Women's Boots

Our women's boots are mostly built to be repaired rather than replaced. Red Wing takes up a third of the page on its own, with the moc toe, the Iron Ranger and the Chelsea, all Goodyear welted so they can be resoled. Alongside it there's UGG sheepskin, Clarks Wallabee and Desert boots on crepe, Timberland's waterproof six-inch, and a few from Yogi, Kickers and Flower Mountain. There's more in casual shoes and all footwear.

Red Wing Boots

Red Wing has been making boots in Red Wing, Minnesota since Charles Beckman started the company in 1905, and the heritage line is still Goodyear welted, which means the sole is stitched rather than glued and a cobbler can replace it. That is the whole argument for spending this much on a boot. The Classic Moc and Moc Toe are the rounded-toe ones with the white wedge sole, and they're the easiest to wear. The Iron Ranger dates from the 1930s and has a double layer of leather over the toe, which was there for protection and now mostly makes it look like what it is. The Silversmith is the sleeker option and the Chelsea the one you can get on in a hurry. Breaking these in is real: expect a fortnight of knowing you're wearing them, and wear thick socks for the first week.

UGG and Winter Boots

The Classic Ultra Mini is the short one everybody has, and the platform version adds height without much weight. The Tasman and Tazz started as slippers and are still happiest indoors or on a dry pavement; the suede marks in rain and the sole has almost no grip on wet stone, so they're not a walking-to-the-station boot unless the forecast is kind. The Classic Micro sits between the two. Scholl's Fluffy Cross is the indoor option. We'd wear the Ultra Mini with a wide jean so the shaft disappears, and keep a suede protector in the cupboard.

Chelsea, Desert and Everything Else

Clarks covers the crepe-soled end: the Desert Boot, unchanged since 1950, and the Wallabee Boot in suede and a couple of prints. Crepe is quiet and comfortable and goes slippery on wet tile, which is worth knowing before January. Timberland's six-inch is the properly waterproof one here, and the Stone Street platform versions are heavier than they look. Yogi's Glenn, including the Johnny Marr colours, is the lightest leather boot on the page, and Kickers' Kick Hi is the cheapest way into the category. If you want one pair for a British winter and you don't mind breaking them in, we'd take the Red Wing moc toe; if you want to wear them the same day, the Yogi.

There's more in Red Wing, Clarks Originals and shoe care.

FAQs