Where Are Thursday Boots Made? The Irish Buyer’s Guide to Quality and Craftsmanship

When you're walking the cobbled streets of Galway, trekking through the misty hills of Wicklow, or commuting from Dun Laoghaire to Dublin city centre, your boots need to handle more than just rain-they need to handle Irish weather. That’s why Thursday boots have quietly become a go-to choice for women across Ireland. But where are Thursday boots actually made? And does it matter if you’re buying them in Cork or Clonmel?

The Truth Behind the Label

Thursday boots aren’t made in some distant factory with no name. They’re handcrafted in Leon, Mexico-a city with over 200 years of bootmaking tradition. This isn’t a random pick. Leon is home to some of the most skilled cobblers in the world, many of whom train for decades under master artisans. The leather? Sourced from tanneries that meet strict environmental standards, and the stitching? Done by hand using a saddle stitch technique that’s been passed down for generations. That’s why a pair of Thursday boots can last 5, 7, even 10 years if cared for properly.

For Irish buyers, this matters because it means you’re not just buying a boot-you’re buying into a legacy. Think of it like choosing a Donegal tweed coat over a mass-produced polyester one. There’s substance behind it. And in Ireland, where quality often trumps flash, that’s a big deal.

Why Irish Women Choose Thursday Boots

You’ll see them everywhere: outside the National Gallery in Dublin, on the DART platform after work, hiking the Burren, or stepping off the ferry in Howth. Why? Because Thursday boots were designed for real life-and Ireland’s real life is wet, uneven, and unpredictable.

The sole? A rubber outsole with deep lugs that grip wet stone, mossy paths, and slick Dublin pavements. The shaft? Just high enough to keep out puddles without restricting movement. The weight? Light enough to wear all day, whether you’re chasing kids to school in Limerick or walking the cliffs of Moher.

And let’s not forget the fit. Thursday boots come in half-sizes and multiple widths, something most European brands still ignore. For Irish women-many of whom have narrower heels or wider forefeet thanks to generations of walking on uneven terrain-this isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.

How They Compare to Local Brands

Ireland has its own heritage footwear makers, like Clarks (which still has a factory in Cork) and Boots Ireland, which sources from the UK. But here’s the difference: Thursday boots aren’t trying to look like a heritage brand. They’re built for function first, with a modern aesthetic that doesn’t scream "country cottage" or "1990s fashion."

Compare a pair of Thursday’s "The Original" boot to a classic Irish riding boot. The latter might have a polished look, but it’s often stiff, heavy, and designed for dry, flat fields-not the rocky, rain-slicked paths of Connemara. Thursday boots flex naturally, breathe better, and dry faster. After a long day in the rain, you don’t want to be slipping into soggy footwear.

Plus, Thursday boots are priced between €120 and €160. That’s less than a pair of Blundstones (which are made in Australia) and significantly cheaper than handmade Irish boots that can cost upwards of €300. You get durability, comfort, and style without the markup.

Where to Buy Thursday Boots in Ireland

You won’t find Thursday boots in a mall or on the high street. That’s intentional. They’re sold direct-to-consumer online, which keeps prices low and cuts out middlemen. But here’s the catch: many Irish women order them through Facebook groups or Instagram communities like "Irish Women’s Footwear Swap" or "Dublin Boot Enthusiasts." These aren’t just shopping groups-they’re trust networks.

Why? Because trying boots on without walking on real Irish ground is risky. So, women share photos of their soles after a month of walking on Belfast cobbles. They swap tips on sizing. One woman from Sligo posted a video showing how her Thursday boots handled a 14km hike along the Wild Atlantic Way without blistering. That kind of proof moves faster than any ad.

There’s also a growing number of independent Irish boutiques that stock Thursday boots as part of their curated ethical collections. Places like Green & Co. in Temple Bar, Dublin, or The Honest Shop in Limerick carry them alongside other sustainable brands. These shops don’t push volume-they push value.

Why It Matters for Irish Consumers

In Ireland, we’re used to buying things that break. We’ve had to be. From cheap imported shoes that fall apart after one winter to boots that leak the moment it rains. Thursday boots flip that script. They’re made with transparency: every step of production is documented, and the company even publishes its tannery partners and worker wages.

That’s rare. And for Irish buyers who’ve grown tired of fast fashion’s empty promises, it’s refreshing. It’s the same reason people choose local cheese over imported, or Irish wool over synthetic blends. It’s about knowing where your stuff comes from-and trusting that it’ll last.

Plus, Thursday boots are vegan-friendly. If you’re avoiding animal products, you can get the same durable sole and classic silhouette without leather. That’s a big deal for the growing number of Irish vegans-over 200,000 now, according to Vegan Society Ireland.

How to Care for Your Thursday Boots in Ireland

These boots aren’t indestructible, but they’re built to last. Here’s how to keep them in top shape:

• Wipe them down after every rainy walk-use a damp cloth, not a hose.
• Apply a natural wax conditioner every 6 weeks (Ireland’s damp air dries out leather fast).
• Store them with cedar shoe trees to hold shape and absorb moisture.
• Never dry them near a radiator. Heat cracks the stitching. Use a boot dryer or just leave them by a window.
• Replace the insole every 12-18 months. Thursday sells replacements for €20.

Many Irish repair shops now offer resoling services. Places like Shoe Doctor in Cork or Boots & Soles in Galway can re-attach the sole if it wears thin. That’s more than you can say for most imported brands.

Final Thoughts: A Boot Built for Ireland

Thursday boots aren’t made in Ireland. But they’re made for the kind of life Irish women live. Rain. Wind. Stone. Mud. Long walks. Short tempers. Busy mornings. Quiet evenings. They don’t promise magic. They just deliver reliability.

If you’ve ever stood in a puddle in a pair of boots that leaked before you even got to the bus stop, you know what real quality feels like. Thursday boots don’t just survive the Irish climate-they respect it.

If you’re looking for a boot that won’t quit when the Irish weather turns, Thursday boots aren’t just a choice-they’re a smart one.