Do I still want Grenson boots?

[Belindabelle]

I need new boots. A few years ago I decided to prioritise quality over quantity and be more selective in what I bought. I would now rather not buy anything and wait for what I want than compromise.

I have a list of classic items I would like and Grenson boots are (were) on the list.

2/3 years ago I bought the M&S Nanette dupes. Great boots for the money but they are worn out. I can afford the Grenson boots but something is stopping me from getting them.

I don’t care about being fashionable or being seen as a sheep. I am too old to care about all that. I do want quality black leather hiking style boots.

Tell me what to buy please.

I love my Nannettes and have never looked back. They are utterly fabulous - look great with most outfits, comfortable, well made, practical. Keep an eye out on ASOS as they sometimes have better discounts than buying direct from Grenson.

I like procuring advice from MN sometimes, but surely you know which boots you prefer? You will treasure and enjoy whatever your captivates you and works with your ongoing style.

I don't like trends, they date quickly. When a word pops up on here enough over the space of a few years I know it is a hive-mind trend that most people will ditch with gleee within 12 short months.

Ive had my two pairs of Docs for 4 years, still look newish and gong strong. Work with everything I wear unless it's midsummer. I would probably advise finding your equivalent in a boot, that will delight you beyond one winter season.

BTW im not being harsh, I am encouraging you to choose wisely and fuck fast fashion.

And just because something is extortionately priced and supposedly edgy doesn't make it any less subject to trends.

I understand completely. I’ve been trying to decide between Grenson and these for almost a year now. The Brora are winning because they have a zip and are over £100 cheaper. I’m going to have to make my mind up soon!

www.broraonline.com/uk/leather-lace-up-boots-black-pr9051hp9051

@lolliwillowes - I don’t call a pair of £300 hiking boots fast fashion??!! I can’t see how your Doc Martens are that different, stylewise. They’ve had a bit of a fashion moment too recently, some people will ditch it, for others it’s part of their signature look.

Yeah they are hardly fast fashion! DMs are fine but they are also absolutely ubiquitous just now and hardly constitute something that isn't a 'trend' regardless of how long you have had them.

The grensons will last years so that's in their favour, but what's holding you back OP? The style? The cost? Not sure you will wear them? There must be some reason that you're not just buying them. Identify what that is and you might find your answer.

The problem is that buying something that will last forever because it isn’t subject to trends is a myth. Even “classic” designs have features that will date them- take for example sole thickness - chunky for the last couple of seasons for flat boots, a few years ago they were much thinner, even if the rest of the boot is the same, they’ll look different in a way that will age them, even if they’re not ultra trendy.

So I guess the question is whether that matters or not. If not and you’ll wear them regardless year after year then crack on. If it does matter then it’s worth thinking about a bit more.

I tend to buy a new pair of winter boots every other year or so. I wear them a lot and cheap ones wouldn’t last me the season so I usually get reasonable quality. That said if my last lot are looking really dated then I might get new ones and downgrade the old ones to wet/muddy/more casual. I didn’t get new boots last year even though I was on the look out for some because I didn’t find any I liked (and there were few opportunities for anyone to look at my feet anyway!)

This year I’ve spent a bit more and bought from here: lanxshoes.com/ They’re lovely quality, British made and significantly cheaper than Grensons. I imagine I’ll still be wearing them in 4-5 years in some capacity but not in 10 years. That will still be economical and more environmentally sound compared to a couple of new pairs a year. I do think the hiking boot look is a trend though- no one would have worn those 10 years ago.

As someone who has work DMS for 20 years I’m kinda over their clumpy-ness. My feet are never that warm in my DMS and for that reason I am put off Grenson Nanettes. The Bora ones posted above look nice though!

*worn.
Sigh.