When I unboxed the Allen Edmonds Tanner Weatherproof Chelsea boots, each came enclosed in a black canvas bag. After loosening a drawstring, I removed each boot, greeted by a sumptuous, bitter chocolate suede finish, with perfect stitching and interior leather that evoked craftsmanship. The Tanners had an aura.
While the boots looked like something out of Virginia’s hills and horse country, suitable for formal evenings or horseback rides, they had one feature of particular interest: a weatherproof finish. So I slipped them on and got to work exploring Winchester, Virginia’s town walks and coffee shops, to see if a $550 boot could live up to its price.
Chocolate suede, clean contours, and a solid feel
My favorite aspects of the boots were the velvet-like bitter chocolate suede and the toeboxes’ sculpted silhouette. Because they’re Chelsea boots, they could slide on and off like a pair of slippers, a nice departure from the sometimes tedious zipping or tying of fancy boots. Then there was the sensation. The Tanners had a bedrock-like solidity with each step, though at first, the soles were stiff. With fall maturing in Northern Virginia, I set out around Winchester, visited a Civil War museum, walked the brick walking mall, and worked at a coffee shop.
Style-wise, the Allen Edmonds Tanner Chelseas were pure elegance. The bitter chocolate suede had an understated, mysterious tone, while the lines had verve, yet not overly so. As I walked through town, I felt like I had the most stylish boots on the block.
Underneath, the boots combined a leather sole with rubber-treated accents that had just enough cushion for longer days in the city. Aiding that was a custom cork insole that’s softened over time. Still, the boots had a balance between solid and soft, with a hardwood-like step that had just enough give.
I had the chance to test the boot’s weather-proofing on two occasions, both during cold, driving rain in November. The boots were so beautiful, I almost didn’t want to expose them to the elements, but I had to, and they shrugged it off. Water beaded on the suede, and the finish was unaffected once dried off. Still, I wouldn’t shovel snow in them or take them out in more extreme conditions.
A boot that blends heritage, durability, and everyday sophistication
The Allen Edmonds company began in 1922, in Belgium, Wisconsin. There, Elbert W. Allen constructed shoes with special cork insoles, and later supplied the US Army and Navy during WWII. Today, the company makes its boots in Port Washington, Wisconsin. From the unboxing to the slide on, to the town walks, I could feel that high-quality heritage.
At $550, the Tanners aren’t cheap. Do you really need a boot over $500? That depends. If you value American-made quality, exquisite style, and long-term durability, then yes, maybe you do.
While the Tanner Chelsea’s are weatherproof, they aren’t a snowstorm or nor’easter type of boot. If there’s a quick rainstorm of a few snowflakes, sure, but there’s no sense in subjecting the suede to extreme conditions.
As I continue to wear the Tanner Chelseas, the soles keep softening, the suede remains fuzzy, and the steps feel solid. They’re my go-to for city walks and coffee shops.
