Grant Stone Traveler Loafer Review | The Most Versatile Loafer on Earth

TL;DR: Grant Stone Loafer Review: With a toe that’s roomy but not too casual, a solid weight that’s not too heavy, and a medium-high vamp that’s neither too European nor too American, the Traveler can convert any loafer skeptic.

Grant Stone’s Traveler was my first-ever loafer, and now I’ve completely fallen in love with this extremely versatile shoe. There are indeed many kinds of loafers a man can choose, from chunky-casual beef rolls to chiseled and dressy calfskin, but after years of trying out different models from many brands, my first love still burns the brightest.

The Traveler is simply the most versatile loafer on the market. It’s not the dressiest or the most casual, but if a man can only own one pair, this is the one I recommend.

Grant Stone’s Traveler Loafers, Pros and Cons

These are indeed my most worn loafers and to prove it, I’ve placed a whole lot of janky iPhone pictures in this review from all over the world. That doesn’t mean they’re faultless, so here’s a little summary.

Pros

• Incredibly versatile; a “Goldilocks” loafer that can be worn anywhere
• Uniquely gigantic range of leathers to choose from
• 3 widths offered
• Excellent customer service; size exchanges are a breeze
• Leather sole breathes well
• Built for longevity: resoleable Goodyear welt construction and leather lining to maintain shape
• You can’t find a better-priced loafer (with these specs)

Cons

• Leather lined loafers breathe less than unlined
• Certain customers might prefer a lighter construction method, like Blake stitch
• Goodyear welt and leather lining increase the cost of labor
• Some customers prefer American-made

Grant Stone’s Traveler Loafer, the Look

• Roomy toe that still dresses up easily
• Medium height vamp
• Subtle moc stitching

This is the Goldilocks loafer: it’s not “too” anything.

The toe is round and roomy but not too wide or casual. The vamp height is a perfect transatlantic “medium,” which is well supported by the leather lining. The upper has good structure and won’t collapse like so many unlined suede slip-ons. Grant Stone even make sure to avoid the chunky “beef rolls” that often wind up on the penny loafer’s strap — and quickly dress it down.

The Goodyear welt construction gives the build nice heft without making it clumsy like many of the chunky loafers that are so popular in the 2020s.

These are incredibly versatile shoes that can be worn with with shorts and a t-shirt or slacks and tweed; pick a dressy leather like the black box calf and no one will look twice if you wear them with a suit and tie.

Grant Stone’s Loafer Leathers

• World-renowned tanneries
• Calf, kudu, cordovan, kangaroo, and more

American Wyatt Gilmore has a long family history in shoemaking, with both his father and grandfather worked for Alden, the iconic New England brand that literally invented the tassel loafer in the 1930s.

Steeped in shoemaking history, Wyatt spent years living in China and decided it was the place to base a brand that could bring extremely high-level footwear to America at more affordable prices. (Indeed, Alden manufactures the most comparable American-made loafer for about twice the price.)

But the only thing made in China here is the shoebox. Grant Stone only uses leathers from the most world-renowned tanneries, with a lineup that’s sure to make any leather nerd’s mouth water.

Available Leathers

Suede and Kudu from England’s C.F. Stead. Chromexcel and Cordovan from Chicago’s Horween. Calfskin and even kangaroo from Italy’s Incas. Grant Stone pulls out absolutely no stops in their selection, even coming out with inventive limited editions every year. I’m currently gobsmacked by the Coral pink suede (calf from C.F. Stead, natch), but if you need help choosing from the dozen-plus offerings, the answer is Dune.

That’s the name Grant Stone gave to natural (undyed) Chromexcel, which is probably the most beloved boot leather on Earth. It works wonderfully on the Traveler. Indeed, the fine footwear subreddit r/goodyearwelt is positively full of reviews of this exact model.

The Dune Traveler is the online shoe community’s unofficially-official loafer without hesitation. It’s what I got my pair in, and it’s what I bought my Dad as well. (The first pair of shoes I’ve ever bought him — and I run a shoe blog.) (My sisters and I split the cost.)

Chromexcel is hardwearing and darkens beautifully with wear, though it’s worth noting that it’s fairly well-known for picking up creases. If that’s not something you want to risk, opt for the Bourbon suede.

But if you’re trying to limit any “casual” vibes from the Traveler, have no fear: calfskin is the de facto leather of choice for dressy footwear. There are three shades to choose from here, and I insist you’ll still be able to wear those dressy models with jeans if you so choose.

Grant Stone’s Traveler Loafer Construction

• Leather lined
• Leather sole
• Thick leather midsole
• Goodyear welt construction

The Traveler is made with Goodyear welt construction, an exceptionally durable and water resistant build that’s known for being very easy to resole. More common on boots than on dress shoes, this construction deserves accolades for its toughness. Everything is intact on Ticho’s Bourbon suedes after years of heavy wear.

That durability is buffeted by leather lining, which helps the shoe to keep its structure with wear instead of collapsing on the feet. (No shade to that look if that’s what you like, but it would mess with the Traveler’s dress-up-ability.)

Goodyear Welt vs. Handswen vs. Blake Stitched

Loafer connoisseurs might have some questions here. “So this isn’t genuine handsewn moccasin construction?”

No. That construction is an impressive art form that we’ve documented in Maine, but the Goodyear welt would have tipped you off to the fact that the moc stitch is decorative. It’s not two pieces of leather sewn together. (The good news is that this means the moc stitch is more subtle than such old timey loafers, and it’s part of why the Traveler is so darn versatile.)

I love that the Traveler is made with a leather sole, which is excellent for breathability. But it’s worth remembering that some folks prefer loafers that are Blake stitched and unlined. It makes a loafer that’s cheaper, lighter, and more breathable.

Unfortunately, there’s no getting around the fact that leather lining gives you a second layer for your foot to try and breathe through, and many folks exclusively wear loafers in hot weather.

Hey, them’s the breaks. The lining and the Goodyear welt make a shoe that’s very durable and keeps its shape. I appreciate that these touches help ensure that the Traveler will last beyond the time when a floppier loafer would be showing your toes through the upper.

Grant Stone’s Traveler Loafer Sizing

• Size down 0.5 from Brannock
• D, E, and EEE available

Made on the “Alexander” last, the fit is an impressive feat: the toe is roomy but doesn’t look it, the instep is medium, and it’s a less restrictive fit than many loafers. (Namely Alden and Rancourt’s smaller toe boxes.)

My Brannock is 11.5D and they were out of 11D when I ordered, so Wyatt suggested a 10.5E, and it fit me just fine. (Another benefit to their unusual array of widths.)

Indeed, when I wanted to pick up a second pair years later and they were able to send an 11D, I found I experienced heel slip until I inserted half an insole into the forefoot.

How loafers should fit is tricky business, especially since it’s typically a man’s first foray into laceless territory. But this is where Grant Stone’s stellar service shines. Traditionalist brands like Alden can take years to make an unusual size and they don’t do their own sales or exchanges.

Meanwhile, Grant Stone’s direct-to-consumer model is incredibly well suited to selling online. They’re responsive to DMs on Instagram and their site, and they’ve got a warehouse in Michigan full of product: a shoebox will get to your door within a couple of days and if they don’t fit, you can exchange them free of charge.

Even if you get a pair that doesn’t fit, you’ll have your perfect loafer within a week.

Grant Stone’s Traveler Loafer Price

• $348-380 (depending on the leather)

No one’s immune to inflation, but at the time of writing the Traveler retails for between $348 and $380, depending on the leather, and they’ll occasionally release cordovan models for $795. (Fortunately, their iconic Bourbon Suede is one of the $348 models if you’re gravitating to the lower end of the price.)

You might be wondering why you’re paying some $350 for shoes made in China, but the leather welt is from Barbour in Massachusetts, the lining is from Milwaukee, the leather is from Chicago — it’s a pretty American shoe, and all these components need to be shipped to China and then back to Michigan.

But there’s more to it than that: Goodyear welts and leather lining take considerable labor and the craftsmanship is immaculate. Grant Stone has an ironclad reputation for their quality control.

What the Experts Say: Grant Stone Loafer Reivew

In a recent interview with Ticho Blanco, we got sidetracked into a discussion about the price of these loafers:

“I recommend these to people all the time in daily life: my neighbors, my family, everybody. Because the experience is optimized for normal people,” he said. “You can go on their website and figure out what size you need, what leather you should get, and they’ll show up at your house in two days. And if they don’t fit, they’ll send you a pair that does. And if you have any problems, there’s somebody doing customer service who’s knowledgeable and can help you.

“So it’s a great experience for people that are newer to shoes, people who just want an easy experience, and who don’t want to spend $700 on locally-made loafers.”

Is the Grant Stone Traveler Loafer Good Value?

“If you’re looking for a loafer that’s under $400, you’re not going to get a better value than this,” says Ticho. “You’re not going to get a better experience at that price. These are great. They’re what I recommend to people, and when I recommend it to them and they buy them, they absolutely love them.”

We agree.

As a super ethical shoe journalist, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that there are some loafers that are made in the United States for less than Alden: Oak Street and Rancourt make theirs in Maine for under $350. But it must be remembered that theirs are Blake stitched and unlined, so they’re made with less labor and use less material.

If you want a loafer as well made as the Traveler, you won’t get it at a better price anywhere.

The Takeaway: Grant Stone Traveler Loafer Review

Grant Stone has reached a level of success and has built an unimpeachable reputation among the most discerning and most snobbish of shoe guys.

Only just founded in 2016 and directed at an audience that loves history and American heritage, Grant Stone had a steep uphill battle to gain credibility in the space, but they have. They just have.

Their loafers are a great example of their ability to convert skeptics; I’d never even considered loafers before I copped these.

And while I can appreciate that some prefer their loafers unlined or lighter in weight, these remain the first shoes I bought my Dad and the first loafers I’d recommend to anyone. They just work for any use case, and the arguably overbuilt-for-a-loafer construction means they’ll outlast lighter shoes and return on your investment for years to come.