Review of the Grenson G2 Series "Fred" Boot - English Quirkiness or Solid Country Boot?

I’m reviewing the Fred boot from Grenson based in Northampton, England. The Fred is their Country Boot, a full brogue wingtip boot made for outdoor activity, yet refined enough for city living.

Links
Grenson Website https://www.grenson.com/

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:32 Grenson
02:47 The Fred Boot
04:05 What to Wear
04:53 Construction
09:24 Leathercare
10:12 Sizing and Fit
11:41 Value
12:29 Summary

Who Am I?
I am a Management Consultant in real life but in my Bootlosophy channel, I make videos about boots and all things boot related. This channel posts reviews of boots, unboxing of new boots, and follow-up reviews, and in doing so, may explore the philosophy of the brands from time to time!

I have owned boots for decades, but to be honest I have owned them as functional pieces of footwear. It wasn't until early 2020 when COVID struck that I started online shopping for boots to an obsessive degree. I love the aesthetic of boots and I love finding out more about how they are made. I now own an insane number of boots, and one day I may sell some of them (just not right now).

Full Disclosure
If any video is sponsored, I will declare it clearly in the video and in the description. Even if a video is sponsored, I will review the product openly and honestly giving you my personal opinion, warts and all, of the product.

The following links (and any links I place above) to products I regularly use may be affiliate links - buying from any affiliate links will not cost you any more, but I may receive a small payment from the platform.

Care Products - conditioners and polishes

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Tarrago Nubuck Suede Renovator Spray https://amzn.to/3oLLSgc
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Care Products - cleaners

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Ecco Nubuck and suede eraser kit https://amzn.to/3LCzf0L
Fiebings Saddle Soap https://amzn.to/3sFlNAo
Leather Honey Cleaner https://amzn.to/3HShN64
R M Williams suede cleaner https://amzn.to/3sIoIYZ
Timberland dry cleaning kit https://amzn.to/3GNXAwP
Timberland Renewbuck Foaming Cleaner https://amzn.to/3sJQAvN

Care Products - water repellents

Saphir Suede Protector Spray https://amzn.to/34FWAhi
Tarrago Nano Protector Spray https://amzn.to/3oLxPXF

Care Products - Brushes

Kiwi Horsehair Brush 3-pack for different colours https://amzn.to/3oPUvpL
Kiwi Horsehair Applicator Brush https://amzn.to/3uUZHwu
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Care Products - shoe trees

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Grenson Fred V Review - I would not buy these in full price

Grenson Fred is a boot version of Grenson Archie. They are brogue boots with the same brogue patterns and the last (Which decides the shape). But it offers a completely different style and vibe. Fred V boots are with Vibram soles. Vibram soles make the boots more flexible and light to wear, giving more casual style. Of course you can wear it with suits like Nick Wooster and still look sexy.

Grenson is a British shoemaker that was founded in 1866 in Northampton England. Grenson was founded by William Green, who then passed away and when his sons took the business changed the name to Grenson. Grenson has over 150 years of history like many other shoemakers located in North Hampton. Grenson is currently owned by Tim Little. He is a shoe designer. If you can look at Grenson shoes made before the company was bought by Tim back in 2011, they don’t look great. The reason why I am saying this, is because, despite the fact that I think the quality is subpar (I will explain more later), I think that the design is amazing and looks beautiful. .

Grenson Fred Sizing

Size UK 11
Last 201, G fitting
But I would recommend you to go with Boots size smaller than your normal sneaker size

I wear UK 11 with Grenson Fred, which is the same as my sneakers size. That is a whole size different from Grenson Archie that I own. But, I put insoles in Grenson Fred to help my arches. I feel like the leather is too soft to actually create any support for my slightly flat feet. So if you have normal feet, I would recommend going half a size down or full size down for these boots.

Grenson Fred is made with last 201 and width/fitting is G. (That means it’s wider than the normal UK width size, which is F. The last 201 is a slightly voluminous last that will be comfortable if you have a normal to wide size feet. But not if you have very narrow feet.

Grenson Fred Leather

The leather used is tan coloured calf leather. But Grenson makes Fred in a wide range of different leather types and colours. So you can go and check them out. The Grenson Fred in Tan calf leather is one of Grenson's most popular models. The leather is very smooth and flexible, you don’t need to break them in. They are very comfortable right out of the box.

Disappointing part is that the leather is very thin. The leather is thinner than my other boots and scuffs easily. Also, Grenson Fred has hard toes but it’s very weak. I was moving some tables around while wearing these Grenson Freds and I bumped the table into my boots and the toe box was dented. It just went inside. I pushed it out from the inside and now it looks fine. As you can see from the photo, it’s not very noticeable. It is very disappointing to see this kind of construction from boots at this price point though. At $450, or around 300 you can get boots with better construction and materials.

My Grenson Archies have better toe boxes, so it could be that my Grenson Freds are just defects.

It would be worth it if you are just trying to wear them just for fashion. But don’t move any heavy tables while wearing these.

Grenson Fred soles

The soles on my Grenson Fred V are Goodyear storm welted, lightweight vibram wedge soles. made of a very light material and they are from Vibram. Just like the different leather types, Grenson offers a variety of different soles. Grenson has this tan model in leather and dainite soles. So if you are not a big fan of wedged soles, go check them out.

But the Vibram soles are very light and comfortable. It feels like I am wearing sneakers. I bet I can run miles in these boots and no problem. Haven’t tried yet, but it’s that light and comfortable. It’s good to give your feet a break from other uncomfortable soles.

Grenson Fred Pattern

The pattern on Grenson Fred is the same as Archie except that they have extra leather on the ankle. I love brogues and how they look.

Check out my video about brogues or go check out my Grenson Archies.

Are they worth $450 / £ 300?

In my personal opinion, no. They are not. These are from the G:two production line which is
made in India. I am not saying that the craftsmanship in India is poor, but the quality is lesser than other made in England brands. If I can, I would spend a bit more money and buy other brands.

One thing you also need to know is that Grenson often goes into massive sales and they are sold with many retailers. Sometimes the price goes lower than half of their original price. In that case, Yes! they are much more worth it. I would be willing to pay at least $ 300 for these. Better, if lower.

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