Need some wisdom on leather boots

[Caber]

I have a few questions for your guys. I had a pair of Alden Madison shell cordovan boots that I only wore maybe 2x a week for the last 2 years. I really took care of them and did not wear them in the rain. Well Unfortunately the leather began to crack. I sent them In and they can not be repaired. Alden Madison is a good company and made things right. Now im in the market for a new pair. I don't have enough money to get another Pair of AM.

question 1. Can CXL number 8 color burgundy be considered dress boots?
2. Will this color work with black dress pants?
3. Can you get a mirror shine with this leather
4. Are grant stone better quality shell cordovan than Alden Madison?
5. Any other brand that may be as good as AM ?
6. Are grant stone lower quality boots since they are made in China ?

 

[One Drop]

I have a few questions for your guys. I had a pari of Alden Madison shell cordovan boots that I only wore maybe 2x a week for the last 2 years. I really took care of them and did not wear them in the rain. Well Unfortunately the leather began to crack. I sent them In and they can not be repaired. Alden Madison is a good company and made things right. Now im in the market for a new pair. I dont have enough money to get another Pair of AM.

question 1. Can CXL number 8 color burgundy be considered dress boots?
2. Will this color work with black dress pants?
3. Can you get a mirror shine with this leather
4. Are grant stone better quality shell cordovan than Alden Madison?
5. Any other brand that may be as good as AM ?
6. Are grant stone lower quality boots since they are made in china ?

I have a pair of Alden cap toe shell Cordovan boots in Colour 8 with some fine broguing,, I consider them to be a casual dress boot, that can be dressed up or down. They shine when brushed but Cordovan isn't really meant to be covered in polish and given a mirror shine. CXL leather even less so, it's an oily waxy leather that can be polished and given a bit more shine but it's not at all the right leather or finish fr mirror shines.

IMO Colour 8 works well with black, blue denim, and tan, brown, and green shades, it's very versatile, but not very formal while still beinf fairly dressy if worn with the right clothes.

Alden Madison is a NYC store that sells stock Alden stock and custom make-ups they design and order from Alden, many shops that have a long relationship with Alden are able to order runs of shoes and boots with their chosen colours and features, but the articles are all made by the Alden Shoe Company.

IME Grant Stone probably have about similar build quality and quality of materials, but Aldens are way more expensive like for like because they made in the US instead of China, they sell through resellers, and have a mark-up based on their reputation and luxury image surrounding the brand.

 

[Zoro]

I'm not the most stylish (or at least not when it comes to fit a consensus or a traditional way or whatchacallit), but I'm planning on wearing my Grant Stone Diesel in #8 to a wedding in a couple months along a blue suit, so I would personally consider it stylish. I think you can get close to a mirror shine with the right product (I think Saphir would be the best), but I'm not fond of such effect so I personally avoid it.

The quality but made in China is precisely how they manage their low price. I haven't been exposed to Vibergs, Lofgrens or Aldens, but I've liked GS better than what I've seen from Red Wing, Loake and Carmina (caveat I've only tried on store a pair of one of their cheapest or least expensive shoes, though). The country where something is made doesn't automatically correlate to lower or higher quality.

 

[Caber]

I'm not the most stylish (or at least not when it comes to fit a consensus or a traditional way or whatchacallit), but I'm planning on wearing my Grant Stone Diesel in #8 to a wedding in a couple months along a blue suit, so I would personally consider it stylish. I think you can get close to a mirror shine with the right product (I think Saphir would be the best), but I'm not fond of such effect so I personally avoid it.

The quality but made in China is precisely how they manage their low price. I haven't been exposed to Vibergs, Lofgrens or Aldens, but I've liked GS better than what I've seen from Red Wing, Loake and Carmina (caveat I've only tried on store a pair of one of their cheapest or least expensive shoes, though). The country where something is made doesn't automatically correlate to lower or higher quality.

I agree. Was just wonder if they used really good quality leather for their shell cordovan leather. I know CXL speaks for its self