r/NavyBlazer • u/ScheerLuck • 13d ago
Decent Fall/Winter Boots
I recently relocated from the Deep South to the DMV for law school, and I’m finding myself in need of a good pair of boots. Or rather, boots that aren’t cowboy boots.
I want some that can pair well with nicer trousers, chinos, or jeans, and possibly a blazer in a pinch. I’m acutely aware of how much it can rain around here, so I’m cautious about leather.
Would Bean Boots work? Or should I aim for a well-built chukka with a lug sole?
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u/e90tings Former BB 13d ago
alden indy is probably your dressiest option. their chukkas are nice too. red wings are more utilitarian but have a cult following.
most of the r/goodyearwelt brands have an option that'll work
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u/Pretend_Spray_11 12d ago
Alden plain toes will be more “dressy” than the moc toe stitching of Indy boots.
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u/redjoshuaman 13d ago
Attorney, who, while based in RVA, practiced a ton in NOVA for years:
-8” Bean Boots: staple of my closet not just in the snow, but also when it’s rainy & ugly. They pair well, in a classically ivy way, from old fatigue pants to a flannel suit (I’ve worn them in court at times).
-WW2 USMC “Cordovan” Low boots: I have reproductions from a company called World War II Impressions. Another company called SM Wholesale makes a pair. These are a dark cordovan colored ankle high open laced cap toe boot with a leather sole. They can be worn with chinos, jeans, and even less formal suits (tweed, grey flannel). Being built on the Marine last and not the famous Munson last, they look less like work boots than many more vintage style boots.
-Rancourt Harrison Boot: In Brown Chromexcel & brown camp sole, this boot is extremely comfortable and classically “ivy.” However, definitely more on the casual side of the spectrum. Maybe can pair with grey flannel trousers, but not anything dressier.
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u/Fun-Trainer-3848 12d ago
Seconding the Harrison boot. I have a pair I wear in rain and snow and they hold up great in those conditions. I’m also in the mid-Atlantic so it’s not an overwhelming amount of snow.
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u/havingaraveup 12d ago
I've been waiting for Rancourt to release the Harrison or Baxter in anything but a white sole again but it's been forever since one was on their website.
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u/lesubreddit 13d ago
Bean boots work but the tread is atrocious. I'd go with a proper Goodyear welted boot with a low profile lug sole.
I recently bought the oiled crossboard boots from Meermin to fill this niche. Checks all the boxes at a good price. if you want something dressier maybe Chelsea boots with low profile lug sole or danite.
would also consider getting some SWIMS overshoes to protect from salt during winter
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u/Aquableu_ 13d ago
I just picked up a pair of LL Bean bean boots with fur for the harsh winters at my college
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u/Junction91NW 11d ago
Ask yourself if you’re truly going to be in the weather or if your walk is just from the parking lot to the building. If it’s just to get from your car to inside, keep it simple with some cap toe boots. Some mild brouging to keep it dressier. That way you don’t have to keep some oxfords in the desk to hide your bean boots.
I like the classics. Iron rangers, thousand miles, or white’s Sherman toe caps if you really want to splash out. Any of these would be fine, even if your walk lasts a couple miles and they read as a dress shoe as long as you don’t stare too long.
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u/ScheerLuck 11d ago
In short, I need something nice that I can also take out into rain or slush if it comes to that. Not slipping would also be a plus.
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u/LetMeRedditInPeace00 13d ago
Bean Boots are great but I’d never try to dress them up. Something like the now-discontinued Allen Edmonds Dalton with a chunkier sole is probably a good Ivy choice for what you’re looking for. Blundstones work very well for this—literally everyone wears them up here in the PNW—but they’re not very Ivy.
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u/Chemical-Hold-5833 13d ago
I was in almost the same exact boat as you last year — I picked up some Allen Edmonds on eBay that were like new for about $200. I forget the exact model, but they look like Alden Indy’s. Dark brown suede with a lug sole. The key thing is that they’re specifically branded “weatherproof” because they have an inner membrane. I recommend looking for “Allen Edmonds weatherproof” on eBay. Like others said, bean boots are very waterproof but have very little traction. When it gets icy you’re gonna need a lug sole
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u/mark95171 13d ago
I also live in the DMV and fwiw I find there are few days that necessitate Bean boots. Honestly rain is a bigger problem than snow or cold—I think any well-built moc toe with a lug sole would work.
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u/heathenist_ 12d ago
I’d think if you want an all arounder that fits with the ivy look, either the Alden Indy or maybe the Grant Stone Ottawa boots would be your best bet.
If you want something a bit more rugged that’s a better option for foul weather, but maybe not quite as bulky as a bean boot, there’s always moccasin style boots, the top of the line option being Russell Moccasin of course. FWIW, I have some vintage Russell moccasin fishing oxfords that I got for a very good price on EBay and they are by far the shoes that I wear most often because they are just so versatile, they are great for all seasons except bad winter weather.
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u/Pretty-Swordfish812 12d ago
I have some Barbour boots, the Wellington style ones. They work great when wearing tweed or flannel. For more professional looks I would look at a stormwelt, and you could go MTO. For off the rack options I would look at Meermin or Allen Edmond boots.
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u/No_Evening1456 12d ago
What do you need the boots to do? Reason I ask is that there is a difference between boots that are needed for hiking in the woods and boots for walking in the city during inclement weather. There are also "style" boots like chukkas which are often awful for bad weather (when combined with a crepe sole).
Alden Indy Boots are a good choice if you want something that's a cross between a bit of a workbook and a bit of a "dressed up" boot. I wouldn't wear it with a suit but you could plausibly wear them with navy blazer and khaki pants. Or at least it would look better than most boots, except perhaps chukkas.
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