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Looking to step up from Thursday Boot Company? These 19 brands share the aesthetic but bring elevated materials, construction and a higher price tier — ranked by overall similarity.
Michigan-based maker of Goodyear-welted boots, loafers and dress shoes in premium full-grain leathers at direct-to-consumer prices.
Why it's similar. Diesel and Garrison service boots in Horween Chromexcel on a Goodyear welt, sold mostly direct and cut slim enough to wear with chinos.
What changes. Costs roughly double, with thicker leathers, sturdier welts and fewer colours and sizes.
Family-owned American bootmaker since 1905, known for resoleable Goodyear-welted work and Heritage lifestyle boots like the Iron Ranger.
Why it's similar. The Iron Ranger is the welted cap-toe service boot the Captain is modelled on, triple-stitched and resoleable in oil-tanned leather.
What changes. Bulkier and more workwear, made in the USA from its own tannery's leather at a higher price.
American footwear brand founded in Rockford, Michigan in 1883, known for durable work boots and its leather 1000 Mile heritage collection.
Why it's similar. The 1000 Mile is a slim plain-toe or cap-toe boot in Horween leather on a Goodyear welt, as dressable as the Captain.
What changes. Made in Michigan at nearly double the price, on a stacked leather heel rather than a rubber sole.
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Australian bootmaker founded in 1932, best known for its one-piece leather Craftsman Chelsea boot made in Adelaide.
Why it's similar. The Craftsman is a sleek Goodyear-welted Chelsea cut from a single piece of leather, the dressy pull-on Thursday's Duke imitates.
What changes. Two to three times the price, made in Adelaide, with only Chelseas and riding boots.
American men's footwear house founded in 1922, known for Goodyear-welted dress shoes like the Park Avenue oxford and its recrafting service.
Why it's similar. Goodyear-welted Higgins Mill lace-ups and Reed Chelseas on dress lasts, the office-ready side of Thursday's range.
What changes. A dress-shoe house first, made in Wisconsin and priced well above, softened by frequent sales.
Swedish direct-to-consumer footwear brand making Goodyear-welted loafers, lace-ups and boots handmade in Almansa, Spain.
Why it's similar. Goodyear-welted Chelsea and Jumper boots sold direct from Stockholm, a clean city look on resoleable rubber soles.
What changes. Made by hand in Spain at about double the price, with a smaller boot range.
Australian bootmaker founded in 1870, known for pull-on elastic-sided Chelsea boots and durable work and safety footwear.
Why it's similar. Elastic-sided leather Chelseas around $200, with Dress Series styles slim enough for the office.
What changes. Direct-injected soles, not a Goodyear welt, and a chunkier, rugged shape.
Portland, Oregon boot maker producing hand-built hiking, work and military footwear, known for the Mountain Light and Gore-Tex-lined Danner Light.
Why it's similar. Bull Run moc-toe and Chelsea boots on resoleable welts, priced in the $240-270 range.
What changes. Outdoors-led, with hiking and Mountain Light styles at the core and chunkier lasts.
Employee-owned Wisconsin bootmaker, founded 1892, known for USA-made moc-toe work boots and its American Heritage line.
Why it's similar. USA-made Crazy Horse moc-toe boots on welted wedge soles, priced in the $250-295 range.
What changes. Work-boot shapes with wedge soles and safety toes, not a dressable service boot.
American boot maker founded in 1901, known for logger, engineer and steel-toe work styles, owned by Berkshire Hathaway's Justin Brands.
Why it's similar. Goodyear-welted service, engineer and logger boots in oiled leathers with an American work pedigree.
What changes. Heavier work shapes and fewer dressy options, sold mostly through workwear dealers.
Austin-founded Western brand selling cowboy boots handcrafted in León, Mexico, plus hats, apparel and leather accessories.
Why it's similar. Direct-to-consumer boots hand-made in Leon, Mexico, sold online and in its own stores.
What changes. Cowboy boots with heels and pointed toes, not lace-up service boots.
Mexican footwear label from León making handcrafted leather boots and shoes that blend traditional shoemaking with contemporary design.
Why it's similar. Hand-made boots from Leon, Mexico in Horween Chromexcel, including ropers and pull-ons.
What changes. Western-leaning shapes and smaller distribution at a higher price.
British bootmaker producing Goodyear-welted, air-cushioned-sole boots in Wollaston, Northamptonshire — the factory that once made Dr. Martens' UK-made footwear.
Why it's similar. Goodyear-welted Dealer Chelseas and lace-up boots made in Northamptonshire, around $200.
What changes. Air-cushioned soles and a subculture boot look rather than a slim city boot.
Loake is a family-owned English shoemaker in Kettering, known for Goodyear-welted brogues, Oxfords, Derbys and boots since 1880.
Why it's similar. Goodyear-welted Chelsea, brogue and chukka boots from an English family shoemaker at a mid price.
What changes. Dress-shoe lasts and leather soles on many styles, with more classic English shapes.
English shoemaker founded in 1866, making Goodyear-welted brogues, Oxfords and boots on chunky commando and triple-welt soles.
Why it's similar. Goodyear-welted brogue boots and Chelseas on chunky commando soles from an English shoemaker.
What changes. More fashion-led English styling, priced a step above.
Fifth-generation family-owned Northampton shoemaker producing Goodyear-welted oxfords, derbies, loafers and boots, and the long-running footwear partner of the James Bond films.
Why it's similar. Goodyear-welted Northampton boots, including Chelseas and the Coniston derby boot, in Scotch grain and suede.
What changes. Several times the price, with finer English lasts and leather or Dainite soles.
Family-owned French shoemaker producing Norwegian-welted, rubber-soled derbies and boots in the Alps since 1908.
Why it's similar. Norwegian-welted, rubber-soled boots and derbies built in France for daily wear.
What changes. Chunkier French country shapes with their own rubber soles, at a much higher price.
American heritage shoemaker producing Goodyear-welted leather and shell cordovan dress shoes and boots at its own Massachusetts factory since 1884.
Why it's similar. Goodyear-welted Indy and moc-toe boots in Chromexcel, made in Massachusetts.
What changes. Three to four times the price, sold only through select dealers.
Austin-based men's footwear brand making full-grain leather boots, derbies and sneakers with signature layered outsoles.
Why it's similar. Sleek lace-up city boots like the Hollis, sold direct from Austin.
What changes. Blake-rapid stitching, not a Goodyear welt, and a smaller, sporadic range.
Grant Stone, Red Wing Shoes, Wolverine lead our ranking. Looking to step up from Thursday Boot Company? These 19 brands share the aesthetic but bring elevated materials, construction and a higher price tier — ranked by overall similarity.
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