So, you’ve come here to find the best boots for men, haven’t you? If you haven’t, please step off to the side and go elsewhere because this is all about the top boots for men, and you’re sure to be disappointed when you inevitably find nothing else. Anyway, to our boot-seekers, proceed…
Obviously, it’s a fact that men need shoes, and sometimes, men even need boots (*gasp*). But there are different types of boots and different brands of different types of boots, making for a whole lot of work to distinguish the good and bad from.
To make it manageable, these are the specific types of boots you’ll learn about in this article: work boots, hiking boots, Chelsea boots, brogue boots, and chukka boots. Boots, boots, boots, and—would you look at that?—more boots.
Recently, consumers have taken a liking to companies that care about the environment and sell as sustainably as possible, so some men’s boots brands have their CSR departments working overtime to give these eco-conscious buyers more sustainable options and practices.
Still, most brands are not bending to Mother Earth’s wishes but giving the majority of consumers who care about quality boots what they want: quality boots, regardless of environmental or otherwise ethical impact. Understandable if you just want to get some boots and get out.
Whatever you’re looking for in a brand, the ones in our review below vary in plenty more ways than just sustainability, so make a note of how each fares in things like product selection, materials, ordering process, and brand reputation.
5 Best Boot Brands For Men
Today, whatever day it is that you’re scanning this with your eyeballs, we’re going to investigate the 5 best boot brands for men to establish the need-to-knows and the factors to consider before marrying one and leaving the rest at the altar, so to speak. Let’s-a-go!
1. Timberland
Once upon a time, that time being 1952, founder Nathan Swartz introduced Timberland to the world.
But first, he bought the Abington Shoe Company, and then in 1973, released the OG iconic Timberland waterproof boot, and subsequently changed the brand name to match the new potential.
Based in mountainous New Hampshire, USA, the boot was inspired to take on a variety of weather conditions, to conquer not only rain but also snow and sunshine.
On their mission “to inspire and equip the world to step outside, work together and make it better,” Timberland has grown over the decades from selling waterproof men’s boots to everyday clothing, work apparel, accessories, and even kids’ stuff, too.
But back to boots, the topic of today’s discussion. Timberland can offer you these kinds of boots:
- Hiking
- Work
- Chukka
- Winter
The brand itself is quite an international success, and the basic, OG waterproof Timberland is arguably one of the most recognizable boots on the market and streets worldwide.
But, of course, Timberland offers various styles and fits, including variations like the Men’s 6-Inch Premium Waterproof Boots or 8” work boots.
They have insulated pairs for the colder times of the year, ones made from recycled materials for the tree huggers out there, ones with electrical hazard protection built-in for guys who work in electrically hazardous situations (duh), comfort insoles for guys who like comfort, and more.
Also, as an added benefit, you’re always guaranteed free returns and free shipping.
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2. Clarks
Clarks is built on a foundation of history… as in 200 years of history. The company is named after their founders, Cyrus and James Clark, who were just two shoemakers in 1825 who ended up launching an internationally successful brand with the introduction of one sheepskin slipper.
Today, the British brand lives by their mission to make shoes that “keep feet healthy and happy” through innovative, comfortable designs that are still stylish.
They are most known for their Desert Boots, a pair of sophisticated, clean-cut slip-ons made from suede, beeswax leather, or even vegan-friendly microfiber. But Clarks makes quite a selection of styles for both men and women.
They do men’s footwear in 3 ways: boots, sneakers, and dress shoes. Forgetting about the latter two for the purpose of staying on track with analyzing the best boots for men, which styles do Clarks carry for your purchasing potential?
- Chelsea
- Chukka
- Walking
- Ankle
- Desert
- Wallabee
As you can see, they don’t sell work boots. They also don’t sell hiking boots or winter boots—not quite anyway, but their walking boots and ankle boots are Clarks’ lite versions of these styles.
To elaborate: The walking boots are not quite hiking-level function, but the style is inspired by hiking boots, so you could hike in them, but they might not be the best choice. Same with ankle boots—you may use them in the wintertime, but no one’s saying that they’re the best option.
For the actual ordering experience, you can rejoice in the fact that Clarks gives you free returns, so you can return a pair that’s disappointed you in irreconcilable ways.
3. Dr. Martens
If you haven’t heard of Dr. Martens, where have you been? We kid (mostly). But seriously, since they stepped onto streets in 1947, Dr. Martens have become as close to a cultural icon as a pair of boots could be.
The legend was born by Dr. Klaus Maertens, a World War II soldier whose broken foot inspired him to innovate a comfort-first air-cushioned sole. He did this with the help of co-founder and engineer Dr. Herbert Funk.
It wasn’t until the 1960s when Dr. Martens boots went from factory wear to streetwear, as they received an updated (now signature) design with a new heel, sole pattern, sole edge, and upper stitch.
Born a flower child, it makes sense that these smooth leather, lace-up Doc Martens have stayed associated with nonconformity, grunge culture, and music festivals. But anyway, all this to say: Dr. Martens are an iconic boots brand, and they offer men’s, women’s, and kid’s styles.
Besides the classic Dr. Martens boots, they also sell accessories, sneakers, sandals, and dress shoes.
Which kinda boots does Dr. Martens sell? Let’s see here:
- Original Dr. Martens style (leather, lace-up, yellow stitching, AirWair heel loop)
- Chelsea
- Ankle
- Platform
- Vegan (more sustainable!)
This brand is not all about hiking or hardcore sports activities but instead your everyday street-strutting. Still, they care about making boots that are durable and versatile, and you can be the judge of that, you boots-seeker, you.
4. Red Wing
Red Wing was started by Charles Beckman back in 1905. The brand started out as a shop for work shoes, with the mission to craft shoes that are not only well-made but also long-lasting and comfortable for the working class to stand, walk, work, and live life in.
The company is headquartered in none other than Red Wing, Minnesota. And here’s some patriotic news: the shoes are made in the USA.
Their selection includes men’s, women’s, and accessories like socks, laces, and footbeds, plus a couple of t-shirts and hats for good measure.
As one of the best boots for men brands, they sell the following styles:
- Work
- Chelsea
- Chukka
- Hiking
- Oxford
- Ranger
This isn’t a comprehensive list of all the types, because the brand has more that fall into multiple categories or exist as an entirely separate category.
But the point is that they offer a lot. They’ve got waterproof, soft toe, CSA, insulation, and as part of their work boots selection, safety toe boots that protect your little toesies from harm while on the clock.
Red Wing’s work boots are probably their largest and most impressive collection, including pairs that protect you from electrical hazards and are puncture-resistant.
All of their work boots have multiple protective features, like the King Toe, a waterproof, puncture-resistant, and electrical-hazard-safe boot, and also features a non-metallic toe and metatarsal guard to protect the top of your foot. Red Wing are experts at work protection.
5. Belstaff
Belstaff was founded in 1924 by Eli Belovitch in Staffordshire, UK. They have been an innovative brand since the beginning: after founding, Belstaff quickly became known for making waterproof clothes for motorcyclists, doing so before any other brand.
Their mission was to make durable, functional products that do more than just sit on you. Innovating waterproof apparel is just one aspect that sets this brand apart, as they also stand out in that they make a lot of their clothes and shoes with military needs in mind.
Belstaff sells a variety of stuff for men and women: tops, bottoms, footwear, outerwear, and accessories, and they also have a special collection of products for motorcycle riders.
For men’s boots, there isn’t too much in the way of variety, but these are the kinds they do have:
- Work
- Military
Their boots are usually made from leather or suede.
A selling point of Belstaff is their free returns policy. Who doesn’t love free returns?
Speaking of brands, you might want to consider that, too. Find out more about the brands you’re interested in: things like shipping and returns, customer service, and even social responsibility, since many buyers nowadays are big on ethical-as-possible spending.
In summary, you should consider these things the most (probably—we don’t know you personally):
- Use
- Materials
- Price
- Style
- Size
- Brand
Go get ‘em, tiger!