Hey there boot lover, let me guess – you‘re on the hunt for that perfect pair of boots that looks amazing, feels great, and doesn‘t cost a month‘s rent. I‘ve been there! With so many direct-to-consumer boot brands popping up in recent years, it can be tough to choose. That‘s why I‘m putting two of the most buzzed-about brands head to head in this in-depth comparison: Thursday Boot Company and Taft.
Over the last 5 years, Thursday and Taft have exploded onto the market, delighting guys like you and me who want more style and quality than department store brands deliver, without the sticker shock of traditional luxury makers. In 2020 alone, Thursday hit $50 million in sales, while Taft crossed $20 million. Impressive stuff for young upstarts going against footwear giants!
But growth aside, which of these ecommerce darlings actually makes the better boots? I‘ve owned multiple pairs from each brand, so I‘m diving deep on materials, craftsmanship, comfort, style, and value to help you decide. I‘ll also share some styling tips, customer reviews, and my own honest take. So pour a whiskey, kick back, and let‘s jump into this Thursday Boots vs Taft throwdown!
Why Thursday Boots and Taft?
If you‘re reading this, I‘m guessing you‘re not satisfied with the clunky, plasticky boots clogging up most retail stores. But you‘re also not ready to drop $500+ on designer boots. That‘s where direct-to-consumer disruptors like Thursday and Taft come in.
Both companies launched with a simple mission: to make high-quality, great-looking boots more attainable by cutting out the middlemen and delivering direct to guys like us. Their sleek online shops and minimalist branding have earned them legions of loyal fans, not to mention high-profile investors.
Thursday has raised over $10 million in venture capital funding to date, while Taft has taken a more grassroots approach, growing profitably from their homebase in Utah. Both now have over 500,000 followers on Instagram, with fans spanning from college students to creative professionals.
So clearly, these brands are resonating. But to truly see what the hype is about, we need to go beyond the slick marketing and venture capital valuation, and look at the actual boots. Let‘s start with the foundation: materials.
Quality & Construction
When you slip on a pair of boots, you can immediately feel the difference quality materials make. Both Thursday and Taft pride themselves on using only premium leathers and suedes:
| Feature | Thursday Boots | Taft |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Leathers | Horween Chromexcel, WeatherSafe Suede | Italian calfskin, suede, wool |
| Outsoles | Dainite rubber studs | Leather with rubber inserts |
| Lining | Glove leather | Soft calfskin |
| Construction | Goodyear welt | Blake rapid stitch |
| Eyelets | Gunmetal, nickel, or gold finish | Antique brass |
| Craftsmanship | Hand-finished in Mexico and USA | Handmade in Spain and Portugal |
I‘ve found Thursday‘s WeatherSafe Suede is the real deal – it‘s stood up to unexpected rain and still looks great after months of heavy rotation. The Horween Chromexcel leather is also a thing of beauty, developing a rich patina over time.
That said, Taft‘s Italian calfskin might be even more buttery soft, with an instant luxe feel. I also love the unique textures Taft incorporates, like woven suedes and felted wools you won‘t find on many other boots.
As for construction, Thursday‘s Goodyear welt is the gold standard for durability. These boots are tanks, and I‘ve beat them up extensively with minimal wear. The welt stitching also gives them a more substantial, masculine vibe.
Taft‘s Blake stitched boots, on the other hand, have the edge in lightness and flexibility. The Spanish and Portuguese craftsmanship is exquisite, with detailing that pops. I‘d say Taft boots almost feel more like an Italian sports car, while Thursday is your rugged but refined pickup truck. Both serve different purposes, and both are very well made.
Style Showdown
Construction aside, a boot has to look good above all else. These are pieces you want to build outfits around. After having worn 3 styles extensively from each brand, here are my thoughts:
Thursday Boots Captain vs Taft Jack Boot
The Captain is arguably Thursday‘s most iconic boot. It‘s simple, it‘s classic, it goes with everything from selvedge denim to chinos. I have the Arizona Adobe leather, which is this gorgeous rust color that‘s a refreshing change from basic brown. The leather is sturdy but molds to your ankle, and the 6-inch height is perfection. Throw ‘em on and you instantly look more put together, even with just a white tee and jeans.
Taft‘s Jack Boot, meanwhile, turns the traditional plain toe on its head. The wool body makes it eye-catching and cozy at the same time. I style my grey wool pair with black jeans and a thermal henley for a rugged professor vibe that always gets compliments. If you want a boot that starts conversations, the Jack is it.
Thursday Boots Wingtip vs Taft Viking Boot
Broguing is one of those old-school menswear details that takes your boot game to the next level. Thursday‘s wingtip boot features some subtle perforations on the toe cap that work just as well at the office as the bar. I wear my "Natural" color pair with navy trousers and a crisp white oxford to client meetings and feel like a million bucks.
But if you really want to go bold with broguing, it‘s hard to top Taft‘s Viking Boot. This thing looks like it was dreamt up by a Savile Row designer after a few single malts. The blue and brown colorway shouldn‘t work, but the combination of intricate broguing, rich leather, and wool somehow does. I always get "whoa, where‘d you get those?" when I rock my Vikings. Confidence booster for sure.
Thursday Boots Duke vs Taft Jude Chelsea
Chelsea boots are the perfect balance of casual and classy. They‘re also insanely easy to slip on and off, which is why they‘re a staple in my travel rotation.
The Duke is Thursday‘s most versatile Chelsea. It looks great with a suit for a dressed down formal look (see: James Bond) or with distressed denim for a night out. I‘ve put serious miles on my Honey Suede pair, and they‘ve held up amazingly well. The cushioned insole makes them comfortable for all day wear too.
If the Duke is your dependable daily driver, Taft‘s Jude Chelsea is the sports coupe you take out for weekend joyrides. I have a pair in Taft‘s "London" leather, which has a slightly crackled texture and rich chocolate hue you won‘t find anywhere else. With an elongated toe and elastic panels that create an ultra-streamlined silhouette, the Jude is a boot that elevates anything you pair it with.
Quality Control & Customer Service
We‘ve talked a lot about the quality of materials and construction, but what about quality control? When you‘re ordering online, it‘s crucial that the boots that show up meet your expectations.
I have to give kudos to both brands here. I‘ve ordered 5 pairs between Thursday and Taft, and never had an issue with inconsistent sizing, loose threads, or any other QC red flags. Based on the customer reviews I‘ve read, this seems to be the norm for both companies.
That said, mistakes happen. The true test of a brand‘s quality is how they respond. When I bought my first pair of Captains, I accidentally ordered a half size too small. Thursday‘s customer service was a breeze – they sent me a prepaid return label, and I had the right size on my doorstep within 5 days of sending the originals back. No questions asked.
I had a similar experience with Taft when I received a pair of Vikings where the leather had a slightly deeper scratch than I was comfortable with. One quick email exchange later, they express shipped me a replacement pair that was flawless. That‘s the kind of service you remember.
Price & Value
Ok, so Thursday and Taft both make killer boots. But which one gives you the most bang for your buck? Let‘s talk numbers:
| Thursday Boots | Price | Taft | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | $199 | Jack | $235 |
| Wingtip | $235 | Viking | $349 |
| Duke | $190 | Jude | $235 |
There‘s no denying Thursday has the edge on price. You can snag most of their core styles for under $250, which is pretty amazing for boots that go toe-to-toe with pairs twice the price at Nordstrom or Bloomingdale‘s.
Taft‘s prices are a step up, but still very fair considering the level of artistry and detail in every boot. You‘re not just paying for quality, you‘re paying for boots that make a statement. In my experience, that‘s well worth the $50-100 premium over Thursday.
Of course, value isn‘t just about price. It‘s about the cost per wear, the joy you get each time you lace up, and the confidence that comes from knowing you‘re rocking something special. On all those fronts, I believe both brands deliver in spades.
The Verdict
Congratulations, boot connoisseur – you now know more about Thursday and Taft than 99% of the footwear-wearing population! But after all this analysis, which one is actually the best?
Having worn both extensively, I‘ll say this: for classic, madly durable boots at unbeatable prices, Thursday is tough to top. The Captains, Presidents, and Diplomats are easy-wearing staples every guy should have in his rotation.
But if "basic" isn‘t in your vocabulary, Taft might have the edge. From the Viking‘s statement-making broguing to the Jude‘s distinctive textures, every Taft boot has a unique story to tell. The designs are more forward-thinking, the leathers more indulgent. Your mileage may vary, but for me, Taft‘s creative risks are well worth the slightly higher price.
That said, you can‘t go wrong with either brand. Both make products leagues beyond the average department store boot. Both deliver outstanding quality and service for the price.
So my advice? Start with the pair that speaks most to your personal style. Maybe it‘s the rugged yet refined Captain, or the sleek, goes-with-anything Jude. See how they feel, how liberating it is to wear boots you genuinely love. Then go from there.
If you‘re anything like me, owning one pair is a gateway drug. Pretty soon you‘ll find yourself itching to add a bolder Taft like the Jack, or a more casual Thursday like the Scout. Totally normal.
Remember: whether you‘re dressing up for a big date or trekking through the city on a random Tuesday, nothing transforms an outfit – or an attitude – like a killer pair of boots. You deserve that feeling, my friend. Now you‘ve got two stellar options to get you there.
Choose wisely, wear often, and enjoy the heck out of whichever pair you land on. And as always, shoot me any questions! I‘m here to help, one boot obsession at a time.
