Chelsea in Earth (Waxy Commander)

Length: N/A

Width: N/A

I’m a 9D US on the Brannock. Sized a full size down for these. Good in length, relatively narrow last. Same size as my Iron Rangers.

Ottawa in Crimson CXL

Length: N/A

Width: N/A

I’m a 9D US on the Brannock. Took an 8D in these, same as my Iron Rangers. These have a shallow toe box, and overall felt a little tighter compared to my Chelseas in the same size from Grant Stone. Very well built boots, but I’d advise going 0.5 down from Brannock instead of a full size!

Crimson CXL

Length: Perfect

Width: Slightly Narrow

Hey everyone! Below is a review on these beauties, but if you just want the sizing info, I’ll post it here at the top to save you some time :) SIZING: I’m a 9 C/D Brannock, and decided to size down to an 8D in these. I have a near perfect amount of room in front of my toes, the instep is comfortably snug, my heels are hugged nicely, but the width is slightly narrow. With thinner wool socks they work perfectly well, but there’s no way I could put an insert in there or accommodate thick socks comfortably. These feel like a glove around my feet in the best possible way once they’re broken in, and I’m sure part of that is due to the supple CXL uppers. For those wanting arch support, you won’t find much on the Leo last. Also if you have skinny ankles, you may find the quarters of the boots come together too closely when lacing. I also have a pair of Diesels and Cap Toe Boots on the Leo last in 8.5D, which suits me better in the Winter months since I can comfortably wear thick socks. I’ll cover those in separate reviews though :) I wear an 8D in Iron Rangers, 8.5D in Red Wing Mocs, 8D in White’s 55 Last, 8.5D in Thursdays, and 8.5D in Trumans (79 & 20 lasts). REVIEW: These were my first boots from Grant Stone, along with the Chelseas in Earth, I bought both a couple years back during the Black Friday sale. I have lived lots of life in these boots, they have become my go to adventure boots during the hot Summer months. They’ve seen many, many trails. These boots have been with me through highs and lows, and they have yet to let me down. The Crimson (Brown) CXL is buttery smooth and has a nice thickness to it, it feels like a harmonious mixture of rugged and luxurious. When I put these on, I automatically want to go outside or hike the nearest trail. I know these aren’t Indys but I definitely get Indiana Jones vibes haha. The faux Dainite outsole seems durable and good for everyday use, however my pairs have worn out at the toes rather fast and the rubber has actually chipped away on my Chelsea boots near the toe. As far as QC goes, typical Grant Stone. Hardly any stitches out of place, immaculate welt joints, and solid hardware. The veg tan insole has conformed nicely to my feet, and they feel every bit as reliable as the day I got them. Originally I was very hesitant about the NST style, but it really does grow on you overtime. It bridges the gap between casual and dressy, making it a very versatile choice IMO. Overall, I love these boots and look forward to making more memories in them! - Zach

Traveler Penny in Dune (Natural) CXL.

Length: N/A

Width: N/A

These were a pain to break in, especially around the instep. I’m a 9D US on the Brannock device, and considering I like a snug fit with loafers, I took an 8D in these. Being fully lined, these are very stiff from the get go, which results in a difficult break in, especially around the instep. It took a solid 3 weeks to make these comfortable, but now I can wear them with no pain. I’d recommend sizing down a half size from your Brannock to avoid the horrendous break in experience I had.

Navy CXL

Length: Slightly Long

Width: Perfect

I ordered these last November during GS’ Black Friday sale. I bought these along with the Forest Kudu Cap Toe boots. I decided to get these in 8.5D as opposed to my other GS boots which are 8D. I wanted a little extra room for my toes and slightly more width. I find the 8.5D to be slightly long but perfect in terms of width. My Ottawas, which I also reviewed on here, are 8D and perfect for wearing with thinner socks during the Summer. I couldn’t get away with adding an insert in them or wearing thicker socks though. These 8.5D Diesels are my go to thicker sock boots. There’s ample volume around the instep. The arch support is nothing crazy, I would appreciate a little more but I have other boots that fit that bill. I would agree that a half size down from Brannock is a good general rule for sizing with the Leo last. You could also size down a full size and increase width to get a similar fit. Owning both 8D (full size down) and 8.5D (half size down) in the Leo last, I prefer the fit of the latter more. There’s slightly too much room in front of my toes for my taste (1 in.), but many say that’s an acceptable amount of room, so YMMV. I can comfortably spend all day in these boots. I experienced some heel blistering during the break in, but that’s since subsided. If you have skinny ankles, you may find the quarters come too close together when lacing. It’s not a huge deal but definitely worth noting. I may try the 8E for my next pair of GS and see how it fits compared to the 8D and 8.5D. Overall, I love these boots and the Navy CXL is aging really well!

Natural CXL

Length: Perfect

Width: Perfect

These loafers are amazing. I may have won the CXL jackpot, after over two years of wear these have virtually no creasing. The leather reminds me of a honey glazed shell cordovan. Part of me wants to frame these as the superlative example of the perfect loafer. As for sizing, I chose to go a full size down from my Brannock. 8D in these required a brutal break-in, far worse than any other shoes or boots I’ve bought. My instep was in so much pain the first few weeks of wearing these, but I carried on. My heels were also experiencing a crucifixion of their own. After some time though, the CXL softened to the point where I can wear them all day with no pain. They’re quite comfortable now actually. I prefer my loafers snug, so that’s why I chose a full size down. The width is perfect as well as the length, but beware if you have a slightly higher instep than most, it may cost you a hellish break-in process.

Java Waxed Flesh, Truman Commando Sole

Length: Perfect

Width: Slightly Narrow

I did a write up of these boots on Reddit, so I’m copying that here for anyone who might find it useful! :) P.S. the sizing section is towards the bottom of the review to save you some time! BACKGROUND: Hey everyone! So first things first, I didn’t pay anything for these boots. I actually won them from a recent giveaway that Truman did with Corvus coffee. That said, this is a totally unbiased impression on these. What’s better than coffee and boots? Go on I’ll wait! The boots they chose to send for the giveaway are a pair of their Java Waxed Flesh on their new(ish) 20 last, which supposedly features extra room in the toebox with raised walls and a snug heel. About a week after I was selected for the giveaway, I was greeted at the mailbox by the beautiful smell of fresh coffee and new boots. The packaging for the boots was solid, with each one being wrapped in Truman branded paper and they also threw in some extra goodies including a horsehair brush, leather protector, and both cotton and rawhide laces. Any loose threads you might encounter can be done away with by the complimentary matches they throw in! IMPRESSIONS: Having one other pair of Trumans before this (Evergreen Cheahas), I somewhat knew what to expect going into this pair. These boots are solid. Not quite as heavy as my Whites, but certainly more substantial than my Red Wings or Grant Stones. The stitching was decent, not the same density or attention to detail you’ll see on something like Vibergs or Grant Stone, but perfectly acceptable for what these boots are. The Java Waxed Flesh, Truman’s flagship leather, is exactly what you’d expect from this type of leather – durable, full of character, and an all around dependable option for an everyday boot. You don’t have to worry much about maintenance with these bad boys. I wanted to put the boots through some use before I did a write up on them, so I decided to take them with me to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison for some hiking. I ended up hiking more than I anticipated that day, roughly 6 miles, and the boots performed flawlessly throughout. I had to take them off after all that because my left heel was starting to blister, but I see that as a kind of initiation with all my boots. They saw plenty of rocky, dusty trails. The chunky commando sole did great hiking, albeit rocks like to get stuck in the tread. Besides breaking in the heel, I didn’t feel any hot spots or discomfort all day in them. Boots aside, I highly recommend visiting the Black Canyon if you ever find yourself in Colorado! On my other Trumans, I had an issue with a nail sticking through the heel and the full length sockliner coming loose. I have yet to experience any of those misfortunes with this pair thankfully. Truman exists to me in a perfect middle ground. If you want something nicer than an Iron Ranger but you’re hesitant to dish out the money for a pair of Whites MP boots, I think Truman offers a good alternative. They have that distinctively PNW look, but at a much more accesible price for most folks. For being Made in the USA, I personally believe they offer a good bang for the buck. SIZING: Sizing is subjective, so I’ll keep it short! I’m roughly a Brannock 9 C/D, so I decided to get these in 8.5D, the same size as my other Trumans on the 79 last. Truman recommends going down a half size for the 79 and 20 lasts, and for me, that’s worked out perfectly well. What I did find interesting is that my 79 last Trumans feel roomier than my 20 last Trumans, even though it’s supposed to be the opposite. The D width on the 20 Last feels more comparable to a C width. Both lasts work well for my feet, but I’ll probably end up going with the 79 last in the future, for the slightly better fit and less pronounced toe. The 20 last has a bump toe design, not anywhere near a Viberg 310 sprung toe, but it’s definitely visible. On smaller sizes it’s proportional, but on large sizes I might veer away from the 20 last. I’m also an 8.5D in Grant Stone’s Leo last, which feels slightly larger in length and width than these Trumans. For Red Wing, I wear an 8.5D in the Mocs, but an 8D in the Iron Ranger. My Whites 350 Cutters are also in 8D and fit by far the largest of the bunch, due to the volume of the 55 Last. CONCLUSION: I’m stoked to have won these. I have about 20 other pairs of boots, ranging from Red Wing to Danner to Grant Stone to Whites, etc… and these hold their own excellently. Truman is constantly offering new and exciting leathers, so there’s always a makeup for people with varying tastes. On days where I want to go on a random adventure and not worry about beating my boots up, these Trumans are some of the top contenders. Thanks for reading!

bikehappy1

Thanks for the in depth review. I like the White's 350 cutter review also.

Reply

Heritage_Style_

Glad you found the reviews helpful!

Cinnamon Waxed Flesh Vibram 430 Outsole

Length: Perfect

Width: Slightly Wide

What would survive all out nuclear war? That’s a good question, and my answer would be a Nokia and these 350 Cutters. Before the review, here’s a quick run down on my sizing experience with these: I’m a 9 C/D on the Brannock. I got these in 8D based on Kyle from Baker’s recommendation. The 55 Last is a voluminous last, designed with functionality in mind. It has a very rounded toe from the top down, and the amount of room in the forefoot is evident. I have plenty of space to wiggle my toes around, which is essential if you’re spending all day on your feet. I’ve spent way too much time in boots that are too narrow and the result is ingrown toenails, and those my friend are not fun. The arch securely holds your feet in place and has helped take stress off my back. The length in front of my toes is damn near perfect. I haven’t experienced any ‘White’s Bite’ in these, I find the instep area to be quite roomy. The heels are nicely snug and the quarters are spaced perfectly apart when I lace them up. Overall, I find the 55 last to be very functional. It’s great if you’re spending all day on your feet. I personally would prefer the fit to be a smidge narrower, so I may try the C461 Last next. For reference, I’m an 8D in Iron Rangers, 8.5D in Grant Stone’s Leo Last, 8D in Grant Stone’s Alexander and UK last, 8.5D in Truman’s 79 last and 20 last, and 8.5D in Thursdays. REVIEW: Overbuilt is an understatement, these boots are unashamedly proud of how robust they are. I spent a long time pondering what my first proper PNW boots would be, and these 350 Cutters kept invading my mind. I thought about the MP boots, but everyone and his grandad has an iteration of the service boot. I wanted something unique and a bit out of my comfort zone, something that would challenge me in the best way possible. Naturally, that led me to buying these, and I’m so glad I did. Kings of Chonk is how I’d describe these, please for the love of God don’t wear these with skinny jeans! From the bottom up these are built like a tank. The Vibram 430 outsole isn’t new to anyone, but it suits these well and creates a somewhat more refined silhouette than a lug sole would. The logger heel is badass and I can’t believe at one time I thought it was feminine, I’ve evolved immensely throughout this boot journey. I find the logger heel helps my gait somewhat. The handsewn stitchdown was executed very well on my pair, with consistent SPI throughout and hardly any unevenness. The Cinnamon Waxed Flesh uppers are thick and the smell is intoxicating. I probably look like a freak when I smell my boots but I don’t care anymore haha. Watching the waxed flesh develop a patina is like admiring a beautiful painting or work of art. The yellowish/brown tones that are revealed when the wax wears off gives the boots a sense of warmth to them. I put the kilties on my pair and the amount of people who ask what the hell I have on my boots is surprisingly high. When I tell them they’re called kilties, they laugh at how funny it sounds. I take it as a compliment. The laces are LONG, of course you can cut them to a shorter length, but I’m too lazy so I just wrap them around 2-3 times. You do what you gotta do! When I place my feet in these, I feel like I’m getting knighted by the Queen of Bootdom. The arch is heavenly, however it does require a bit of a learning curve; as is the case with most worthwhile things in life. The oak tanned insole and midsole are game changers, they are nearly impervious to wear and will undoubtedly form a long lasting impression of your feet. Through and through, these boots deliver. Often in life you cannot have your cake and eat it too, but with these boots you can. They will probably outlast me.

bikehappy1

I have a pair of Urban Drifters on order but they probably won't be shipped until February of 23. I'm tempted to compliment them with the White's 350 cruiser which has the higher heel.

Reply

Heritage_Style_

I really love the logger heel on my 350 Cutters! I think they would be an excellent compliment to the Nicks Urban Drifters. Whites just released their standard stitchdown line of the Cutters and Cruisers, which are ~$100 cheaper and gave a much smaller wait time! I may pick up a pair of the C350 Cruisers in Natural Double Shot for the Black Friday Sale.