Living in Manhattan has its perks — especially when you get to visit the Thursday Boot Company showroom in person. I’ve worn and reviewed a lot of boots over the years on my site and YouTube channel, from Red Wing’s iconic Iron Ranger with Traction Tred soles I tried on in Minnesota, to the rugged charm of Filson’s 125th anniversary line. But when I recently got to grill the Thursday team about their new line of premium boots, something felt different. They’ve just launched the Black Label Collection, and trust me, the Black Label boots — especially The Challenger — immediately made me want to compare them with some of the best from Nicks Handmade Boots or even other Pacific Northwest brands.
After wearing them for a few weeks, my thoughts are clear: Thursday is challenging the throne. These aren’t just cheaper boots with clever branding; they feel like they’ve taken a hundred years of American bootmaking — from places like America’s own New York and the boot-heavy legacy of the Pacific Northwest — and wrapped it into something modern. I’ve owned a hundred boots, from the Urban Logger by Nicks to all kinds of new releases, but the new Thursdays hold a position that’s honestly challenging to ignore. They blend the heritage I love with something refreshing — like they’re honoring tradition while reshaping it.
What Makes These Boots a City Favorite?
From my personal experience wearing the Terracotta Captain pair for over a year, I can see why Thursday Boot Company has built a strong customer base. Their blend of modern design with a hint of heritage makes them stand out in both city and rugged PNW settings. These boots offer the benefits of being durable, water-resistant, and incredibly stable, thanks to thoughtful touches like synthetic insoles for shock absorption and easy break in comfort. What impressed me most is that they feel style-oriented and youthful, yet practical enough to be resoleable and sold under $200—a solid price point for such quality footwear. Whether you’re in business, exploring trails, or just everyday wear, these boots are built for real people who want smart, dependable boots that don’t compromise on style.
Commitment to Quality and Craftsmanship
Thursday Boot Company believes in creating quality products by carefully selecting the best materials available, such as premium leather and strong laces. Unlike other brands that often choose to cut corners in their manufacturing process, Thursday invests deeply in product testing and manufacturing to ensure durable, fashionable footwear. The design of their boots balances both function and style, reflecting a true investment in quality that customers can trust. What I love most is that every pair I’ve worn stands up to real use, proving the product longevity they promise. This approach suggests that when you buy Thursday, you are not just paying a price but making a smart choice for long-lasting value. The truth is, this level of commitment is rare and it happens because of their strong Leadership and passion for excellence.
Materials That Make a Difference
When it comes to Thursday, the choice of materials truly sets them apart. Their partnership with the historic Horween Leather Company in the United States, known for crafting quality leather since 1905, shows a commitment to excellence. Designed in New York City and made in small batches in Mexico, Thursday offers unique leather types like Thursday Chrome, a proprietary combination of veg-chrome, double-tanned, and hot-stuffed with natural waxes and oils that only improve with age. Their Weather-Safe Suede uses hydrophobic compounds to keep your feet dry and warm, proving practical innovation.
The rugged and resilient matte leather comes from Tier 1 U.S. cattle hides, enhancing the boot’s aesthetic as it ages and wears naturally over time. From the Captain boot, known for being hardy yet supple, to laces crafted from kevlar a material used in bulletproof vests, warships, and piers every detail speaks to durability and style. This thoughtful use of premium materials shows why Thursday boots stand out in quality and long-lasting performance.
Options For Women
Over the years, Thursday has grown from making boots mainly for men to offering a large collection of options that cater beautifully to women as well. As a husband to a stylish wife who knows quality, I can always rely on their best-in-class footwear to accompany her looks perfectly. The range is truly exceptional, proving that Thursday cares just as much about women’s style and comfort, making every pair as sensational as the bride walking down the aisle. In fact, I am often amazed at how even after all this time, the choices keep getting more refined and suited for both men and women alike.
Helpful Resources and Insights
When it comes to Thursday boots, many find them a Godsend, especially those with a modest income who have a passion for classic menswear. Beyond just owning quality footwear, there are plenty of in-depth guides and videos created by knowledgeable individuals like cobblers, leather workers, and content creators that help showcase quality and prove the authenticity of these boots. I truly appreciate how Thursday isn’t just offering products but also encouraging great support through these resources, ensuring your hard-earned money is well spent. While I’m not sponsored or officially supported by them, I rely on the reports and reviews to better inform my choices, and it’s clear Thursday’s products stand out for their dedication and great work.
Style and Visual Appeal
The design of Thursday boots strikes a great balance between casual and fashion-oriented styles, making them appeal to many people from different perspectives. While some may see boots as a subjective choice, I’ve found their rugged yet sleek look to be quite good compared to brands like YSL, or the fast fashion options from Topman and Zara. Unlike the bulky feel of Red Wings or many Pacific Northwest models, Thursday offers a fresh style that’s welcoming to those completely new to boots as well as seasoned fans. I personally love how they maintain this appeal now, just as much as I did 10 years ago. The fashion aspect is really nice, and for me, it’s a perfect mix that many people would enjoy.
Ease of Wear and Lasting Comfort
When it comes to comfort, Thursday boots stand out, especially for new or moderately experienced boot wearers. Unlike some high quality boots like Red Wing, Wolverine, Whites, Wesco, or Thorogood, which often require long and painful break-in periods due to their tough leathers, Thursday offers a nearly nonexistent break-in experience. Their leather is soft and flexible, making the boots feel more like sneakers. This makes standing or walking in them for a full day much less uncomfortable compared to more expensive boots like Wesco Knuckle Draggers that can hurt before molding to your feet.
The secret lies in their supportive design and the midsole made with synthetic material and molding cork, which helps the boots conform to your feet over time. This subjective feeling of comfort gives Thursday boots a unique edge — they combine the classic look of leather Captain boots with the cozy feel of sneakers, making them perfect for everyday wear.
Building Strong Foundations: Construction Quality Insights
When it comes to construction quality, Thursday boots show a mixed bag of strengths and flaws. The 360 degree Goodyear welt is a standout feature, giving the Captain boots a durable, water resistant, and resoleable edge that many high end brands like Red Wing, Wolverine, and Viberg also rely on. This method of outsole stitching is generally dense, neat, and built to last, which means these boots can withstand everyday wear better than many competitors.
However, not all is perfect. One odd design choice is the tongue, which is not gusseted. Unlike many work style and casual lace up boots that have gusseted tongues to keep in place, Thursday’s lack of this feature can make the tongue shift, which might bother some users. In my experience, this small detail can affect comfort and stability during long wear.
Looking closer at the upper stitching, craftsmanship varies. Some areas like the quarter meets vamp show wonky stitching and loose frayed threads, especially on the left boot’s outside, where a long section of loose/unfinished threads appears. While this doesn’t cause an immediate durability issue, it feels unsightly and could be a concern over time. The toe cap often appears two tones with shades darker than the vamp, but this seems more stylistic than a flaw.
The heel area has some finish problems too. The heel stack on the left boot shows glue issues with a sizable gap and midsole separation near the welt. The stacks of leather sometimes stick out, making the finish feel less refined compared to brands like Mark Albert, Urban Shepherd, or Oak Street. Even though these details hold the boots back from perfection, they don’t make me upset given the boot price — after all, it’s not a disaster, just quality control hiccups.
Overall, while Thursday boots offer solid construction and many qualities that beat some competitors, certain stitching issues and finishing touches show room for improvement. For boots in this price range, it’s a fair trade-off between durability and craftsmanship. If you pay attention to these subtle flaws, you can still enjoy a reliable, stylish boot that stands out in many ways.
FAQs
What makes Thursday Boots special
Thursday Boot Company uses the best materials like leather and laces, thoughtfully designed and tested to ensure boots stand up to everyday demands, offering quality, durability, comfort, and style with expert craftsmanship and top performance.
Are Thursday Boots Made of 100% Leather?
Thursday Boots use 100% bovine leather from Tier 1 USA cattle and trusted tanneries with traceable material records. These tanneries earn high marks from the Leather Working Group (LWG) for strong environmental practices and chemical management, ensuring the quality of their exclusive products.
Are Thursday Boots Comfortable to Walk In?
These boots are the most comfortable you will ever walk around in. They’re durable, versatile, and don’t cost a fortune. They’re a worthwhile investment that pair well with everything in your closet and you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style.
Are Thursday Boots Uncomfortable?
Thursday boots and shoes may feel snug at first because the natural leather will stretch to form your feet over time. Keep in mind they should not be uncomfortable. Since the durable leathers can occasionally take more than a few wears to break in, patience helps them fit better.
Who is Doc Martens biggest competitor?
Dr Martens competes with Converse, Vans, Wolverine Worldwide, Crocs, and Timberland in the footwear market. It ranks 4th in Overall Culture Score on Comparably, showing strong culture, leadership, and employee satisfaction. Its CEO Rankings, eNPS, and Diversity Scores reflect its solid position and rating in the competitive landscape and industry.
