15 Types of Boots for Men
It is easy to become overwhelmed with the dozens of types of shoes available for men today. But with a little help from this guide, you’ll be able to find the right kind that effortlessly matches your personal style.
In this guide, we’ve focused on the types of boots an average person may encounter and may be interested in wearing. Our apologies to any boaters, horsemen, or wilderness explorers reading this.
You’ll find everything from casual to dressy among over a dozen styles highlighted, plush and comfortable, and hardwearing shoes for every height. After a brief origin story or description of the boot, we’ll give recommendations for brands and specific models we particularly love.
So let’s get started, shall we?Hilsa from Kirkdale Chelsea Boot
- chelsea boot
- heel shoe
- chukka boot
- Wingtip boots
- dress boot
- jodhpur boot
- hiking boot
- hunting boot
- Working boots
- rain boot
- snow boots
- trench boot
- combat boot
- cowboy boots
- engineer boot
- What are the best types of shoes for men? well, it depends!
chelsea boot
Close-fitting and ankle high, Chelsea boots are always made with an elasticated side panel. They are one of the few long-standing items of Victorian-era fashion, and made a huge comeback in the 1960s thanks to The Beatles.
The Boot Company is a great choice for AMAZON Chelsea boots, thanks to its combination of comfort and durability. They are an incredible value for what you get, with glove leather interiors and Goodyear welt construction.
And if you’re still experimenting with Chelsea and looking for a solid budget option, we recommend the New Republic Sonoma.
heel shoe
Inspired by the Chelsea boot, the ankle boots share the snug and form-fitting qualities of their predecessors. Instead of elastic mesh, ankle boots have a zipper or strap that won’t stretch over time; Be advised that men with wider ankles or more muscular calves may find this less comfortable.
Beckett Simon Easton Side-Zip Boots
There’s nothing like an attractive pair of shoes to help you step up your style game. Slim and contoured, the upper of the Easton Side-Zip Boot is a little daring and always looks amazing. The zipper is carefully hidden by a leather casing to blend in with the rest of the boot, and the almond-shaped toe box provides generous volume.
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Ankle boots are a decidedly less common style than Chelsea, so finding a quality pair can do a little more digging. We’ve had good luck with Beckett Simonen boots in the past, and their Easton Side Zip Ankle Boots are a great option.
chukka boot
The story goes that chukka boots may have derived their name from polo, where a span of the game is sometimes referred to as a chukka.
Ankle high and usually made with a leather upper and crepe soles, they are an open lace boot style that can look great with jeans and chinos alike.
Astorflex makes a great chukka boot, the Greenflex. And of course you can’t go wrong with the always-recommended Clarks Desert Boot.
Wingtip boots
Classy but not quite formal attire.
Wingtip boots are great for embellishing a casual outfit or keeping a dressier fit from going overboard.
They’re immediately noticeable by the intricate detailing on the boot tip, and look especially good when polished and shined.
A great pair of wingtips will set you back a bit, with high-quality examples starting around $300. Velasca’s Psychostry receives consistently great reviews for its quality relative to the price. Plus, Vibram soles are easy to replace when they get worn out!
dress boot
Made like dress shoes but made to cover the ankle, dress boots are preferred to match with formal wear. These days many styles are referred to as dress boots, but lace-up cap toe boots with closed laces are the real deal.
Beckett Simonen’s Elliot Balmoral shoes are a good example of this style. Pair them with formal trousers and a sportcoat or suit, especially in the colder months.
jodhpur boot
Another variation of the ever-popular Chelsea boot, Jodhpur boots are ankle boots that were originally designed for horse riding. They feature a rounded toe, low heel and a strap that usually wraps around the entire ankle.
Fun Fact: Jodhpur boots originated in India, and are named after the town where local polo riders popularized them. Beckett Simonen makes an absolutely gorgeous pair of jodhpur shoes with clean lines and ultra-soft leather.
hiking boot
Perhaps the broadest of all men’s boot categories, the many stylistic variations of hiking boots could possibly fill an article of their own.
We especially appreciate hiking boots that can double as casual wear, as many of the top-end hiking boot features are geared more toward dedicated hiking enthusiasts.
A classic example of this comes from Danner with their Mountain Light boot style that originally debuted in 1979. One piece leather uppers, Vibram outsoles, and stitchdown construction that can be fully resealable make them a solid all-round option.
hunting boot
Not planning on getting elk next hunting season? There is no problem. Hunting boots may be making their way into your wardrobe, as they are a wintertime staple for casual wear in much of the Northeast.
We love their waterproof construction and the traction-heavy soles make them double as snow boots.
The Irish Setter’s wingshooter boots have achieved a cult status among a select group of hunters. They’re surprisingly affordable, and come in a wide variety of ankle heights and styles.
Working boots
Designed to get the job done, work boots have some of the most heavy duty construction of any boot style.
Several specific styles can be referred to generally as work boots. The ones we keep in mind include waterproof construction, thick and heavy soles, and a breathable lining to keep them comfortable all day long.
Red Wing Men’s Iron Ranger Boot
Handcrafted in the USA with durable stitched-down welt construction and premium quality leather, the Iron Ranger Boot from Red Wing will offer years of comfortable wear. This sturdy boot is elegantly detailed with a non-marking, oil-resistant sole and contrast stitching, a cap toe, and highly polished hook and eyelets.
You’re spoiled for choice with work boots, but the Red Wings Iron Ranger may be the most recognizable in this style. It’s a modern classic that has maintained a devoted fan base over the years.
rain boot
Also known as Wellington boots, gumboots or galoshes, rain boots don’t just come in yellow and kids’ sizes. There are lots of waterproof boot options available, but there’s one distinctive style of rain boot that’s impossible to miss.
Hunter’s original rain boots are the real thing, and have stood the test of time since their introduction in 1956. They’re insulated for winter wear, and 100% waterproof from top to bottom.
snow boots
When it gets really cold outside, nothing less than a fully insulated and waterproof boot will do. Snow boots excel in wet, snowy or icy conditions, and come with exteriors that are easy to clean.
The tradeoff is that snow boots are heavier and less breathable than other cold weather boots.
LL Bean’s shearling-lined bean boots are about as warm as it gets for snow boots. Even better? They are still made stateside at their factory in Maine.
trench boot
Low profile and inspired by military classics, today’s trench boots feature slightly taller heels and generous lacing.
Fit-wise, they fall somewhere between a chukka and a hiking boot. These boots look great with casual or smart casual outfits!
Taylor Stitch’s trench boot is a prime example of this style. Handmade in Mexico with Goodyear welt construction, they’re fully resolvable and lined with soft sheepskin leather for a buttery-smooth fit.
combat boot
Like the boots worn by our enlisted military, combat boots prioritize function over form. They provide an excellent combination of grip, stabilization, and protection.
In addition, they enjoy a niche popularity that continues to grow among countercultural groups.
Doctor Martens 1490 Combat Boots
A classic Dr. 1490 with high laces and more attitude. Martens is the punk silhouette. It has all the typical Dock details: grooved sides, yellow stitching and heel-loop. Built to last, this unisex boot is made using one of the finest methods of boot construction: using a Goodyear welt and hot-gluing it to the sole
Doctor. Martens (or Doc Martens, or simply “Docs”) pay homage to that instantly recognizable style. These are models based on the 1490 Classic Combat Boot.
cowboy boots
Underslung and slightly high heels, round or pointed toes, and no laces: Cowboy boots are a style entirely unto themselves. Cowboy boots are usually made from cowhide leather and are sometimes decorated.
You’ll also see cowboy boots made from the skins of exotic animals like buffalo, snakes, and alligators. Heel height also varies depending on whether you are mostly walking in them, or riding, etc.
Tekova Cartwright Cowboy Boots
The Cartwright is a timeless cowboy boot with an angled heel, signature Tecovas toe stitching, and an elegant, sweeping hand-corded pattern on its shaft. Ultra-soft calfskin leather wraps around the entire boot for a look that can be worn for any occasion.
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Originally designed for the nitty gritty of a day’s work on horseback, their soles are smooth and can take a long time to break in properly.
Tekova’s Cartwright cowboy boots are handmade in a traditional style, with modern embellishments of toe stitching and hand-drawn patterns on the shaft.
engineer boot
One of the few types of boots that originated in America, engineer boots feature a tall, laceless design and exceptionally durable construction. You may recognize him more for his adoption by motorcyclists, which led to his “tough guy” image.
These shoes from Frye have a tough character and rough attitude, but exude pure style. This attractive pull-on boot features an oiled leather upper with brushed silver hardware, two adjustable buckle details for a custom fit, neoprene oil resistant sole with a full-length leather midsole for maximum comfort and durability, and a cushion for added comfort There is an insole. made in USA.
Fry’s engineered 12R strikes a great compromise between rugged style and accessibility, and we think they’d look great in a casual outfit with a pair of bootcut jeans.
What are the best types of shoes for men? well, it depends!
Now that you have looked at the types of boots available to you, which one do you think might best suit your personal style?
We recommend considering two things in particular before making a decision:
- First, how flashy is the outfit you plan to wear your shoes with?
- And second, what season will you be wearing the shoes?
Once you’ve narrowed it down, you can refer to this list of styles to point yourself in the direction of a quality brand.
If you want something to wear everyday, you can’t go wrong with chukkas, Chelseas or trench boots for starters.
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