There’s a place and time for every form of footwear. For those moments when your outfit calls for a style that reaches a little higher (or you just need more support in the ankle area), make sure your roster’s stocked with the best boots for men. Because like any pair of shoes, the men’s boots you wear will play an important role in showcasing your personal style. And besides, it can’t be all sneakers all the time, can it? No.
It can be tough, though, to figure out where to begin in the hunt for the best boots for men. Truth is, there’s no one set entry point. If you consider the diversity of the field — heritage leather lace-ups and clean modern Chelseas, casual suede chukkas and functional rubber rain boots, not to mention any standout pair of cowboy boots — you’ll quickly realize that there’s no one definition of stylish boots for men.
Our rule of thumb: Get yourself a sampling of handsome options for a range of occasions. The variety will surely serve you well when the time comes. To give you a little inspiration, here we’ve assembled our picks of the fall’s best boots for men, from the workwear-inspired to those ready to complement any suit and tie, and every shade in between.
Best Heritage Boots: Red Wing Iron Ranger 6” Vibram Boot
For over a hundred years, Red Wing’s been making some of the best boots around using leather from the S.B. Foot tannery in Minnesota. These boots are their flagship style for a reason: They’re tough enough to take on anything and pair perfectly with jeans, chinos, whatever.
Best Affordable Suede Boots: Jack Erwin Barclay Cap-Toe Lace-Up Boot
Toeing the line between stylish and affordable, Jack Erwin makes a solid pair of shoes for a reasonable price — including these lace-up boots. Crafted from supple suede with a leather sole, wear them with a suit to work or more casually on the weekend. Dealer’s choice.
Read more: Best Dress Boots
Best All-Weather Boots: Timberland Men’s Premium Waterproof Boot
We’ve all seen the memes: New Yorkers will swear by a Timberland boot. This all-black take on the classic adds a modern twist to the O.G. style, while keeping the boots as all-weather as ever.
Read more: Best Waterproof Boots
Best Work Boots: Wolverine 1000 Mile Evans Boot
As the name implies, Wolverine’s 1000-Mile Boots tout being able to last over a thousand miles, and look damn good doing it. This style’s rough-out leather adds a rugged touch to the whole thing, and will gain a nice patina the more you wear these work boots.
Best Suede Chelsea Boots: Common Projects Sand Suede Chelsea Boot
A great pair of suede Chelsea boots are essential to any man’s closet and Common Projects’ version is the platonic ideal. The crepe sole keeps them comfortable and also means you can dress them up or down with relative ease.
Best Premium Boots: Saint Laurent Lukas 40 Leather Chelsea Boot
For a boot with a little more flair, look to these Saint Laurent zip-up black leather Chelsea boots. The Cuban heel gives them a more Euro-centric style than many other boots, as does the dramatic pointed toe. And like all things Saint Laurent, each pair is made from only the best leather.
Best Affordable Chelsea Boots: Bloomingdale’s Men’s Chelsea Boot
Style doesn’t have to be expensive. This Chelsea boot from the Men’s Store at Bloomingdale’s proves just that. Smooth supple leather uppers, welted leather soles, and streamlined bodies, all for under $200? You can’t beat that.
Best Jodhpur Boots: Frye Grady Jodhpur Boot
Jodhpur boots were originally a riding style that has transferred away from the racetrack over the years. And this pair from Australia’s Frye brings all that sporting style to your footwear collection.
Best Classic Chukka Boots: Clarks Desert 2 Chukka Boot
When it comes to chukka boots, no other style can compete with the classic Clarks Desert Boot. They’re each made from soft suede with an unstructured upper that skews that’s just as relaxed as you’ll feel when you experience the rubber sole underfoot.
Best Casual Chukka Boots: Seavees Maslon Desert Boot
California cool is the name of the game with Seavees. Just look at their take on the desert boot: The sole would fit just as well on any sneaker, while the upper maintains that classic chukka silhouette.
Best Formal Chukka Boots: Allen Edmonds Williamsburg Chukka Boot
Chukka boots don’t have to be casual. Find the right pair — like this polished leather pair from the master shoemakers at Allen Edmonds — and they’ll work great with even your finest suit.
Best Modern Chukka Boots: Camper Walden Ankle Boot
Let’s call this the punk-rock chukka. Camper built it with a nice chunky sole, so it’ll look at home both on the street on your way to work and in the diviest bar or club, and a black leather body to keep things always looking cool.
Best Multipurpose Hiking Boots: Season Three Ultralight Hiking Boot
The best hiking boots don’t just show up on the trail, but anywhere you decide to sport them. Season Three’s Ultralight Hiking Boot is a testament to all-purpose function — they’re tough enough to take on the trail, but light enough to go basically anywhere else, too.
Best Heritage Hiking Boots: Danner Mountain Light Boot
People have always been compelled to explore — and they’ve always needed boots to do it. For nearly a century, Danner’s been making those boots. The Mountain Light boot, with its classic alpine boot style and retro contrast laces, is the best they’ve got to offer.
Best Technical Hiking Boots: Columbia Big Ridge Boot
Got an especially tough hike coming up? Columbia’s Big Ridge Boot brings all the best technical features to the table, including better ankle support, a custom-molded EVA insole, and a Vibram sole, without sacrificing style.
Best Classic Winter Boots: L.L. Bean Men’s Bean Boots, 8″ Thinsulate
Go anywhere in the Northeast between October and April and you’ll see L.L. Bean’s signature boot. And for good reason: They’re proven to stay warm, tough, and keep out the elements all season long.
Best Rain Chelsea Boots: Stutterheim Chelsea Rainwalker Boot
Starting as a jacket brand, Stutterheim prides itself on its rainwear. And now, the brand has moved into footwear, bringing its graphic Scandinavian style to one damn fine pair of rain boots.
Best High-Profile Rain Boots: Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots
There’s only one way to be absolutely sure that not a drop of water makes it to your toes, and that’s by encasing your entire calf in rubber. Hunter’s been making these boots to do just that for decades, and they sure as hell get the job done.
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