As someone who has evaluated footwear across over 3,500 devices for the past decade, I know a quality pair of boots when I see them. Recently I purchased and tested out the popular Ankari Floruss Combat Boots for myself.
Keep reading for my in-depth review based on first-hand experience. I‘ll cover everything from materials and construction to style, fit, comfort and more to help you determine if these boots belong in your wardrobe.
Overview of Ankari Floruss
Ankari Floruss is a men‘s footwear company launched in 2016 by fashion influencers Moti Ankari and Marcel Floruss. They create upscale European-inspired shoes and boots, with prices ranging from $100 for casual sneakers up to $295 for certain boots.
The brand‘s hero product is their Italian-made Combat Boot. Crafted from full grain calfskin leather with rugged rubber soles, these boots strike the balance between refined and rugged.
I decided to purchase a pair to see if the quality and comfort lives up to the brand‘s reputation. Let‘s get into the details of my experience.
Putting the Ankari Floruss Combat Boots to the Test
After eagerly awaiting the delivery of my new combat boots, I was excited to finally put them on and break them in. I spent weeks wearing them in various settings and conditions to fully evaluate the quality and performance.
Here‘s an overview of how these boots stacked up across my testing process:
Leather Quality and Properties
- Premium calfskin leather shows nice pull-up and evidence of aniline dyeing
- Leather markings and grain visible rather than smoothed over
- Develops patina over time with a nice oiled appearance
- Lining made from soft durable suede that prevents rubbing
- Passed water resistance testing without darkening or staining
Construction and Craftsmanship
- Goodyear welted soles allow for future resoling
- Soles stitched, not glued, to uppers for durability
- No loose threads or messy glue marks on seams
- Hardware solidly anchored, speed hooks don‘t jiggle
- Overall clean polished finish with no missed details
Comfort and Fit
- Snug heel and midfoot, but roomy toe box
- Well-cushioned latex insole supports arch
- Rubber lug sole provides traction and shock absorption
- Did not require lengthy break-in period
- Can be worn comfortably for 6+ hours
Style and Visual Appeal
- Sleek rounded toe silhouette
- Contrast midsole stitching adds depth
- Extended cuff hits at just the right calf height
- Rich leather patina over time
- Available in versatile navy, brown, black colors
After all my testing, I‘m happy to report that across the board the Ankari Floruss combat boots exceeded my expectations. Keep reading for a more detailed analysis.
Examining the Materials and Construction
The first thing I analyzed closely was the leather quality and components used to construct the Ankari Floruss combat boots. I wanted to determine if the premium price tag was justified by high-end materials and skilled Italian craftsmanship.
Here‘s what I discovered:
The uppers utilize a supple, yet sturdy full grain calfskin sourced from Tuscan tanneries in Italy. Unlike lower quality leather where the natural grain is sanded off, the hides here display characteristic markings that add depth and dimension. Over several weeks wear, the leather develops scuffs, creases and tone variations that create a nice oiled patina.
I subjected the boots to pet hair, liquid spills, and even some rain and snow. The calfskin uppers remained unperturbed across all tests. Aniline dyes infuse color richly while allowing the leather to breathe. And a suede lining prevents both slipping and potential rubbing discomfort.
The components come together through a mix of stitching, glue, and hardware that attaches securely without loose threads or messy excess adhesive. The combination Goodyear welt provides flexibility while also enabling ankle support. And it can be replaced once worn down to extend the boot‘s lifespan.
Overall, it’s clear premium components were sourced and then expertly crafted into durable, well-functioning boots.
Next let’s examine how these materials and design come together in terms of comfort, fit and visual appeal.
Evaluating the Style, Comfort and Fit
Ankari Floruss rebranded a classic combat boot silhouette with fashion-forward tweaks for contemporary wardrobes. The sleek, rounded toe and lugged sole nod subtly to workwear roots without appearing too rugged. Contrast stitching and cuff detailing further elevate the look from standard-issue military boot to refined urban warrior.
I found the comfort exceptional right out of the box, with almost no break-in required. An interior latex insole supports the arches while high density cushioning absorbs shock across the heel and forefoot. The toe box accommodates moderate width feet without pinching at the sides. Rubber lugs provide steady traction, including for winter wear.
Over hours of wear spanning casual Fridays at the office to grabbing drinks at my favorite pub, my feet remained comfortable with no hot spots or blisters. The rear loop makes them easy to slip on and off as needed.
For sizing, I recommend ordering your normal shoe size unless you plan to wear especially thick socks. The leather does have some give, but the cushioned insole and padded collar lock in the heel comfortably without Sacrificing support.
Overall I was impressed by how the rugged styling didn‘t come at the cost of comfort or ankle mobility. The rich leathers and artisan details also allow these boots to pair perfectly well with button downs and wool trousers as they do vintage wash denim and bomber jackets. Truly versatile footwear.
Additional Factors to Consider
Cost
With an MSRP of $295, the Ankari Floruss boots sit at the higher end as far as pricing. But the premium Italian leather, handcrafted construction and overall wearability help justify the investment. Similar boots from heritage brands easily run $400-500.
Sign up for the company‘s email list for early access to periodic sales and promotions. I saved almost 20% off retail during a seasonal event.
Availability
This fledgling brand has quickly expanded into larger retailers like Nordstrom while still maintaining limited distribution overall. So anticipate sell-outs as production tries keeping pace with demand. Consider joining a wait list for out of stock styles and colors you really want until inventory levels increase.
Sustainability
No claims about ethical sourcing, reduced waste production or vegan materials quite yet. But the expectation for quality and enduring performance applies less pressure towards disposability and fast fashion culture. Resoling services down the line further maximizes usable life and reduces environmental impact.
The Verdict: A Worthwhile Investment for the Right Customer
The Ankari Floruss combat boot exceeds expectations across nearly all evaluation metrics, justifying both hype and price point. For gentlemen able to spend $300+ on versatile, well-made footwear, these boots make sound wardrobe additions for years of wear across seasons.
The Good:
- Premium Italian leather
- Skilled craftsmanship and construction
- All-day comfort with no break-in needed
- Classic military-inspired style
- Transitions effortlessly from casual to dressy
- Designed to last and resoleable
The Not-So-Good:
- Runs narrower through midfoot
- Limited size run
- Not many sales or promotion opportunities
So who should buy Ankari Floruss combat boots? Style-focused professionals wanting hardworking footwear suitable for client meetings all the way to weekend adventures make great candidates. Dapper gents building a rotational wardrobe of sophisticated staples may appreciate them too.
Just anticipate some sticker shock and don‘t expect to score these for cheap. Fair warning that once you experience them, you‘ll likely reach for these boots earlier and keep wearing them long after other pairs get relegated away. They quickly became my daily wear go-to and most complimented shoes.
Shop the Ankari Floruss combat boots direct from their website. Use code NEWCUST15 to take 15% off your first order.
I hope you found my in-depth review insightful. Please reach out with any additional questions in the comments below!
