
A buckled ankle strap distinguishes this style from other pull-on boots.Įngineer boots are less common in the world of men’s boots at large, but the style calls to mind a rugged heritage and can pair nicely with workwear and indigo denim. It melded the tall pull-on style of horse riding boots with the supportive arch and sole of a work boot. The original Engineer boots were designed to protect the feet of men who fed coals into steam engines. Bean’s “Bean Boot” usually has a waitlist: They’re a highly functional original, but plenty of other brands make their own duck boots, too. The collar usually ties pretty tight to create a similar seal and the toe harks back to a duck's bill. Bean, the Duck boot style features a waterproof bottom with a high shaft. In recent years, cowboy boots have picked up serious steam as consumers gravitate toward all things “Western,” from denim shirts to cowboy hats. The pointed toe and tall shaft make this boot instantly recognizable.

There are two main styles: traditional cowboy boots that feature a riding heel (taller and angled) and roper boots that have a shorter heel, designed to handle a day of walking. Pull them on, wear them hard and use them for years. Like many Americana wardrobe staples, cowboy boots are rooted in function. In the fashion world, they're a rugged boot with a rubber sole, and a chunky one at that. Martens were adopted by everyone from punks to beatniks, and if you look closely, you’ll find the style never really went away. As with other military essentials turned civilian staples (like the field jacket or the cotton twill chino), they eventually made their way into daily life. Combat BootsĬombat boots are, well, boots typically worn by those in active combat. They lace up just above the ankle and traditionally feature a soft crepe sole. They were a particular favorite among prepsters, who paired the style with chinos, and today’s offerings work just as well with modern stretch pants as with expertly faded denim.Ĭlarks made the originals, but upmarket offerings only improved on the formula. Afterward, they made their way across the Atlantic, becoming a casual staple for the second half of the 20th century and still gracing the feet of stylish men in the cooler months. The silhouette is very slim and features elastic side panels and heel pull-tabs.Ībout as casual as all-leather boots get, the chukka (or desert) boot was first worn by British soldiers in Africa during World War II.

Fear not, though: It’s a style you can rock just as easily. Recently they’ve seen a revival on many of menswear’s best dressed, including guys like Chris Evans and Ryan Reynolds.
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The elasticized wonders were a staple of the mid-’60s mod scene and protected the feet of seemingly every British invader from John to Ringo. Chelsea BootsĬhelsea boots began life in England in the mid-19th century and didn’t stray far from home until recently. A common style of ankle boot is the strappy, geometric Jodhpur boot, and side-zip boots with a streamlined profile also complement edgy, slim pants favored by counterculture heroes. The silhouette is similar to the Chelsea boot, but the Ankle boot utilizes zippers or straps instead of elastic panels to ensure a secure fit around the ankle. They’ve graced the feet of rock stars and, in doing so, complemented the tightest pants mankind has had to offer for decades. Find them below.Īnkle boots might be the coolest footwear ever made - which makes them that much more difficult to pull off than their closest cousins, the Chelsea boot. But there are loads more boot types to know - and buy. Why? Because we've tested enough boots to know there's a serious gap between good and bad, what won't do the trick and what will survive a wet-season hike (hint: hiking boots). These are the places you should be buying your boots from. Be warned, this guide not only delves into the best picks from each of these pillar categories but also serves as a broader breakdown of the best brands. There are Chelsea boots, rain boots, snow boots, cowboy and desert boots, too, but also a dozen more.

No matter whether you're wandering out into the woods to do "real " work or simply walking yourself around the corner for a coffee, boots guarantee you'll get there.īut "boots" is a broad category. Boots have long belonged to the movers and shakers of history, and I'll be damned if that isn't about everyone. Shoes spend their weekend shanking golf balls while boots are going over, around and through every surface on Earth. While shoes are busy arguing semantics in a boardroom, boots are out in the garage actually doing work. Boots always seem to get more done than shoes.
