Every man needs a good boot for any occasion. Whether you're doing yard work, hiking, or roughing some tough weather, you'll need to be prepared with the proper boots. Even if you're dressing up and putting on some shoes, you'll need nicer, casual boots to wear out and about. Getting the right kind of boot for the right occasion and not all boots are made the same. They're each designed to fulfill a specific purpose or occasion and if you wear the wrong kind of boot, then you'll be ill-equipped to handle whatever activity you're doing. We've compiled a list of the top five boots that are each the top-of-the-line choice in their specific class. Make sure you're picking the right boot for you, no matter what you're preparing for.

WHITIN Men’s All-Weather Boots

For all of the elements

The WHITIN men's boot was designed to help you rough the bad weather and keep you warm and dry.

Best Overall

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As the name describes, these WHITIN boots were made for every kind of weather. It has a rubber sole that is slip resistant and durable even in wet conditions. It has laces all the way up the front that help you support your foot and make the boot as tight as you want. It also has full grain nubuck leather and speedy hooks to make wearing it easier. There’s a sock liner on the inside that can be removed to make room for a medical orthotic. Plus, it’s water resistant. This is the perfect boot for all kinds of weather. It comes in black without fur, dark brown without fur, wheat without fur, dark brown nubuck, wheat nubuck, wheat nubuck without fur, and black nubuck.

Pros:

Slip resistant
Removable sock liner for orthotics
Comes in versions with and without fur

Cons:

It’s water resistant, but not fully waterproof

Columbia Men’s Waterproof Hiking Boot

For the outdoorsmen

The Columbia hiking boot is perfect to wear on long hikes in dry weather or wet weather and keep your foot safe.

Best Hiking Boot

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The Columbia Men’s boot is the boot you want if you’re planning on going hiking. It’s imported and made of leather, suede, and mesh. It has a rubber sole that provides slip-free movement on any terrain. The shaft is five inches form the arch, the heal is approximately 1.5 inches, and the platform is about .5 inches. The Columbia boot is waterproof, lightweight, and provides superior cushioning. With the advanced traction rubber sole, you’ll want to wear these hiking boots every time. They come in cordovan/squash, black, curry/red jasper, ti grey steel/blue jay, mud/sanguine, collegiate navy/rusty, graphite/royal, dark brown/bright copper, and silver sage/dark banana.

Pros:

Waterproof for bad weather and wet terrain
Advanced traction rubber sole for slip-free movement
It’s lightweight and partly mesh so it’s breathable

Cons:

The mesh on top will let water in, so it won’t be waterproof at a certain depth

Caterpillar Men’s Steel Toe Work Boot

For the heavy duty work

The Caterpillar boot is a work boot with a steel toe that will protect you if you're doing any construction or work in a hazardous environment.

Best Work Boot

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The Caterpillar work boot is the heavy duty boot you’ll want to wear if you’re working in a hazardous environment and need to protect your feet. With the steel toe, these shoes are almost indestructible and will keep your toes safe. It’s imported and made with 100% leather. The shaft is six inches from the arch, the heel is about 1.25 inches, and the platform is about .75 inches. It has a padded ankle for extra comfort and fits nice and snug. The outsole of the shoe is oil-resistant so you don’t have to worry about turning your shoes black. The ankle-cut steel toe work boot comes in dark brown, black full grain, honey, and tan colors. It’s perfect for the working man.

Pros:

Has a steel toe for extra protection
Oil-resistant outsole
It’s ankle-cut to protect your ankles as well as your toes

Cons:

May be heavy and annoying to wear in situations when it’s not needed

Ariat Men’s Western Cowboy Boot

Puts the yee in yeehaw

The Ariat boot is exactly the kind of boot you want to take out line dancing or wear while you're spending time on a ranch.

Best Cowboy Boot

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If you work on a ranch or are just looking for a good thing to wear for a costume or special occasion, look no further than the Ariat cowboy boot. It’s imported and made with 100% leather. The shaft is ten inches from the arch, the heel is about one and a half inches, and the boot opening is about fourteen inches around. It has a Duratread sole that resists slipping and provides extra durability so the boots last a long time. It’s a Western-inspired performance riding boot that has pull-on loops and a stirrup-friendly outsole design. Complete with a four row stitch. It comes in distressed brown, black deertan, powder brown, black, naturally cognac, dark wicker, brown, and distressed. Perfect for any real cowboy or cowboy at heart.

Pros:

Duratread sole that’s durable and resists slip
Made with 100% leather
Has pull-on loops and a stirrup-friendly design

Cons:

Can get quite pricey, but they’re quality cowboy boots

Clarks Men’s Bushacre Chukka Boot

For the finer things

The Clarks boot is the kind of boot you'd be okay wearing with a suit or for any occasion when you'd want to look a little nicer.

Best Dress Boot

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The Clarks boot is the right boot to purchase for a more casual, but still dressy boot. It can be worn with suits, with a business casual look with khakis, or with just a casual look with jeans. It’s imported and 100% leather. The finish on the Clarks boots will show marks, but they aren’t scratches. The shaft measures about five inches from the arch of the boot and the platform is about .75 inches. It has a synthetic sole for comfort and durability, plus a cushioned insole so you can be on your feet for long periods of time comfortably. It has a two eyelet lace-up front, but can still be tied to fit snugly. It can come in many colors including beeswax, dark brown, taupe distressed suede, black leather, black suede, wheat suede, grey leather, dark olive leather, navy leather, wine leather, chocolate, brown suede, rust suede, dark green suede, dark tan leather, tan leather, black waxy leather, dark brown leather, black, blue, black smooth, and white perforated.

Pros:

Made for dressy and casual occasions
The synthetic sole and cushioned insole provide maximum comfort
It comes in twenty two different colors

Cons:

Not meant to be worn for rough conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What size should I get?

It depends on the company that you order the boot from. Some may run smaller or larger than others. If you have a very wide foot, then you may need to get a half size up or else it will be uncomfortable to wear. Check with the specific company once you’ve selected which boot you want.

Will these stretch or loosen?

Boots typically don’t stretch or loosen as much as other shoes like sneakers. Especially with a steel toe, boots tend to keep their shape which is a good thing if you get the right size.