Thursday Boot journeyman chelsea boot

[Unrefined Vision]

Just received this journeyman chelsea boot from Thusday Boots in the black Shinki leather. Bought to go with my black Shinki leather jackets. The ease of purchase (available off the rack no wait time), and Shinki leather for ~$500 felt like a decent value. From everything I've seen on these boots, and the higher tier product line from Thursday boots these seem to offer a higher quality (all leather internal construction) but I would love to hear any feedback. First couple pictures are of how it looks worn and also where my feet are positioned in the boot for sizing. The website suggests to order half a size down from one's normal sneaker sizing. I opted not to. Given where my big toe is approximately do you think I should exchange for a half size down? It was a struggle getting the boot on, and even more so getting the boot off. Definitely has a lot to do with the narrow boot opening and tight elastic. This will loosen with wear, but unless it were to change dramatically then the boot would only become more practical to take on and off as opposed to loose fitting on foot. Half size down would likely be the "correct" fit according to the actual measurement of my foot. Any thoughts?

Walking around doesn't feel loose at all. No heel slip. A little room on the outer and inner sides of my feet from the outside and instep of the boot. Not sure if that means it is a little loose and optimal sizing should mean the boot initially "hugs" the foot a little. The shinki cordovan is very stiff out of the box. Heavy duty stuff. More matte black than the shiny appearance the leather has in the website photos. Definitely will take more time to break in given the upgraded leather internals relative to other Thursday chelsea boots but on first impression feels comfortable enough and should reward with increased comfort over time as becoming more and more broken in. Below are some up close photos to show the level/quality of construction.

I'm not sold on keeping it, and placed my order with the knowledge that I could always return for refund with ease. I understand this brand doesn't generally have the best reputation when it comes to quality, but to the extent possible I would appreciate any general insight on the boot, fit etc.

Thanks

 

[Aloysius]

Not to be harsh, but these seem mediocre and there's a lot of obvious corner cutting with the way the panels are used, before getting to anything else.

Even with the price rises in recent years, RM Williams is at this price point for an objectively better boot in make, fit, and hide.

 

[Zoro]

I was curious about these, I actually posted them in the Footwear to go with our jackets thread (perhaps should be merged with it).

If they fit well and there's no pain anyway, enough wiggle room but not too much, the size may be good. Them being hard to get on and off is normal and at least in my RM Williams it went away. It basically reads like "the fit is perfect, should I go for a different size?"!

On the other side, it also reads like "I'm disappointed, should I keep them?". If you are not happy with them, just return them. To me they have this je ne sais quoi that I just can't trust their quality. At least in these pictures I just can't shake thinking I don't like the brand, I don't like the leather and I don't like the sole. Which is fine for <250 USD, but at 500 we're entering a space where there's plenty of quality options.

Also, in general, I just dislike chelseas unless they are wholecut, which I'm aware they state to avoid it on purpose as this leather could break while making them or just due to usage, but then I would just avoid this leather to begin with for chelseas.

 

[Unrefined Vision]

Not to be harsh, but these seem mediocre and there's a lot of obvious corner cutting with the way the panels are used, before getting to anything else.

Even with the price rises in recent years, RM Williams is at this price point for an objectively better boot in make, fit, and hide.

Totally fine, harsh commentary perfectly welcome. I am leaning towards returning. Bought mostly from the perspective of researching their "black label." Any thoughts on the sizing/fit from photos I provided?

 

[Unrefined Vision]

I was curious about these, I actually posted them in the Footwear to go with our jackets thread (perhaps should be merged with it).

If they fit well and there's no pain anyway, enough wiggle room but not too much, the size may be good. Them being hard to get on and off is normal and at least in my RM Williams it went away. It basically reads like "the fit is perfect, should I go for a different size?"!

On the other side, it also reads like "I'm disappointed, should I keep them?". If you are not happy with them, just return them. To me they have this je ne sais quoi that I just can't trust their quality. At least in these pictures I just can't shake thinking I don't like the brand, I don't like the leather and I don't like the sole. Which is fine for <250 USD, but at 500 we're entering a space where there's plenty of quality options.

Also, in general, I just dislike chelseas unless they are wholecut, which I'm aware they state to avoid it on purpose as this leather could break while making them or just due to usage, but then I would just avoid this leather to begin with for chelseas.

Wasn't sure if to post in the "chelsea boot" thread or the "footwear to go with our jackets thread" so just started my own. For our helpful bartenders indeed feel free to merge to whatever thread is best!

I appreciate your thoughts. You have a good read on my impression. If the name was different I would probably be happy with the boot, but it's just hard to shake that Thursday Boot shadow. I do like the slightly squared toe, the fit, and the heavy duty leather. Probably will take a second look after a little time and make my decision at that point.

R.M. Williams seems like the obvious choice for an elevated chelsea boot. Maybe instead of looking for something "different" I will go that way. Good to know what I should look for fit wise.

cheers

 

[Peacoat]

Based on the photo showing where your big toe is in the boot, the boot is too long for you.

 

[Unrefined Vision]

Based on the photo showing where your big toe is in the boot, the boot is too long for you.

Would you say by a half size, or maybe even full size?

Thanks

 

[Zoro]

it's just hard to shake that Thursday Boot shadow

Just to add to that, yes, I have a bias against the brand, but at the same time, when looking at the fit pics I could had believed if you had said these were Dr Martens with a different sole. The close ups of the boot(s) not being worn look better, but still don't "wow" me. I don't think this would change if these boots said "Alden", "Nicks" or "Grant Stone" instead.

Also on the size, there's two more things I would point out: First, Thursday is or was infamous for bad QC, literally people opened threads on Reddit showing how 3 different pairs of the same Thursday shoe/boot in the same size were all blatantly different sized. Second, different people have different results, when I tried Thursdays, I went down a full size as I had done with Red Wings and the sizing was perfect, but I had read comments on the whole spectrum of going down 0-1.5 sizes through the years.

 

[Peacoat]

Would you say by a half size, or maybe even full size?

Thanks

When standing there should be about 1/2" between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.

 

[Aloysius]

I appreciate your thoughts. You have a good read on my impression. If the name was different I would probably be happy with the boot, but it's just hard to shake that Thursday Boot shadow. I do like the slightly squared toe, the fit, and the heavy duty leather. Probably will take a second look after a little time and make my decision at that point.

For what it's worth, I don't know enough about Thursday shoes to have any preconceptions here. I'm just very underwhelmed by what I see.

 

[TartuWolf]

Some boots are elongated for aesthetic purposes. The most important thing about length is that the toes have enough room where they end up (the further the narrower) and the ball of the foots is around the natural boot flex point. Although too much extra length might lead to you dragging or bumping your toes around more than you normally would.
For me personally Thursday Shinki boots are like a Five Star Shinki jacket - a waste of good material on an extremely mediocre base. Same reason why TFL folk strongly advise against send your own (good) leather to Five Star. Your pair also looks uninspiring to me at best, but if you like it - that's all that really matters. Make sure they feel and fit good, otherwise you won't end up wearing them.

 

[Aloysius]

I mean, decades into being into traditional shoes and boots, I have never heard of Shinki being a sought-after material for them.

 

[TartuWolf]

I mean, decades into being into traditional shoes and boots, I have never heard of Shinki being a sought-after material for them.

You are behind the times (or recent trends!) my friend. Shinki is the new grail for all things leather