People are passionate about boots. Bring up boots, and lots of “shoulds” get thrown around. A certain type of boot should have this kind of sole. This sort of boot should only be worn in this type of situation. The thing is, boots should do what the wearer wants them to do. And whether they’re thick soled work boots, Gore-tex hikers for hitting a trail, or a pair of sharp brogues for going out to dinner in… they don’t have to look like hell just because they’re a boot. Proof is below for various types and categories. And as far as all those “shoulds” go, well, like some boots, there’s a place for those.
Johnston & Murphy Tyndall Cap Toe – $185.00
Getting up there in price for a bonded import, but the styling is a home run from J&M. Maybe hang on for a sale. Gotta love the fact that while they do have a full wingtip version, they also made this option with just a cap-toe (half-brogue). Heads up: Nordstrom is selling these, so if you buy through them, they’ll ship and return free.
Heads up II: Amazon is now selling these
Thomas Dean Polished Chukkas – $144.90 w/ ALSEPT3 ($345)
The code ALSEPT3 takes 30% off orders of $200+ at STP, and luckily these are just barely north of that threshold at $207. Made in Italy, super smooth leather, and shape, and a crepe rubber out-sole. A warning: These seem to run small and/or narrow. Well reviewed over on Nordstrom’s site, but a couple customers pointed out the fit issues there.
J. Crew MacAlister in Suede – $148.00
Terrific color, made in Italy, and a stitched sole. Plenty of colors to pick from, but the grey is a fine match for denim. Hang out for a sale and you might get lucky. If you prefer the not as slim profile of the Clark’s Desert Boot, they’ve got em’ over on Amazon for $100.
Clark’s Desert Boot in Beeswax – $108 w/ KOOLSKOOL
Speak of the devils… the original. Tough to argue with. Especially in the rich “beeswax” leather seen here. Ships and returns free through Urban Outfitters, and the code KOOLSKOOL knocks 10% off.
Stafford Camlin Wingtip Boots – $60ish (in store only)
Not online as of yet, but they have reappeared in some brick and mortar stores. They still seem to run incredibly large (at least a full size if not more) so hunt them down then try them on. Much lighter brown out of the box, but a bit of black shoe creme gives them some appreciated visual depth. More over here.
Danner Mountain Light Overton – $165.77
w/ EXTRADAY ($330)
Tons of function in a handsome as hell package. A steal at $166 with the extra 20% off select shoes at Amazon code EXTRADAY (exp. today, 9/4). You’re not going to want to get these soaked thanks to the suede, but they are waterproof and breathable thanks to Gore-tex. Vibram sole. Recraftable and made in Portland. Beauts for the trail.
Chippewa for J. Crew Plain Toe Boots in Suede or Leather – $268.00
Chippewa is one of the few “in-good-company” brands that seems to hit the J. Crew sale section. So if these end up there, and an extra 30% off code comes along… Made in the USA. Suede looks extra nice. Leather looks like a crustier, more grumpy version (not a bad thing) of the Red Wing Beckman.
Orig. Chippewa 6″ Homestead – $229.98 ($269) | Plain Toe Wedge – $199.98 ($239)
Meanwhile, in other Chippewa news… these just launched this morning on Huckberry. Had to update the post. The Homestead is a cap toe, Made in the USA boot with character to burn. As theYeti points out in the comments, those are real close to LL Bean’s Katahdin engineer boot, but not quite as rough around the edges visually. Three shades of leather for the homestead, plus more boot styles like the Plain Toe Wedge over at Huckberry.
Florsheim Jet – $121.50 w/ KOOLSKOOL ($135)
It’s surprisingly difficult to find just a plain pair of smooth & sleek boots. Great with jeans and a blazer. Ships and returns free (that’s key, that it returns free) through Urban Outfitters.
Brooks Brothers Goodyear Welted Chelsea Boots – $298
In a chicken basket. That’s one hell of a good looking Chelsea. Expensive, but they have been known to go on sale. Made in Mexico, Goodyear welted, Dainite rubber sole, and the shape is downright perfect.
Timberland Earthkeepers Side Zip – $170.00
Hard to find on sale, but if you’re patient, you might luck out with a site-wide Timberland code. They don’t run em’ all the time though. Ships and returns free through Nordstrom. Lightweight but grippy. Like driving an AWD sedan in a city that sometimes gets snow, but isn’t buried from October through March.
Mr. B’s for Aldo Montano in Rust Suede – $99.98 ($200)
The less-fortunate man’s option when it comes to suede boots in this shade. Mr. B’s does a bang up job for this sale price. Pretty sure they’re made in Europe and pretty sure they can be re-soled. Sorta like a plain version of the wingtip Cole Haan Jayhawker seen in the background over here.
John Varvatos Dress Chukka – $109.94 w/ HELLOFALL ($298)
On clearance at DSW so sizes are a bit limited. Word is they run large. You do have to deal with the Varvatos logo on the heel, but if you can put up with that you get a super-sleek chukka with a medallion on the toe. Code HELLOFALL just launched and it’s a tiered one. $10 off $69, $25 off $139, and $40 off $199 through 9/10. But you have to join their email club first. SHIPR can be stacked and you get free shipping with that one.
Florsheim Gaffney – $135.00 w/ LNK10 ($150)
Been around for a few years and is a favorite for some. A pretty aggressive lug sole, so it’s not easy to dress up, but if you want a casual wingtip boot with decent leather at a fair price? Worth a look. Try the deep brown Crazy Horse leather. Shown here in Chestnut. Ships free through the Florsheim site. Also available in a toffee shade of leather with a good grain to it over on Nordstrom’s site, but that code won’t work there.
Timberland Earthkeepers Alpine Hiker – $99.83
w/ EXTRADAY ($240)
Two-forty seems awfully steep for these, but under $100 for an Alpine inspired/get me around town on crappy weather days boot doesn’t sound half bad. Also available in a darker mahogany shade.
Meermin – Mid to high $200s?
At 220 € , that works out to around $290. But without the european VAT on there, that drops to $230ish. But then add on international shipping. (This is why some of us are kinda reluctant to take the plunge). More on Meermin over here in threads, and over here from PTO.
Vasque Sundowner – $97.90 – $114.22
w/ EXTRADAY ($179.99)
The exact opposite of those Meermins. Won’t let you down on the trail. A true hiker that still looks decent enough. Much more visually appealing compared to some of the clunky + chunky hiking boots out there. Gore-tex, padded collar, well known + reviewed for a reason.
The Major Splurge: Allen Edmonds Dalton in Bourbon – $395.00
Once upon a time these were only available in either the light walnut, or black. Now they’re being made in the deep chocolate calf, as well as the outstanding middle-ground Bourbon. First born? Heck, take the second too.
The no longer made, but still going strong: LEC Crosby
Loved by some, hated by others. These were produced by Lands’ End Canvas in 2011 and were going for as low as $38 when they hit clearance. Think: Major budget Indy boot. Sure the leather was sorta (read: quite) stiff, but man… have they held up well. Wish they’d make something similar.
Got a favorite pair of boots? Looking forward to boot weather? What do you wear the most? Leave it all in the comments section below…