Best Quality All-Around Lace Up Boots for Under $500

[marblehouse]

What are your favorite quality boots for under half a grand? The question is deliberately open-ended, with a few criteria in mind: 1. They have laces 2. Under $500 3. Quality in construction, materials, and durability Pediwear has the C&J Coniston for £276.60 ($431) that I'm leaning towards as the best sub $500 boot. Are there better quality boots out there for less? (I have seen some recommendations for the AS Culford - £212.95, $332.24 US @ Shoe Healer - but see criticisms of quality outside of their "premier" line ). Are there any models by big timer bootmakers you can find at a discount? Personal favorites/recommendations on places to source boots - outside of ebay, plal, pediwear, and sf - are very welcome. Thank you! C&J Coniston:

 

[Xiaogou]

Cheaney FS029.

 

[marblehouse]

Originally Posted by Xiaogou

Cheaney FS029.
I've seen rave reviews, but they are a little informal for my taste and I don't think the build quality of Cheaney is on par with C&J - though not far off. Also, for anyone that is interested, Franco's has one pair of size 10 Rider boots left in black shell on sale for $499.90 (just made it!).

http://www.francos.com/items/item.asp?sku5=50716 I really like the profile of the wingtip boot @ Leffot, but doubt I will ever find it sub $500.

 

[sjmin209]

I managed to get the Brooks Brother's Peal Cordovan Boot for $477.

 

[WBaker]

Cant go wrong with an Indy Boot,

 

[jrd617]

Wolverine has a 1000 Mile Boot wingtip boot. It's a little bit blobby though

 

[marblehouse]

Originally Posted by sjmin209

I managed to get the Brooks Brother's Peal Cordovan Boot for $477.
Well done.

Originally Posted by WBaker

Cant go wrong with an Indy Boot
Not a fan of Indys or Kathadins although I can see the appeal. I do like Alden's Snuff Suede PTBoot for Leather Soul much better:

Originally Posted by jrd617

Wolverine has a 1000 Mile Boot wingtip boot. It's a little bit blobby though
Those are interesting. I was expecting something much clunkier, although the wingtip profile is a little too grand ole opry for me.

 

[emptym]

I believe that AS will do a boot mto to premier standards for around $500. AS's other lines a great. It's just that some of the shoes in the Classics line have corrected grain. But not all of them.

I'm surprised Ron's calfskin boots are over 5 now. Alden's calfskins are under that.

And there's always eBay.

 

[pebblegrain]

Coniston beats all the boots in this thread. all of them

 

[AE7]

Originally Posted by pebblegrain

Coniston beats all the boots in this thread. all of them

Agree with one reservation - they'd look odd with a suit or trousers. Not like some other boots on more elegant lasts.

Try to get boots on the shoehealer, not sure if they stock CJ's though.

 

[Chips]

Those Conistons are pretty sweet. I'm eyeing something in that similar sleek pattern, but perhaps without the cap toe.

 

[jrd617]

What about the C&J Snowdon? It's waterPROOF (not resistant), which is very practical.

Also, AE has a perf cap toe boot called the Bayfield out now:

 

[Marcellionheart]

Originally Posted by anuar

Agree with one reservation - they'd look odd with a suit or trousers. Not like some other boots on more elegant lasts.

Try to get boots on the shoehealer, not sure if they stock CJ's though.

Shoehealer definitely carries C&J. It's not on their website, but if you e-mail them, Richard will give you the lowdown and sell you those.

 

[marblehouse]

Originally Posted by jrd617

What about the C&J Snowdon? It's waterPROOF (not resistant), which is very practical.

I do not care for those AE Bayfields. The Snowdon definitely has perks for inclement weather, but it's side profile would leave me wanting for the refinement EG Galways. Any tips on how to find a pair of these on the cheap?

Originally Posted by Marcellionheart

Shoehealer definitely carries C&J. It's not on their website, but if you e-mail them, Richard will give you the lowdown and sell you those.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Grayland]

Originally Posted by anuar

Agree with one reservation - they'd look odd with a suit or trousers. Not like some other boots on more elegant lasts.

Try to get boots on the shoehealer, not sure if they stock CJ's though.

I have a pair and I always wear them with trousers. They look odd with shorts, though.