Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
The weather has finally turned, and I don’t know about you but I’m excited to wear my lugged leather boots again. While I am sadly not in the market for any more boots, there are a ton of great options this season. Whether you’re looking to expand your collection or get your first pair, I hope you find what you’re looking for on this list.
1) White’s Boots: The Original 350 Cutter
Honestly, whenever it comes to rugged boots White’s are a valid suggestion. While we could have picked nearly any of their offerings, their Original 350 Cutter stood out to us this time around.
They’re shown here in Cinnamon waxed flesh but are available in a wide range of colors, and feature a lace-to-toe pattern and White’s rolled welt construction. This pair features Vibram‘s mini-lug sole, which is their smallest lug sole and honestly barely a lug at all, but if you really want that low-profile look while still getting good traction it’s an excellent option. Plus, White’s is a very lug-heavy company, so it’s easy to find a build with a bigger lug if that’s what your heart wants.
Available for $700 from White’s Boots.
2) Unmarked: Chelsea Brown Bull Hide Shoulder
Sometimes you want a pair of lugged boots for the rain but just want to toss them on and go out the door, and that’s an instance for Unmarked and their Chelsea in Brown Bull Hide Shoulder.
This pair has the beautiful, iconic texture that only bull hide offers and features an Itshide commando sole which has just about as much traction as you could possibly hope for. They’re finished with a 360º storm welt which gives that little bit extra water resistance as well as that rugged flair.
Available for $450 from Unmarked.
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3) Red Wing: Iron Ranger 8111
Back in my day, Red Wing Iron Rangers had a cork nitrile sole that was deadly in the rain or on any slick surfaces, and we’re so glad to see them embrace the mini-lug sole that fleshes out their boots so well.
There really isn’t much more to say — we all know about Red Wing: their long history of American-made boots, their classic styles, and their boot’s great durability. And this pair is just the bee’s knees of their boot offerings, ticking just about every box you could hope for.
Available for $594AUD (~$382USD) from Corlection.
4) Yuketen: Angler Boots
Honestly, moc toe boots hold a special place in my heart, and Yuketen‘s Angler Boots are just a great example of the style. This pair is made with a roughout leather from Horween in a beautiful, coppery hue and the sole is a cork-impregnated rubber from Cortina. Together, these fuse together to make one beautiful pair of boots. Complete with a scalloped top edge and a contrasting smooth tongue, these boots are just a whole lot of good from every direction.
Available for $730 from Clutch Cafe.
5) Tricker’s: Textured Stow Boot – 4497
If there is one thing I like about Division Road, it’s their procurement of classical styles with just that little bit of flair that is exclusive to them. Their latest acquisition is the Textured Stow Boot from Tricker’s, which is a classic wingtip style we all know and love but with three leather pattern.
With smooth, roughout, and pebbled leathers alike this boot isn’t for everyone, but they come together to form a boot that looks great with chinos at the office or with your favorite jeans walking the British countryside.
Available for $425 exclusively from Division Road.
Plus One – Oak Street Bootmakers: Trench Boot in Whitewash Overdye Abetone
If there is one thing here at Heddels that we like about boots, it’s their ability to gain a beautiful patina with continued wear. And while Oak Street Bootmakers‘ latest Trench Boot does just that, it’s practically cheating. The leather features a waxy white coating that rubs off quickly and easily as these boots bend, scrape, and otherwise break in, and it just looks amazing. While we’ve seen similar leathers before the technique works particularly well on this pair, plus the relative affordability of this pair makes them a true standout.
Available for $536 from Oak Street Bootmakers.
