Taft Clothes is a direct-to-consumer model that’s succeeding in a BIG manner. Beginning with no-show socks then pivoting to footwear and boots — the remaining as they are saying is historical past.
This in-depth Taft boot assessment options the favored Rome boot fashion within the oxblood colorway. I’ll cowl the model’s background, the unboxing expertise, high quality & craftsmanship, consolation & sturdiness, shoe sizing & costs, execs & cons, how they examine with related manufacturers, and whether or not or not they’re price your cash.
Replace: It’s been 3+ lengthy years sporting my Taft Rome boots they usually’re unquestionably probably the most worn pair of shoes in my rotation. Through the years I’ve had plenty of messages asking about them and so I determine it’s time for an replace. You may navigate the desk of contents if you happen to’d wish to go on to the three+ 12 months replace.
Let’s get began!
TAFT BOOTS REVIEW
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About Taft Clothes
Based by Kory and Mallory Stevens — husband and spouse — Taft Clothes was born out of a small 2-bedroom house in 2013 from an concept conceived whereas strolling down the steps of the Sacre Coeur.
What began with no present socks advanced right into a wildly in style and profitable shoe firm, identified for his or her eclectic but fashionable (boot) types. The Utah-based (Provo) Taft comes from their son’s center identify. Talking of their no-show sock beginnings, I even have a pair from after they initially launched. And I consider the subreddit Frugal Male Style had just a little one thing to do with Taft’s meteoric rise.
5 years later, the bootstrapped Taft is now making over $20 million a 12 months, with celebrities like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and NBA gamers like James Harden sporting Taft as a result of they similar to them. Among the many firm’s traders embrace NBA Champion MVPs Andre Iguodala and Dwayne Wade.
They’ve fairly the illustrious story from humble beginnings, they usually’re nonetheless a small and nimble staff. However sufficient about that, you’re right here for the Rome boot assessment.
So let’s soar in, beginning with the unboxing expertise.
Unboxing Expertise
Taft boots come double boxed to make sure a clear and correct unboxing expertise. Inside the field flaps they hit you with “WELCOME TO THE TAFT FAMILY” together with the #wearTAFT hashtag, and the place yow will discover them on-line.
Inside the shoe field you’ll discover two canvas, shoe bag inserts and an additional pair of laces. Additionally included is a tough plastic shoe horn and at last the Rome boots rigorously wrapped with plastic.
Not a lot else to say right here, let’s transfer on with the fashion & design.
Model & Design
From a method standpoint, it’s onerous to high Taft’s modern aesthetic. For those who suppose Thursday Boots has fashionable, modern silhouettes, Taft’s are even sleeker.
Taft stands out the place different manufacturers select to play it secure. Lots of their types are made with attention-grabbing textures, mixing wool with leather-based and even woven designs. The footwear and boots are really stand out which I’m positive helped them to realize traction and develop their fanbase on social media.
Folks WILL ask you about these boots. Each time I am going out I get feedback and compliments, largely asking the place they will discover them trigger they appear “so recent”. Taft lately dropped a myriad of boot types to the gathering. My picks are the Viking Boot in stone or beige suede, the Jude Chelsea boot in a tonal, and the slick Saint Boot in espresso.
The Taft Rome Boot Design
I opted for the Rome boot in an oxblood colorway. It’s a deeply wealthy, burgundy-esque tone with a really refined trace of purple. The shade kind of adjustments relying on the lighting state of affairs, however the purple might be seen at sure angles. However to non-discerning eyes, they’ll name it brown.
The cap toe ornament dials down the formality barely whereas the extremely contrasting Blake Speedy stitched sole is slightly stark, just a little an excessive amount of for my liking.
I selected the Rome boot primarily for its versatility. It prime to be worn with each extra formal and informal seems. They’re undoubtedly proper at residence with a sensible informal aesthetic.
Easy methods to Model the Rome Boot
Although I wouldn’t name it a gown boot, given its modern form, it positive seems like one. Be happy to rock it with a blazer over a button down shirt and chinos or denims, take your decide. I wouldn’t, nonetheless advocate pairing it with a whole go well with ensemble.
And if I wasn’t going for versatility, I’d have gone with the extra informal, rugged, and maybe Taft’s hottest pair, the Dragon boot, which is the primary Goodyear-welted (GYW) boot of their assortment. One other pair I’d take into account, although not as versatile, however definitely distinctive, is the Jack boot which incorporates a two tone, woolen material higher and leather-based distinction. It’s Taft’s signature product.
Now that we’ve gone over fashion & design, let’s get into the boot’s high quality & craftsmanship.
» Associated: You may like this visible demonstration on heel lock lacing your boots to assist stop blisters.
Taft High quality & Craftsmanship
All Taft boots and gown footwear are crafted in Spain and extra lately Portugal.
Since all Taft footwear is painted, stained, and burnished by hand, every pair is totally different from the subsequent. In accordance with Taft it takes 4 totally different coats of paint and end to attain the wealthy end seen within the Rome boot’s leather-based.
Moreover all of their patterns are hand-cut versus being lower by lasers or molds. And the leather-based outsole is stacked with rubber inserts which provide sturdiness, consolation and grip.
All Taft footwear and boots with exception to the Dragon boot have a Speedy Blake sew development which makes them resoleable, although not as simply as a GYW. The good thing about a Blake stitched shoe or boot is that it provides a sleeker silhouette. To the untrained eye, nonetheless Blake or GYW, doesn’t make a distinction.
High quality Management Examine
For a fast high quality management test, there aren’t any free threads and no seen imperfections. The leather-based higher is tender and versatile with a pebble grain look which is a pleasant distinction in opposition to the sleek leather-based of the cap toe and again heel.
The graceful leather-based of the cap toe and alongside the again heel of the boot is sort of too tender, which makes me query its sturdiness. Extra on that within the subsequent part.
Boot Particulars
- Gentle vegetable tanned, full-grain leather-based higher
- Leather-based outsole with rubber inserts
- Skinny spherical waxed laces
- Commonplace D Width
- Speedy Blake sew development
- Leather-based heel loop to helps placing on the boots with out damaging the heel counter
Transferring on to consolation & sturdiness of the boots.
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Consolation & Sturdiness
Consolation clever, the Taft Rome boot feels nice on my toes, and didn’t take lengthy to interrupt them in. They’re totally lined with calfskin leather-based that feels tender to the contact. Be mindful, a completely leather-based lined shoe or boot helps velocity up the break in course of, which the Rome boots are literally fairly comfy proper out of the field.
Moreover, they’re kind fitted to my toes with the usual D width, not too free and never too tight, however excellent. The boots are totally leather-based lined with a snug leather-based footbed and insole which makes them a great boot for standing and strolling round all day.
Sturdiness Issues
I’m just a little bit involved concerning the tender leather-based on the again of the heel and cap toe particularly. My first couple of instances sporting them, the leather-based one way or the other caught the metallic within the backseat underneath the automotive seat and created a visual gash alongside the toe field of the proper boot. It shocked me how fragile they may very well be contemplating I didn’t even understand they have been scratched till after I had gotten out of the automotive.
Since then, a number of extra scuff marks and minor marks have appeared, although not as dangerous because the preliminary one. This leads me to consider that I could should watch out with these boots. I’ll should see how they maintain up over time, however primarily based on the primary few months of wear and tear, and the seen blemishes are a bit regarding. I’ve additionally learn on-line in evaluations that some folks encountered related points.
Three years later, and it’s secure to say that the leather-based aged fairly gracefully and continues to be as tender as ever. They’re removed from beater boots and so I haven’t run them into the bottom, however the boots have held up fairly nicely with none new, appreciable marks or blemishes on the leather-based.
Taft Rome Boot Break In
As talked about above, the Rome boot’s leather-based is tender and versatile making it fairly comfy from day one. There’s not a lot of a break-in interval in contrast with my different extra inflexible boots just like the Wolverine 1000 Mile, Allen Edmonds Dalton or Thursday President Boot.
After the primary couple of wears, they need to really feel proper at residence in your rotation.
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You may watch the unique Taft Rome Boot assessment above.
With consolation & sturdiness lined, let’s get into how they’ve held up over the previous 3 years of wear and tear.
Three Yr Replace (How are they Now?)
What’s there to say concerning the Taft Rome boot? Moreover being considered one of Taft’s hottest boot types, it’s a lovely cap toe boot that’s equal components refined and informal, acceptable when worn day or evening. The Rome boot within the oxblood colorway is dressy sufficient to put on with a blazer and chinos and informal sufficient to put on with a flannel shirt, puffer vest and wool trousers.
As for the way they’ve held up over the previous 3 years of wear and tear: My Taft Rome boots have seen quite a few bars and nights outs in addition to extra informal outings, operating errands, grocery buying and undoubtedly worn on loads of dates. For those who’re questioning — yeah, they nonetheless get compliments on a regular basis.
Are They Nonetheless Comfy?
Protected to say they’ve solely gotten extra comfy over time. Whereas there’s no customized cork insole like with my Allen Edmonds Dalton boots, the insoles are nonetheless nicely cushioned and don’t trigger my foot or heels any discomfort in any respect.
It’s one of many extra comfy boots and lighter boots in my rotation which is refreshing since a number of the extra rugged boots I’ve are weighted like bricks. Moreover, the inside leather-based is tender as ever with that easy glove leather-based lining. The Taft Rome boot will get an A grade for long-term consolation.
How’s the Leather-based Holding Up?
One of many boot’s highlights is the tremendous tender and supple full-grain leather-based higher that’s pebble textured blended with a easy leather-based that’s emblematic of Taft’s total “distinctive” aesthetic, simply not practically as wild as their different pairs just like the Jack Boot for instance.
The leather-based is clearly high quality stuff as there’s no cracking, the truth is it’s softer than ever particularly across the creases which is pure trying and never one bit ugly like my Thursday President’s creasing on the leather-based.
Furthermore, the oxblood coloration hasn’t light, however you possibly can see loads of gentle and darkish gradients of brown and purple which is form of like a automotive’s chameleon coloration shift wrap and distinctive in its personal proper.
Lastly, that gash alongside the cap toe hasn’t gotten progressively worse and there’s no new distinguished marks or scarring on the leather-based. Granted I don’t beat these boots up, however I don’t child them both. All in all, great things with the leather-based’s longevity.
What Concerning the Outsoles?
Now the boot’s outsoles are an space for some concern. The rubber studded grips for traction alongside the balls of the toes have worn down a terrific deal, and worse but, they’re now not grippy. The rubber has hardened and is extra slippery in moist circumstances which is the other of their supposed objective.
I’d advocate a brand new sort of rubber be used for these outsoles, one thing like a vibram rubber that’s confirmed to be way more sturdy and weatherproof. All in all, the soles are sporting down naturally and I can see them lasting one other season or two earlier than it’ll be time for an potential improve.
Any Points with the Building?
All Taft boots are constructed with a fast blake sew which really seems like a Goodyear welt on this pair. Fortunately they’re in a position to be resoled as soon as the soles put on down, simply not as simply as a GYW. I haven’t but needed to resole them, however in one other 12 months or two, it could be time.
The development continues to be strong and the stitching stays firmly intact. The wooden development, moreover pure put on and tear over time reveals no indicators of cracking or breaking up both. And fortunately there aren’t any sole splits which is problematic with many Thursday Boots. All in all, these are a well-built pair of shoes.
With the three 12 months replace lined, let’s soar into the shoe sizing and worth.
Taft Shoe Sizing & Value
In accordance with Taft, their footwear and boots run barely large and they also counsel to measurement down if you happen to’re between sizes. Needless to say their footwear doesn’t are available half sizes.
All of their footwear and boots are available customary D width. My boot measurement is 7.5 and so I naturally sized right down to 7 and it’s an ideal match. Needless to say they nonetheless don’t supply wider widths which is a disgrace contemplating a competing DTC model like Thursday Boots does.
Right now the Taft Rome Boot is available in at $295 (a $20 improve from 3 years in the past) and whereas they didn’t actually supply on-line gross sales 3 years in the past, Taft does markdown their costs sometimes across the holidays, for Black Friday, and Cyber Monday from what I’ve observed. Lastly, they’ve Final Likelihood gross sales accessible on footwear and boots with some fairly respectable reductions.
Examine Taft Costs
It’s a aggressive trade, now let’s focus on how Taft compares with its opponents.
How Taft Compares with Rivals
Competitors is fierce on the market with different DTC firms and types with over 100 years of American heritage making waves within the trade. This begs the query, how does Taft stack up?
Taft vs Thursday
Based only one 12 months after Taft, the Thursday Boot Co. has seen large development, particularly among the many millennial demographic. Each manufacturers at the moment supply footwear and boots as a part of their assortment. Taft is barely dearer with sleeker and extra distinctive types and designs.
The President Boot are made with proprietary Thursday chrome leather-based which have confirmed to be sturdy over 1.5 years of wear and tear. No gashes or main blemishes, though the creasing is a little bit of an issue. It’s price mentioning that I didn’t use shoe timber at first, so that would have helped stop the ugly creases.
Moreover, the President’s outsole options Thursday’s proprietary rubber that’s just like a Dainite sole. For the laces, the President boot has flat waxed laces which give off a extra informal vibe than the Rome boot’s skinny spherical laces.
By way of high quality, my Thursday Captains, President and Dukes have held up very well over 2+ years. I can’t make a whole comparability but as a result of I’ve solely had these Taft boots for a number of months. However I like each Taft and Thursday and suppose both make for a terrific first boot selection.
Examine Thursday Costs
Taft vs Allen Edmonds
The Allen Edmonds Dalton boot is a wingtip gown boot that retails for $445, about $170 greater than Taft’s Rome boot. Hand-crafted in America, AE has a popularity of high quality heritage footwear that’s stood the take a look at of time.
The Dalton’s leather-based is premium calfskin with a 360º Bench Welt development and as is typical with all Allen Edmond’s footwear, a CustomCork insole that molds to your toes over time.
The waxed spherical laces are thinner than Taft’s spherical laces, making them dressier in my view. Each pair of shoes might be dressed up, however the AE Dalton might be worn with a go well with no drawback, whereas I wouldn’t put on a go well with with Taft’s Rome boot. Each pair of shoes have a leather-based heel loop to make it simpler to slide into the boots.
The Dalton’s leather-based is high-quality, however it does squeak fairly loudly whereas sporting, and I’m unsure do away with the noise. On sale, you may get the Daltons for $300 which makes them a terrific worth play in contrast with the Rome boot.
Examine AE Costs
Taft vs Wolverine
Wolverine is a model that’s been round for over 130 years. With this type of American heritage, they’ve turn out to be a mainstay in lots of males’s boot arsenal. The Wolverine 1000 Mile just like the Thorogood Moc Toe, is a rugged work boot that’s the good pair to put on with cuffed denims for a piece put on vibe. It’s extra versatile than you’d suppose although, as I’ve worn mine with denims and a blazer for a rugged/sensible informal fashion.
My Wolverine 1000 Mile boots are the Adrian variant from Nordstrom a number of years again. It’s made with Horween Chromexcel leather-based that’s aged fairly properly. As talked about above, they’re way more rugged than Taft’s Rome boot. They each function a cap toe and full-grain leather-based. The Wolverine 1000 Mile just like the AE Dalton and Thursday President have a Goodyear-welt whereas the Rome boot is Blake stitched.
The 1000 Mile boots are available at round $390 retail and might be discovered on sale for $250 which is large worth for the worth. Take a look at my Wolverine 1000 Mile Boot Evaluation.
Examine Wolverine Value
Let’s wrap issues up with some execs & cons and whether or not or not Taft boots are price your cash.
Taft Clothes Professionals & Cons
Professionals:
- Tremendous trendy aesthetic
- Implausible buyer assist staff
- A myriad of distinctive types and designs
- Fairly reasonably priced worth level for the standard
- Boots maintain up exceptionally nicely over the lengthy haul
- Worn by celebrities and athletes (non-paid endorsements)
- Effectively designed, simply accessible web site with all the data you want
Cons:
- Leather-based is well susceptible to scuffing and gashes in sure areas
- Rising quickly, so QC could also be a problem transferring ahead
- Nonetheless doesn’t supply wider width footwear and boots
Are Taft Boots Price It?
Taft boots have gained recognition and a devoted following for a number of compelling causes, making them price contemplating for these searching for high-quality, trendy footwear. Listed here are 10 the explanation why Taft boots are price shopping for.
1. Distinctive Design
Taft is thought for its distinctive and infrequently daring designs. The model provides boots with distinctive patterns, supplies, and colours that set them aside from extra standard choices. These distinctive designs make a powerful trend assertion and permit wearers to specific their particular person fashion.
2. High quality Craftsmanship
Taft prides itself on craftsmanship and high quality. Their boots are handcrafted with consideration to element, leading to well-constructed and sturdy footwear. They use high-quality supplies, reminiscent of full-grain leather-based and Goodyear welt development, guaranteeing longevity and luxury.
3. Consolation
Taft boots are designed with consolation in thoughts. They usually function padded insoles, leather-based linings, and arch assist to make sure that your toes really feel comfy, even throughout prolonged put on.
4. Versatility
Whereas their designs might be daring, many Taft boots are surprisingly versatile. They are often dressed up or down, pairing nicely with a variety of outfits, from informal denims to dressier slacks.
5. Direct-to-Shopper Mannequin
Taft primarily sells its boots by means of a direct-to-consumer mannequin. This eliminates the intermediary, lowering prices and permitting the model to supply high-quality boots at a extra aggressive worth level.
6. Buyer Service
Taft has a popularity for glorious customer support. They’re identified for being aware of inquiries and addressing any points promptly, guaranteeing a optimistic buying expertise.
7. Restricted Editions
Taft often releases limited-edition boots, creating a way of exclusivity and rarity. This may be interesting for many who get pleasure from proudly owning distinctive and collectible footwear.
8. Social Duty
The corporate has demonstrated a dedication to social accountability by sourcing supplies responsibly and supporting varied charitable initiatives, which may resonate with customers who worth moral and sustainable practices.
9. Evaluations and Testimonials
Taft has acquired optimistic evaluations and testimonials from many happy prospects, highlighting the standard and elegance of their boots. These endorsements can present confidence to potential patrons.
10. Worldwide Delivery
Taft provides worldwide delivery, making their boots accessible to prospects around the globe.
It’s vital to notice that particular person preferences play a major function in selecting the best footwear. Whereas Taft boots supply many benefits, together with distinctive designs and high quality craftsmanship, their daring and distinctive types may not attraction to everybody.
Conclusion
My considerations about sturdiness have gone away prior to now 3+ years that I’ve been sporting my Taft boots, I’d say that Taft is nicely well worth the price ticket. Three years after my unique assessment, the favored Rome Boot continues to be underneath $300 — and with exception to the Dragon boot — Taft continues to be thought-about entry stage.
Together with Thursday Boots and Beckett Simonon, Taft is a wonderful selection for males or ladies seeking to spend money on their first pair of high quality boots that get the entire fashion factors too.
I hope you loved this up to date submit on the Taft Rome Boots, 3 years later. So sure, they’re nonetheless going sturdy and proceed to be considered one of my most worn pair of shoes nearly year-round. Nice job, Taft!
A notice: Taft despatched me these boots. These are all my ideas and opinions primarily based on my expertise. Gentleman Inside holds all management over editorial content material.
Onto you. What are your ideas about Taft Boots?
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Wanting ahead to seeing you in there.