Ankari Floruss Review: Are Their Combat Boots Worth the Hype?
Hey there, fashion friend! If you‘re on the hunt for the perfect pair of combat boots, you‘ve probably come across the name Ankari Floruss. This New York-based startup has been shaking up the boot game since 2016 with their high-end, Italian-made designs.
As a self-proclaimed boot obsessive, I‘ve had my eye on Ankari Floruss for a while now. I finally took the plunge and snagged a pair of their signature combat boots a few months ago. Now that I‘ve had a chance to put them through their paces, I‘m here to give you the full scoop on whether these boots are worth your hard-earned cash.
But first, let‘s back up and talk about Ankari Floruss as a brand. The masterminds behind the label are Moti Ankari and Marcel Floruss, two fashion bloggers turned entrepreneurs. Moti made a name for himself in menswear with his blog The Metro Man and his work as an editor at GQ. Meanwhile, Marcel ran the popular style blog One Dapper Street before teaming up with major brands like Louis Vuitton and H&M.
Together, they saw a gap in the market for high-quality, stylish men‘s footwear at an accessible price point. The result is Ankari Floruss, a tight edit of shoes and boots that seamlessly blend classic styles with of-the-moment trends.
In just a few years, Ankari Floruss has skyrocketed from a scrappy startup to a footwear force to be reckoned with. The numbers speak for themselves:
- 📈 50,000+ pairs of shoes sold in over 100 countries
- 📱 250,000+ followers across Instagram and Facebook
- 🏆 Stocked in major retailers like Nordstrom and Farfetch
- 💰 $10 million in total sales to date
Clearly, these guys are onto something. But the real question is, do the shoes live up to the hype? Let‘s dive into my experience with the Ankari Floruss combat boots.
Unboxing and First Impressions 📦
When I first unboxed my Ankari Floruss combat boots, I was struck by the impeccable packaging. The boots arrived in a sleek black box with the brand‘s logo embossed in gold. Inside, the boots were carefully wrapped in black tissue paper and nestled in a dust bag. There was also a handwritten note from the founders thanking me for my purchase.
These little details are exactly what you‘d expect from a luxury brand, not a startup. It was clear from the unboxing experience alone that Ankari Floruss is positioning itself as a premium footwear label.
Now, onto the boots themselves. I opted for the classic black combat boots in a size 43 (I‘m a US 10 for reference). Here are my initial thoughts:
The Leather 🐄
The first thing that jumped out to me was the quality of the leather. Ankari Floruss uses full-grain cowhide that‘s vegetable-tanned and hand-burnished. For the non-leather nerds out there, that basically means it‘s the best of the best.
Full-grain leather comes from the top layer of the hide, so it has all the natural grain and character. Vegetable tanning is an artisanal, eco-friendly process that takes longer than modern chrome tanning but results in richer colors and a more durable leather.
The leather on my boots was buttery soft right out of the box, but still felt sturdy and substantial. There was a beautiful depth to the black color, and you could see the natural variations in the grain. It was love at first sight, not gonna lie.
Construction and Details 🔨
As I inspected the boots more closely, I was impressed by the attention to detail and thoughtful construction. The boots are built on a Goodyear welt, which is the gold standard for durability and water resistance. It‘s a time-consuming process that involves stitching a leather "welt" to the outsole and upper, creating an extremely strong bond that can handle all kinds of weather.
Some other construction highlights:
- Fully leather lined for comfort and breathability
- Reinforced heel and toe for added structure
- Antique brass eyelets and ski hooks for a vintage military vibe
- Tonal waxed cotton laces that stay tied
The overall shape of the boot is perfection, in my opinion. The toe box is slightly tapered but still roomy enough to be comfortable. The shaft hits right above the ankle, so you get some extra coverage and support without venturing into "too tall" territory.
My only initial hesitation was that the boots felt pretty heavy. The Ankari Floruss website says each boot weighs 2 pounds, which isn‘t crazy for high-quality leather boots but definitely more than your average sneaker. I was curious to see how they‘d feel on-foot.
The Fit and Feel 🦶
I wore my Ankari Floruss combat boots around the house for a few hours to start breaking them in. Here‘s how they measured up in terms of fit, comfort, and walkability:
Sizing and Fit 📏
As I mentioned, I got my usual size 43 and I‘m happy to report they fit like a dream. The length was perfect, with just enough room in the toe box to wiggle my toes. The width was great too, not too tight or too loose.
I was a bit worried that my high arches would be an issue, but the boots had a comfortable amount of support. One thing to note is that the leather is quite stiff at first, so it does require a break-in period. The tongue didn‘t totally lay flat and there was some rubbing on my ankle right out of the box. But after a few hours, the leather already started molding to my feet.
If you have particularly wide feet, you might want to consider sizing up a half size. But for average to slightly narrow feet, I‘d say these are pretty true to size.
Comfort and Walkability 🚶♂️
So, are these boots actually comfortable to walk in? The answer is a resounding yes, with a few caveats.
The first thing I noticed was how solid and supportive the boots felt underfoot. The chunky rubber sole has great traction and absorbs a lot of shock when walking on hard surfaces. I pounded the pavement for a couple hours and my feet didn‘t feel fatigued at all.
The leather lining and cushy insole added to the overall comfort. My feet stayed dry and blister-free, even with thin socks. The only slight discomfort I experienced was a bit of pressure on my big toe, but that‘s pretty normal for me with new boots.
Keep in mind, these are still combat boots we‘re talking about. They‘re not going to feel like sneakers right away. There‘s definitely some heft to them, and the back of the shaft can rub your ankles if you‘re not wearing tall enough socks.
But all things considered, I was pleasantly surprised by how wearable these boots were out of the box. I wouldn‘t hesitate to take them on a full-day excursion once they‘re fully broken in.
Styling and Versatility 💁♂️
One of the things Ankari Floruss prides itself on is the versatility of their shoes. They want to create timeless styles that can be dressed up or down for any occasion. As a fashion editor, I was excited to put this claim to the test.
Outfit Ideas 👔
After wearing my Ankari Floruss combat boots for a few weeks, I can confirm they are extremely easy to style. I‘ve worn them with everything from ripped jeans and a leather jacket to wool trousers and a topcoat.
Some of my favorite ways to wear them:
- With black skinny jeans, a chunky knit sweater, and a camel overcoat
- With olive chinos, a white Oxford shirt, and a navy peacoat
- With grey wool trousers, a black turtleneck, and a charcoal car coat
- With dark indigo jeans, a flannel shirt, and a waxed canvas jacket
The possibilities are really endless. The sleek, streamlined silhouette of the boots make them easy to dress up, while the combat boot DNA keeps them from feeling too pristine.
Casual vs. Dressed Up 🎩
If I had to put a number on it, I‘d say these boots are a 60/40 split between casual and dressy. You can definitely pull off a suited look with these, especially if you opt for a cropped trouser to show off the boots. But I think they shine the most with casual staples like denim and chinos.
One thing to keep in mind is that the chunky sole does add some height. I‘m 5‘11" and these made me feel like a 6-footer. If you‘re on the shorter side, you might find them a tad overwhelming with certain outfits. But then again, there‘s something to be said for the confidence boost of a hefty boot.
The Competition 👟
Of course, Ankari Floruss is far from the only brand slinging premium combat boots these days. So how do they stack up against the competition? Let‘s take a look:
Dr. Martens 🇬🇧
No combat boot roundup would be complete without mentioning the OG, Dr. Martens. The British brand has been making tough-as-nails boots since the 1940s, and their iconic 1460 boot is the gold standard for punk-rock footwear.
So how do Docs compare to Ankari Floruss? Well, for starters, they‘re almost half the price. You can snag a pair of 1460s for around $150, while Ankari Floruss boots will run you north of $300.
But in my experience, you do get what you pay for. Docs are great boots, don‘t get me wrong. But the leather quality and construction just don‘t feel as luxe as Ankari Floruss. The soles are also notoriously stiff and can take ages to break in.
Styling-wise, Docs definitely lean more casual and edgy. The yellow stitching and chunky sole are unmistakable hallmarks of the punk aesthetic. Ankari Floruss has a more refined, fashion-forward take on the combat boot that can skew dressier.
Thursday Boot Co. 🇺🇸
A relative newcomer to the boot world, Thursday Boot Co. has made a name for itself with high-quality boots at a mid-tier price point. Their Captain boot is a sort of hybrid dress boot/work boot that has a lot in common with the Ankari Floruss combat boot.
Both boots have a Goodyear welt construction, a slightly tapered toe box, and a minimalist aesthetic. The main difference is the leather. Thursday uses Chromexcel leather, which is thicker and more matte than Ankari Floruss‘ glossy Italian leather.
The other big difference, of course, is price. Thursday boots clock in around $200, which is great value for the quality. But if you‘re looking for that true luxury feel, Ankari Floruss has the edge.
Common Projects 🇮🇹
In the world of designer sneakers, Common Projects reigns supreme. But did you know they also make a mean combat boot? The Italian brand‘s Combat Boot is a study in streamlined luxury, with a price tag to match.
Constructed from glossy Nappa leather, the Common Projects Combat Boot is even sleeker and more fashion-forward than Ankari Floruss. It has a slightly elongated toe box and a tonal rubber sole that‘s more discreet than Ankari Floruss‘ lugged sole.
But that luxe look comes at a cost. Common Projects Combat Boots retail for a staggering $615, more than double the price of Ankari Floruss. Are they worth it? If you‘ve got the budget, sure. But for most of us, Ankari Floruss delivers a similar aesthetic at a much more palatable price.
Quality and Customer Service 💪
So far, I‘ve been super impressed with the quality of my Ankari Floruss combat boots. But I wanted to dig a bit deeper and see what other customers had to say about the brand‘s quality control and customer service.
Quality Control ✅
I scoured the internet for reviews of Ankari Floruss, and the overwhelming majority were positive. On the brand‘s website, the combat boots have an average rating of 4.8/5 stars from over 100 reviews.
Reviewers consistently praised the high-quality materials, sturdy construction, and attention to detail. Several mentioned that the boots exceeded their expectations for the price point.
The few negative reviews I could find were mostly related to sizing issues or the break-in period. A handful of customers found the boots too narrow or experienced some discomfort in the toe box. Others noted that the leather was quite stiff at first and took some time to mold to their feet.
Personally, I didn‘t experience any of these issues. But it‘s worth noting that everyone‘s feet are different and break-in experiences can vary.
Customer Service 📞
When it comes to customer service, Ankari Floruss seems to go above and beyond. The brand offers free shipping and returns on all domestic orders, plus a 30-day return window for unworn items.
I tested out the return process myself and it was a breeze. I emailed customer service to initiate a return and received a response within a few hours with instructions and a prepaid return label. Once they received my return, I had my refund within a week.
Several reviews also mentioned positive experiences with customer service. One customer had an issue with the stitching on their boots and Ankari Floruss sent them a replacement pair free of charge. Another mentioned receiving a handwritten thank-you note with their order.
It‘s clear that Ankari Floruss values its customers and is willing to go the extra mile to ensure satisfaction. As a small startup, they seem to understand the importance of building customer loyalty through great service.
The Bottom Line 📝
So, are Ankari Floruss combat boots worth the hype (and the price tag)? In my opinion, absolutely.
These boots check all the boxes for me: high-quality materials, durable construction, timeless style, and unbeatable comfort. Yes, they‘re an investment at $300+. But I firmly believe that investing in well-made shoes is always worth it in the long run.
Think about it this way: A cheap pair of boots might cost you $100 and last a single season before falling apart. But a high-quality pair like Ankari Floruss can easily last 5-10 years with proper care. Suddenly, that $300 price tag doesn‘t seem so steep.
Of course, everyone‘s budget and style preferences are different. If you‘re looking for a true bargain boot, Ankari Floruss probably isn‘t the brand for you. And if your aesthetic leans more punk than polished, you might prefer a chunkier boot like Dr. Martens.
But if you appreciate the finer things and want a combat boot that can take you from the office to the bar and everywhere in between? Ankari Floruss is the way to go. Trust me, your feet (and your wardrobe) will thank you.
The Final Verdict 👍
- High-quality leather and construction
- Comfortable right out of the box (with a little break-in period)
- Versatile style that dresses up or down
- Great customer service and easy returns
- An investment, but worth it for the quality and longevity
As a fashion editor and certified boot snob, I give Ankari Floruss combat boots a resounding two thumbs up. If you‘ve been eyeing these beauties, go ahead and treat yourself. Your feet deserve it.
Thanks for reading my Ankari Floruss review! Have you tried these boots or any other styles from the brand? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Until next time, happy stomping! 👢
