Warning: Grossly mis-sized boots, even worse return policy and customer service
I ordered the Field Boot Black Chromexcel in 9.5 US size, which is a size I use consistently across about 10 pairs of shoes and boots from various brands. My previous boots are also 9.5 US, but the boots sent to me from Grant Stone were easily over 3.5cm in length over other shoes/boots I own.
When I emailed customer service, representative Kim was quick to put the onus on me. "I don't see your email asking about sizing," she said, suggesting I should have not bought with confidence but instead reached out to customer service before hazarding the boot shipment. She went on to state that I would have been told to purchase a half-size down. However, given these boots are over a full size off, that would have hardly helped. Further, if Grant Stone is aware that their boots are at least a half size over what is listed, why not consider updating the listing sizes for the sake of accuracy?
This is already a frustrating inconvenience in itself, but Grant Stone's policies indicates that a return must incur a $15 restocking penalty. Only store credit can be received if the return is done after 15 days, so make sure to budget plenty of availability to manage a return given the unpredictable fit of these boots.
To get as accurate as possible of a measurement, I placed my foot measuring 27.5cm long into the Grant Stone boot. The remaining gap could be filled with an Airpods V2 case width-wise when pushed down to sole-level. Apple indicates this width is 4.4cm / 1.74inches. This brings the true length of the Grant Stone boot to 31.9cm or 12.5 inches. Even rounded down modestly, this would bring this shoe to closer to a US size 14+. Compared to the Nike Air 9.5 US sized boot (listed as 27.5cm long on the label), the sizing difference is obvious.
If you are seeking a predictable and hassle-free shopping experience when shopping for a boot, look elsewhere. At least one return and re-fit is almost guaranteed when shopping online for Grant Stone online, and incurring a $15 each time will add up fast.
EDIT: I've revised my measurement technique given the difficulty of using a tape measure to reliably rest at the tip of the shoe internally. Using the reliable length of my own foot, I measured the gap to the end of the boot. After this revised measurement, I think this may be a true sizing error.
Comparison in fit of Grant Stone boot (left) and Nike Air boot (right) - both listed as size 9.5
Closer look at gap between heel of 27.5cm foot and Grant Stone boot
Space comfortably fits an AirPods V2 case width-wise (4.4cm)
