The Best Boots For Men In 2024

Traversing various situations and terrains with ease, every man needs a good pair of boots (or two).

By Tanisha Angel 30/05/2023

Although every man’s wardrobe should include a good pair of loafers, oxfords, and derbies—and perhaps even a monk strap or two—the annual lowering of temperatures signals a shift away from ankle-baring styles towards something a little more practical and tactical: boots.

Exuding a sense of stylish insouciance, the best boots for men possess the ability to elevate an outfit while being able to traverse various situations (and terrain).

However, not all boots are created equal. The best boots for men are held together with a Goodyear welt, which extends the lifespan of your boots and allows them to be resoled after certain wear.

From classic Chelsea and ankle boots to hiking and combat styles, these are the best boots for men.

 

The best boot styles for men

Chelsea boots

Originating in England in the mid-19th century, Queen Victoria’s shoemaker is widely credited with having invented the Chelsea boot. The style is characterised by its slim silhouette and ankle height, as well as its signature elasticised gusset side panels and pull tabs. Despite their aristocratic origins, Chelsea boots were co-opted by the British mod movement of the 1960s, with their style credentials extending into the modern day.

Ankle boots

A quintessential style, ankle boots have a relatively similar silhouette to Chelsea boots, however they swap the gusset straps and pull tabs for zip, lace-up, or strap closures.

Dress boots

Designed to be worn with a suit, dress boots have become a viable alternative to dress shoes for formal occasions. Many boot styles are bestowed with the moniker, however the most common types of dress boots are Balmoral and Oxford boots. Similar to dress shoes but extending above the ankle, dress boots typically have a streamlined silhouette and feature lace-up closure.

Chukka boots

Also known as desert boots, the Chukka boot was designed by Nathan Clark in 1949, with the shoemaker drawing inspiration from the rough, crepe-soled boots sold in Cairo’s Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Typically made from leather or suede, they’re a low-cut style with open laced construction and two to three eyelets. The boots quickly became the shoe of choice for off-duty British army officers during WWII and are intrinsically lined with the history of British shoemaker Clarks, who still sells the most popular iteration of the Chukka boot today.

Combat boots

As the name suggests, these have their origins in the military, originally designed to be worn by soldiers during combat or combat training. Crafted from leather, they feature a chunky rubber sole and lace-up closure.

Hiking boots

The rise of ‘gorpcore’ has resulted in designer takes on technical hiking boots, with these fashion-oriented styles boasting the same rugged construction, sturdy soles, foot support, and lace-up closures as their all-terrain inspirations.

Work boots

Formerly reserved for construction sites, hard labour has gone mainstream—sartorially, at least—with work boots now the footwear of choice for art directors and tech execs alike. Joining the heavy-duty styles geared towards (actual) blue collar workers are designer iterations that are best reserved for pounding the pavement of the concrete jungle.

Wingtip boots

Wingtips see brouged details applied to lace-up ankle boots, resulting in footwear that’s formal enough to be worn with a suit yet doesn’t look out of place dressed down with jeans.

The Best Boots For Men In 2023

Whether you’re looking for boardroom-friendly styles or more robust stompers these are the best boots for men in 2023.

R.M. Williams Burnished Comfort Macquarie Boot

With a narrow round toe and low-heeled profile, the R.M. Williams Burnished Comfort Macquarie Boot has all the makings of a classic Chelsea boot. Differentiating it from the rest is its mahogany hand-burnished leather construction, with the rich patina unique to each pair of boots.

$799; rmwilliams.com.au

Alexander McQueen Punk Boots

Exuding British rocker energy, this model takes on a streamlined appearance, with a low heel and an exaggerated pointed-toe finished with a statement silver-toned metal cap.

$1700; alexandermcqueen.com

Carmina Cordovan Boots

Spanish shoemaker Carmina can always be counted on to create an exceptional pair of dress boots. Handcrafted from burgundy cordovan leather with Goodyear welt construction, the Carmina Cordovan Boots feature an elongated round toe with a double line stitch toe cap, bronze-toned hooked eyelets, and lace-up closure.

$1403; carminashoemaker.com

Common Projects Lace-Up Boots

Sitting firmly within the ‘hiking-inspired’ category, these Common Projects Lace-Up Boots translate the design codes of mountaineering boots onto a sleek, streamlined silhouette that’s at home in casual and semi-formal occasions alike. These boots for men feature lace-up closure with black D-eyelet hardware and tonal deep brown laces.

$962; cettire.com

Diemme Roccia Vet Mogano

For stompers that can actually traverse a mountainside—and look good while doing it—Diemme is the way to go. Suitable for city wear and alpine environments alike, the Diemme Roccia Vet is modelled off classic Italian hiking boots, but updated with a lightweight sole. Contrast red laces and silver D-eyelets reference traditional hiking aesthetics while the full grain leather construction lends an elevated feel.

$660; diemme.com

George Cleverley Jason Suede Chelsea Boots

A sophisticated take on the Chelsea, these suede boots by heritage British shoemaker are crafted to last a lifetime. Constructed from beige velvety soft supple suede, they feature a low heel and tonal gusset straps in camel brown.

$1174; mrporter.com

Manolo Blahnik Calaurio Leather-Trimmed Velvet Lace-Up Boots

For men who aren’t afraid to let their feet do the talking. Fusing utilitarianism with opulence, these Blahniks draw inspiration from traditional hiking styles—giving them a velvet adorned makeover. Sturdy rubber roles ensure they’re built to last, while red stitching contrasts the deep blue hue.

$1546; mrporter.com

Maison Margiela Tabi Chelsea Boots

Classic Chelsea boots in brushed leather get the Tabi split-toe treatment courtesy of Maison Margiela. The design signature is inspired by the traditional 15th century Japanese sock of the same name, and has been a mainstay in the French luxury fashion house since its debut in 1989. An avant-garde twist on a staple style, it’s the ideal choice for those who want to make a statement on the daily.

$1855; maisonmargiela.com

Drake’s Crosby Suede Chukka Boots

The same style worn by Daniel Craig in No Time To Die, these chukka boots courtesy of heritage British menswear label Drake’s are crafted in Italy from supple suede and set on hardwearing rubber soles. While desert boots are an inherently casual footwear style, the moc toe stitching on this iteration makes them suitable for smart causal offices and off-duty wear alike.

$595; mrporter.com

Officine Creative Anatomia 013

Created from supple leather, these lace-up ankle boots feature a dark brown airbrushed finish, adding a unique touch to each pair. Their slightly worn-in appearance precludes these boots from feeling too stuffy, making them a good fit for casual outfits.

$972; officinecreative.store

Grenson Brady Boots

Fusing function with style, the Grenson Brady Boots are able to traverse from the trails to the concrete jungle with ease. With a durable, leather sole‑constructed with a Goodyear welt—and hiking laces that add a sense of toughness to any outfit.

$725; grenson.com

Prada Brushed Leather & Nylon Boots

While not quite fit for purpose, Prada’s take on the humble combat boot remains true to the Italian fashion house. The leather uppers are complemented by nylon inserts, a design signature of the maison, and an enamelled triangular metal logo. Equipped with a lug sole, they’re more than up to the task of daily wear.

$2190; prada.com

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Tom Brady Wears a Jacob & Co. Watch Decked in Yellow Sapphires to the Super Bowl

The $740,000 Caviar Tourbillon was an opulent choice for the former NFL star.

By 17/02/2025

Tom Brady was on the field tonight at the 59th annual Super Bowl game, and while the retired NFL hero—a seven-time Super Bowl winner (the most of any footballer in history)—wasn’t playing, he came dressed to impress with a $116,400 Jacob & Co. watch on his wrist.

Brady, who is a notable watch collector, recently sold off several of his timepieces at a Sotheby’s auction called “The GOAT Collection: Watches and Treasures from Tom Brady” this past December. Those timepieces ran the gamut from a Rolex Daytona Ref. 6241 to a unique Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with his name spelled out in diamonds across the salmon-colored tapisserie dial. His Rolex Daytona sold for over $1.5 million, and, in total, his auction raked in around $7 million. So, he’s well-equipped for a new watch purchase.

Whether or not he owns the six-figure sapphire stunner or it was a paid spot, the watch certainly stood out against his conservative but immaculately fit gray suit. “Tom Brady is the epitome of excellence, both on and off the field,” said Benjamin Arabov, CEO of Jacob & Co, in a press release sent out by the company shortly after Brady’s appearance. “We’re thrilled to see him wearing two of our most prestigious timepieces on the biggest stage in sports. The Billionaire Mini Ashoka and Caviar Tourbillon embody the precision, luxury, and innovation that define Jacob & Co. We’re honored to have him represent the artistry and craftsmanship behind every piece we create.”

Like much of Brady’s wrist candy, his 44 by 15.8 mm Caviar Tourbillon is not easy to come by. It is limited to just 18 pieces. It features hours, minutes, and a one-minute flying tourbillon in the JCAA43 movement with 216 components and 72 hours of power reserve. The movement itself is set with 338 brilliant-cut diamonds, while a total of 337 yellow sapphires adorn the case and dial. The clasp is decorated with another 18 baguette-cut yellow sapphires, and the crown comes with 14 baguette-cut yellow sapphires and one rose-cut yellow sapphire. As far as gem setting goes, this is one extraordinary piece, but it certainly seemed like a surprising choice for Brady, who was otherwise dressed like he just stepped out of a boardroom or a Ralph Lauren catalog.

Benjamin Arabov, son of Jacob & Co. founder Jacob Arabov, is now the CEO of the company. The 32-year-old recently took to Instagram to post that he was looking for a rebranding agency with experience in visual identity and packaging. As far as marketing goes, however, with Tom Brady, he’s golden.

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This Vintage Rolex Day-Date Has an Ultra-Rare and Coveted ‘Bark’ Design

The ultra-cool piece from Wind Vintage also comes in pristine condition with a desirable patina.

By Paige Reddinger 17/02/2025

Over the last four years there has been a resurgence in interest for 18-karat yellow gold watches. Much of that is due to fatigue over the long-running craze for steel tool watches, but it is also in part due to the rising value of gold (which shows no sign of slowing), rendering these once undesirable pieces increasingly worth collecting. Add to that the fact that, in some niche and stylish circles, unusual bracelet treatments, gem-setting, and interesting dials are becoming increasingly appealing and you have a new wave of watch collecting emerging. Steel sports watches are still the bread and butter for most dealers, but as pockets of interest in more unusual timekeepers, often from younger and fashion-forward collectors, continue to rise we’re seeing some really fun pieces pop up on the market. Case in point: This 1980s Rolex Day-Date in 18-karat yellow gold with a sapphire and diamond dial from Wind Vintage currently available exclusively on The Vault.

It wasn’t that long ago that dealers had a hard time unloading an all-gold gem-set piece. Eric Wind, the notable dealer and founder of Wind Vintage, says five years ago he would have sold this piece for around $23,000 to $28,000. The asking price today? $45,000. “It is very rare,” he tells Robb Report. “I think that was all clearly hand-done. Funnily enough, bark watches were not very desirable in the past. You know, even five to 10 years ago, they were very, very hard to sell. But, over the last three to five years, there’s been such an emergence and interest in jewellery and watches and work like that engraving and other kind of artistic forms that the watches took.” The style of engraving he is referring to on this watch can be seen on the bezel and middle links of the bracelet that is referred to as “bark” for its rough tree-like appearance.

“Bark” engraving on the bezel and bracelet of the Wind Vintage 1980s Rolex Day-Date
Courtesy of Wind Vintage

And while the bracelet is certainly a notable feature that will stand out in a sea of Submariners and Daytonas, the dial is also worth bragging about. Its diamond minutes track and sapphire hour markers are executed in what is known as a “string dial” because it looks like a string of pearls. “They’ve become very popular,” says Wind. “They were very expensive back in the 80s, just because of the cost of the stones, and there are just not many that exist on the planet.” Likewise, Wind says the canary yellow matte dial is not something he comes across often, having only seen a couple of others.

An up-close look at the patina and “bark” engraving on this 1980s Day-Date from Wind Vintage.
Courtesy of Wind Vintage

Part of what makes this watch so hard to find on the market is that pieces like this often didn’t survive past their ’80s heyday. “A lot of times these watches were so undesirable that dealers would replace the bezel inserts and put on fluted inserts, or smooth bezels or fluted bezels and melt down the bracelets or polish the center link so they looked like a standard Day-Date. Those dealers should have learned that what goes around, always comes around. Now with these interesting Rolex watches on the rise, they’ll become even harder to find.

A Wind Vintage 1980s Day-Date with “bark” engraving and a gem-set “string dial”
Courtesy of Wind Vintage

If you’re interested in the piece and want to speak to Wind about it IRL, he will be at Robb Report’s House of Robb event in San Francsico today during the NBA All-Star weekend.

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Soccer Star Kylian Mbappé Is Now an Investor in Watch Marketplace Wristcheck

Just like Jay-Z.
Published on February 7, 2025

By Abby Montanez 11/02/2025

Kylian Mbappé just went from brand ambassador to investor.

The celebrated French footballer, who currently plays for Real Madrid, has taken a stake in luxury watch trading platform Wristcheck, Hypebeast reported lat week.

Off the filed, the 26-year-old soccer star is a known timepiece collector and has served as an ambassador for Swiss marque Hublot since 2018. With this new partnership, the forward joins a growing group of influential backers, including Jay-Z. The rapper and business mogul took an equity stake in the Hong Kong-based company last summer as part of a recent funding round of $7.9 million.

“I’m thrilled to join Wristcheck as an investor through Coalition Capital,” Mbappé said in a press statement. “As a Hublot ambassador and someone passionate about watches and innovation, I see Wristcheck as a platform that truly understands the next generation of collectors. They’re reshaping the watch industry with a forward-thinking approach that blends technology, transparency, and creativity.” Mbappé did not immediately respond to Robb Report‘s request for comment on his new business endeavor.

Kylian Mbappé is an investor in online watch shop Wristcheck.
Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Launched in 2020 by renowned horophile and Instagram personality Austen Chu, Wristcheck offers a platform for collectors to buy and sell pre-owned watches that have been authenticated by Swiss-trained watchmakers. Since it was founded, the company has raised more than $21.6 million in funding from investors including the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners GBA, and K3 Ventures.

Mbappé, meanwhile, has achieved remarkable success in his soccer career. He won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France, becoming the youngest player to score in a final since Pelé. At PSG, he has secured multiple Ligue 1 titles and domestic cups. Individually, Mbappé has earned the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award and regularly features in top European scoring charts. And in 2020, he was ranked the world’s highest-paid player, surpassing rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

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Sotheby’s Will Put on the Largest Auction of Breguet Watches in Decades This Fall

To celebrate the revered watchmaking house’s 250th anniversary, the sale includes rare collectibles belonging to living Breguet family members.

By Paige Reddinger 11/02/2025

Interest in Breguet has experienced a quiet resurgence among savvy collectors who appreciate the brand’s deep-rooted watchmaking heritage. This growing enthusiasm will soon take center stage with an upcoming auction that shines a significant spotlight on the storied Maison.

Founded in Paris 250 years ago, Abraham-Louis Breguet was one of the most influential watchmakers in history, best known for inventing the tourbillon and the automatic winding system—along with many other groundbreaking innovations. His legacy continues to inspire modern masters such as F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour. You can see Breguet’s influence pointedly in pieces like F.P. Journe’s famous Chronomètre à Résonance timepiece, voted one of Robb Report‘s 50 Greatest Watches of All Time.

Now, Sotheby’s has announced “the largest sale of Breguet timepieces in three decades.” Though the auction won’t take place until November, the auction house is already working to build anticipation. In the meantime, it might be wise to brush up on the most coveted Breguet references.

Breguet 1827 Perpétuelle à Tact watch made for King George IV Breguet

What may pique collectors’ interest is the sale is being curated in conjunction with Breguet and Emmanuel Breguet, the vice president and head of patrimony, who happens to be a descendant of the original Monsieur Breguet. So far, the only timekeeper publicly associated (at least visually) with the auction is the 1827 Perpétuelle à Tact watch made for King George IV. Still, it hints at the historic level of pocket watches, wristwatches, and clocks that will be on offer. Abraham-Louis Breguet was a frequent supplier of high-end and state-of-the-art timepieces for royalty, including Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, and King George III.

Other highlights include an open-faced montre à tact (a watch that replicates the internal hour hand on the cover of the pocket watch via an arrow so that time could be read via touch) with a calendar and moonphase indications that was the inspiration for the Ref. 3330. A pendulette with alarm, perpetual calendar and repeater, and a two-color gold open-faced tourbillon watch is said to be a part of the sale, although no images were provided as of press time. More info on what will be in the sale will come this spring.

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Capella Brands Their Own Caviar to Mark Chinese New Year

Capella Sydney continues its commitment to exceptional luxury experiences, with a high tea and caviar upgrade all part of its 2025 Lunar New Year celebrations to usher in the Year of the Snake.

By Belinda Aucott-christie 07/02/2025

These days caviar bumps are on the menu at all the best seaside restaurants, and now guests checking into a suite at Capella Sydney will be saved the trip to the beach with a tin of caviar conveniently stationed in their mini bar.

Downstairs at the chic lobby café Aperture, caviar is also part of their elegantly indulgent high tea. Expertly crafted by Head Pastry Chef Arthur Carré. This bespoke menu features a delectable selection of delicacies, including Capella Kaluga Caviar, sesame prawn toast, Peking duck pancake roll cornetto, fried pork dumplings, and pandan and mandarin lamingtons. The experience is complemented by the delicate notes of white rabbit jasmine tea from Zensation Tea House, with an optional upgrade to a glass of Louis Roederer Champagne for a truly indulgent experience.

It’s all part of a chic lunar collaboration with Kaluga Caviar (from central China) which supplies 21 of the 26 three Michelin starred restaurants in Paris. Kaluga caviar offers a balance of luxury, flavour, and sustainability. Its rich, creamy texture and large pearls make it a close alternative to Beluga caviar with a lovely walnut aftertaste.

Even if you are a guest just for the day at Capella Sydney you can indulge your palate with a high tea that pairs Oscietra black caviar, from Russian Sturgeon stock, with champagne and traditional accompaniments.

Ask for the Capella Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea when you make you reservation, and take your place at the table. Each set comes with a 10g tin of Capella Sydney x Kaluga Queen Caviar.

Capella Sydney

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