Submitted by Yuuka7 t3_yj6ww5 in BuyItForLife
Hello everyone!
I looking into buying good ankle boots. I will be wearing them a lot since I life quite up in the north so we have long autumn and spring.
I’m looking at something light, warm and comfortable. Bonus if it looks cute.
For now I have two brands on my radar Blundstone and Birkenstock. Which one would you recommend. Maybe totally different brand?
Thanks !
I own one pair of regular Timberland but unfortunately I can’t wear them multiple days in the row because they are so heavy (for me at least) but I still wear them during heavy snow.
I checked out Jim Green, looking great so far wonder if I can find them in the EU I will have to look into it.
Thank you!
I'm from EU too. I ordered directly from their south african website. The vellie shoes cost me ~110€ including postage and import tax. It's almost twice the cost they sell them for in South Africa, but it's still an awesome shoe for that cost. Moght be cheaper if you order multiple pairs (combined postage). I plan on ordering some african rangers if they have a black friday sale.
Good to know! 110€ is a good price for well made shoes so I’m not mad.
For how long have you had yours ?
Only about three weeks now.
I didn't think I'd like the leather look as much as I do! It's very dark blue, and the top layer is slightly sanded. They sand it to remove imperfections and the rough surface also just kind of soaks up any scratches, they're not visible. They are also quite comfortable to me, they're wider than most shoes are.
Also, if you check their youtube site, you can see how transparent they are with their manufacturing. Everything is handmade like it was in the past, you won't find EU made shoes like that unless they cost 3-4 times as much... I'm for sure getting the African Rangers on black friday, if they have a sale or not :)
I really like the Ariat Wexford as an alternative to Blundstones. From what I’ve read (with the caveat that I don’t own Blundstones), the Ariats are more flexible and less chunky. Also easier to get on/off. I ordered them after reading comparisons and have been very very happy.
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Also I love Nisolo shoes/boots (I own so many!) for a dressier, less workboot style.
Woaaaaah those look great. I really love the design of those Ariat Wexford! Bummer that they don’t even ship outside the US
What is your budget?
We don't know what warm is and asking that online if folly, especially if you don't state a relative location as up north means Nebraska to some and Iceland to others.
We need a relative style as they come in Chelsea, heeled, chukka and other styles.
And don't look at brands as many brands sell both BIFL and disposable footwear.
Let’s say less than 400 if I’m going to get 5-7+ years out of them.
Haha yeah north as in Iceland is what I meant. Where it can be light snow in the end of May and as early as end of September.
I’m looking at Chelsea boots mainly so something to wear between sneakers and heavy snow boots. Warm but still light and comfy.
I have heard good things about Blundstone and owned pair of Birkenstock sandals that lasted 8 years which is pretty decent. Other than that I’m pretty lost
Then you should take to Google. Chelseas are super popular and come in a wide variety of heights and styles so I cannot be super specific but offer this advice to cover your searches:
Didn't blundstone move to China and quality took a nosedive? Think redback from Australia is the new "king".
I personally swear by Hanwag boots from Germany.
Oh ok, I didn’t know that about Blundstone, thank you for the hint.
There is a maker I use and I will never buy boots from anyone else ever again. link to Son of Sandlar. I have a pair of their “queen of hearts” style and they are my main work/hiking boots. I do landscaping work clearing invasive vines and trees from native forests, these boots get worked and worked hard. They remain comfortable and beautiful. If the steel lined soles give out, they will replace them. They have been selling at my local ren faire for decades and everyone who works their has had their boots for nearly as long. Standard leather care is all you need. I swear by these boots and will try to convince anyone who wants to buy for life that their handmade footwear is the way to go. Plus, they look cool! Plus plus they are a small family business! Check them out!
Note: I have no association with them other than working at the same faire and being a dedicated customer.
Holy crap these boots look amazing and very well made. Thank you for the suggestion, been looking for long lasting boots now that I'm in KS which is further north of where I used to live.
I hope you get yourself a pair and I hope you love them as much as I do. They do lots of faires around the country, maybe you can try on a pair that way before ordering. Plus, ngl, I really enjoy someone else donning and tying my boots for me. It’s a v pleasant experience shopping with them.
I have some really cute steam punk combat boots that are mid calf and pretty warm from taos (super cute and really comfy to walk in even with the slight heel).
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Well keds are known to be pretty durable and I was looking at a pair of their scout boots for my wife ... I thought they were cute. They had a few different designs.
Sorel has an Out n About line that is pretty cute. I’ve been meaning to go try some on. Their winter boots are usually good down to about -20 or -30 C, but I’m not sure about this line. They are waterproof, too.
Sorel, la canadienne, kodiak, uggs, they all have nice boots, but when purchasing boots, make sure they are leather- not faux leather, and moisturise your boots annually to maintain the leather and keep then waterproof. I'd say maintenance is nearly as important as the brand.
Yep fake leather will fall apart in a month of average use...
Huuhh maybe Jim Green
Not exact pretty but tough and not too expensive
LL Bean Bean boots are great
I have two pairs of Blundstones and my wife also has a pair. We can’t recommend them enough!
I strongly suggest that you try multiple pairs on whist in the shop, especially the same size range. Each pair seems to fit a tiny bit differently. My wife tried on 6 pairs before she found the right fit. That was 7 years ago and the boots are still being worn daily during the cold months here in BC.
Look into El Naturalista; I bought some suede Chelsea boots five years ago to wear in the winter here (midwestern US, lots of snow and pretty chilly for 4-5 months of the year) and they look brand new except a little wear to the stacked heel. I’ve worn them almost every day during the cooler months. It was a shot in the dark purchase at the time but I can’t recommend that brand enough!
Doc martens. My husband and I have pairs that are 20+ years old. They have Chelsea styles now.
I'm going to throw the word "socks" in the mix too.
Having good, warm, WOOL socks makes a huge difference even to a mid-level boot.
Not sure if they are "warm" boots or what style you want but I have two pairs from Aquatalia that I snagged on sale a few years ago ($125 and $170; usually $395) and they are nice quality, waterproof leather for in-between weather, look professional and are comfy. I just wear smartwool or darntough merino socks with them for warmth. I have the "Fuoco" style in tan and black.
I have leather Clark’s that are powerhouses. Two winters almost daily wear including working in the yard and they still look great. Edited to add, they are the Ashland Vista Women’s bootie.
Weirdly I got these cute dark purple Caterpillar brand boots at TJ Maxx. Caterpillar as in the big construction equipment company. They have held up better than anything. Wore in major rain and mud and they rinsed right off
F-21 t1_iumvj9v wrote
I think Timberland Pros are kind of decent and fashionable.
On 5th November (in 4 days) Goral is supposed to release the rose anvil collaboration boot/sneaker. You can see an ad for it here at the start of the video. Looks pretty cool, and it'll have a true shearling leather inside (wool, like UGGs), and goral has some lifetime warranty and resole service too. Maybe worth checking out if you like them.
Personally, I recently a huge fan of Jim Green. You won't get better footwear for that price. Not sure if the have any extra warm boots/shoes though.