The best places to buy fall boots for men

Thursday Boot Co.'s boots are sleek enough for the office or formal wear, but rugged enough to handle the snottiest of cold, wet, fall weather.

Somewhere in the crux between metropolitan and cowboy, Thursday Boot Co.'s boots would not be out of place in any closet, from those of country-boy wranglers to city-slicking dandies and everyone in between.

Most of the brand's boots can either be dressed down with jeans or paired just as well with a pair of pleated khakis. The soles vary as much as the styles, so there's everything from delicate cork (which we wouldn't necessarily suggest wearing to trudge through winter) to hardy Goodyear Welts and Vibram outsoles. Same goes for the leather.

The Insider Picks team reviewed Thursday Boot Co.'s line back in early 2017 when the company was just getting going, and sentiments around the office, I can safely report, have not changed.

Outside of our team, other reviewers love these boots, too. One prime example is this YouTube review by a blogger and world-traveler who wore Thursdays every day for five months straight, through snow, rain, streets, and even steep, rugged terrain. His verdict: they're mostly worth it, but the insoles wore out on him eventually, and he found the laces to be substandard. The outsoles, however, got along pretty much unscathed, and the leather did not crease much.

Pros: Good quality leather, tough outsole

Cons: Cheap insoles and laces

Grenson Boots have been around since the 1860s, and they've clad the feet of British Armed Forces through not one but both world wars. These are not soft-soled boots.

If you're looking for boots that will handle a few thousand country miles but look good, and keep your feet dry, all the while, Grenson is a heritage brand out of England that's been running the same factory for over 100 years.

William Green was just a kid when his mother taught him how to cobble a boot, and he simply took off running. Within about 15 years, he'd hired some of the best shoemakers in the business and built his own factory.

That factory, as it happened, turned out to be one of the first in the world to turn out a Goodyear-welted shoe, which is the most durable, but also among the easiest to replace because the welt makes a buffer between the insole and the outsole, so while it's sturdy, when it comes time to replace the outsoles (the uppers will last forever), it's an easy separation. Read more on welt construction here.

These boots are probably a little too rugged to pull off with a suit, but that doesn't mean they couldn't handle a vaguely formal affair (but the shoes sure can). In our opinion, though, a good fall boot should be built to last.

Pros: Sturdy, classic, hand-painted

Cons: None to speak of, other than they might not be as dressy as the office (or a suit) requires

If you're really looking to be styling, there's scant a better place than Mr Porter to shop boots, where you'll find all the classics from Saint Laurent to Bottega Veneta and Tom Ford.

Splurging, when and where we can, is often worth it, which is exceptionally the case when it comes to footwear we want to last.

If you really want to knock your socks off, Mr Porter is where you'll find shearling-lined, polished-leather, whole-cut, and heaviest-weight Utah leathers from all the usual suspects in the designer department: Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana (where the immensely casual meets the definitively styled), Moncler (for over-the-top hiking boots), Berlutti (whose Venezia leather might make the most beautiful Chelsea boots on this earth), Tom Ford, Edward Green, and of course, Prada.

All these brands have their own legacy, and we'd be foolish to point you toward any single one of them. You, after all, know what you like, and just about every style imaginable can be found in Mr Porter's unbelievably and meticulously detailed inventory of men's boots, which for this fall season sits at around 120 different pairs.

From the utterly outrageous to the reigned-in and reserved, they're all there. Go wild.

Pros: A smartly curated selection of the best designer boots you can find

Cons: Well, do we even need to say? Apart from there being too many choices, cha-ching.

Timberland has been making sustainable footwear since long before it was an industry trend — and there are plenty of styles to choose from.

Let's face it, as positive as sustainability is for consumers and the environment alike, it's very clear that many brands are hopping on the environmentally-conscious train because it's an industry trend, rather than stemming from a true appreciation for Earth. Timberland, on the other hand, has been quietly producing sustainable footwear long before it was trendy, but now they're starting to toot their own horn.

In 2007, the brand launched the Original Earthkeeper Boot, which featured interior linings made from recycled plastic bottles and recycled rubber soles. While that has become standard protocol for almost all sustainable shoes made today, it had never been done when Timberland introduced the shoe 12 years ago.

Today, Timberland's environmental responsibility efforts are more sophisticated than ever before and there are a handful of sustainable styles for men, ranging from the Original Earthkeeper Boot and the Garrison Field Hiker to the 100% recycled plastic EK+ Brooklyn sneakers and even organic cotton apparel.

In terms of sustainable fall boots, the Courma Guy Boot is by far my favorite style. Drawing much inspiration from the iconic 6-inch Premium Boot (commonly referred to as constructs or 10061s), the Courma Guy has that unmistakable Timberland look with a rounded toe, durable rubber sole, and padded ankle collar.

The key updates include an overall lighter design, recycled plastic interior linings and laces, recycled rubber outsoles, ethically sourced leather uppers from Silver-rated tanneries, and stacked foam in the soles for added comfort and style. As a huge fan of Timberland's classic designs (I currently own at least 15 different pairs), I'm happy to say that this fresh and sustainable take on their classic fall boot didn't disappoint. — Amir Ismael, Insider Picks reporter

Pros: Sustainable, lightweight compared some of Timberland's classic boots, affordable, lots of styles available

Cons: None to speak of.

Bean Boots will serve you well through both fall and winter, and they go with most outfits.

L.L. Bean's boots were introduced in 1912, and haven't changed much since. That's because they haven't had to.

Leon Leonwood Bean did anglers and hunters a serious solid by tacking together these remarkably warm and dry boots. The Bean Boots went onto become the genesis of his stardom over a century ago. Today, you'll find them everywhere from the backwoods of Maine to the boroughs of the Big Apple.

While many of L.L. Bean's products are being made offshore these days, the company continues to craft a select few of its products stateside, including the beloved Bean Boots.

Constructed using rubber bottoms and soles, a steel shank, full-grain leather uppers, and 3M Thinsulate, these boots have hardly changed since the start. Of course, there was no 3M nor Thinsulate in the early 20th century, but the design, the leather, and the rubber have all remained the same.

One thing that has changed L.L. Bean's boot game is variety: There are more than 30 styles of Bean Boots to choose from with an array of linings so there's a pair for each season.

These boots are part of the history of exploration and expedition themselves, having gone to war for the United States Army and forayed both poles. They are also storied to have found their way onto Ernest Hemingway's feet, who, according to GQ, even went so far as to recommend them himself.

The endorsements don't stop there. Popular Mechanics recently discussed The Never-Ending Greatness of L.L. Bean's Boots, and GQ has sung L.L. Bean's praise for years. One staff member here at Insider Inc. made a pair of these boots last more than 30 years. Here's proof.

Reviews on L.L. Bean's site are almost entirely positive across the board, yielding a 4.6/5-star rating, with only a handful of negative reviews coming from customers who seemed to get the odd bad pair.

Unfortunately, L.L. Bean's lifetime guarantee — not dissimilar to Dr. Martens — was discontinued this year, and purchases only come with a one-year warranty from here on out. We're sad to see this longstanding tradition go, but will still stand by Bean's boots unless the quality itself starts to drop.

Pros: Sturdy, high-end leather and rubber, steel shank for support, not outrageously priced, hand-stitched

Cons: Maybe not the most fashion-forward boots you'll come across this season (or next), but their beauty lies in their utilitarianism

Doc Martens are made with top-notch materials, handled with love, and rife with history.

Dr. Martens' AirWair is an emblematic piece of footwear synonymous with the predominant sub- and counter-cultures of every decade since their introduction in 1960: the skinheads in the sixties, the punk rockers in the seventies, the new wave artists of the eighties, and the grunge scene in the nineties.

Today, they may be more ubiquitous than ever. Just keep in mind that what we wear will always say a little something about us, whether we like it or not.

Doc Märtens' first endeavor in footwear came during his time serving as a doctor in the Alps during World War II. After having hurt his foot while skiing (presumably during R&R), he decided that the standard military-issued boots he'd been wearing just weren't sufficient enough for him to nurse his foot, so he thriftily cobbled together a pair of his own using softer leather and rubber from discarded tires.

Back in Munich, Märtens bumped into an old friend who was intrigued by his innovation and the two teamed up, refining the design some, adding the signature yellow stitching, and anglicizing Märtens' name. That first year, Martens' soles were, maybe not so ironically, a big hit with housewives — and more specifically, women over 40 — who accounted for about 80% of sales within the enterprise's first decade.

Recent years have shown the company its fair share of hardships, and the brand briefly shuttered most of its production houses and stores in the UK in the early 2000s. The company seems to have bounced back in recent years, however, and in early 2018 Business Insider reported that Dr. Martens has been producing some 10 million pairs annually.

Dr. Martens' AirWairs are some of the most durable and versatile kicks around. Let's start with the air-cushioned soles. They're not glued but melted to the welts using hot blades and rollers so that as both components cool, they forge one single piece of inseparable PVC. if you don't believe me, watch this delightful Insider video to see just how well they're made. If the de facto black is a little too punk rock or goth for your taste, there's always cherry red, navy, green, and white.

Sadly, the company has discontinued its "for life" boots, which were about three times expensive, a little sturdier (and heavier), and guaranteed — with free repairs — for life. The base model 1460s and 1490s are a more-than-reasonable middle-of-the-road boot well worth their price tag for anyone plying muck-ridden urban streets and sidewalks. Just be sure to pick up a tub of the Wonder Balsam to treat the leather (at least once) before you wear them. It's worth it.

Pros: Sole and welt are melted together and will never separate, affordable, waterproof, air-cushioned soles

Cons: The "For Life" boots are discontinued, and these soles will likely wear out after a few years (like many of not most boots in this price range)

The best men's linen shirts you can buy

Linen is a fantastic, soft, breathable fabric that's perfect for warm climates and the hot summer months, but not all linen shirts are created equal.

Here are our favorite places to buy linen shirts:

• Best linen shirts overall: J. Crew
• Best loose-fitting linen shirts: Banana Republic
• Best linen blends: Taylor Stitch
• Best linen shirts on a budget: Amazon Essentials
• Best linen shirts with prints and patterns: Onia

The best places to buy men's jeans

Jeans are personal, and buying them can be intimidating, but fear not, gentlemen. We're not here to hold your hand, but we will point you in the right direction.

Here at Insider Picks, we try out a lot of jeans — new ones, old favorites, stretchy elastane ones, stiff, 100% denim ones, and so on. We've rounded up the best places we've found to buy them. Some brands you'll know, some you may not. Below, we cover a number of price points so there are recommendations for just about everyone.

Here are the best places you can buy men's jeans:

• Best jeans overall: Levi & Strauss
• Best stretchy jeans: Everlane
• Best comfortable jeans: Mott & Bow
• Best raw denim jeans: Raleigh Denim
• Best variety of jean styles: Ralph Lauren

The best men's undershirts you can buy

If you've been looking for the best undershirt for managing your sweaty pits, then the search is over. We've done the research and smoked out the best undershirts for men that you can buy today.

Here are the best undershirts you can buy:

• Best undershirt overall: Thompson Tee
• Best multipack of undershirts: David Archy
• Best quick-dry undershirt: Uniqlo
• Best stretch performance undershirt: Psycho Bunny
• Best undershirt for casual wear: J. Crew

The best men's shorts you can buy

Finding the perfect pair of men's shorts can be challenging, so we've sorted through a bunch of options to find the best places to shop for men's shorts and selected our favorite pairs from each brand.

Here are the best places to buy men's shorts:

• Best overall: J. Crew shorts
• Best linen shorts: Club Monaco shorts
• Best lightweight cotton shorts: Brooks Brothers shorts
• Best hybrid shorts and swim trunks: REI shorts
  
• Best athletic lounge shorts: Olivers Apparel shorts

The best men's workout shirts you can buy

Ask any routine gym goer about their preferred workout attire, and they'll likely spend a few minutes talking about moisture-wicking fabric, innovative cooling technology, or sweat-activated fabrics. While these may sound like industry buzzwords, the application behind these concepts are staples — and, frankly, must-haves — in the world of workout apparel.

Though just as there's variety in the available options, there's also variety in a wearer's desired application or workout style. Perhaps a runner wants a more lightweight option or a fitness fanatic desires something that looks good every day, no matter the activity. Regardless of intent, there's a suitable workout shirt designed specifically for everyone. A great workout shirt doesn't just get the job done, but it does so without sacrificing performance, comfort, or style.

Here are the best men's workout shirts you can buy:

• Best overall: Rhone Reign
• Best for runners: Nike Dri-Fit Miler
• Best cooling technology: Arctic Cool Crew Neck
• Best for everyday wear: Reebok Supersonic 2.0
• Best for cold weather: Under Armour HeatGear

The best men's underwear you can buy

If there's one article of clothing that you ought to care about, it's your underwear. Our top pick is the Tommy John collection because you can choose from many different styles of underwear and all of them are seriously comfortable.

You might also like Bonobos for unparalleled fit, Rhone for an active lifestyle, MeUndies for the most exciting prints, and Gap for affordability.

The best suits you can buy

For your go-to workhorse suit, you simply can't beat a single-breasted, two-button classic style charcoal gray suit. The Brooks Brothers 1818 charcoal suit combines historic American-made quality with iconic English flair, and it's easily the most versatile suit you'll ever wear.

Here are our top picks for the best suits:

• Best overall: Brooks Brothers 1818 charcoal suit
• Best linen suit: J Crew cotton-linen suit
• Best wool suit: Indochino windowpane suit
• Best retro suit: Charles Tyrwhitt double-breasted suit
• Best tuxedo: Indochino Hampton tuxedo

The best ties you can buy

No suit is complete without a great necktie. For your staple tie, it's hard to beat black, and this luxurious silk tie from Turnbull and Asser hits every mark. Its high-quality bias-cut Italian silk looks wonderful, drapes beautifully, and works with any type of knot.

You'll also love the Brooks Brothers silk repp tie, the Charles Tyrwhitt knit tie, the Bonobos linen tie, and the American Trench wool tie.

The best white dress shirts for men

Every man needs at least one good white dress shirt. Fine Italian-woven cotton, old-school American craftsmanship, and a great trim fit make the Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece shirt a must-have for the modern gentleman. Its versatile spread collar looks great with or without a tie, so you can pair this timeless staple with almost any outfit.

You should also consider the T. M. Lewin cotton/linen dress shirt, the Charles Tyrwhitt French cuff dress shirt, the Brooks Brothers Oxford cloth button-down, and the budget-friendly Tie Bar pinpoint dress shirt.