[Initial Impressions] Quoddy Grizzly Seconds

Album

Acquisition

I was returning a pair of shoes to Nordstrom Rack, so of COURSE I looked at the current offering. I was perusing the size 8 section (despite being a 9D, you know what I'm talking about) and saw a wild Quoddy box.

Background: I had done some loafer research last month, and I was torn between Rancourt and Quoddy. So you could say I was intrigued.

Well, the hunt was on. I looked at 8.5 and 9 and then I found a pair. I grabbed them and kept looking. It turned out to be the only pair in a size I felt even remotely ok about.

The first thing I noticed was there was only one lace. And, the one with a lace had the security tag almost stopping it from moving, so trying it on was a bit of a challenge. I asked someone there if they sold any laces like that and he checked the back "in a bin." He had some shorter laces, but they didn't work. They also didn't sell any. Ah well.

I tried them on and thought they might be a little too small. I bought them because Nordstrom Rack has a good return policy. Plus they only had one lace and I could try them on better at home with real laces.

Return one, get one. That's fair…right?

• Quoddy Grizzly
• I'm going to guess Horween Chromexcel Brown #19 print
• Deerskin Black Tongue
• 9
• Vibram mini lug sole
• $129.97

Sizing

I had slipped them on at the store just to make sure there were approximately ok. I needed real laces and no security tags in order to really get a feel for them. Fortunately, I had gotten some extra laces from Red Wing when I bought my Hawthorn Muleskinners. I put those laces on the boots and tried them on.

Omg.

Like, omg, stfu, gtfo.

They felt incredible. So soft everywhere. No breaking in. They hugged my ankles in the best possible way. They almost felt like slippers or something I'd wear around the house.

That said, I was a little concerned about them being a touch too small in length, so I did a quick search about Quoddy. They are generally TTS and can stretch a bit. Also, the Quoddy website states that they can deal with the shoe needing to be a little longer. Hopefully it doesn't come to this. I'd probably just return them.

The leather was actually a great surprise. I have been enjoying a lot of the pebble texture leathers I have been here on gyw. So that bucket list item is done! It does show some what I think is called "pull up." There are also a few scratches and things, but it's nothing more than I'd do myself.

The tongue is HUGE and sewn just about all the way up to the top. It is also super soft. The inside is a beautiful rich suede. It feels like it will need no breaking in when they are laced up and tied. I had to remind myself to tuck all of the tongue in, because even with all of it all bunched, there was no irritation to the top of my foot.

In case you are interested, here are other sizes:

• AE Dundee 9D - pretty good!
• AE Higgins Mill 9.5D - Roomy, but I like it. Normal people would probably want a 9D
• AE Kenilworth 9D - pinky toe issues, but otherwise fine.
• AE Liverpools - I was at the store and tried on a 9D with thick socks and they did not fit. Maybe 9.5 for my toes and thinner socks?
• Grant Stone Diesel 8D - should have done 8.5D. Tight instep and almost too short.
• Rancourt Eastport 8.5D - no socks, fits great
• Red Wing Iron Rangers 8EE - fit so great out of the box!!!
• Red Wing Iron Rangers 8D - thick and stiff at the beginning, starting to soften up. Overall feel like the right size.
• Red Wing Beckman Flatbox Black Cherry 9.5D (what was I thinking?? But they are super comfy!! They lace up tight!!!)
• Red Wing Beckman Bordeaux Spitfire 8D (shit they are too tight around my toes but fit great everywhere else).
• RM Williams Comfort Craftsman 8G - perfect
• Wolverine 9D - These are in brown suede so just fit great. I tried on an 8D and it just felt wrong.

Final Impressions

I want to get some rawhide laces because they look so good! The one that I got felt so broken in, similar to the tongue. I'm hoping I can get a pair from them, otherwise Guarded Goods has a following here, right?

I'm really looking forward to wearing these. They are so comfortable! It will almost feel like wearing pajamas to work, but with a fancy outside. Like a jegging.