FULL REVIEW + PICTURES: I’m always surprised by how many terrible boots are on the market, so I decided to make the definitive list for this Fall. Which are the best boots for 2019?
BEST BOOT: THURSDAY BOOT COMPANY'S CAPTAIN BOOT
Designed to be the perfect combination of dressy and casual, Thursday reinvented the boot ground up: instead of going with Chromexcel® leather they devised their own leather called Thursday Chrome; instead of going with pricy Dainite soles they came up with their own rubber which, in my opinion, performs just as well.
But this company is no imitation of anything. Original in its every atom, the Captain is sleek and handsome while maintaining an unusual durability. The leather is tough but not too thick and the shoe has a full 360-degree Goodyear welt that's remarkably subtle.
Another bonus is the Dura EVA comfort strip, making it feel more sneaker like than its competitors, but the real icing on the cake is the ludicrous price: $199.
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TOUGHEST BOOT: TRUMAN JAVA WAXED FLESH
Truman aims to compete with Viberg with a very solid construction that's about $150 cheaper. Personally, I feel Viberg is pretty overpriced and overbuilt whereas Truman’s boot fits better and is a bit more flexible.
You’ll get a tough as nails Commando sole followed by a tough leather midsole and leather insole just like old school work boots, so they're great for working in all day. There’s a steel shank for stability and arch support and the upper is attached to the sole with a double stitchdown welt.
The Horween leather is a very thick roughout with a thick sheen of wax that makes it seriously resistant to the elements. When you’re wearing these, nothing can stop you.
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BEST CALFSKIN BOOT: R.M. WILLIAMS COMFORT CRAFTSMAN
Indisputably the national boot of Australia, this is one of the most aptly named boots because it is seriously, stupidly, crazily, insanely comfortable.
Designed with a flat yet somehow very grippy rubber sole, there's also an "airport-friendly" fiberglass shank for arch support and stability plus there's a leather insole and padded heel lining. All this makes for a boot that does a great job of absorbing shock while remaining comfortable enough that, honestly, I don’t always want to take them off when I get home.
The leather is also pretty great, technically it’s yearling leather so the calf is slaughtered at a year old, and it makes for an upper that’s both soft and durable, it wrinkles finely but it takes damage like steer leather. It’s a little pricy, but they’ll probably last long enough for you to be buried in them.
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MOST DISTINCTIVE BOOT: TAFT JACK BOOT
The most eye-catching, unusual, distinctive boot is the flagship boot from Taft called the Jack. Is it weird? Sure, but it’s unforgettable.
The upper is mostly raw Portuguese wool but the toecap and counter are made from this oxblood crust leather, making for a grey-on-red motif that just works. It’s available in more muted color schemes (like black on black) as well as even weirder ones (like white on tan) but the grey and oxblood is definitely the brand’s signature boot.
The calfskin leather lining makes it extra comfy and the sole is a super soft rubber that some might feel is *too* soft, but I quite enjoyed it. The downside of such an unusual shoe is that it’s not all that versatile, plus the wool upper means it’s not absolutely fantastic in wet weather. But if you know the outfit and you know the forecast…
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BEST MID-RANGE BOOT: ALLEN EDMONDS HIGGINS MILL
Made with the beloved Chromexcel® leather and Dainite sole this is a classic shoe with an uncomplicated service boot aesthetic. Not too slim and not too wide, versatility is the name of the game with this boot; I’ve worn it with a t-shirt and I’ve worn it with a blue suit (no tie) and somehow it just works.
The slim-ish silhouette means it’s less workhorsey than a Wolverine 1000 Mile but it also means that it hugs the foot just right, cradling it without squeezing it, making for a remarkably comfortable boot.
But it is still durable, as exemplified by the storm welt, a kind of Goodyear welt that’s extra resistant to water and dirt. The downside is that Allen Edmonds doesn’t have the best quality control and my boot had a fair amount of loose grain, but if you can buy your shoes in-store and you can do your own QC, I think it’s a solid buy.
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SEE MORE REVIEWS:
Red Wing Vs. Wolverine:
Thorogood Vs Chippewa Vs Red Wing
Viberg Service Boot:
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