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Tell me about Grenson boots

44 replies

D20 · 30/06/2025 22:29

Every year I look at the sales and think ‘one year I will’. Are they are well constructed as they look?

OP posts:
NewspaperChips · 30/06/2025 22:35

I baulked at the price before buying my Grenson boots, but they’re worth every penny. So comfortable, look gorgeous year after year (4th year in now) and come up great if you polish them properly, and can easily be repaired if necessary.

If you can afford a pair, do it. They’re a true investment piece.

AnonMJ · 30/06/2025 22:40

I love mine.

CapaciousHag · 01/07/2025 08:56

Everything @NewspaperChips says, except that I think they’re comparatively cheap at the price - and the sales prices are sometimes hilariously so.

I have a few pairs - but with one in particular (possibly Harper - shiny brown lace up boots with a clumpy sole from a few years ago - it’s honestly almost impossible for me to leave the house without complete strangers complimenting me on my footwear. (I’m not joking or fantasising - it’s almost every single time I wear them, which is probably four days in any week.)

They look good, they can be incredibly comfortable and bouncy to walk in. They are an absolute joy to polish and maintain. (And can be sent back to the manufacturers for a complete overhaul. Which costs more than a new pair of High St shoes but is worth it.)

Disadvantages:

They use a variety of lasts, to which you need to pay attention. (Obviously a good thing but …) Do tap the little “i” which will take you to the details. Even so it is entirely possible that the size you initially choose may be wrong. Do not ignore this (hard if you’ve grabbed the last remaining pair in a sale) - be prepared to experiment with sizing. (With boots I sometimes size up so I can fit an orthotics insole inside.)

If you are used to soft fabric trainers you may find the stiffer leather boots and shoes intimidatingly unyielding. They do not necessarily soften much with wear - you’ll either grow to appreciate the stiffness, or not.

Despite all that they’re totally addictive. Buy a pair - and your next S&B thread will be asking where to get the best socks …

Newnamesagain · 01/07/2025 09:17

I'm also eyeing them up at the moment, same as every year. Plumped for the RM Williams ones last time which are amazing but I still feel grensons calling me...

BarnacleBeasley · 01/07/2025 09:20

I have some, and they're lovely and really well made. I used to live near a very traditional local cobbler who stocked them in his shop and thought they were amazing. I was working on temporary contracts at the time and promised him I'd buy some when I got a permanent job, so I did.

BarnacleBeasley · 01/07/2025 09:37

Eek, sorry, just realised mine are actually Barker boots (also worth a look!) which have a very similar style to some of the Grenson ones.

CMOTDibbler · 01/07/2025 10:31

Dh has several pairs of Grensons, and they are amazing quality- plus they will essentially remake them for you at a fixed cost

cinquanta · 01/07/2025 10:34

My DH still has a pair of Grenson brogues he got when he was 17. He is in his mid 60s now.

CapaciousHag · 01/07/2025 10:35

What might be more interesting is why you don’t own any yourself, @CMOTDibbler? (Assuming you’re female, and assuming the OP is asking about the women’s footwear.)

CMOTDibbler · 01/07/2025 10:41

@CapaciousHagalas they don’t suit my arthritic feet. I am very restricted on what I can comfortably wear

CapaciousHag · 01/07/2025 10:47

Oh no! That is a shame.

(I can’t comment on arthritis, but my DM, who’s over 90 and somewhat unstable on her feet, finds their sneakers and soft furry ankle boots very wearable.)

D20 · 01/07/2025 18:03

Ooh very positive reactions. I’m a little worried about stiffness though. Particularly as I’m looking at combat style. How do I find the fit? It might be just because I’m on my phone but I can’t see anything about fit for the style?

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JustJazzy · 01/07/2025 18:19

Love mine, they are very comfortable & lightweight

JustJazzy · 01/07/2025 18:23

I find them tts/slightly generous fitting and not stiff. I have the Nanette style.

CapaciousHag · 01/07/2025 19:08

@D20look at this photo: d’you see the little red ‘I’? Go onto the website, click on a boot - in the description, look for that and click it. It will take you to details of the ‘last’ for that boot style, which should help you to choose the right size.

Tell me about Grenson boots
Forthemarket · 01/07/2025 19:13

The addition of a proper high quality padded insole is a blessing. They are well made and feel like proper shoes. Mine needed a wear g in but I have soft feet. I think Solvair and Lanx are ok too. I only ever buy sales - come round often enough.

ScurryHurry · 01/07/2025 19:22

Forthemarket · 01/07/2025 19:13

The addition of a proper high quality padded insole is a blessing. They are well made and feel like proper shoes. Mine needed a wear g in but I have soft feet. I think Solvair and Lanx are ok too. I only ever buy sales - come round often enough.

Sadly a year in my Lanx still rip my ankles to shreds, would you say Grenson are any softer?

notwavingbutdrowning1 · 01/07/2025 19:31

D20 · 01/07/2025 18:03

Ooh very positive reactions. I’m a little worried about stiffness though. Particularly as I’m looking at combat style. How do I find the fit? It might be just because I’m on my phone but I can’t see anything about fit for the style?

It's a small company and if you phone customer services they're pretty good at advising about fit.

I have a few pairs of Grenson boots and they are fantastic. When I took a pair to be reheeled, the cobbler examined them really carefully and said, 'You don't see boots this well made any more.' One of my pairs is lace up and they squeak a bit, but that is the only issue I've had with them. I've bought all my Grensons on the Outnet, which does good reductions, but I've just checked and all they've got at the moment is a couple of styles in size 3.
https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/designers/grenson

Forthemarket · 01/07/2025 19:35

Honestly I think it varies - one pair of shoes nearly defeated me but the ankle boots have softened a lot - I have easily upset feet and walk horribly with a lot of twist and pronation so probably makes me more likely to need a breaking in phase. I rarely wear anything else so must be worth it

CapaciousHag · 01/07/2025 19:47

Apologies, @D20 - the photo seems to have got lost somewhere! Will try again.

Tell me about Grenson boots
Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 01/07/2025 20:52

I got a clumpy combat style pair of men’s boots in the post-Christmas sales for about £130 (down from £350). I love them. I get compliments regularly. They are extremely comfortable.

My mum loathes them, which is an added bonus (inner teenager making her appearance).

heartsinvisiblefury · 01/07/2025 21:07

Worth every penny

Wallabyone · 01/07/2025 21:08

I have the leather and suede black Nanette and I love them. They are very sturdy and yet comfortable for my wide feet.

D20 · 01/07/2025 21:48

CapaciousHag · 01/07/2025 19:08

@D20look at this photo: d’you see the little red ‘I’? Go onto the website, click on a boot - in the description, look for that and click it. It will take you to details of the ‘last’ for that boot style, which should help you to choose the right size.

Yes I see it now!

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D20 · 01/07/2025 21:50

notwavingbutdrowning1 · 01/07/2025 19:31

It's a small company and if you phone customer services they're pretty good at advising about fit.

I have a few pairs of Grenson boots and they are fantastic. When I took a pair to be reheeled, the cobbler examined them really carefully and said, 'You don't see boots this well made any more.' One of my pairs is lace up and they squeak a bit, but that is the only issue I've had with them. I've bought all my Grensons on the Outnet, which does good reductions, but I've just checked and all they've got at the moment is a couple of styles in size 3.
https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/designers/grenson

I’m usually a size 3 so will bear the outlet in mind. These are the beauties I’m thinking of

Tell me about Grenson boots
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