Boot Log: Day 1
I suppose the day that fresh pair of boots that still smell like the tanning oil and lack the creases and scuffs that mark a well-loved life arrive is the day to start telling the story of how they got there. At least that’s where this is going.
Thursday Boot Company out of New York City has decided that a Texas boy at Angelo State University in San Angelo (a place you either know well or have never heard of) would be a good representative of their brand. I for one hope they’re right. In honesty, I was initially excited about the prospect of free boots (because who wouldn’t be?), but getting to know the company and be a part of a brand that is growing by leaps and bounds is truly a thrill in and of it’s own. The company call from last week that revealed some of the upcoming projects and ventures (sorry, no spoilers) that are projected to hit this season legitimately gave me goosebumps — Thursday is ambitious, to put it lightly, and is truly gunning for some of the bigger names in the footwear industry, as well as other leather goods markets (I won’t say any more than that….. ;)
Today (a Thursday, ever-so-appropriately) I received my boots: a pair of gorgeous Tobacco Brown boots from their President line, and could not be more impressed. The leather is about 2mm thick, which is just about the sweet spot for a pair of boots; any thicker, and they become stiff (thicker leather is often used in work boots and on cap toes, which these are not, for safety reasons), uncomfortable, and difficult to break in correctly. While such leather in the 4mm+ range is nice at times (my combat boots have saved my toes from several dropped knives and show it), they require more dedication to breaking in to get creases in the right places for your individual foot and are hard to dry (and made even more stiff) when introduced to water…….because some days life happens.
High stress areas are given the double-stitch treatment with what appears to be somewhat heavy-duty thread, which is promising. Goodyear welting (the most acclaimed method of attaching a sole to a shoe) promises to be weather resistant (short of total submersion) and resoleable, something important to a true boot fanatic; and while many would consider simply buying a new boot when the sole runs down as an excuse for new footwear, there are some (myself included) who believe that a boot tells a story, every scratch and scuff earned along the way adding to the character of the boot and serving as a reflection of the wearer. Part of the reason I requested the Tobacco color was its low shine profile and the fact that I knew they would show creases and wrinkle lines nicely over time (since then, Thursday has released and is continuing to release colors in the President and Captain lines that I believe will do the same — perhaps a post for another day), something I personally find attractive in a boot reminiscent of some of the more established heritage brands. The sole itself is interesting, being of solid rubber and having studs along the foot portion that will be interesting to test as an intermediate between smooth or ridged soles and lug soles, with about a one-inch heel (something I appreciate as a shorter male at 5'7"). The insole has a definite arch to it, which as a flat footed person I appreciate; as time goes by, it will be worth noting how the midsole and insole support changes and reflects being worn and under pressure.
As far as the leather goes, it is at present soft to the touch and still firm from construction on the last. I have been wearing them in my dorm for the last hour and while writing this, and can say I already feel the leather starting to crease to my toes and ankles.
I will be making this a weekly post, not as detailed as this one, but describing any experiences pertaining to wearing my boots as the weeks progress. I am so excited to be part of the Thursday Boot Co. program, and really look forward to this project. If you are unfamiliar with Thursday Boots, I encourage you to look them up and check them out — they are well worth your time and consideration if you are looking for stylish, affordable, and well constructed footwear for your everyday life, and they have something for everybody (and if they do not yet, they might be coming out with something that interests you in the near future, so stay tuned!), ladies and gentlemen alike.
Ramble on, folks,
Doug