Lace up the right pair and stride forward in style
In the same way that you curate the perfect rotation of cigars, your menswear wardrobe deserves just as much care and attention to detail. The two seemingly go hand in hand, after all: Thereโs plenty of detail, craftsmanship, precision and an effortless sense of cool. And although boots are traditionally meant to go off-grid and into the field, there are pairs on the market that are more refined than ever, and certainly ready to pair with the finest wool trousers as you enjoy a dram and a smoke. These are the best fall boots we can dream up โ and lace up, of course.
Florsheim Lodge Captoe Boots โ $140
A captoe boot bridges the gap between rugged and refined quite nicely โ the detailing adds durability, and the lace-up construction and ankle-height shaft offer support. This pair even features an OrthoLite footbed for a spring in your step, whether worn with dark blue jeans or tobaccoโhued chinos.
Marc Nolan Belmont Wingtip Boots โ $165
Wingtip boots have a storied heritage, worn in the highlands and across marshy bogs. This pair is a touch more streamlined and modern, yet still able to pair nicely with a tan herringbone suit. Plus, theyโre ultra-comfortable right out of the box and fairly priced for how much wear youโll get out of them.
Rhodes Footwear Colton Chukka Boots โ $198
The chukka boot is nearly undefeated in the grand scheme of menswear challenges โ the original design served British soldiers well in the field, later iterations were adopted by stylish prep students in the States, and the overall look endures to this day. Over at Huckberry, the companyโs Rhodes Footwear line brings forth a chukka boot made from premium leather, then set atop resoleable Goodyear welt construction. Translation: These are hardy boots you can wear with jeans, chinos or corduroys any day of the week.
Tecovas Chance Chelsea Boots โ $245
Thereโs a reason The Beatles favored black leather Chelsea boots alongside their slim tailored trousers โ the look is clean and sharp as can be, and some trends donโt ever die. The one twist here is that your new favorite Chelsea boots (made from supple yet strong bovine leather in a rich Midnight shade) are made by a brand better known for its Western-style Cowboy boots. That detail alone gives this pair a touch of Western flair, the sort that stands out subtly and stylishly as you belly up to the bar.
Danner Moto GTX Boots โ $480
Do they make boots like they used to these days? Well, if the company in question is Pacific Northwest-based Danner, then the answer is a resounding yes. In the same way that a fine cigar can be a comfort at dayโs end, these tough-as-nails boots can provide assurance on the open road. With remarkable USA-made construction, theyโre well-suited for hopping on a motorcycle, and theyโre just as rugged for morning strolls and weekend getaways upstate.
Common Projects Leather Boots โ $670
Perhaps best known for its streamlined, legendary leather sneakers in crisp shades of black and white, Common Projects also happens to make some of the finest leather boots on the market โ at a premium price. These blend a distinctive hiking boot-style sole with sharp black leather for an edgy, dressy balance.
About the author: Beau Hayhoe is a men's style and lifestyle writer based in Brooklyn, New York. He covers everything from menswear to watches, spirits and music. His work has appeared online at Esquire, Maxim, AskMen, Men's Journal, Gear Patrol, InsideHook and more. He's a devoted fan of Red Wing boots, Filson flannel shirts, Buck Mason jeans and a great dram of The Macallan.
