Boots are necessary for any man looking to build a timeless and classic wardrobe, even if you don't live somewhere that requires them. Some of you reading this may disagree with me, and others might be surprised even to hear me state that owning some quality boots is essential. The point is that the average guy's knowledge about boots may vary substantially.
Regardless of your knowledge about this timeless and essential menswear staple, this review aims to share what I believe to be the best boot manufacturer you can purchase from (and trust) for any season year-round.
That brand is none other than Thursday Boot Company. This relatively newer boot brand was started to solve a simple problem: to provide exceptional boots for the most honest price possible.
Let me be the first to tell you that Thursday's team has succeeded in this effort by a long shot.
Rewind the clocks to a few years ago (I'm talking within the last decade), and a quality pair of dress boots or work boots would cost you about $400 at a minimum. Considering just how many boot options there are, it would have taken thousands of dollars to amass a modest collection. Thursday slashed the traditional asking price of just about any boot you can think of in half and even made better boots than some of their competitors, who often price their products at a premium.
COMMITMENT
It all starts with what Thursday believes: to offer quality products that are tested and manufactured to last.
What I love most about Thursday is that I know I am getting a product that will stand the test of time despite a price that may suggest that corners were cut in the manufacturing process; it just so happens that this couldn't be further from the truth.
MATERIALS
Thursday chose to partner with the Horween Leather Company, which has remained a standard-bearer in the United States as one of the best providers of quality leather since 1905.
Designed in New York City and made in small batches in Mexico, Thursday offers a variety of options for their leather types:
- Thursday Chrome: An in-house proprietary combination veg-chrome, double-tanned, and hot-stuffed with natural waxes and oils that improve with age.
- Weather-Safe Suede: A suede leather option incorporating waterproof and hydrophobic compounds to keep feet dry and warm.
- Rugged and Resilient: Matte leather, sourced from Tier 1 U.S. cattle hides, improves the boot's aesthetic with age and wear.
Take, for instance, one of my first purchases from Thursday, their Rugged and Resilient Captain boot. This matte leather is hardy but also surprisingly supple. The laces are made of kevlar (the same material used in bulletproof vests and for lines that moor warships to piers).
CONSTRUCTION
Anyone who knows anything about boots will immediately point out (and appreciate) Thursday Boot Company's construction method: the Goodyear Welt construction. This method was first utilized in 1869 by Charles Goodyear Jr. and consisted of a strip of leather, rubber, or plastic that runs along the outermost perimeter of a shoe outsole.
In the case of Thursday, the outer sole of the boot and the insole are not physically attached and contain a cork midsole to fill in the small space resulting from the welt.
This method improves the boots' waterproofing and enables more efficient re-soling if necessary. Boot connoisseurs often acknowledge these small details, but believe me when I tell you that they matter, not just for functional purposes but also for prolonging the boots' lifespan. This construction method is simply one of the best ways to build quality footwear and, therefore, requires more skill than that of more disposable footwear.
NOT JUST BOOTS
Thursday has been busy for the past few years. Since the company's inception nearly a decade ago, they have added more boot options to their catalog, but they haven't stopped there. Now, you can purchase a variety of leather sneakers, oxford dress shoes, loafers, and even double monk-strap dress shoes from Thursday at incredible prices.
There is something for everyone regarding this brand, and everything is offered at an unbeatable price. This is a perfect example of a brand made for average gentlemen, so I recommend Thursday Boot Company's products to everyone I meet.
OPTIONS FOR WOMEN
Of course, these boots aren't just for men. Over the years, Thursday has developed a large collection of options for women that are exceptional. As a husband to a wife who is as stylish as I am (perhaps even more so), I can always rely on Thursday to provide best-in-class footwear to accompany my sensational bride.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
At the time of my writing this post, I am in no way sponsored or supported by Thursday; I just really love and appreciate their products. Thursday has been a Godsend to me as someone with a modest income and a passion for classic menswear.
Below are links to some knowledgeable individuals who can directly attest to the quality of Thursday's products. These people are far more qualified to report on the authenticity of these pieces of footwear. To help better inform you on what exactly you're getting for your hard-earned money, here are some in-depth guides to what Thursday is offering, including videos of cobblers and leather workers cutting the footwear in half to showcase the quality better. Check out these videos and support the great work these other content creators are developing for us!
ROSE ANVIL: CUTTING THURSDAY'S CAPTAIN BOOT IN HALF (REVIEW & ANALYSIS)
ROSE ANVIL: CUTTING THURSDAY'S SNEAKER IN HALF (REVIEW & ANALYSIS)
TRENTON & HEATH THURSDAY BOOTS REVIEW
TRENTON & HEATH THURSDAY OXFORD DRESS SHOES REVIEW
STRIDEWISE THURSDAY CAPTAIN REVIEW AFTER 2-YEARS
BOOTSPY THURSDAY CAPTAIN REVIEW AFTER 4-YEARS
CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES FOR MORE BOOT-RELATED CONTENT
Dean Stephens
Nick English