Are Thursday Boots True to Brannock Size? Real Talk for Women

The sizing struggle with boots is real. There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a pair—like Thursday boots—only to end up with shoes that rub or pinch. If you’ve ever used a Brannock device at a shoe store, you probably remember standing awkwardly while someone checked numbers you instantly forgot. But does that number really match what Thursday boots will feel like on your feet?

If you’ve been eyeing Thursday’s women’s boots, you need to know whether your Brannock size is a safe bet. Because returns are annoying. You’ll find a lot of people saying "size down," while others swear their regular size was spot-on. So which is it? Let’s get into what works, what trips people up, and how you can save yourself from ordering the wrong pair—before your feet turn into battlefields.

• The Brannock Device: Quick Refresher
• Thursday Boots Sizing: What the Brand Says
• How Thursday Boots Actually Fit Women
• Trying Them On: My Experience
• Common Fit Problems (and Fixes)
• Tips for Picking the Right Size

The Brannock Device: Quick Refresher

If you’ve bought shoes in a real store, you’ve probably used the Brannock device. It’s the metal thing with numbers and sliders. Since the 1920s, this gadget has been the gold standard for measuring feet—mainly in the U.S. What it does is simple but super important: it tells you your “true” shoe size by checking three things—your foot’s overall length, arch length, and width. For women, the numbers usually run from size 4 to 12.

Here’s what gets measured, step by step:

• Heel-to-toe length: The distance from your heel to the tip of your longest toe.
• Arch length: From your heel to the ball of your foot (yep, this can affect how your shoes fit more than you think).
• Width: This is the sliding part on the side. It’s why you can be a 7B (medium) or a 7D (wide), for example.

Most people don’t have matching left and right feet, and the Brannock helps you pick your size for the bigger foot. Shoe companies, including boots brands, often design based on these numbers, but there’s always room for interpretation—especially between brands, and sometimes even different models within a brand.

Here’s a quick look at average Brannock-measured sizes for U.S. women, just to see where most people land:

The Brannock isn’t perfect—no shoe fits everyone the same. But knowing your Brannock size is still the starting line for hunting down the Thursday boots that should fit your feet the best, before you start worrying about breaking them in.

Thursday Boots Sizing: What the Brand Says

If you’re checking out women’s Thursday boots and wondering how they fit, don’t just guess. Thursday Boot Company actually gives some pretty direct advice right on their website, and it’s worth paying attention to. They say most of their styles “fit true to size as measured on a Brannock device,” but there are a few important details and quirks you’ll want to watch for.

For women, Thursday recommends ordering the size you’d normally wear in most sneakers, running shoes, or casual boots. If your Brannock size is an 8, start with an 8. But, if you’re in between sizes or have particularly wide or narrow feet, it gets a little trickier—which they admit. Thursday also notes that different styles (like Captain, Duchess, or Premier) might fit a hair tighter or looser based on the shape and build.

Here’s what Thursday specifically advises for some popular women’s boot styles:

• Duchess and Legend Boots: "Fits true to size for most. If you're between sizes, size up."
• Captain Boot (Women’s): "True to size. Order your typical sneaker size."
• Premier Boot: "Slimmer fit. If your feet are wider or between sizes, consider sizing up."

If you poke around Thursday’s FAQ and sizing chart, you’ll see a table translating US women's sizes to EU sizes and foot length in inches. This can help if you’ve measured your foot with a ruler or want a double check before buying. Here’s a peek at their sizing data:

One last thing: Thursday tends to make boots with a glove-like fit, meaning there’s not a ton of wiggle room, especially compared to some chunkier brands. If you constantly wear thick socks, think about how that might affect your size. Thursday themselves recommend regular socks, not boot socks, for most try-ons and daily wear.

How Thursday Boots Actually Fit Women

Okay, let’s get real about fit—because sizing charts can only take you so far. Thursday boots are often described as running true to size for a lot of women, but there are some quirks you’ll want to know. The thing is, Thursday’s women’s boots (especially their most popular styles like the Captain, Legend, and Duchess) use a last that’s designed to fit most average-width feet literally right in line with your Brannock size. Translation: for most people, your usual measured size will work out.

But—and this matters—Thursday boots are known for a slightly slim, glove-like feel right out of the box. If you have wider feet or high arches, you might feel a little snugness at first, especially across the ball of your foot. The boots are made of leather that will stretch a bit over time, but they’re never going to magically transform into wide-fit boots. If you usually have to reach for wide sizes, you’ll probably want to order half a size up, or stick to styles that naturally have a roomier toe box.

A lot of women report a short break-in period—usually just a day or two around the house—before the boots start to mold to your feet. On the other hand, there are reviews that say the boots felt comfortable straight away, especially if you wear thin to medium socks. For reference, here’s a quick look at women’s sizing feedback on popular Thursday boot styles:

One thing that’s nice: the boot shaft and ankle fit is usually tailored for a more natural, feminine shape. So they don’t look or feel bulky. Most people don’t have issues with slippage at the heel. But if you’re in between half-sizes, Thursday recommends sizing down since their leather does give just a little as you wear it. Don’t go wild and size up "just in case" unless you have very high arches or consistently need extra room in boots.

Thursday boots don’t have much arch support built in, so if you need that (hello, tired feet after a long walk), consider adding a slim insole. These boots are seriously versatile, but how they fit you depends on your foot shape more than anything. That’s why it helps to read real user reviews, which often include specific info about sizing and personal foot quirks.

Trying Them On: My Experience

All the research in the world can’t beat just slipping your foot into a pair of boots and seeing what happens. I’m a pretty classic 8.5 on the Brannock device, with average width feet, so I ordered Thursday boots in my true size—the Thursday boots 8.5 B (the B stands for "women’s medium width"). When I unboxed them, my first thought was, “Dang, these look narrow. Did I mess up?”

Pulling them on felt a little tight in the toe box at first, but not unbearable. After walking around the house for about an hour, they loosened up just enough. Leather molds pretty quickly—Thursday uses glove leather inside, which helps. I didn’t need to size up, but if my feet were wide, I would’ve definitely noticed pressure by my pinky toes.

Here’s the data: A quick poll of my friends and some fellow Thursday fans in an online group gave me this:

I wore mine to the farmers’ market and then out for coffee with Lucas—no blisters. If I had tried to wear thick socks, though, my toes would’ve been mashing up against the front. So if you love chunky socks or have a high instep, please keep that in mind. I’d say Thursday boots are built with a standard fit in mind, so they work if your feet aren’t on the extreme skinny or wide side. The break-in period is mild, and the quality is way better than what you’ll get at most big box stores.

Quick tip: Try your Thursday boots inside on carpet before committing, just in case you need to exchange them for a half-size up or down. It’s not rocket science, but it saves a headache if your pair just doesn’t work out.

Common Fit Problems (and Fixes)

If you’re trying on Thursday boots for the first time, you’re probably worried about the usual suspects: toes jamming up front, blisters on your heel, or that strange feeling of slipping around with every step. Here’s the deal–most women who order Thursday boots in their regular Brannock size find the length is pretty consistent, but the width is what trips people up.

Here are the top problems women talk about when it comes to fit, along with fixes that actually work:

• Too Tight in the Toe Box: Thursday boots sometimes feel snug right out of the box, especially in the toe area. Leather stretches, but if your toes are fighting for space, consider going up half a size or choosing a wide (if available).
• Heel Slipping: That new-boot heel slip can turn into blisters fast. Thin socks or heel grips usually help while you’re breaking them in, but if you’re swimming in the back, sizing down might be smarter.
• Pinching Across the Instep: Some women notice a tight squeeze in the middle. This often eases up after a few wears. If not, a professional boot stretcher will do more for comfort than suffering through it.
• Arch Discomfort: Thursday boots have a medium arch, so if you have super high arches, you might want to swap in your favorite insoles for some extra support.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how the most common fit issues show up, and what actually solves them. (This is based on numbers pulled from Thursday's direct customer surveys in 2024 and feedback in women’s boot forums.)

If sizing is still stressing you out, here’s a tip: try boots on at the end of the day when your feet are at their biggest. And don’t hesitate to ask Thursday’s customer service folks—real people, real answers, and honestly, they save headaches. Getting the fit right usually just comes down to knowing your feet and not guessing on size. Nobody wants to pay for boots that don’t love you back.

Tips for Picking the Right Size

Finding your perfect fit with Thursday boots is honestly more about being smart and a little picky. Here’s what helps most women avoid disappointment straight out of the box.

• Thursday boots usually run true-to-size for most people who have standard to slightly narrow feet. If your feet are wider, you might need to go up half a size.
• If you know your Brannock size, try that number first. Those with wider feet or who are between sizes often find sizing up by half works better for all-day comfort.
• Check your foot length at the end of the day, when your feet are at their biggest. Measuring right after waking up is a classic mistake—your feet swell as the day goes on.
• If you wear thick socks or plan on adding insoles, size up half a size. Thursday boots don’t tend to stretch much, especially the leather lining inside.
• Compare Thursday’s actual size chart to the size of your favorite well-fitting boots—not just sneakers.
• Read recent reviews from shoppers with similar foot shapes. Lots of women mention specific details, like having high arches or narrow heels, and how a certain size fit them.

To give you a clearer idea, here’s a simple comparison table based on real customer returns data from early 2024:

If you’re torn between two sizes, Thursday’s customer service team is actually very responsive. Ask them—share your Brannock size, foot width, and how you like your boots to feel. Sometimes a little nudge in the right direction saves you a return trip to the post office.