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The best men's boots for ankle-high style
The boot is back. From Chelsea and bovver to Jodhpur and desert, allow us to introduce our edit of the very best boots for men
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Boot season is upon us and, in 2024, they're not just made for walking. Around since the days of ancient Egyptians (a pair of boots was actually found in the tomb of ancient Egyptian chief Khnumhotep), though all types of men's boots were first engineered for a function, be that the military backstory of the desert boot or the stirrup-primed heels of the cowboy variety, today they provide ample opportunity to flex some style muscle.
Whether that's in runway-ready takes by Prada or fine-tuned incarnations of a classic by the likes of Grenson and Church's, here we bring you a lowdown of the boots deserving of a place in every man's footwear rotation this season, with GQ's picks of the best you can buy. Start walkin'…
Chelsea boots
No boot comes with the year-round appeal of a Chelsea boot. With origins in the Victorian era, it's since boasted discerning A-list adopters from The Rolling Stones to Kanye West. Not surprising, given its cross-appeal between formal footwear (made from leather or suede) and ease of slipping on thanks to the loop-pull tag and lateral elasticated panels. Every man should own at least one pair.
Hiking boots
At the forefront of the outdoor function meets high-fashion trend, the humble hiking boot has undergone a serious makeover in recent years. While this kind of footwear is done to best effect from brands that seamlessly blend performance elements into completely wearable shoes (see Camper and Red Wing, for instance), everyone from Prada to Valentino has now tried its hand at the hiker. Given their durability and utilitarian appeal, it's an investment that'll stand the test of time (especially if you're predominantly treading pavement over mountain peaks).
Desert boots
No boot better treads the smart/casual divide than a desert boot. Popularised by Clarks in the late 1940s, they're inspired by a military-style boot introduced in the Second World War, made in Cairo's Khan el-Khalili bazaar. They're unlined, ultra-durable and on the better value side of men's bootmaking – just make sure you go over them with some Crep Protect before their first outing.
Cowboy boots
A winning combination of function, heritage and Wild Western romance made the cowboy boot the footwear of choice for a rebel generation. Later, in the 1970s, Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen and Jimi Hendrix took the reins, followed more recently with some more than “all right, all right, all right” styling from Matthew McConaughey and modern style icons such as Orville Peck. The rodeo resurgence dips in and out of fashion seasons and will forever inject some rock'n'roll flair into an outfit.
Bovver boots
The chunky bovver boot came into fashion in the late 1960s and, with its steel toe and sturdy design, soon earned itself a bad rap when it become associated with skinheads and hooligans. Thankfully, punk rock made its stamp on the bovver boot and today this style is the perfect footwear to give a look some edge. The most well-known boot of this style is without doubt the Dr Martens classic.
How did we choose our collation of boots?
Well, dear reader, it's rather simple. We at GQ know our stuff, and we've compiled a collection of the biggest name in boots, unsung heroes and designer offerings to bring you a well-rounded image of what are truly the best boots for men in 2024.