Boots (formal and smart casual): newbie looking to go down the rabbit hole...

[Moostyle]

Hi guys, forum newbie here. Apologies if this is an oft-repeated topic, but I am making my first steps into the world of 'high quality' boots. I am based in Europe and over the last couple of years I have bought a few of pairs of Tommy Hilfiger formal ankle boots and casual boots. While they were actually very comfortable, the more I came to love boots as a footwear style the more I realised that there is another world of high quality, stylish and durable boots out there.

I have done some searching of the forum and saw the giant boot thread here https://www.styleforum.net/threads/boots-boots-boots-for-boot-guys-only.450433/

Then I saw another good thread about boots to buy here: https://www.styleforum.net/threads/boots-and-dress-shoes.665938/

The "For Boots Guys" thread is a giant behemoth of information collected over years that I am finding it very hard to disseminate. The second thread is of course short and gave me a couple of examples, but what I please need are a shortlist of boot makers that I should be starting with on my journey.

As examples, I like toe caps and brogues and also find zips really convenient (though not a deal-breaker).

So far I have on the shortlist (in no particular order and they must ship to the EU):

------------------------------

Crocket & Jones https://eu.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-boots-collection

Allen Edmonds https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/mens-boots/

Carmina https://www.carminashoemaker.com/mens-boots/

Joseph Cheaney & Sons https://www.cheaney.co.uk/men-c48/boots-c100

Grenson https://www.grenson.com/mens-footwear/boots/

------------------------------

Can you please tell me:

1. if the above brands are good places to start and if there are any others you recommend?
2. What features (welting etc) should be considered essential for long-term durability at the price points I am looking at?


I would be looking to pay up to around 600 USD/EUR per pair, with some flexibility if I really love something. Many thanks in advance.

 

[dieworkwear]

The brands you've listed are fine. I think Grenson and Cheney might have different tiers of quality, but am not sure as I don't follow them closely.

The best marker for quality is the brand name, to be honest. The brands you've listed are fine and you'll get something that lasts. IMO, it's more important to pay attention to aesthetics when building a wardrobe. Think about how to create the kind of outfits you want to wear.

 

[Moostyle]

The brands you've listed are fine. I think Grenson and Cheney might have different tiers of quality, but am not sure as I don't follow them closely.

The best marker for quality is the brand name, to be honest. The brands you've listed are fine and you'll get something that lasts. IMO, it's more important to pay attention to aesthetics when building a wardrobe. Think about how to create the kind of outfits you want to wear.

Thanks I appreciate the confirmation on the brands so I have somewhere to get started with! I actually bought a lovely pair of handmade brogue boots yesterday in a local sale to kickstart my collection. Will probably get a new and thicker rubber sole put on them. I think the price was reasonable for handmade Italian shoes of fine leather at $280 (reduced from $480).

 

[5000lower]

Hi guys, forum newbie here. Apologies if this is an oft-repeated topic, but I am making my first steps into the world of 'high quality' boots. I am based in Europe and over the last couple of years I have bought a few of pairs of Tommy Hilfiger formal ankle boots and casual boots. While they were actually very comfortable, the more I came to love boots as a footwear style the more I realised that there is another world of high quality, stylish and durable boots out there.

I have done some searching of the forum and saw the giant boot thread here https://www.styleforum.net/threads/boots-boots-boots-for-boot-guys-only.450433/

Then I saw another good thread about boots to buy here: https://www.styleforum.net/threads/boots-and-dress-shoes.665938/

The "For Boots Guys" thread is a giant behemoth of information collected over years that I am finding it very hard to disseminate. The second thread is of course short and gave me a couple of examples, but what I please need are a shortlist of boot makers that I should be starting with on my journey.

As examples, I like toe caps and brogues and also find zips really convenient (though not a deal-breaker).

So far I have on the shortlist (in no particular order and they must ship to the EU):

------------------------------

Crocket & Jones https://eu.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-boots-collection

Allen Edmonds https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/mens-boots/

Carmina https://www.carminashoemaker.com/mens-boots/

Joseph Cheaney & Sons https://www.cheaney.co.uk/men-c48/boots-c100

Grenson https://www.grenson.com/mens-footwear/boots/

------------------------------

Can you please tell me:

1. if the above brands are good places to start and if there are any others you recommend?
2. What features (welting etc) should be considered essential for long-term durability at the price points I am looking at?


I would be looking to pay up to around 600 USD/EUR per pair, with some flexibility if I really love something. Many thanks in advance.

In my opinion Alden is missing from your list, I like their style.

Good luck.

 

[Moostyle]

In my opinion Alden is missing from your list, I like their style.

Good luck.

Hi and thanks for the recommendation. Since I made my original post I forgot to mention that I am looking for boots made in UK or Europe and not USA or Asia, which is just a personal geographic choice and not related to quality concerns, so unfortunately Alden and Allen Edmonds etc are excluded from my list.

 

[scurvyfreedman]

Hi guys, forum newbie here. Apologies if this is an oft-repeated topic, but I am making my first steps into the world of 'high quality' boots. I am based in Europe and over the last couple of years I have bought a few of pairs of Tommy Hilfiger formal ankle boots and casual boots. While they were actually very comfortable, the more I came to love boots as a footwear style the more I realised that there is another world of high quality, stylish and durable boots out there.

I have done some searching of the forum and saw the giant boot thread here https://www.styleforum.net/threads/boots-boots-boots-for-boot-guys-only.450433/

Then I saw another good thread about boots to buy here: https://www.styleforum.net/threads/boots-and-dress-shoes.665938/

The "For Boots Guys" thread is a giant behemoth of information collected over years that I am finding it very hard to disseminate. The second thread is of course short and gave me a couple of examples, but what I please need are a shortlist of boot makers that I should be starting with on my journey.

As examples, I like toe caps and brogues and also find zips really convenient (though not a deal-breaker).

So far I have on the shortlist (in no particular order and they must ship to the EU):

------------------------------

Crocket & Jones https://eu.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-boots-collection

Allen Edmonds https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/mens-boots/

Carmina https://www.carminashoemaker.com/mens-boots/

Joseph Cheaney & Sons https://www.cheaney.co.uk/men-c48/boots-c100

Grenson https://www.grenson.com/mens-footwear/boots/

------------------------------

Can you please tell me:

1. if the above brands are good places to start and if there are any others you recommend?
2. What features (welting etc) should be considered essential for long-term durability at the price points I am looking at?


I would be looking to pay up to around 600 USD/EUR per pair, with some flexibility if I really love something. Many thanks in advance.

You may want to check out Paul Sargent. It's a refresh of the old brand Alfred Sargent. They are a heritage Northampton maker. They make for a lot of private labels as well as just started their own production up again. I have a bunch of Sargents along with Alden and Crockett and Jones. I like Crockett for balmoral dress boots, but the other two for more rugged designs.

 

[Mercurio]

Hi and thanks for the recommendation. I forgot to mention that I am looking for boots made in Europe and not USA or Asia, so unfortunately Alden is excluded from my list.

In that case, you should remove Allen Edmonds from your list, as it is an American brand, and I would think that Portuguese Carlos Santos is worth considering, among many others such as TLB Mallorca, Sons of Henrey or even Cobbler Union, which are all made in Spain within a similar range of quality/price consideration.

 

[Moostyle]

In that case, you should remove Allen Edmonds from your list, as it is an American brand, and I would think that Portuguese Carlos Santos is worth considering, among many others such as TLB Mallorca, Sons of Henrey or even Cobbler Union, which are all made in Spain within a similar range of quality/price consideration.

I am aware but unfortunately cannot edit a post that is so old, otherwise I would have done as you say. I also just purchased a pair of Carlos Santos Kudus which have yet to arrive. https://www.thenobleshoe.com/produc...boots-brown-kudu-grain?variant=42074299826429

This thread is essentially out of date since I posted it and I have been instead posting in the main boot threads where the traffic was much higher. However I do appreciate the time you take to give advice so thanks for that.

 

[Leiker]

I'd look at Tricker's as well.

Tricker's | The Official Website | The Original Handmade English Country Shoes and Boots

Tricker's boots and shoes for Men combine all our traditional durability, practicality and sturdiness with a degree of understated elegance.

www.trickers.com

 

[DapperPhilly]

Herring

 

[Northants bloke]

No implied criticism of the others but I would like to mention:

• Cheaney (entirely made in Northamptonshire) some great designs in a wide range of styles and often sales/discounts. I wear these the most by far. Excellent factory shop as well as London branches and website.
• Loake 1880 range (made in Northamptonshire except for stitching). A larger brand widely available. Good quality and value in their 1880 range but the cheaper lines such as Design Loake often seem less solid to me and are entirely made in India.
• Sanders & Sanders (entirely Northamptonshire) often flies under the radar here. Famous particularly for the military and chukkas boots. Sells online