The major difference between the Lumberjack brand and Timberland lies in the foundation of both brands.
While they both share a lot of similarities, especially in the kinds of products they manufacture, what led to the formation of both brands sets them apart.
The establishment of the Lumberjack brand can be attributed to the rangers in American parks.
The Lumberjack ankle boot is one of the very first shoes manufactured by the brand and it was specifically designed to be worn by these rangers.
Even looking at the logo of the brand, you would recognize that the brand is here to help people fulfill adventures.
The Timberland brand was borne out of the need to create a shoe that can serve during and withstand any kind of weather.
This led to the 1973 creation of the Timberland Waterproof boots. Since then, the Timberland brand has built a name for itself as the brand that makes waterproof shoes.
Simply put, Lumberjack shoes are unique because they are adventurous while Timberland shoes are unique because they are waterproof.
Why the need for this comparison?
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Comparisons like this are not uncommon and also, surely not out of place because these are two brands specialized in making the same line of products.
It is, in fact, necessary that these two are compared so customers know which of the brand to patronize.
In terms of quality, it is hard to prove if any of the brands edges the other, but comparisons like this help bring to light, certain features and information that customers may not have been aware of.
These minute details can play a big role in helping a customer decide whether they are getting a Lumberjack shoe or a Timberland boot.
What are Lumberjack’s Pros and Cons?
Let us now move on to the best features of Lumberjack shoes and also the features that make them less desirable.
Pros
Lumberjack shoes are particularly great in three (3) areas:
- Water-Resistance
- Fast Delivery
Water-Resistance
In the course of your adventure, it is normal to run into wet areas, and that is why Lumberjack shoes are great.
They are not completely waterproof – at least not all of them are – but they do a great job of keeping water from getting into your shoe. The Lumberjack Sneakers Rain Shoe is an example of this.
Fast Delivery
My experience so far with the Lumberjack brand and its products has been nothing short of stressless and smooth. You can count on the brand to swiftly deliver your order within a few days.
I remember when I got my Lumberjack River Classic Boot, the delivery of the boot was faster than any other online order I had done.
Con
As amazing as this brand is, there is a downside to a lot of its products.
- Too big
Too big
A reoccurring bad feature you may encounter with many Lumberjack shoes is they run too big and wide. I learned this lesson when I purchased the Lumberjack Moccasin Oxford Flat and I ordered my normal size 42.
When it arrived, it was too big like I ordered a size 44. Since then, I have been going for a size smaller.
What are Timberland’s Pros and Cons?
Pros
- Waterproof
- Rugged and Durable
Waterproof
Who does not like a waterproof shoe? No one! This is one big edge the Timberland brand has over the Lumberjack brand. 99% of the shoes made by Timberland are completely waterproof.
A shoe like the Timberland White Ledge Hiking boot is made with materials that keep water out and the insides dry and fresh.
Rugged and Durable
A highly underrated and underreported feature present in many Timberland shoes is ruggedness. Timberland shoes are equipped with the strength and tenacity to handle any kind of work.
The Timberland Titan Oxford Shoe is a work-ready shoe that is guaranteed to help you get your job done.
Cons
- Tightness
Tightness
I have had this experience in all Timberland shoes I have worn. I notice that I feel a lot of discomforts, especially for the first 3-4 days of wearing.
This is so because most of these Timberland shoes have a narrow width which makes my leg feel squeezed in them. My most recent purchase is the Timberland Reaxion Work Shoe and I still felt the same tightness.
What similarities do both brands share?
As earlier mentioned, Lumberjack and Timberland are two brands that are in the same line of business and produce the exact same kind of products.
It is entirely not out of place if they share a lot of similarities, especially in the features fitted in their shoes. Some of these similar features are;
Slip Resistance Soles
We have already established that Lumberjack shoes were made for adventures while Timberland shoes were made to be worn in any kind of weather.
You have to agree with me that for the shoes made by these brands to fulfill these purposes, they must be highly resistant to slips.
You sure can venture into the woods wearing shoes that can easily slip and neither will you want to walk in the rain or snow wearing shoes that will trip you at any minute.
Both brands take slip resistance very seriously and that is why it is a feature present in their products.
The Timberland Pro Direct Attach Boot and the Lumberjack Low-Top Gymnastic Shoe are a few examples of products from both brands carrying this feature.
Design
I know I have mentioned a couple of times in this article that Lumberjack and Timberland have similar products, but what I did not mention is that some of these shoes are so similar and identical that unless you check the logo on them, you will never know which is for which brand.
Take a look at the Lumberjack Navigator Boat shoe and the Timberland Boat shoe. This is just one of the many shoes of both brands that look insanely alike.
Lumberjack vs Timberland: Comparison
For clarity and better comparison, I will be reviewing both brands based on certain features which include; Overall quality, Material used, Soles, Durability, Price, Insoles, and Sizing.
These features will help us understand to what degree both brands are similar and also what is unique to each of them.
Overall Quality
In terms of quality, both Lumberjack and Timberland are similar on this as both brands do not compromise on their quality.
Since the launch of Lumberjack, the brand has continually manufactured high-quality footwear and clothing.
The brand pays particular attention to the finishing of its shoes and that is why they always end up having stunning designs.
The brand story centers around adventures so it is not surprising that a bulk of its customers are nature lovers and people who are fascinated with outdoor life.
Timberland, as well, is one of the most respected and most recognized footwear brands in the world.
They would not have garnered so much public acceptance if they were manufacturing inferior shoes and clothes.
The brand uses a combination of special techniques and carefully sourced high-quality materials to make shoes that last very long.
Leather
Both Lumberjack and Timberland make use of leather in manufacturing some of their footwear, especially the boots.
Not only do they both use leather, but they also use the same kind of leather in the production of most of their boots. This leather is called nubuck leather.
Timberland, however, does not use only Nubuck leather, the brand also uses leather sourced from LWG gold-rated tanneries because they are the best for environmental sustainability.
Examples of boots produced by both brands using Nubuck leather are the Timberland A27P4 Ankle Boot and the Lumberjack River Ankle Boot.
Sole
Rubber is the major material used by both companies to make the outsoles of their shoes.
While the type of rubber may differ, or maybe something else is added to the rubber to make the outsole, what is known is that Lumberjack and Timberland use rubber in making the outsoles of their footwear.
For Timberland, an Injection-moulded rubber is what is used, and the brand uses this kind of rubber because it provides a better grip and waterproofing than normal rubber. However, for their boots, the brand uses Vibram outsoles.
The Timberland Boondock Work Boot is one Timberland product carrying a Vibram outsole.
Lumberjack also uses rubber to make many of its outsoles but you will also find many products of the rubber carrying outsoles made of EVA foam.
This is not peculiar to boots or shoes. They use the EVA outsole in a lot of their shoes. An example is the Lumberjack Travis Oxford Boot.
Durability
Lumberjack and Timberland manufacture shoes that are of high-quality, rugged, and very durable.
Even if you wear them every hour of every day and do the most rigorous work in them, the shoes from these brands can still last for years.
Timberland, particularly, is known to last very long. Averagely, your Timberland boot can stay in perfect condition for up to 5 years.
If you are extra-careful in taking care of them, you can be sure that they will last longer than 5 years. One such Timberland boot that can last very long is the Timberland Premium Waterproof Boot.
Lumberjack too is known to be very durable. You can be an adventure brand and make shoes that crumble after 2 months.
One of my favorite Lumberjack shoes is the Lumberjack Quilted Western Leather Boot. This boot is made of cow leather and can withstand any kind of rigorous usage. 4 years so far and this shoe is still ready to go anytime I need it.
Price
This could be the defining difference between these two brands. While the pricing of their shoes is not exactly wide apart, the public perception ensures that it is not the same.
To a lot of people, Timberland is a premium brand, and so can not cost the same price as a Lumberjack shoe.
Due to the fact that Timberland is a more widely recognized brand, its products tend to cost more than a Lumberjack counterpart.
For instance, consider this boat shoe from Timberland that costs $90.51, the Lumberjack lookalike of this exact shoe costs $53.02. That is a more than $30 difference.
Insoles
Having removable insoles fitted in their shoes is another similar feature these two brands share.
Although, while Lumberjack uses external insoles in its shoes, Timberland actually manufactures its own insoles that are fitted in all of its boots, especially the Timberland PRO Workboots.
In footwear like the Lumberjack Sport Sneaker and the Timberland Abington Farmer Boot, you will find removable insoles that you can replace with an orthopedic insole or just completely take off as you so wish.
Sizing
As I earlier wrote in the cons of both brands, it is advisable for you to order a size or half a size smaller than your actual size because they tend to run wide most of the time.
This sizing error is more particular in Timberland. You have a better chance of getting your best fit if you order a size down than when you actually order the right size.
The same applies to Lumberjack. A lot of times, I have bought shoes from the brand only to find that they are too loose.
The Lumberjack Winter Ankle Boot and the Timberland Premium Waterproof Boot are examples of shoes from these brands that run big.
Why you should choose Lumberjack
There are a lot of great reasons that prove that choosing Lumberjack is a good decision. However, all of these great reasons could also be said for Timberland. Therefore, the best argument to make for Lumberjack is the pricing.
Anywhere a Timberland and a Lumberjack shoe are sold, you will surely find the Timberland shoe to be more expensive.
So, if you do not have a particularly large budget, you can rest assured that getting as Lumberjack is just as good as getting a Timberland but for a much cheaper price.
Why you should choose Timberland
Timberland is one of the biggest fashion brands in the world right now. If you regard the brand as a luxury brand you would not be wrong.
It is one of the most recognized fashion brands in the world and that alone is one of its selling points.
Owning a Timberland does not just mean that you have quality footwear but it also sets you on a classy pedestal.
Therefore, if you are interested in the pride and prestige that could be accorded to you then you should of course choose Timberland.
Durability, beautiful designs, and impressive street cred? Trust me, Timberlands are worth every penny.
Which is better?
Honestly, this is a hard choice to make because both brands make wonderful shoes. From the shoes made by both brands, you are sure to get premium comfort, durability, and functionality.
Basically, shoes from both brands will not disappoint you when it’s time to put them to work.
However, personally, I think Timberland edges Lumberjack shoes a bit and this is just because of the waterproof ability of all Timberland shoes.
There are a couple of Lumberjack shoes that are not 100% waterproof, so I can not trust that they will not get destroyed when I have to get into mud or water.
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