base it off of my brannock size now. For a while my sneakers were size 8.5 E. I went 1/2 size down as suggested, they were ok till with time I realized I was crushing my feet. I then experimented with a 9, 8.5, and 8.5 wide. I find the 8.5 wide works for me, and recently using a brannock device I further realized I was getting my shoe sizes wrong. My arch length is 9, width being wide, so I should go for the size 9 E/EE sneakers, maybe 8.5 E/EE boots as well.

[@travis2379]

I always go true to brannock size as well.

[@cjanquart]

The Beckett Simonons are nice and light but they're only in D width, so they're a bit snug for me (but great for the odd rainy days in California). I think the roughout would be a bit more durable than a suede and have a similar look (I didn't like them at first but great because they're scuff-resistant. Really liking those Grant Stones.

[@StrayReviews]

Excellent! The removable footbed does help for wider feet, but definitely a narrow-ish fit.

[@dirtydog1114]

Can you compare these to the Jim Green Outback and the Redbacks?

[@StrayReviews]

The Outbacks are much wider than any of these. They’re a great value though. The Redbacks are great boots. My only complaint about them is the goring panel. It’s just sewn in without any hemming so the excess elastic is just flopping around on the inside of the boot.

[@michaels9574]

Re: your note on the Red Wing Classic Chelseas, Vibram actually manufactures Red Wing’s Christie soles

[@StrayReviews]

Excellent! Thanks for that info!

[@Theheritagetribute]

Hi Lee! Great review, as always. Could you drop the Nicks insoles link here? I can't find them on Amazon 🤷‍♂️ cheers mate!!

[@StrayReviews]

Thank you! Here’s the ones I picked up www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMWC9Z6K/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_8G6RDBH0GM78JKYT7NB5?linkCode=ml2&tag=leebezotte-20

[@timvibes]

What color are your silva boots? And are they a medium brown or a tan? Would the color you have look good with dark blue denim?

[@StrayReviews]

It’s called Walnut on the website. I’d say it leans more tan than brown, and looks a lot like natural that’s started to patina. I think it looks great with dark blue denim. 👍

[@chrismendes5100]

Did you darken the soles on the Thursday Dukes?? Mine came with brown accents that I ended up dying black, looks better

[@StrayReviews]

They must have changed the design a bit. Mine came as you see them. Great boots!

[@bassheadlife492]

My biggest issue with Thursday boots is that they are the least breathable of all my shoes, I think it's the liner that doesn't breathe

[@StrayReviews]

Ah, breathability really does make a difference.

[@MrMarlon13]

The Legend from @Thursdayboots would have been a more comparable pick. Probably my next purchase.

[@StrayReviews]

I’ve had my eye on those for a while. My wife has a pair and really likes them.

[@Hamsong]

I just ordered the Beckett Simonon Silva boots. I’ve owned the Red Wing and Thursday boots, and still own Thursday Captain and Red Wing Blacksmiths. I just tried then Thursday Legend. Loved the, but found the shoe opening WAY too loose and they flopped around on my feet. I’ve never heard anyone else complain about this, so maybe I just have skinnier ankles?

[@StrayReviews]

That's no good. Maybe the goring panels were bad or sewn in wrong. Bummer.

[@Blasfemurr]

I tried the Cavalier at my regular size some time ago but it just mashed my toes - Absolutely love the look and color but the fit was pretty uncomfortable - sizing up felt like my foot was swimming so no luck there. I'm wondering if the Duke has more room than the Cavalier? I'm also waiting to hear if they will expand the Kingmaker Last to the chelsea

[@StrayReviews]

My guess would be that the Duke would be a bit roomier because it's built on the Kingmaker Chelsea last, which should be a bit wider than the Everyday last that the Cavalier is built on.

[@Blasfemurr]

@@StrayReviews ah ok, didn't realize they extended the Kingmaker to Chelseas I thought it was only the Captain - thanks!

[@chefrichh]

Haha I did the exact same thing for my Grant Stone Chelsea boots. I ordered the Nick's leather insoles. The GS Euro last doesn't work for me. It's either too tight or too loose.

[@StrayReviews]

Nice! I really like those Nick's insoles. I can see dropping those in a few boots.

[@chefrichh]

@@StrayReviews thank you for doing the Beckett Simonon review. I've had my eye on them. I'm going to wait for them to go on sale before I buy a pair. Btw I just received the Beckett Simonon duffel bag in pebbled leather. It's beautiful!

[@StrayReviews]

@@chefrichh Very nice! I've got a full review of the Beckett Simonons coming next Saturday. Great boots!

[@Ray03595]

I can’t stand GS lasts either. None of them are comfortable on my foot. I’ve experimented with their sizes enough and concluded the brand just isn’t for me. Beautiful craftsmanship on their products though.

[@renangaidheal1320]

In terms of sheer quality of materials and construction, Grant Stone wins this hands down, not even close. And given the close price, worth more than every dime of difference. But chelseas are another place where the nuances in last and design make significant differences. So the real matter here has got to be fit and aesthetics, which can't really be dissociated either. More expensive alternatives like RM Williams compare well with Grant Stone but then you get to Viberg, Lofgren, or even Edward Green and price invariably becomes much more an issue. Excellent review. FTR, I got my first chelseas not long after The Beatles made them famous.

[@StrayReviews]

Very nice! I’ll bet those Beatles era Chelseas were above and beyond anything in this review.

[@MrPanthers23]

Nice review

[@StrayReviews]

Thank you!

[@MrPanthers23]

@@StrayReviews I'm a thicker built guy, and Chelsea boots just don't look right on me unfortunately. But the Thursday Captains are my fav boot. Esp the chrome excel leather. So soft, and stretched to accommodate my toe box nicely

[@StrayReviews]

@@MrPanthers23 Very nice. If I had to pick a favorite leather, it would be chromexcel. Great stuff!

[@MrPanthers23]

@@StrayReviews a review idea would be to do an overview of the differences between some of Thursday's lace up options. They look so similar now, it's hard to tell much of a difference on the website

[@StrayReviews]

@@MrPanthers23 Great idea! I'm working on a Captain review where I compare the two lasts they use for them.

[@peterhess2610]

My Thursdays are a strikeout. The left one feels like it’s gonna split in half making them very uncomfortable. I own several pairs of Thursdays and every one has been problematic. Everything from mismatched coloring to terrible CS. I just bought a pair of Beckett Simonon loafers. As soon as I opened the box I could tell these are a quality shoe. For not much more $$$ than Thursdays the difference in quality hit me in the face. No more Thursdays for me.

[@StrayReviews]

I've never been disappointed by a pair of Beckett Simonons. Well worth the wait.

[@foodandbourbon7737]

Which boot came in 2nd?

[@StrayReviews]

Great question. I think I'm going to give second place to the Thursdays for their comfort and versatility.

[@tommeggison1466]

The Grant Stone look great but I'm not a fan of the pointed western toe. Sizing seems wonky as well.

[@StrayReviews]

The toe isn’t TOO western in my opinion. But the sizing is tricky.

[@supaflow2006]

Excellent work, Lee👊

[@StrayReviews]

Hey, thank you!

[@cowboyboots666]

Looks good 👢👢👍

[@StrayReviews]

Thank you!

[@cwr8618]

Anyone know good brands for wide feet? Have some Jim Green already

[@Blueguci]

Grant Stone have some EEE sizes in various models

[@StrayReviews]

The Thursday Duke dark olive comes in EE and EEE.

[@marlenakauer5262]

Red Wing Chelsea comes in wide for the amber color

[@cwr8618]

@@Bluegucithey make some handsome boots! Looking at the Ottowa and Brass Boot. Thanks

[@cwr8618]

@@StrayReviewsthank you!

[@GoatzombieBubba]

Instead of going with the higher quality full grain version of Thursdays you went with the low quality suede...

[@StrayReviews]

I’m a sucker for that dark olive color.

[@ADyess086]

Redback ☝🏻

[@StrayReviews]

Great choice!

[@richyclubsport5155]

Best Chelsea boots, Trickers Henry

[@StrayReviews]

Those are gorgeous!

[@mountfairweather]

Blundstones for everyday work, hiking, and casual. They clean up well. RM Williams CC for suits, dress, and smart business.

[@StrayReviews]

I don't own a pair of RM Williams but I hear they're pretty good.

[@ccdriver100]

R.M. Williams Gardner Boots.

[@StrayReviews]

Nice choice!👍

[@GoatzombieBubba]

600$ chelseas vs 200$ chelseas... you cannot compare them you can only compare 600$ with similar priced chelseas and same with the 200$ ones.

[@Surayahti]

Not a fan of US made boots... I am however a fan of well made boots regardless of where they are made.

[@StrayReviews]

A good boot is a good boot regardless of where it’s made. 👍

[@theoriginalrabbithole]

Ugh...Chelsea boots are the 'Dickies fake turtleneck collar' of boots for short guys! If only they died the death they so richly deserved back in the 1970s, along with the Polyester leisure suits they were so often paired with. Along with sideburns, 5-6 gold chains, a bushy moustache, gaudy watch and at least 5 rings, it was an actual "look" back then. Just looking at Chelsea boots reminds me of the smell of Brut by Faberge and Hai Karate after-shave. Also, here in New England, unless they're at least 8" high? We call them "shoes", as we tend to get a little snow in the winter here, Down East. 😄

[@StrayReviews]

Ah Brut, the Aromatic Spicy fragrance for men. Since 1968!

[@harrybach8412]

I like your reviews, but not a fan of Chelsea boots. In my opinion Chelsea boots are clumsy, boring and lack style. I own a pair of sued Thursday Boots, the Captain. Although I would not buy another pair of Thursday Boots. The boots are very heavy and have been sitting in my closet for two years.

[@StrayReviews]

I'm a firm believer that the best boots are the ones you'll wear. Even the most popular or expensive boots are no good if they're not worn.

[@dontorres2055]

None of the boots mentioned are remotely hand crafted.

[@joefog964]

Unless their Chelsea boots are made differently than their shoes, Beckett Simonon definitely is.

[@dontorres2055]

Not accurate, the are machine stitched and lasted. They also use gemming and are not hand welted. That’s my understanding.

[@joefog964]

​@@dontorres2055gotcha, so you're talking a different level/more strict definition of handcrafted. They're definitely built with higher attention to detail than mass produced assembly line type stuff. I can tell the insole toppers(?) alone are obviously cut by hand because it has little jagged cut lines all over it

[@dontorres2055]

Hand made is different than machines lasted and sewn.