Timberland Basic vs Premium: I Test and Compare Both

I get it: you’re thinking about getting your first pair of Timberlands so you can capitalize on that iconic style. 

But Timberland has so many boots available, it can make your head spin. Basic, Premium, Pro, etc.—what does it all mean?

In this review, I’m going to resolve the Timberland Basic vs Premium debate so you can make the right choice and get the best boot for your situation. Let’s dive in.

Key Differences

Timberland Basic 6-inch Waterproof Boot

The Timberland Basic boot looks a lot like the Premium, but there are a few key differences. 

First, the sole is a single mould, and is a light butterscotch color, which is the biggest stylistic difference. The stitching on the Basic is roughly the same color as the leather, too, so there isn’t as much contrast compared to the white stitching of the Premium. 

While the Timberland Basic is about $30 less expensive, the insole is made of thin, low density foam and can’t be removed. There’s also low density foam in the heel. The upshot of this $30 savings is a less comfortable boot with about 50% of the shock absorption. 

Still, it’s a handsome waterproof, Primaloft insulated boot with a classic look. 

Pros:

• It’s less expensive than the Premium.
• For the price, it’s a decent all-around boot, especially considering the waterproofing.

Cons:

• It looks like a knock-off Timberland Premium.
• The insole and midsole have thin low-density foam inserts, which don’t offer much shock absorption.
• The padded collar is made with a PU leather, which is prone to cracking and doesn’t look good. 

Timberland Premium 6-inch Waterproof Boot

The Timberland Premium 6-inch Waterproof Boot is what Timberland boots on the map. While it was a workwear staple through the 70s and 80s throughout New England, the boot’s popularity skyrocketed in the 90s when hip-hop culture embraced the style. 

Now, Timbs are world-renowned and have been worn by dozens of the world’s most famous celebrities. 

Pros:

• With 100% waterproofing through the leather and sole, plus 400g of Primaloft insulation, this makes for an excellent winter boot.
• The Gripstick heavy rubber lug sole does well in wet or icy conditions.
• It has a handsome, iconic style. 
• It features a high-density removable foam insole. 

Cons:

• The sole is cemented on, which poses some long-term durability issues in heavy working conditions. 
• They run about a full size too large. 

You might only notice a few differences between the Timberland Basic and Premium at first glance, so I’ll go through each aspect of these two boots, part by part so you can make the best choice.

Style

Both the Basic and Premium are built on the same last and have generally the same design. The big differences are in the materials used. 

However, there are a few key style differences that are worth noting:

The stitching on the Premium is white, and on the Basic, the stitching matches the color of the boot. It’s a subtle difference, but the white stitching is part of the iconic look.

The only other major aesthetic difference is in the sole. The Basic features a butterscotch colored one-piece sole with a new-age tread pattern. The Premium Timbs have a two-toned polyurethane sole with a more traditional tread pattern. 

It might not seem like a lot, but the contrast between these two boots makes the Timberland Basic look more like a knock-off boot, even though it’s a genuine Timberland product. 

Leather Quality and Care

Both the Premium and Basic use the same leather from tanneries in the Dominican Republic. The leather isn’t particularly great in either case, but the quality is on par with what you’d expect from any sub-$200 boot. 

They both have full waterproofing, and when I tested each out, there was no difference there. The Basic does just as well as the Premium in wet winter conditions because of the waterproofing and the 400g of Primaloft insulation.

The leather is a wheat-colored nubuck, which is the outer layer of the cow-hide, sanded to give it a suede-like texture. However, nubuck and suede are different beasts, and nubuck proves to be a bit more rugged, though it does stain easily. 

Your care routine will be the same for either of these boots, so when the time comes, check out our full guide on how to clean your Timberlands. 

Sole

I briefly mentioned the difference in the two soles above, but this is the make-or-break category when choosing between the Premium and Basic. 

I must say, I really don’t like the tread pattern of the Basic. 

It’s like Timberland wanted to switch things up to a more futuristic look, but honestly, they’re doing too much. 

I love that classic, beefy rubber lug sole on the Premium.

But besides the visual discrepancy, the insole, midsole, and outsole all make the Premium a much more comfortable boot. 

Let’s start with the insole: the Premium has a removable high-density foam insole. I think it’s plenty comfortable as is, but it’s a game-changer if you have flat feet or plantar fasciitis and need a custom orthotic insert. You can still get the right fit for your boots and just switch out the footbed for the most comfortable experience possible. 

The Basic boot only has a thin low density foam insole, which doesn’t offer much support or shock absorption.

The midsole is also vastly different, though you’d never be able to tell. The Basic uses all low-density foams in the midsole, which don’t do much to cushion or support your foot, while the premium uses some recycled high-density foams.

Not only should the Premium last longer, it’ll also be more comfortable for longer, too. 

Fit and Sizing

Because both boots are built on the same last and have the same basic construction, they fit the same, too. 

All Timberland 6-inch Boots run a full size too large. Timberland suggests that you buy a half-size smaller than what you would with a pair of sneakers, but I found that to still be a little large. So I recommend that anyone with a size 11 foot pick up a size 10, etc. 

A lot of people love Timbs because they offer up to size 17, which is rare for a boot brand. Many dudes with huge feet opt for Timberlands simply because they’re the only boot readily available.

Standout Features

Sole

The sole is the most easily recognizable difference between the Basic and Premium. NYC city dwellers love their Timberlands, and they’re quick to tell you they’d rather go without shoes than be caught wearing Basic Timberlands. 

Now, I’m not that hard-line, but their point is well-taken. The butterscotch colored sole of the Basic Timberland is made with harder rubber and has a low-density foam midsole and heel pad. 

Style aside, the sole of the Basic doesn’t offer as much shock absorption, grip, or durability when compared to the Premium. 

However, when you consider style, too, the Premium is a winner all around. 

With a sticky urethane lug tread pattern, the Timberland Premium is a pleasure to walk in, especially when conditions are wet or icy. 

The sole of the Premium is much better than the sole of the Basic.

Padded Cuff

The padded cuff on the Premium and Basic might look the same at first glance, but the material is different, which makes a big difference in the long run. 

The Premium cuff is made with genuine leather—it’s not excellent quality, but it should hold up decently over time. 

The Basic cuff is made with PU leather, which is a plastic-coated composite leather. It doesn’t feel nice and the stuff will likely start to crack at about 12 months. And there’s not really anything you can do to prevent it. 

While the padding is the same for both, the Premium ankle cuff is going to look better for much longer. 

Insole

The insole is the biggest factor in the comfort department, and the Premium wins big here. The Basic features a thin, low-density foam insole that can’t be removed. 

The Premium has a high-density removable foam insert that’s quite comfortable. But I love that it’s removable because it gives folks the option to add their own orthotics if they have flat feet or plantar fasciitis. 

I don’t add custom inserts into my Timberlands, and I’ve found that this orange insole has a decent amount of arch support on its own. It’s very comfortable right out of the box. 

Which Is Best for You?

When deciding between the Timberland Basic and the Premium, it really comes down to how much quality you’re willing to sacrifice for the cost. 

At the time of writing, there’s only a $30 difference between the Basic and Premium ($160-$190). 

If you’re looking at that kind of minimal price difference, there’s no situation in which I’d recommend the Basic. 

However, I think the Timberland Basic is attractive if you can find it around $100 (which I haven’t seen).

The Timberland Premium, though, is a solid deal sitting under $200, so save up for a month extra if you need to so you can get the real thing. 

For a visual comparison, be sure to check out my boot battle video over on our YouTube channel:

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