As temperatures take a dive, we take the finest autumn footwear for a spin.

Either the office air-conditioning is on the blink again or autumn has well and truly arrived. And we say it with the same enthusiasm as we would if we were discussing warmer weather, because the changing of the seasons isn’t a time we dread at MR PORTER. Rather, the arrival of a cold front is something that should be relished – sartorially speaking, anyway. The advent of wintery weather affords us the opportunity to dust off the shearling and cashmere, and invest in a few other practical pieces to stand us in good stead when we decide to venture outdoors.

One item in particular has us excited for the leaves to fall this year: boots. There’s been an embarrassment of riches arriving on site and we’ve been itching to put them through their paces. The Vitsœ factory – home of the furniture brand that realised Mr Dieter Rams’ industrial designs – is where we decided to showcase them in all their sturdy glory for reasons that will become imminently obvious. What, we hear you ask, do boots have in common with a German functionalist? Quite a bit, as it happens. Those familiar with Mr Rams’ “10 principles of good design” will know that the right pair of boots easily satisfies every requirement on his list. Useful? Yes. Long-lasting? You bet. And, perhaps most importantly, do they look good? Ahh, well that all depends on which ones you pick. Read on for our favourites.

Suede, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways. While its buttery tactility is more than enough to make us swoon, we’ll freely admit that the hide isn’t known for its hardiness. But as long as you don’t plan on trudging through any muddy fields and are extra-careful to avoid puddles, there’s no reason why a pair of suede boots shouldn’t play a starring role in your autumn wardrobe. Besides, in every other respect, a pair of suede boots is just as tough as their leather counterparts. Take our robust Mr P. Jacques style – just think how good that rich, tan-toned suede is going to look while you’re kicking your way through piles of golden leaves? Suede is also the standard upper for desert boots, which have been a menswear perennial for going on 50 years now, ever since footwear stalwart Clark’s introduced them to Britain’s shores. A tad more refined but every bit as hardwearing, this Italian-made O’Keeffe pair is lined in shearling to keep your toes nice and toasty during cold spells.

If Mr Rams made shoes, we imagine they’d look an awful lot like something from Common Projects. Messrs Flavio Girolami and Peter Poopat’s wares are living proof that the designer’s “less, but better” philosophy is alive and kicking. In 2003, the duo made a name for themselves by stripping back the sneaker to its platonic ideal, and the Achilles was born. But it’s not just the much-loved low-tops that’ve been treated to a minimalist makeover: the label has applied its back-to-basics approach to other footwear – namely, Chelsea boots. The brand’s crepe-soled version released a couple of years ago has already earned itself a loyal following to rival that of the Achilles, and we suspect this new version will soon boast its own legion of adoring fans. It’s all about the soles, you see. They’re lugged – impressively so – which makes them well-suited to navigating the slippery, leaf-strewn streets you’re likely to encounter on your travels. As for what to wear them with? We’ve gone with a pair of tailored trousers from Prada – but with something this versatile, anything goes, really.

Today, the term “lace-up boots” is essentially a catch-all for boots with (wait for it) laces. But you already knew that. You’re also probably familiar with the fact that they come in all shapes and sizes, some smart, some sturdy. Some, such as this Edward Green variety, satisfy both conditions – and we’d happily wear these to the office. Hardly altered since the 1930s, this Galway pair features the brand’s popular “82 last” almond-toe shape and have been cobbled to perfection at its Northamptonshire factory, where the cordwainer has been based since 1890. Looking for something a little more rugged around the edges? Dries Van Noten’s combat boots will please weekend wanderers (or stompers, as the case may be) and possess the kind of aged patina you would expect to see on a carefully preserved vintage pair. Stick to the heritage theme, if you like, and team them with plaid trousers.

Trends can sometimes be a little impractical. Why else would they tell you to go against your better judgement and start gallivanting around wearing socks with sandals at the height of summer? But we breathed a small sigh of relief when we saw what was proffered in the footwear department this season. That’s right: functionality is the next big thing. Form, be damned. OK, not quite. While dressing sensibly is no longer going to earn you a spot in fashion’s bad books, there’s no reason that you can’t look good while you’re at it. That’s where hiking boots come in. The assortment on MR PORTER runs the gamut from mountain-ready to those more suitable for less perilous outdoor activities – your morning coffee run, perhaps. Brunello Cucinelli’s handmade leather lace-ups will suit those whose perambulations are strictly limited to gentle strolls.

Shop all boots here