THE JOURNAL
Summer will soon be a distant memory – and didn’t it last about three seconds? However, contrary to how shorter days, falling temperatures and the return of the routine may sound, it’s not all that bad.
The advent of the new season comes with a host of sartorial benefits of its own. You can go back to layering without sweltering. And, more importantly, you can finally dust off your winter boots – that unbeatable combination of sturdy ruggedness, refined style and superior comfort. And it’s only right that to welcome the colder months ahead, you treat yourself to a new pair.
Once you’ve identified what kind of style you’re after (our guide can help with that), we’d suggest you have a look at our cheat sheet below – it features everything from Mr P.’s impeccably smart Chelsea boots to more functional styles suited to walking, hiking and everything in between from the likes of Brunello Cucinelli, Officine Creative and more.
01. The sturdy Brunello Cucinelli hiking boots
Brunello Cucinelli doesn’t just make beautiful things. The Italian luxury brand believes in creating for longevity, designing pieces that you can wear over and over again, without them losing their markers of quality craftsmanship or going out of style. These hiking boots are a case in point – they even have ribbed tongues for comfort, and flexible Vibram soles for added grip.
02. The classic Mr P. Chelsea boots
Mr P.’s Chelsea boots are as classic as they come – but that doesn’t mean that you should reserve them just for smarter get-ups. They’d sure look good with a suit, but try styling yours with white denim and an overshirt, or endlessly wearable black jeans and a biker jacket.
03. The everyday Officine Creative desert boots
Desert boots are a true investment, whether you’re tackling an Arrakis-style sandscape or just a leisurely walk along the promenade. Officine Creative has made the classic soles of this style particularly thick and flexible, so you can count on them to last for years.
04. The refined Church’s suede Chelsea boots
Church’s makes some of the world’s best shoes. Officially founded in 1873, the family’s shoemaking roots go back a further couple of centuries before even then. Meaning this is traditional craftsmanship processes, perfected over generations, expertly sourced high-quality materials and unmatched attention to detail, which these suede Chelsea boots exemplify.
05. The Manolo Blahnik leather hiking boots
Manolo Blahnik draws inspiration from vintage hiking pair to design its Janka model, which is equally smart and practical. Heavy-duty laces, rubber-lug soles and a sturdy leather construction will lend themselves just as well to your next mountaineering pursuit as they will to your daily commute.
06. The high-impact LOEWE Chelsea boots
Leave it to LOEWE to design the kind of footwear that are sure to be a conversation starter at any party. These Chelsea boots are comparatively pared-back – remember the grass sneakers? – but deserve the same undivided attention. The caps are moulded to create exaggerated round toes, while the brushed-suede adds depth and texture.
07. The Grenson hybrid pair
Hike at 5.00pm and dinner at 8.00pm? Grenson’s Brady boots are your best bet. Goodyear-welted construction, D-ring lacing system and lightweight rubber-lug soles, but also supple leather uppers that give them a timeless, refined appeal.