Disclaimer: Thursday Boot Co. sent The Peak Lapel this pair of boots for free for the purposes of this review.
Thursday Boot Co. is a company you’ve likely heard about before. While they got popular amongst menswear enthusiasts for their boots, they recently released a line of dress shoes which we have already covered here on the site. Now, we get to go back and review what they are truly known for, their boots. For this review, we’re taking a look at their President Boot in Cognac Suede ($199).
Packaging & Experience
Website design is clean and easy to use and navigate. Shipping was free and astonishingly fast. Took only two business days to get to me (though I am based in NY). Returns are easy and free as well. Packaging was simple and clean, though nothing to write home about. Shoe dust bag is provided in the box as well. A
Style & Design
These boots are super well-designed. They are sleek, and modern, without being pointy or losing a sense of ruggedness that most all boots should have. They really, truly are some damn good-looking boots. I am a sucker for suede, as well, and the cognac color here really is something to behold. Pairs wonderfully with dark denim, but works just as well with a pair of chinos. Of course, these boots are also available in a bunch of other colors from black to darker brown, to some other options and shades as well. All have the exact same sleek profile and toe shape.
Some other details? I love the metal hooks at the top for the top two lace crossings, which, again, adds a nice air of ruggedness to these boots. I also like that they are plain-toe, without any brogue-ing or cap toe design elements here. This makes them a bit more unique and sleek than what you usually see. If I could change one thing it would be the bright white colored stitching around the sole. Wish this was a bit darker and less visible. A
Quality & Construction
These shoes are Goodyear Welted, which means they are meant to be worn hard, and are quite water proof as far as how the sole meets the rest of the shoe. Despite being Goodyear Welted, these shoes don’t really look too clunky at all, and, as discussed above, the overall design remains quite sleek and clean. The leather is treated with WeatherSafe coating which means you can, though maybe shouldn’t, wear them in the rain. The cork-bed insole molds to your foot with each wear, though I was surprised at home comfortable these things were right out of the box. Still, the heel was quite stiff, and so a break-in period is necessary.
The soles are Dainite-like rubber which adds traction, a nice touch. The laces also feel substantial and sturdy and, I would bet, will last a long time. For the price, this is an impressive level of construction, no doubt about it. The few small things I did notice are quite minor, like imperfect stitching, and slight imperfections in the sole. Again, this is all aesthetic, and to be expect on shoes at this price point. A
The Fit
I usually take an 11.5 in shoes, and that was the case here. I will say that I also tried their Chelsea boot and needed a size 12 there (though, then the ankle width was too wide for me), so, you might need to try two sizes to make sure you get this right if you are comparing to other shoes from Thursday Boot Co. However, I took an 11.5 in their dress shoes, which fit me perfectly, and I found the same here. So, for the most part, these are true to size. They also offer half sizes, like any good shoe company should. However, they have no varying widths, something I would like to see in the future. The best part? Shipping and returns are free, so you can try two sizes without worrying about it. A
Value & Conclusion
President Boot in Cognac Suede — $199: Any discussion of shoes at this price point must include mention of both Meermin and Allen Edmonds Factory Seconds. The former we found had serious fit issues as well as long and arduous break-in times. While they offer a more extensive dress shoe range, their casual boots are utterly blown away by Thursday’s. Plus, Meermin’s return policy sucks. Allen Edmonds Factory Seconds still remains some of the best value in men’s footwear, but, for casual boots, we think Thursday is a better option. They are almost always cheaper, have super solid quality and construction, and have more options in the casual range. Plus, you don’t need to worry about restocking fees, or how bad your seconds quality nicks or scratches will be. Thursday Boots are not perfect, but, for the price, they are astonishingly close. They’re comfortable, look great, and have excellent customer service. If you’re looking for a casual boot, right now, Thursday Boot Co. is The Peak Lapel’s recommendation. Final Grade: A