Chelsea Boots

February 10, 2022 9:13 PM

I'm looking for a somewhat sleek but still lug soled comfy pair of Chelsea Boots. Something that looks fancy but still sturdy. Not sure that Doc Martens work for my feet. I'm willing to consider something less sleek (Blundstones) if they are the best for some other reason. I want a nice rubbery/griptiony sole and I think that is what "lug sole" means. I like the style look of thickish soles as well.

Wirecutter doesn't appear to have reviewed Chelsea Boots also I just discovered it is possible to run out of wirecutter articles. Oops.

I want them to look professional-ish, but maybe a bit punk-ish, and still be comfy to wear all day.

posted by azalea_chant to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

Response by poster: I forgot to mention - this would be in "women's" sizes. And I'm in the US, if that helps.
posted by azalea_chant at 9:14 PM on February 10, 2022

Best answer: My best purchase of this year is the Ecco Modtray Chelsea boot. I live in the Pacific Northwest and was delighted with the grippy-ness of the sole. Be sure to order by your european size to get the best fit. Super supercomfortable and the leather is nice.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 9:28 PM on February 10, 2022 [3 favorites]

These are my favourite boots of all time: Sorel brand Emelie boots. Unfortunately, that style with the wide diagonal elastic on the side seems to have been discontinued, and replaced with an Emelie II style on the Sorel website, which has more of a Blundstones-style elastic that is just sideways in a U-shaped cutout, no longer diagonal.

- Waterproof - I live in British Columbia and this was my bike/bus commuting shoe during the rainy winter months!
- Stylish, easy to dresy up or down
- Comfortable (I added superfeet insoles to mine)
- Grippy. In fact, some friends organized a somewhat unusual visit to a not-restored section of the Great Wall when we visited China. I thought we'd be going to all touristy areas so aside from flip-flops, these were the only shoes I packed. So that was basically a hike through some ruined defensive walls, and at some point we got lost in some brambles so had to turn around to find the trail back. Held up like a champ!

It's been three years and they are still going strong, still waterproof.
posted by tinydancer at 10:50 PM on February 10, 2022

I used to be Doc Martens all the time, but they changed the way they made them in ways that were a deal-breaker. I now wear Blundstones all the time and love them - they're comfortable, waterproof and clean up well. Fit custom insoles if that is your thing too. I don't live anywhere near snow so can't speak to that sort of grippyness but they hold up well in the rain.
posted by cholly at 1:36 AM on February 11, 2022

Best answer: I have many pairs of Fly London boots and shoes and find them very comfortable. Here's what they have in ankle boots (I have the Salv and I think it looks more "professional" in real life than on the website, depending on what color you opt for). I'm not sure how much international shipping is but I do know that they offer shipping to the US, and the price listed is higher than what you'll pay because they remove the 20% VAT for non-UK sales. The pairs I own have lasted years and seem to be of decent quality. This brand is what I thought of immediately when you mentioned liking thick soles and wanting to skirt the line between punk / professional.
posted by tractorfeed at 4:35 AM on February 11, 2022 [3 favorites]

Best answer: I like my Blundstones, but recently bough a pair of Thursday Chelsea boots and I love them even more. They have many options — and I can say they are very sturdy, nice looking and very comfortable.
posted by Lescha at 7:40 AM on February 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

Seconding Sorel! They make a few chelsea style boots and the waterproofing is great. They can work for professional or casual. In my experience they have lasted a long time. I just got the Cate Chelsea and love it - it has a chunky heel but it's not really a heel, as a not-heel person I walked a couple miles on day 1 with no problems. The sole is very grippy. If you google chelsea sorel you will find flat versions too.
posted by beyond_pink at 7:41 AM on February 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

I came here to recommend Sorel's Emilie as well. (A year after I bought my first pair four years ago, I bought another pair, so I'm set for the next 10 years. At least....) You may still be able to find the original in limited sizes at REI/Zappos. (If you look at Zappos, they'll show you other similar styles, so you may find something you like there.)

My black chelsea boots are from Teva. They don't make that style anymore, but the ellery looks pretty similar.
posted by jlkr at 8:17 AM on February 11, 2022

I have the Sorel Emilie 2 and they are great!
posted by matildaben at 9:33 AM on February 11, 2022

I love these boots from Red Wing. Comfortable right out of the box, classic style, can be dressed up or down. I've worn them on a couple of impromptu hikes over wet/rocky terrain and the waterproofing and grip both held up great.
posted by 4rtemis at 9:40 AM on February 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

I got the men's version of these boots from Danner and they are my go to, always by the front door, good for just about everything but formalwear everyday shoes. Love them.
posted by sapere aude at 2:53 PM on February 11, 2022

Chloé Chelsea boots?
posted by erattacorrige at 3:49 PM on February 11, 2022

I bookmarked your question because I, too, was in need of new black chelsea boots after my old beloved Timberlands bit the dust. I ended up getting a pair of Thursday's Duchess boots. They are great, no break in time to speak of, very nice looking and comfortable, with a slightly pointier toe than my old boots. They have a similar pair with a more rugged sole that you might like, too. I hope you found what you were looking for!
posted by zoetrope at 11:55 AM on March 30, 2022