FIGHT! Grant Stone vs Alden Loafers

[@Stridewise]

UPDATE: The all-knowing Ticho Blanco was incorrect when he said Grant Stone's moc is machine stitched, it's also hand stitched! Also LOTS of related videos for this one: * My trip to CF Stead, the most beloved suede tannery stridewise.com/cf-stead-suede/ * A visit to Alden's NYC store: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHiTZ5hqeKxogpI * Grant Stone vs Oak Street loafers kzbin.infoAXQAyH3W-wg * The 5 Rarest Alden Boots You'll Never Find stridewise.com/rare-alden-boots/ * My interview with Grant Stone's founder: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYHEq56epct1Z68

[@edbee8508]

Really enjoying all these loafer videos

[@Stridewise]

it took me way too long to realize i should talk more about loafers in summer, boots in winter.

[@jonlouis2582]

Very interesting. It's pretty clear that I'm going to be needing some loafers for work. Thanks.

[@Blueguci]

TLB Mallorca have a nice selection of loafers and you can customise them,different lasts each last has four different widths and a good selection of leathers and styles, definitely worth looking at

[@Stridewise]

that's funny I was really close to getting some split toe derbies from TLB, I was looking everywhere for some brown suede ones and landed on them because of the chunkier last - but then I found some from Paraboot and realized I had to investigate Paraboot, especially as someone with a French degree haha. But I'm definitely going to get something from TLB I've decided. Esp since I've BEEN to mallorca to film footwear factories th4ere

[@Blueguci]

@@Stridewise I own one pair of TLB and they are a reverse split toe Darby the model is the Owen which they don’t do anymore I had them custom made for a wide width and I chose the tan hatch grain leather, very well made shoes

[@KateMallon-jw3ig]

Curious to hear your feedback on Crockett & Jones loafers quality/value between Grant Stone and Alden?

[@Stridewise]

Yes I've been thinking a lot about Crockett & Jones esp since Justin highlighted their influence in this recent video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoGwmmeVpdNkY5I I'm always torn as to WHICH c&j product I should get but it's possible that the loafers need the highlighting

[@Lgirtfhdzxfft]

Ticho reminds me the movie “ No country for old men” 😂

[@Stridewise]

as Anton Chigurh? Ticho is not that cool, come on

[@banbaji]

Nick looking like 9% bodyfat these days

[@Stridewise]

hahaha i didn't think 100% of my 'you lost weight!' comments would come from my youtube comments

[@InGrindWeCrust2010]

He's turning down modeling jobs in NYC to bring us the truth about boots. We should be so lucky!

As much as I wanted to make GS' loafers work, to Ticho's point, the orthopedic DNA Alden has results in superior comfort and to me that's the #1 quality for I look for in footwear. Plus, they offer narrow widths (I am C). If I am travelling, and know I'll be doing a lot of walking, I typically pack Alden loafers and Indys. I moved on my GS sky reverse kudu and storm kudu loafers and now own four pairs of Alden LHS. To me, Alden makes the most comfortable footwear and that makes them worth the price. FYI - TSM has new (factory seconds) Alden loafers for around the $400 price range.

[@stephenrountree3214]

I currently own 3 pairs of Alden LHS. All 3 unlined. I’ve owned about a dozen other Alden’s in lined and unlined. I tried grant stone loafers. I couldn’t really handle the stiffness of the lined traveler. Stylistically, I vastly prefer Alden styling to grant stone, but that’s a preference thing.

[@Stridewise]

Great feedback on the leather lining, which seems to be the deciding factor when it comes to the actual build quality. Some like the extra structure of the lining, some like the breathability/flexibility of unlined!

[@Dominicreviews]

@stephenrountree3214 How did you size? I only one a pair of Alden's on the barrie last and I wear them with boot socks and I have good room. I was thinking to go a full size down from my Brannock for loafers as of course there aren't any laces. What do you think?

[@christianrenato3876]

Alden is the top quality? And best leather?

[@Leisurelyloafing-zk1qb]

I created a KZbin account just to respond to this. Setting aside the cost and construction debate, Alden’s LHS just looks way better than GS’s traveler and it all boils down to the apron stitching. I don’t understand why GS had to set theirs so far in on the toe - it looks off! With that being said, I think there are better options out there aesthetically speaking at the grant stone price point: Horatio, Velasca. Rancourt (ish - I wish they’d make a proper half strap instead of the pinch strap), sid Mashburn, etc., etc. etc.

[@CJ95ZZ]

Love ticho and what he does for the shoe community. Such a knowledgeable man. But maybe a script next time could help the flow of this video be a bit better. Heading the filler words “you know” literally every sentence makes it hard to hear for an informational video.

[@Stridewise]

Yeah this was a full hour long at first! I'll do a better job of cutting those fillers next time but it can make people sound weird when their sentences are chopped up like that.

[@TheRealAlPhil]

"Right? Right? Right? Right? Right? Right? Right?"

[@drzaius844]

My first pair of Grant Stone was the midnight blue suede traveller. I just couldn’t spend 650 for a blue suede loafer, and I discovered GS had one for half the price. The quality was incredible. I’ve bought probably 14 more pairs of GS since then, but that said, I’ve lusted after some of Alden’s LHS loafer. They have a more refined silhouette to my eye.

[@Gregoryverfied]

Narrr the grant storrrn

[@gnarl12]

Drop 3-5 GS pairs and get 1-2 Aldens

[@drzaius844]

@@gnarl12 I already have two pair of Aldens lol

[@Stridewise]

yeah it's true grant stone's loafer has a wider rounder toe than you'd think, like at first glance, so I appreciate the guys who say it's not the world's most refined/dressy loafer, but I think it's the most versatile

[@willmarshall4685]

Such an excellent point. I get so tired of people bashing Chinese made shoes,(even though theses same people purchase 95 percent of what they own from overseas manufacturers,) and then bitch about American made prices. Pick your lane.

[@drkpg1]

« you know… » 😂

[@darrenhall7454]

Tough decision, US at a premium or top quality but Chinese made. Very similar choices here in the UK. Northampton or China or Spain. Which is why I mostly buy used Northampton shoes. It seems to work out well for me, so far.

[@Stridewise]

Spain seems like a good compromise haha have you looked much at Carmina and TLB Mallorca?

[@lucaslanier5866]

Does anyone know if Alden uses leatherboard for the heelstack in the loafer model? That was a big turn off for me regarding their boot construction.

[@gnarl12]

Probably and it's NOT a big deal. The first resole any cobbler can make a full weight leather heel stack

[@Stridewise]

I need to do a video on leatherboard. Some people like how it's lighter/flexibler

[@gdaddy6922]

Flexibler?​@@Stridewise

[@Stridewise]

@@gdaddy6922 that's right, I have two master's degrees and i use made up words

[@Gabaghoul0000]

​@@Stridewise Fantabulous.

[@mikekirby2085]

Every crappy online store website: “oh my god hire someone to fix this, the homeless guy with 9 hats could make a better website” Alden Website: ‘oh its purity and tradition, they are saying they dont care about online sales, the Romans didnt have a website’

[@Stridewise]

hahahah I would pay for Alden to redesign their website myself, but they don't want to sell online!

[@oyster_3694]

I love Grastone as a company! They have great products! I just prefer the patern aesthetic of the Aldens! Also, the whole buying experience at an Alden store!

[@Stridewise]

if you have access to one, you can 't beat an instore purchase for footwear!

[@oyster_3694]

Agreed 👍🏽 Alden Madison!!! Those fellas are the best!

[@PerHansa75]

yes.

[@sentiasatransformasi]

I accidentally found n went into a store that sells carmina n alden shoes. interestingly enough, the salesgirl would lecture me abt these shoes n really wanted me to try them on even though she knew that I have not enough money to spend on such expensive loafers. but I'm hopefully on the right track to make it big n when I do, i'll definitely upgrade my loafers game n buy a bunch from that store

[@kenbling910]

A side question Nick, how did you size your OBS beefroll mocs compared to your brannock?

[@Stridewise]

a WHOLE size down from brannock, and from what they recommend for the trench boot!

[@kenbling910]

@@Stridewise Thanks Nick. You and I have the same Brannock size (11.5D) so good to see they really do stretch out and fit nicely. I'll go the 10.5 and get the free shipping to Aus!

[@awietjandra8788]

hi Nick, please review the RGT sashiko cruiser jacket, i know u got one of those lol

[@Stridewise]

i do but i'm not wearing it much! i'm doing a big sashiko video with standard and strange some time soon

[@ronwang86]

Ticho channeling Ishmael from Kingpin.

[@TFM8]

380 isnt too far from Carmina, no? Or SoH if you want made in Europe a bit cheaper...or Meermin if you want the cheapest, they also have unstructured loafers, i wonder where these fit in.

[@gesalt8835]

I was wondering that too meermin and Astroflex exist. I think meermin are “finished” in Europe and astroflex is completely Italian. I like my diesel boots but these loafers are the same price for less leather, love to know the justification.

[@TFM8]

@@gesalt8835 meermins are made in China mostly and any finishing in EU is cosmetic like polishing. None are Italian, astroflex is just an attempt to make their stiff goodyearwelt a bit easier to break in. Great value though

[@loqu]

Nice looking shoes unfortunately neither goes past US size 13 and I wear 15.

[@Stridewise]

that's really surprising, especially for Alden, lots of sizes is meant to be their advantage!

[@loqu]

@@Stridewise you’d be surprised how many show companies don’t cater to large feet when we need them the most.

[@gdaddy6922]

I havent heard anyone speak so highly about Alden in quite some time..

[@Stridewise]

it's so refreshing to hear people who know what they're talking about and still love Alden

[@gdaddy6922]

@@Stridewise oh my. Is that a dig at the original Alden drama starter??

[@Stridewise]

@@gdaddy6922 oh no I didn't mean it that way, just that it's good to have a smart voice on the Pro team

[@joebop6849]

Am currently waiting on an exchange for some Grant Stone penny loafers in crimson chromexcel (sized too large). Maybe in the future I’ll look to Alden for other shoes or boots, but it’s just too steep a price for what I want right now.

[@TorJonsson-uw3zq]

You swapped your facial hair, ticho!

[@willramirez75]

Grant stone Alexander last is very tough on your instep, if yours are high.

[@Stridewise]

good to know! i actually had to add a half insole to mine to make it work for me

[@88sstraight]

I wish all shoe and boot makers would give detailed info about their lasts, including heel to forefoot ratios. The Munson still rules for my feet as I require a tight heel and broad forefoot.

[@Stridewise]

Yeah I know what you mean! I just went to Meermin in NYC and none of their boot lasts fit me except the Negon. If I hadn't tried the different lasts I would have concluded the brand's lasts just don't work for me!

[@darenius3105]

Alden all the way!

[@df540148]

Rancourt runs about the same price as Grant Stone. Alden is just overpriced.

[@Stridewise]

That's why I put that section in to make it clear Rancourt and Oak Street's construction is cheaper. It's rarer, but still cheaper.

[@df540148]

@@Stridewise Rancourt also gets some fun leather from Horween like that new olive bulldog that's so fire.

[@Stridewise]

@@df540148 yeah i've been considering them actually. but the point being that rancourt is cheaper because it's worth less than Alden, like they're less expensive to *make* than GYW loafers, so they're not a 1:1 comparison when assessing value

[@df540148]

@@Stridewise yeah I agree. I have some second hand shell blutchers and they're nice but I'd rather wear my Ranger Mocs any day.

[@aznlemonboy]

Any experience with the weltline from rancourt?

[@robd7934]

Grant Stone might be a good shoe but the price is too high for a shoe thats made in China. My Acemarks blake stitch loafers are made in Italy and cost $324.

[@Stridewise]

yeah in fairness goodyear welts and leather lining make a loafer that's more expensive to produce, but I get preferring blake stitches

[@oussisaho208]

King of penny loafers.. JM Weston

[@Stridewise]

That's so funny I was just on their site looking at the demi chasse. I must try these loafers

[@toughlifevirgina]

There's always the Portuguese market!

[@Stridewise]

it's like the China of Western Europe

[@toughlifevirgina]

@@Stridewise 🤣

[@aj_sanjuan]

Why did I envision some lazy people fighting ? 😂

[@AdamJones381]

I would be curious to know the median age of the Alden customer. Even with the Indy boot, that was a popular movie franchise 40 years ago. I can't see Alden surviving long, or being bought out.

[@gnarl12]

They're private so who knows. That said, you'd be surprised at their margins...... Allegedly it's VERY high

[@AdamJones381]

@@gnarl12 Alden could be hugely profitable today, if the majority of their customers are in their 60s, then in 20 years time they wouldn't be selling enough items to be profitable.

[@Stridewise]

@@AdamJones381 did you guys hear about how much money their CFO was able to embezzle, I guess there's good money floating around there: www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-corporate-executive-sentenced-30-million-embezzlement-scheme

[@AdamJones381]

@@Stridewise Thanks for sharing Nick!

[@mikeg3420]

When that guy says, “right?”, are we supposed to answer, “right” or “wrong”? Because one of those comments was wrong. Venture capital doesn’t buy shoe companies. I think you’re thinking about private equity.

[@etebol]

Chinese made is just simply not for me. On principle mostly.

[@whereRbearsTeeth]

Such a hypocrite. 90% of what you own is made in China

[@edbee8508]

Yeah that's a common sentiment among the more youthfully challenged.

[@Stridewise]

This video was an hour long and we talked about it more before cutting it, I think I'll release it as its own video

[@etebol]

@@edbee8508 I’ll take that as a compliment since the “youthfully gifted” seem to run low on principles and much more on emption.

[@petergreen1994]

Then I suggest you look up how many Made in US brands that are made in LA abuse their workers in the worse ways. I don’t know what your principles are but you should know many Made in US brands aren’t ethically made at all.

[@FranciscoAldereteE]

Alden is the king of loafers, no contest

[@arindambasu9850]

Grant Stone beats Alden hands down every time whether it's boots or loafers. Especially when you bring price into the equation. Alden is just way way overpriced , for no good reason other than their brand name and excess of brick and mortar stores. I will and have bought GS every time and they are fantastic products.

[@x.nihilo]

How does Alden still have a shred of credibility after Rose Anvil video is beyond me. They are clearly riding their heritage and whatnot, but their products' value is nowhere near their prices.

[@milkshakeplease4696]

alden lhs looks better but they're probably comparable in quality

[@gnarl12]

Borh brands are Great, although GS lives out of a Chinese white label factory....

[@d05wtt]

A little strange watching you do a loafer vid.

[@Stridewise]

i decided/realized it's the best way to wear high quality shoes with shorts! Them and my Crown Northampton sneakers...

[@franky3fingers337]

OSB??! 🚩

[@Stridewise]

Red flag? what's wrong with OSB

[@franky3fingers337]

@@Stridewise there is just something always off with them in my opinion. Puckering on the welt stitching, soles not glued on correctly, sizing being a bit off at times from other boots in the same lineup, and worse. I definite suspect they used CXL bellies on my awful sport mocs I bought last year. No proof on that but the leather was off.

[@CarlMurawski]

UNSUBSCRIBE! Lol

[@Stridewise]

why can't we be friends

[@CarlMurawski]

@@Stridewise this is exactly why.

[@ralphmarkasher]

So true, we allowed business to go to China and sell us cheap stuff

[@DuduOhsson]

Grant Stone all day every day. Alden is in the toilet.

[@Stridewise]

i hope the extreme difference in opinions in this comment section can teach everyone a lesson about subjectivity

[@freddyfox5002]

China is Good Because China is Great