I own the BLKBRD Dallas, I upgraded the leather option to Maryam Horserump. I've been using it for just over a couple of days now, and I've been loving it so far. Can't wait to put more miles with it.
Yes, not sure why. I got a pair of oxblood pebble leather Dowler boots during their Black Friday sale for $170 and they are mind blowing for the money, my favorite leather goods company by far
yeah, I put them in the main article (stridewise.com/best-boots-under-300/) but their leather quality isn't super amazing these days, they changed tanneries
@@Stridewise they source all of their leather from a LWG gold rates tannery in Italy, better and more sustainable than most of the companies in this video. Their products use more (thicker) leather than almost anyone else and is more comfortable out of the box.
@@mhb1081 i agree LWG tanneries are important and I like the leather underfoot, but the leather upper itself just isn't that nice (or thick). I did a video on them (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lnAOWzzju2M.html ) they're honestly fine, I don't hate Beckett Simonon, I'm just a bit meh on them
@@Stridewise at the end of the day, fashion and footwear will always have a large subjective component to it (which is a good thing!). I also really enjoyed the video you linked in your response. I think it was a fair and thorough review, I would just like to respond to some points you made. Firstly, as Rose Anvil points out here, ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kA8Mkl2N3g0.htmlsi=aXrnqgdZ4nZpc5Js, the leather (both outer and lining) are actually quite thick respective to other non-work boots. Secondly, I only order their products when they are on sale, which they rotate fairly frequently, which is how I got all 4 pairs of my BS boots for
Jim Green makes a bunch of boots that are under $300, in fact all of them. The Numzan looks especially nice with all leather lasting board and midsole as well a as calfskin leather lining. You can also have them custom make a pair with any of their leather options and sole options for under $300.
Helm for the win, if only because they are lighter and more distinct looking than Thursday (my other boots are Thursdays). I see Hems are on sale at Nordstrom now for under $200, so def a great value!
I actually have the Thursday Vanguard in the Indigo. I wasn’t so sure I’d want that color but when I visited their store in NY while I was there for a weekend, I saw them in person. I knew I had to get that color. Looks so nice and different.
Lots of good ideas. I wish women's boots and shoes got the same quality and attention to detail. I want something that looks nice and will last more than a few wears.
I recently scooped up a pair of redwing factory second heritage Chelsea’s for a $130 bucks. I can’t not tell what was wrong with them. An epic deal. I was really close to picking up the meermin Chelsea’s until I found that deal.
This may be a little niche, however if you would consider a list for boots/shoes for men with small feet? I wear a US size 6 and finding things can be a pain. Thursday Boots has been a bit of lifesaver in that way.
I purchased a pair of BLKBRD Dixons and they come out extremely narrow. The company said they fitted like an E width but that wasn't close. You may need to go up a size. The boots look great though.
I have noticed something on Thursday's website that has me confused. For 2 of the different leathers the Vanguard is available in are both horween. But one is described as "Horween Waxed Flesh" & the other as "Horween Cromexel Waxed Roughout" aren't those the same thing?
@@Stridewise I think they've changed most of the photos, all the studio ones are the new outsole and there's just one or too left with the old top lift. Unless they've just changed the photos regionally?
They did update the top lift, not sure if it was at the same time as when they dropped the Vibram commando sole. The old top lift was not lugged, the new one is lugged and thicker. I own the pre-change versions and had a cobbler shave the stacked heel down slightly so a thicker top lift could be added. The Vibram commando sole has barely worn down in two and a half years of ownership.
I have Crown Northampton i wanna review but also I do really need to do a 'best leather sneakers' video , it's already all written! stridewise.com/best-leather-sneakers/
I have the exact thorogoods in the video and I gotta say they’re extremely comfy and really tough. Only complaint and it’s minor they run a bit narrow so if you’re a full D width go wide
I’m surprised you included Solovair with “hi-shine” leather. This leather (sometimes called Bookbinder or Polished leather), has a plastic coating that makes it impossible to condition. It has has strong tendency to crack, particularly where creases develop behind the toe box. Once it has cracked there’s really nothing you can do about it. If people are going to buy Solovair then they should steer clear of hi-shine and opt for their other leathers. It is possible to buy fully “waterproof” Goodyear welted boots. I have a pair myself - Dieme hiking boots. These rely on a waterproof lining similar to that found in waterproof coats. When getting them repaired you need to advise your cobbler not to use nails in the heels as these would puncture the waterproof layer.
I totally forgot about that brand. they've done 3 social media posts since last May, are they still around? pretty forgettable boots but you're right they should be included in the written list, i'll add
I have a pair. For the price point you can't beat them, especially around Thanksgiving when they're $200. The most comfortable boot I've ever put my foot in, hands down!
I just got my new TBC loggers today. They DESPERATELY need speed hooks and I might have to suck up the cost to add some. But the thin top lift is definitely tied to the Cuban heel because the waxed cacao Vanguard has the same thing top lift. I wonder why.
Talking of budget choices, you talked at length about Indonesian boot makers, but is there any other country and brands that are on the rise? You talked about blkbrd from India, are there any other, maybe even from China?
Right, India is definitely on the rise. China has some brands (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1_ZbPqQwJvg.html) , they tend to be more high end than 'great value' but the exception is Luos Jiet, a new sub$200 brand worth checking out
Hey Stridewise, worth mentioning that Thursday have updated their Loggers to include a thicker, lugged top-lift on the heel now. Got a pair recently and can confirm they've listened to feedback in that regard, easily my fave boots.
@@StridewisePhotos seem to be a mix of the old version and the new, the closeup lightbox pics show the new thickened, lugged top-lift, as does the second model photo. The first and third model photos show the old version of the boots with the super thin flat top-lift. Not sure why it'd be stressful though? Isn't this what people wanted?
Great introducing such a nice companies and great looking boots, but... For me personally NOT working any company without EE width options. Just had bad experience with Thursday. And the Boots I was like a lot !
After those two pair Alden Indy’s Nick I’m good…! Love those boots…👍 Some great looking Thursdays there though…. And those Helms are real nice, streamlined… Like the fact that the heel is not too high, that’s my one complaint with Thursdays the heel just a little high for me 👍 Greg
@@Stridewise I was hesitant to order a pair the other day. I really haven’t seen a solid review to convince me. I’m brand new in the whole boot scene and so far I have a pair of Thursday diplomats and a pair of redwing Chelsea boots. So I appreciate all your reviews and recommendations.
I was going to buy a Thorogood 1957s but my order was cancelled by the provider, so I'm going to buy red wings (I'm bending over to farfetch to my dismay). Btw, it ticks me of Tecova makes their boots in Mexico but don't deliver here.
@@Stridewise yeah, dales leatherworks did a video on lousjiets Alden indy alternative which peaked my interest, for only 260 dollars as well, seems like a good alternative to me with a leather insole and welt on top of that
Um, I don't know that the USA Thursdays are much more than added labor cost for the price. I guess I'm curious about the better Vanguard insole since the Hero is about like walking directly on the outsole after about two hours, BUT they still use crap paper heel counters and such I think. But the "logger" is just nothing like a real logging boot and the fit of their models is all over the place, as I've complained about MANY times. The Captain so far being the only one that fit as advertised in my trials. Still trying to figure out if Grant Stone is "worth" the extra money, but there is some other leather selection, etc. The Thorogood will pretty much always LOOK like work boots instead of fashion boots, and should be noted that they run more narrow in the toes than competitors, probably Red Wing especially? Haven't had RW. Don't know how they fit, but I hear that can be a challenge, too.
I don't think Tecovas survive the hype for my needs. Jim Green also might work better on some other terrain than locally around here if I am doing outdoorsy stuff.
Mate, once again, I love your almost unfiltered emotional outburst, especially when you said 'not me'. Seriously made me laugh. DON'T EVER DO YOUR VIDEO ANY OTHER WAY.
Great video... Question... Are you going to do an update video on your satchel and page jacket? It is on my radar, however I am a bit concerned about the fit.
Friends don’t let friends buy Thursdays boots, even the American made ones are very cheaply made, cheap leather, cheap build, my loggers blew out 4 eyelets after 8 hours of wear. Trust me on this, save up and get something better, red wing, Truman, spend a little bit more and you will get a much better boot, they are cheap for a reason. You will thank me later.
Every time I see them they look cheap. They aren't very shapely, very boxy and just don't look like a high-quality product. Probably an OK value considering the money but there seem to be better.
I have 3 pair of Thursdays & not a problem yet. Granted my Vanguards are still brand new. The brands you have named don't make boots small enough to fit my little feet. Thursday & Grant Stone seem to be the only GYW brands that make shoes that fit me.
For the CXL and Thursday Boots, they are used from certain colors and more commonly used for boots within the Made In USA line but not all so definitely read the Product Features to be sure. Along with their new factoria, QC is now in-house along with the production of their (now) own Mexican Leathers.
I get that they're not great, but I've been using my presidents pretty dang hard (out on gravel, forest, or snow) for the last year and haven't had any issues. Definitely still worth the price to me. They're comfortable, look decent, and seem like they'll last for a good chunk of time.
