Simultaneously rugged and roguish, a good pair of boots can take a modern man pretty much anywhere—from rugged outposts like the hiking trail or the back of his motorcycle, to urban haunts like a business casual office or, the bar you go to afterward for post-work drinks.
The problem is that in addition to being one of your most vital wardrobe pieces, leather boots can also be one of the most expensive.
Me: “I should, but I won’t”
Most men’s boots start at around $100, and it’s not uncommon for well made boots to run you 400 to 500 bucks.
Even worse, it can be annoyingly difficult to tell which ones are well constructed and worth investing in, and which ones look good, but fall apart after just a few wears.
As autumn fell upon Toronto (and yes, that was absolutely meant as a pun), I recently spent a few weeks pounding the pavement in a pair of boots from Thursday Boot Co. to find out how they stack up in terms of aesthetics and quality.
Read on to learn the full results of my thorough Thursday Boots review and find out if their Captain cap toe boots lived up to the hype (and the price tag).
Note: I tried the standard d width boots, but Thursday also offers a wide EE/EEE in some colors.)
In a Hurry? Here’s the Gist ↓
Overall, Thursday’s Captains are solidly constructed, pretty comfy once you break them in, stylish as hell, and really well-priced.
You can read my full thoughts below, but here’s a quick summary of what I think are the key takeaways:
✅ What I Like About Thursday’s Captain Boots:
- Sharp Toe Shape: They have a slightly sleeker toe box than similar casual boots, which makes them look a little more sophisticated without being too “dressy”
- Good Year Welted: Unlike (a lot) of other boot brands, Thursday doesn’t skimp on the construction, and these are about as well-made as you can get
- Excellent Price-to-Quality Ratio: It’s rare to find good-year welted boots that are this well made at this price point, so these punch (well) above their weight in value
❌ What I Don’t Like About ‘Em:
- They Run Large: I had to size down by half a size to get the right fit
- A Little Heavy: This is common with well-made boots, but I’d prefer if they were a smidge lighter
Overview:
Thursday Boot Company
Thursday Boot Company’s founding goal is to merge function with fashion by straddling the line between well-made but clunky work boots and stylish but too-delicate fashion boots.
Its mission is to create high-quality footwear that can handle some hard pavement pounding, but also looks great and doesn’t cost a fortune.
Which is pretty much the perfect combo for style-conscious guys on a budget like myself.
In addition to finding the right mix between rugged and refined, Thursday’s website also boasts of their commitment to quality.
They claim that “where other brands choose to cut corners, we invest,” citing everything from the quality of their leather to the testing they do on the laces.
Where are Thursday Boots made?
While the company is based in New York City, Thursday Boots are made in León Guanajuato, Mexico, using American leather.
Thursday’s founders say that they selected their partners in León because “they had the same philosophical priorities we had in terms of ethical sourcing, fair labor, and high quality goods.”
But they source their bovine leather from the U.S. because “there are better practices here than in other countries” and they want to be responsible manufacturers.
What’s With The Name?
So, why call it the “Thursday” Boot Company? Because Thursday kind of straddles the line between the workweek and the unofficial start of the weekend.
As their website puts it: “…no matter what you do for work, or where you go for fun, you can always stand confidently in your Thursdays.”
It all certainly sounds good, but are their boots up to snuff? Let’s take a closer look at the Captains to find out.
Thursday Boots Captain Review
One of the big reasons that Thursday Boots appealed to me is because their stated mission matches up pretty well with my own philosophy towards shoes and boots.
When I buy a new pair, I tend to judge it on three main factors.
For me aesthetics (how good they look) comes first, followed by quality (how well they’re made) and of course the price point (meaning not only how much they cost, but how much value they provide for the money).
So let’s take a look at how Thursday Captain boots stack up when judged by these three criteria.
Aesthetics
First Impressions
The rest of the shots in this post are mine.
Probably the first thing I noticed when I opened up Thursday’s Captain boot was how striking it looks.
Ordering from online shoe stores is always a bit of a crap shoot because you never know if the product will live up to the marketing pictures used on their website.
So I was both happy and a little bit relieved to learn that in real life there’s a lot to like about the Captains aesthetically, from the suppleness of the Tier 1 USA-made leather to the stitching that connects the goodyear welted sole to the upper.
Now, to be fair, a lot of boots make a great first impression in the store or fresh out of the box, then deteriorate over time, which is why I always assess quality separately.
But I have to admit I was impressed when I first laid eyes on the Captain, and eager to start working them into my wardrobe to see how they’d hold up.
Full disclosure: I never remember to take “unboxing” pictures of new products the first time I open them, so the shot featured above isn’t my own, it’s from an Amazon user named Anthony.
Fortunately, Anthony did remember to take pictures, and based on his review and his shots, it sounds like his experience mirrored my own.
Strong Toe Shape
One of my favorite details about this boot is its toe shape, which seems to perfectly straddle the line between round-toe combat boot and sharp-toe dress boot.
While other Thursday Boots, like their popular President model, have a rounder toe that evokes the kind of classic combat sh*t-kickers my grandfather wore in WWII, the Captains have a good shape that’s ever-so slightly sharper.
I still wouldn’t call these a “dress boot.”
They look great with jeans, but would probably feel out of place with a suit.
But the slightly sleeker toe shape makes them appropriate for a lot of offices, and will help you elevate your casual look.
One fall evening I took my wife out for dinner and paired the Captains with a dark pair of jeans, a white button down shirt and a tweed blazer.
And thanks in part to the slightly more dressed up toe shape, the look worked perfectly on the patio of the well-appointed-but-not-formal restaurant we went to.
Aesthetics Score: 5/5
Quality
Goodyear Welts: The Gold Standard for Boot Construction
As mentioned above, the Captains are goodyear welted.
That means that the leather upper part you slide your foot into and the soles, including the poron insole, the cork-bed midsole and the outer rubber sole are bound together tightly.
As Wikipedia notes, they’re bound by “stitching a welt to the upper and a strip of preformed canvas like a ‘rib’ that runs all around.”
Goodyear welting is considered by many to be the gold standard for shoe and boot construction.
In addition to ensuring they stay in one piece for a long time, goodyear welting also helps make your boots water resistant, which is one of the major quality issues for cheaply made boots.
(And it’s arguably more important for boots than for a pair of shoes, because boots tend to be worn hard and put to work in tougher conditions.)
You know those stitches that you often see on boots, running along the tops of the soles? That’s an indication the boots are goodyear welted.
But, buyer be warned: a studded rubber outsole isn’t always a guarantee that the boots are goodyear welted.
A lot of people don’t realize that some cheaper brands will cut corners by fusing the uppers and the soles with glue, then adding the stitching as an aesthetic detail later, to imply that the boots are goodyear welted when they’re really not.
But as mentioned above, Thursday Boot Company puts a heavy emphasis on quality, and they seem to put their money (or in this case, my money) where their mouth is.
The Captains really are a true goodyear welt boot, and feel slightly heavier and more substantial as a result.
As Anthony put it in that Amazon review I mentioned:
“Fresh out of the box, you can tell they’re made by hand. I wouldn’t have been surprised for a loose stitch or a slightly not-dead-straight seam, but mine were perfect. The quality is not comparable to anything you’d buy at a department store. They’re simply a better product.”
The real test of their quality will come months or even years from now, as I see how well the boots hold up over time.
But as a rule of thumb you can pretty much always expect goodyear welted boots to have a lot more longevity than pairs that are only glued together.
Size Down By Half
This is something I first noticed after reading a bunch of Amazon reviews (on which more below), and I’m glad I did.
While the Amazon sales page says the fit is “True to size,” multiple reviewers mentioned that they found their standard size to be a little big, and recommend sizing down by a half.
This is something that’s always annoyed me about buying shoes, but seems to be particularly prevalent in boots.
I’m usually a pretty reliable size 9, but I have multiple size 9 boots that are just a little too long, and require insoles to make them fit snuggly.
Quality Score: 4.5/5
Price
How much does the Thursday Boots Captain cost?
At $200, the Captains fall either in the middle of the pack or on the lower end of the price spectrum, depending on what you compare them to.
The Captain cap toe boot is comparable in both design and price to Beckett Simonon’s Dowler boots, which cost $229, and Johnston & Murphy’s Karnes cap toe boots, which start at $198.
But it’s worth noting that neither of those boots are goodyear welted, meaning they’re more likely to start falling apart before the Captains.
Red Wing Iron Ranger boots are goodyear welted and cost $325 on Amazon, but in my opinion the Captains are a much better deal than the Red Wings, since they have both a better toe shape and a smaller price tag.
So, overall I think 200 bucks is a more than fair price for boots that are both this well made and this stylish, and the Captains offer great value for your money.
Price Score: 5/5
Thursday Boots Amazon Reviews
How do Amazon users rank the Captains?
Even before I bought the Captains, I noticed how highly they were rated on Amazon.
(In fact, it’s one of the main reasons I pulled the trigger.)
Of the nearly 2,000 online reviews they’ve received at the time of this writing, 75% are 5-star reviews, and they have an overall rating of 4.5/5 stars.
Here’s one from June 2020 that’s pretty typical of most reviews:
Nice boots. Been wearing them all day and I can tell they’re going to get better with time. I bicycle commute and it turns out the raised heel makes riding easier. The functionality of that riding heel has returned. There’s little details that make a difference too.
The laces, the insole, the grommets, the leather… all top notch. Way above expectations. They smell amazing. You’ll understand once you get a pair. Didn’t see the advice to order a half size down so I had to return the first pair. Oops. Second pair, half size down, fits like a glove. Absolutely love these boots.
Note that this reviewer alludes to the common theme that I mentioned above, and recommends sizing down by half to avoid ordering the wrong size.
Thursday Boots Review Reddit
What do reddit users think of the Captains?
While Amazon reviewers were overwhelmingly positive in regard to the Captains, reddit users had a slightly less sunny disposition. (Shocking, right?)
On the sub-reddit dedicated to goodyear welts (yes, there’s a sub-reddit entirely dedicated to goodyear welted shoes and boots, because reddit), the Thursday Boots seem to be the goodyearwelt reddit is most divided over.
Back in 2015, u/gluglugs wrote wondered why Thursday had boots had gotten a bunch of negative reviews on the thread.
After reading through the responses and a bunch of other posts on the thread, I think one potential reason is clear: the guys on r/goodyearwelt are super knowledgeable, but they’re also boot snobs.
As you can probably imagine, people who spend hours on a sub-reddit dedicated to goodyear welts care a lot about how their shoes and boots are constructed.
They tend to compare every new entry into the market against the best-made (and often most expensive) industry leaders.
But while r/goodyearwelt users go deep on the function, they seem to be less interested in the other side of Thursday Boot’s mission, the fashion.
Over on r/malefashion advice, on the other hand, you get the opposite side of the coin. A lot of users actually had pretty high praise for Thursday Boots, and the Captains in particular.
Redditor u/pm_your_fits posted a really positive review that gave the Captains an 8/10 for design and looks, another 8/10 for comfort and a 10/10 for comfort and durability, noting:
The construction is definitely strong and sturdy. I have ran to classes in these boots when I was late and gone to business casual meetings. Overall, I think they are a comfortable versatile piece that is definitely worth the price.
He particularly appreciated the price, since the Captains are one of the few goodyear welted boots you can get for $200 or less.
After doing a deep dive into reddit (which is always dangerous), my main take away is that guys who want a great-looking boot that’s better constructed than the type of cheap sh*t you get at places like Aldo love Thursday Boots.
But guys who want a boot that’s expertly made first and fashionable only second (if at all), tend to be think that Thursdays don’t match the quality of some of the more expensive industry leaders.
Personally I’m in the former camp, not the latter. As a style enthusiast my first concern is wearing pieces that help me look and feel my best.
Of course, I don’t want to waste my money on poor quality products that are going to fall apart immediately.
But since most of my walking/boot wearing happens on city sidewalks (as opposed to nature trails or rougher terrain), I neither need nor want to invest in boots that are constructed to live longer than the pyramids.
Conclusion
Total Score for the Captains: 4.8/5
After a few weeks of almost daily wear, I can say with confidence that Thursday Boots’ Captains are more than up to snuff.
I of course have to caveat my conclusion by saying that these are still early days.
While I’ve worn the sh*t out of these things over the past few weeks, the real test will be whether they perform as well over the long haul.
But based on all the positive reviews I’ve read and the early returns from my own experience thus far, all signs seem to point to performance.
These really do seem to be great boots.
The Captains are solidly constructed, comfy enough to stand, walk and hike on for hours on end, and (as a self-respecting style blogger it would be professional malfeasance for me to not to mention this again) stylish as hell.
If you’re looking for more of a good ol’ fashioned sh*t kicker, then it might be a good idea to opt for something with a rounder toe and maybe even a thicker sole, like a Red Wing.
But for a good-looking boot that’s stylish enough to wear to work but well made enough to sustain you through sh*tty weather, the Captains are hard to beat – especially for the price.
I haven’t tried any of Thursday’s other boot styles yet (they make some good looking chelsea boots, along with a wide selection of other lace-ups in a range of different colors).
But my experience with the Captains was so strong that I think I’m finally going to pull the trigger on the Scout chukkas that I’ve had my eyes on for awhile now.
If they perform as well as the one pair of Thursdays I’ve tried so far, I’ll consider it money well spent.
The Recap ↓
Summary
After a few weeks and thousands of steps, I can say with confidence that Thursday Boots has done a great job with the Captains.
FAQ & Update (1 Year Later)
Since first writing this review more than a year ago, I’ve had a lot of guys reach out with questions that I didn’t address the first time around.
Below are a few of the most frequently asked questions, that have come up so far.
Where to Buy Thursday Boots
I received a lot of questions about the best place to buy a pair of Thursday boots.
The two best options are to go direct through Thursday’s website, or to check them out on Amazon.
Personally I prefer Amazon because I’m a Prime member and the shipping is fast.
Often the downside of buying a direct-to-consumer brand on Amazon is that there might be more of a mark up, but with Thursday that’s actually not the case:
The Captains are the exact same price on both Amazon and Thursday’s website (at least at the time of this writing).
How to Clean Thursday Boots
The answer to this one will depend on whether you opt for leather or suede.
(I went with dark brown leather, but I have to admit I love the dark olive suede color that Thursday uses, and I’m more than a little tempted to pick up another pair.)
In either case, your boots – much like your other pairs of shoes – will need a little maintenance every once in awhile to keep them looking fresh.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to take long.
If you want to clean leather shoes or boots, check out this quick guide that Thursday put together, which shows you how to clean a service boot with a bit of leather balm and a standard brush.
(If you want to go a little more in depth, I also recommend this Youtube video from Trenton & Heath.)
If you’re working with suede, Thursday has a separate guide that walks you through the steps.
How to Break in Thursday Boots
The only downside about investing in good boots is that they sometimes take time to break in.
For a lot of guys, that often entails wearing the hell out of ’em until they soften and start to adapt to the shape of your feet.
(But good luck doing so without getting some painful blisters along the way.)
If you want to break in your Thursdays (or other pairs of boots) without damaging the leather, check out this guide from Ever Boots, which shares a lot of great tips.
But personally I found that the Captains broke in just fine after a couple wears (and apparently I’m not alone), so I would give it a week or so to see if additional break-in is really necessary.
How to Wear Thursday Boots
One nice thing about cap-toe service boots with a sharp toe shape is that they’re extremely versatile, so there are a ton of different ways you can wear them.
But my go-to is to rock them with a pair of slim-fit jeans and a well-fitted button down.
The result is a well put together look that’s as versatile as the boots themselves, which works just as well in a business-casual office as it does on a relaxed first date.
How long do Thursday Boots last?
So far I’ve had my captains for about a year and a half, and they’re showing very few signs of wear and tear.
But it’s worth mentioning that after the initial testing period, I stopped wearing them daily.
Nowadays I wear them at least once a week during the cooler months (which here in Toronto means September to April), so they’re still getting quite a bit of usage.
And I’m happy to report that my suspicions were correct: this is high quality footwear, and they’ve held up great.
Where do Thursday Boots ship from?
Thursday’s website doesn’t specify where exactly they ship from, but they offer free shipping within the contiguous U.S. and say that orders typically take 1 to 3 business days, so it’s safe to say they ship from within the U.S.
But if you buy from Amazon, they’ll ship from the nearest Amazon warehouse that has them in stock, which may end up being faster (especially if you have Prime).
How is Thursday’s customer service?
As mentioned above, I actually bought my Thursdays through Amazon, and didn’t encounter any issues, so I can’t speak to their customer service.
They have a contact form on their website, but if you need to get in touch with them the best way is probably to use the phone number listed on their website: 1-866-475-9104.
Are Thursday Boots comfortable?
After you break them in, definitely.
As mentioned above, the leather linings need to be broken in so that it can start to mold to the shape of your foot, which is true of all well-made leather boots.
But with the Captains that didn’t take too long at all.
As an aded bonus, the interior lining of the midsole contains what Thursday calls their DuraEVA comfort strip, which adds some additional comfort.
EVA stands for Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate, a lightweight polymer that’s lighter and more flexible rubber, which adds a nice layer of padding that makes the Captains comfortable, even when standing.
I’ve worn them to multiple parties where I was on my feet for three or four hours straight with no issue.
Thursday Boots vs Redwing Iron Rangers
I had a few guys reach out to ask me specifically about the difference between Thursday’s Captains and Redwing’s Iron Rangers.
I own a pair of each, and even though both are goodyear welted cap-toe boots that offer good value, to me they’re so different that it’s basically an apples to oranges comparison.
For me, the Iron Rangers are true workhorses.
If you want true service boots that look like they could be worn to storm the beaches of Normandy (or, as in my case, do chores in your backyard) these are your best bet.
They’re rugged, exceptionally well made, and can stand up to anything.
The Captains are also extremely well made, but they’re not sh*t kickers.
Because the toe shape is so damn sharp (as opposed to the rounded toe of the Iron Rangers), these are basically a cross between army boots and dress boots.
These are the ones you reach for when you want to look sharp and dapper, but want your refinement to have a hint of ruggedness, too.
So if you want work boots that happen to look great, go with the Iron Rangers.
But if you want smart-casual boots that hold up as well as work boots, opt for the Captains.
More Resources ↓
More Advice on Stylish & Sh*t-Kicking Boots From Irreverent Gent:
- The Most Comfortable Men’s Chelsea Boots to Slip On
- Johnston & Murphy Karnes Cap Toe Boots Review
- The Best Casual Boots to Wear with Jeans
- The Best Red Wing Boots for Men to Wear Daily
- The 24 Best, Most Comfortable Work Boots
- The 17 Best Sneaker Boots for Men
- The 11 Most Comfortable Steel Toe Boots for Standing All Day
- The Best Types of Men’s Boots Every Guy Should Own
- The (Absolute) Best Chelsea Boots for Men
More Reviews & Men’s Style Advice From Irreverent Gent:
- In-Depth The Jacket Maker Review – Is The Jacket Maker Legit?
- The Best Wrinkle-Free & Non-Iron Dress Shirts
- The Most Comfortable Golf Shoes for Walking the Course
- The (Absolute) Best Monk Strap Shoes for Men
- The (Absolute) Best Mens Fall Shoes
- What is the most comfortable mens loafer? Funny you should ask…
- The 17 Most Essential Types of Shoes for Men
- The 9 Most Stylish & Comfortable Dress Shoes That Feel Like Sneakers
- In Review: The Naadam Cashmere Essential Sweater
- In Review: Beckett Simonon Dress Shoes
- The Most Stylish Shoes to Wear with Chinos
- The Absolute Best Shoes (& Shoe Colors) to Wear with Khakis
- The Most Stylish Shoes for Men to Wear with Jeans
- The 21 Best Shoes to Wear with Shorts
- The 31 Best Shoes for Walking on Concrete All Day
- The Best Nursing Shoes for Men
- The (Absolute) Best Types of Leather Jacket Styles for Men
- The (Absolute) Best Cap Toe Oxford Dress Shoes for Men
- The Most Stylish, Comfortable & Best Shoes for Male Teachers
- The 19 Most Stylish Pieces of Men’s Winter Fashion
- The (Absolute) Best Shoes to Wear Without Socks
- In-Depth Wolf and Shepherd Shoes Review
- The Absolute Best Shoes for Doctors
- The Best Casual Shoe Styles for Men – Look Sharp Without Looking “Dressy”
