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.
Shop GQ's edit of the best boots for men…
1/23Church's
Think ‘Chelsea boot’, but sleeker. More refined than any other boot in your collection, Church's ‘Leicester’ boots are primed and ready to be slipped on with just about any ensemble, elevating your look in a flash of chocolatey leather. £920. church-footwear.com
2/23Red Wing
Another notable feature that can set a boot apart: the moccasin toe, as demonstrated here by Red Wing’s classic take on the style. The top stitching extends beyond the toe box and along the vamp contrasting nicely with the russet red leather. A fine choice between a bovver and a desert boot. £299. At office.co.uk
3/23Jones Bootmaker
A simple way to branch out with your boot styles (and without necessarily having to leave your sartorial comfort zone) is with a desert boot. Treading the smart-casual line better than any other boot, the humble desert boot brings a pared-back poise to your ensembles, working to complement them without pulling focus. Boot beginners needn't look any further.
£170£112. At jonesbootmaker.com
4/23Toga Virlis
A label as synonymous with western-inspired shoes as Timberland is with work boots, Toga Virilis is the place to head for the perfect Cuban heel. Somewhere between a Chelsea and a cowboy boot, the signature Toga Virilis boot is tall, furnished with hardware, and looks impeccable with a pair of stiff, straight leg denim. £500. At matchesfashion.com
5/23Birkenstock
It’s not only the spot for your summer sliders and Boston clogs. May we also introduce you to the Birkenstock boot, as nicely represented here in stone-coloured suede. Your classic Chelsea in many ways, there are still notes of the brand here, from the cleated sole to that instantly recognisable shade of taupe.
£170£84. At office.co.uk
6/23Ariat
If you’ve never pictured yourself in a pair of cowboy boots before, you may well be limiting yourself. The style, while rooted in the working past of the United States, translates well into a modern wardrobe, even one worn largely in the cities of Great Britain. Ariat, an expert in the matter, does some of our favourites. Wear under jeans and let the decorative topstitching peak out when sitting. £175. ariat.com
7/23Timberland
Few boot silhouettes are as iconic as Timberland's classic ‘Premium 6-Inch’. Balancing form and function for a decidedly utilitarian work boot vibe, these Timberlands boast PrimaLoft insulation and a nubuck leather body, sat atop a cushioned EVA footbed, sealed with waterproof seams. £190. At arket.com
8/23Dr Marten
Your rotten soldier; your sweet cheese; your good time boy, the Dr Marten 1460 will see you through any conceivable outfit, even more surprising ones such as the wedding guest ensemble (just make sure to give them a polish when using for the latter). £170. drmartens.com
9/23Moncler x Palm Angels
You know you're in the realm of fashion evolution when the accessories that once served as practical add-ons become part of the actual look. So it is with this pair of hiking boots by Moncler and Palm Angels. Thought the rubber boots guards that served to further waterproof your shoes were kind of ugly? Time to reconsider. £775. At matchesfashion.com
10/23Ugg
Aussie brand Ugg doesn't only deal in sheepskin-lined creations (it would be generous to call them shoes). It also makes decidedly more sturdy pairs of boots, such as these ‘Biltmore’ Chelseas in rugged – and waterproof – olive suede. Doesn't having your mind changed feel good?
£145£100.99. ugg.com
11/23Hunter
Like the Cat boot, Hunter’s take on a hiking boot is diverse enough to earn its way off the hills and valleys of the Lake District and into your day-to-day wardrobe. An interesting collage of textures, it uses duck canvas and rubber to enrobe its upper, with the mudguard extension earning you extra protection from the elements while looking fly in the process.
£175£124.99. At schuh.co.uk
12/23Allsaints
Beginning as a leatherworker in London’s storied trading place Spitalfields 30 years ago, Allsaints has always been at its best designing shoes and jackets. For 2024, the label’s rock ‘n’ roll ethos finds its way onto this pair of ‘Lang’ zip-up boots in buffed and aged dark brown leather. £199. allsaints.com
13/23Saint Laurent
Saint Laurent's Wyatt boots have become an emblematic cult classic, receiving a new update for nearly every season. This iteration of the Western-inspired boot fuses a simple black leather construction with the elegance of a stacked heel to create a balanced boot infused with high-fashion panache. £1,070. At matchesfashion.com
14/23Church's
For timeless elegance, Church's always ought to be your first port of call on a boot hunt. In a chunkier shape than the slick label's typical offering, these chesnut brown Coalport boots pair perfectly with straight or wide-leg jeans, where their sturdy shape complements a broader cut. £1,090. church-footwear.com
15/23Salomon
Salomon may have climbed to the top priority list of sneakerheads everywhere, but the walking-shoe-turned-collectible XT-6 isn't the only weapon in this technical brand's arsenal. Here, the hiking GTX goes leather: a silhouette just waiting to be co-opted by gorpcore stans (aka us). £225. At matchesfashion.com
16/23Bottega Veneta
After becoming the ‘it’ boot of Paris Fashion Week street-style, Bottega Veneta's Tire boots are nothing short of iconic. Set upon an undulating, bright green rubber sole and with a long-line silhouette that stretches to your mid-calf, these boots are the focal point of every and any outfit they're a part of. But if the green isn't for you, do not fear, there's a range of eight shades to choose from for the boots' towering sole, including a deep purple and a rich, saffron orange. £1,080. bottegaveneta.com
17/23Grenson
The classic footwear outfitter with a modernised, youthful attitude, Grenson knows what they're going when it comes to a pair of leather shoes. In a polished noir black, these boots put a formal twist on the typically utilitarian silhouette, meaning they're just as at home in the office as they are in a beer garden.
£495£396. At grenson.com
18/23Jones Bootmaker
Given their sleek silhouette and timeless appeal, it’s hard to go wrong with some classic chukka boots. Jones’ Deacon pair are a fine example of this: they’re minimally styled in a dark brown suede, with grip soles and smart laces that make them a trusty workwear choice. £110. At marksandspencer.com
19/23Arket
A boot purchase from Arket won’t break the bank but it’s set to last – especially if said purchase is these chunky-soled leather boots. The sturdy rubber sole ensures durable construction for all types of weather, making them the perfect option for your daily walk. £189. arket.com
20/23Our Legacy
Smooth-grained and Italian, Our Legacy's answer to autumnal footwear comes in the form of these ‘Camion’ square-toe boots. In a chocolatey-brown hue and cut with a mid-calf length, this is the perfect option for wear poking out below your go-to trousers or jeans of the season. £520. At matchesfashion.com
21/23Gucci
Tradition meets logomania, Gucci's take on the Chelsea boot is undeniably original. Taking notes from the label's equestrian roots, this Chelsea boot lightly echos a riding silhouette, before being panelled throughout with contrasting GG canvas. A dressage win… and anywhere else for that matter. £810. gucci.com
22/23Malone Souliers
A clean-cut take on a classically rugged style, Malone Souliers' Bryce boot takes the silhouette in a smarter direction than ever before. Constructed from premium leather, this boot skims the ankle before rounding out at the toe. £595. malonesouliers.com
23/23Dr. Martens
For a more slender take on the Dr. Martens combat boot, these platform Church Quad boots are a modernised remix of a brand favourite. Created with a lower-set silhouette that's then balanced with an empowering, boosted sole, this pair might be smaller in some dimensions, but attitude isn't one. £190.drmartens.com
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