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READ THE FULL REVIEW: stridewise.com...
After dozens of requests I'm putting two of the most popular boot companies on trial to see who makes the better cap toe boot: Red Wing's Iron Ranger or Thursday's Captain Boot.
Who comes out on top: time-tested traditionalist or industry-disrupting new guy? I’ve worn the hell out of both of these boots, and it’s a tough call. Let’s take a look.
OVERVIEW
Red Wing
The Iron Ranger is a timeless workboot that’s barely changed in decades. It’s firmly casual, with a chunky silhouette. The toecap is a true toecap, made from two layers of leather. Other features include thick, full grain, oil tanned leather; shiny nickel eyelets; and a Vibram mini lug sole. (Mine are nitrile cork; Red Wing changed the soles from cork to Vibram in 2018.)
Thursday Boot Company
The Captain boot is intended to be a hybrid work and dress boot, and it’s much lighter and sleeker than the Iron Rangers. The inner is fully lined, and the upper is a combination tanned leather. The sole is studded rubber and has a nice grip.
Overall, these are two completely different aesthetics: the Iron Ranger is a beefy workboot and the Captain is more versatile. But is the quality comparable? Let’s take a closer look.
SEE MY THURSDAY CAPTAIN BOOT REVIEW: • Thursday Captain Boot ...
LEATHER
Red Wing
Red Wing tans all their own leather at their tannery, SB Foot Tanning Co, including the amber harness leather on these Iron Rangers. This leather has a nice, rugged, outdoorsy feel and can go a long time without treatment. (I made the mistake of conditioning them with Obenaufs which darkened the color - see my video on conditioning Red Wings to avoid repeating this mistake: • Boot Oil vs Mink Oil -... ).
Thursday Boot Company
The Captain is available in a variety of leathers, but these are made with Thursday’s Chrome - a combination tanned leather out of the LeFarc tannery. It’s really lustrous, and easy to dress up.
SOLE
Red Wing
The outsole is a flexible, rubber Vibram mini lug (unless you have an old pair, like mine, which are nitrile cork) and there’s a cork midsole, steel shank, and leather insole. The stitching is a 270-degree Goodyear welt - slightly less waterproof than the full 360, but still easy to resole.
SEE MY REVIEW OF THE RED WING IRON RANGER: • Red Wing Iron Rangers ...
Thursday Boot Company
There’s a recessed lug rubber outsole, cork midsole, steel shank, and Dura EVA comfort strip, which you usually find in athletic sneakers. All of it is held together is a subtle 360-degree Goodyear welt.
The soles of these boots feel very different - and the lack of shock absorption on the Iron Ranger is my least favorite part. The EVA strip in the Captains is really nice, and between that and the (slightly more waterproof) 360-degree welt, I’d give the Captains an edge on soles.
FIT & SIZING
Both boots run a half size large - I’m an 11.5 and I ordered an 11, which fit. Thursday’s come in sizes 6 to 15, while Red Wing offers 7 to 14.
Comfort-wise, I prefer the shock absorption on the Captains to the Iron Rangers. They’re a bit sleeker too, and cradle the foot better. The one downside is that because they’re direct-to-consumer online, you can’t try the Captains on before you buy them.
PRICE
Red Wing
Typically $300-$320, though you can sometimes find them on sale for less.
Thursday Boot Company
$199 from Thursday’s website.
Pros/Cons
While I love the Iron Ranger, and I understand its popularity, I think you can’t beat the Captain boot for price and versatility. If you’re just getting one boot, I think you’ll get the most wear out of the Captains.
Red Wing Iron Ranger
PROS
True, tough workboot
Rugged, outdoorsy vibe
Minimal leather care
Grippy Vibram sole
CONS
$100+ more
Lousy shock absorption
270-degree welt
Informal, workboot aesthetic
Thursday Captain
PROS
Really affordable
Versatile work/dress hybrid
Lightweight
Fully lined
Comfortable EVA strip - good shock absorption
360-degree Goodyear Welt
CONS
Direct-to-consumer, can’t try on
Less outdoorsy
Leather shows scratches more easily
24 авг 2024