Red Wing vs Thursday Boots: A 5-Year Review

* Sizing videos I did WITH THE BRANDS

They're the two most popular Goodyear welted boots and I'd actually say they're both the best value boots — in different ways. After 5 years of wearing both Red Wing's Iron Ranger and Thursday's Captain, the bestselling lace up cap toe boots from either brand, I've somehow distilled my conclusions into a video that's less than ten minutes long. The style, price, construction, and leather all come together in this thrilling sequel to my 2018 comparison!

00:00 Why Red Wing and Thursday?
00:54 Red Wing vs Thursday price
01:51 Red Wing vs Thursday where are they made
02:16 Red Wing vs Thursday style
03:42 Red Wing vs Thursday leather quality
05:09 Red Wing vs Thursday Construction: how are they made
06:30 Red Wing vs Thursday comfort
08:32 Red Wing vs Thursday sizing & fit
09:08 Wrapping up

[Orangatangerine]

For the first 6 months, I picked thursday (presidents) over my iron rangers. At about 6 or 7 months, the comfort level in the presidents was about the same as when first purchased (broken in but the foam slightly compressed), but the iron rangers started to get more and more comfortable. Now, almost 3 years later, I would pick the iron rangers over the presidents any day.

[M_u]

Red wings for the win. Especially now that the Beckman is available.

[gnomersy]

I'm a fan of both brands. I opted for the Iron Rangers and the Mocs from Red Wing and Wingtips from Thursday. Thursdays tend to be slimmer and Redwings more chunky so whatever fits your style better is what I'd go for. I don't need work boots for a living though.

[RadLee]

I've owned my iron rangers for two years now, and though they aren't my darling boots, they are my most worn and most loved. Over 1000 miles on the original sole so far through hiking, city walking and work. My Thursdays are nice too, got them in toffee. The sole on the captains broke off after the first 3 wears. However, Thursday did replace them and were accommodating because I did not want another captain and they instead gave me the hero in waxed cacao. Those boots are being put through everything my rangers are and have held up better.

[Bluerig-qfxc]

Really appreciate these long term reviews. Also, those patinas are 🤌❤️

[elliotruddick]

I've owned both, you can tell the Thursdays are a cheaper boot. They are still good quality, especially for the price but you can definitely feel a difference. The captains just felt too dressy for me personally. I ended up just never wearing them and eventually sold them.

[adamr]

Another great video, extra interesting because my first heritage boot too was the Thursday Captain, I think I discovered your channel because of them, your video came out a short time after I ordered them. It seems like way longer than 5 years ago though, I had to recheck my emails to make sure ! I had worn dress boots for years, and desert boots and Chukkas, and a pair of Red Wing Chelsea boots, but never had work or service boots before.

At the time it was all about these two makers and models on the Internet, so much has changed since then and there is so much more variety and information out there. 

I still wear my Thursdays, had a small repair done because a small sole delam, they still look and feel great, though I do find the soles of my feet cramp up after wearing them a full day, probably because of the near total lack of any arch on the insole, that naturally forms with a full leather insole and midsole if not already built in.

BTW, I love the way that hat looks in the B roll earlier in the video, is it your Open Road ? if so, you've made it your own by shaping it, before it looked a bit like it was wearing you rather than the other way around. If it0s a different hat this ones suits you better, IMO.

Keep up the good work, I always enjoy seeing a new video from you! The only time you steered me wrong was piquing my interest in Givr gloves, they turned out to be the single worse thing I ever spent a hundred bucks on, being literal sweatboxes, entirely unwearable in any real life situation. They stay in my car for emergency breakdowns / tire changes in the dead of winter, fortunately they have not been needed for that one single thing they might be useful for.

[ravishdubey]

I owned both, Thursdays upper may last for a few years but the insole, the poron breaks down after 5-6 months and then they hurt your feel, knees and back. Iron rangers get better with time and become super comfortable after 5-6 months.

[darrenhall]

I do love the idea of the Iron Rangers, I understand why they’re great. I totally get it. It’s just that I always reach for the most comfortable boot on the rack when going out. I grab my Thursdays nearly every time.

[lantzkulp]

Great video, Nick. The only issue over ever had with Thursday is their narrow toe box in the shoes. Their boots are great and I still have mine from 3 years ago. Again, great video!

[RyanHager-wf]

Go Red Wing - Iron Rangers. I've had mine for 9 years, and they are still going strong. I'm rough on boots as well, and these haven't given an inch. Super comfortable, and they look great.

[losdawg]

I own both. Although I do like my Captains and think they are a great knock around boot that are well made, the Iron Ranger is the clear winner in terms of materials and build quality. As it should be for 150 more. Ultimately, it comes down to this for me. When it’s time for my Thursdays to be resoled, they’ll probably just go in the trashcan. If and when it’s time for my red wings, there’s no doubt I’m getting that done.

[cjanquart]

Pistol squat at 8:17, now you're just showing off :D

[shamonhuachacha]

I really wish that Red Wing would at least provide the option to get a leather midsole. I'd be willing to pay more, maybe a lot more, for something that could greatly improve the wearability

[TxmmyBeats]

I gotta go with Thursdays 🔥 I did find later on that I need to go a full size down with Thursdays, but man they look great and the price is unbelievable 💯

[AdamJones]

Would it be a ridiculous idea 100k Q & A?

[Crackers]

You’re the Man Nick….! I’m still digging my Alden’s and now bought some 405’s…. You created a monster…! LOL….Like a pair of Red Wing I have had for many years and they’re still great….! Greg

[shootjase]

i knew myself too well. skipped the thursdays and redwings and went straight to whites when i got into the boot game. back when it took five weeks to wait for the boots to be made. i think its a little longer nowadays.

[Matt-mhus]

If you're ever back in Canada, come to Victoria for a Viberg tour. As a fellow Aussie that left down under, I'd love to show you around. Love your content mate!

[Millsy]

Do Red Wings have something similar to the Explorer?