- Each year, the dizzying lineup of fall boots grows ever larger, making the decision of decking out your feet just that much more difficult.
- Thursday Boot Co. makes our favorite pairs, but we're also big fans of fall boots made by Dr. Martens, Frye, and L.L. Bean.
Fall is here, and it's time to break out heavier footwear as we meander toward winter. Ditching your sandals may be good riddance or a bitter defeat for you, but Insider Picks is here to help you find your fall footwear whether you're going for trendy avant-gardes, timeless classics, or something in between.
First, let's consider where these boots will be walking. Cobbled streets laden with mysterious mud, sludge, and slime? Go for rubber or PVC and leave those leather soles alone - you'll only trash them. The office for a big board meeting? Revisit said leather soles - you might not want to rock up in Doc Martens looking like you just stumbled out of the darkest, dingiest bar in the dirtiest, oldest part of town.
You'll also want to keep the temperature and weather in mind. Is fall a wet proposition where you live? If so, think about avoiding suede which will, more likely than not, end up looking pretty raggedy come December. A full-grain leather with a waterproofing solution or balm like ScotchGuard or one of Dr. Martens' signature shoe polishes is always a good idea.
After fashion comes function and comfort, of course. A lace-free Chelsea boot might be the most accommodating boot of all fall options and you can pull them off in just about any setting. But then, maybe you don't like that distracting patch of synthetic nylon breaking up the beautiful, shiny, natural leather for which you've paid such a premium. In that case, maybe a zippered boot with a harness or a full lace-up is your best bet.
When it comes to the leather you choose, try to go with the highest quality you can afford. All leather will break up and crease over time, but cheaper leather boots will almost always crease more and break up sooner.
Whatever your taste, we've got a pair of fall boots to suit your style and need below.
Here are the best places to buy fall boots for men:
- Best fall boots overall: Frye
- Best fall dress boots: Thursday Boot Co.
- Best classic fall boots: Grenson
- Best places to buy stylish boots for fall: Mr Porter
- Best sustainable fall boots: Timberland
- Best fall boots for rainy days: L.L. Bean
- Best urban boots for fall: Dr. Martens
Updated on 10/15/19 by Amir Ismael and Owen Burke: Added Grenson as the best classic fall boots, Timberland as the best sustainable ones, and Mr Porter as the best place to shop for stylish boots.
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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.