11 best combat boots for women to buy this season
Combat boots (aka lug-soled boots) are one of the season’s biggest footwear trends. Here, we’ve rounded up the best pairs that’ll elevate your wardrobe effortlessly.
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It’s safe to say lockdowns made many of us re-evaluate our style, disregarding the ‘beauty is pain’ concept (hello, towering high heels) and favouring comfort above all else. As a result, the combat boot - or lug-soled boot - has now become one of the biggest footwear trends of the moment.
While nothing new, this style of footwear fuses form and function, defined by its chunky sole and more pronounced silhouette that pairs seamlessly with almost any outfit.
Stow away your stilettos because the combat boot is here to stay. We’ve gone ahead and rounded up the best ones currently on the market.
BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY WOMEN’S COMBAT BOOTS
Therapy Aspen, The Iconic, $99.95
As a general rule of thumb, the more you pay for boots, the better the quality will be. However, there are a few golden gems that deliver on all fronts. Just take these Therapy Aspen boots as an example. For just under $100, you can have one of the season’s hottest chunky-soled boots, which claim to be so comfy that you won’t want to take them off. They also come in a white and beige colour, which really means you could purchase all three for less than the price of quite a few options we’ve listed below in this guide.
Dazie Ella Ankle Boots, The Iconic, $79.99
For an even more affordable option, you can’t look past Dazie’s Ella boots. Made from a smooth faux leather (hence the budget-friendly price), these boots feature everything you want in a trendy combat boot — elastic side gussets, pull tabs to collar and a chunky sole. The dual black-brown colour combination also gives them more of an edge.
Miss Shop Jax Black Boot, Myer, $99.95
This lace-up design from Miss Shop features a patent leather look that’ll help elevate your outfit to the next level. For extra flair, wear them with your favourite skirt, a cropped blazer and socks that peek out above the top of the boots.
BEST CLASSIC WOMEN’S COMBAT BOOTS
Alias Mae Dominic, The Iconic, $299.95
No frills or whistles, this sturdy pair of booties are the timeless wardrobe staple you need in your life. Complete with a 100 per cent leather upper and lining, a round toe and a chunky platform, there’s simply no going wrong with these. The Iconic stocks them in three neutral colours - black, cream and a divine olive green - which are all easy to style with any outfit.
Ganni Ridged-Sole Boots, Farfetch, $568
Despite the higher price tag, the quality craftsmanship that goes into making these Ganni booties is incomparable. They’re designed with chunkier than usual soles, however, they’re much lighter and easier to wear than they look (I can even attest to this fact). While you can dress these up with your favourite dresses and skirts for a more formal outing, they’re also good enough to add a dose of refinement and style to your most casual outfits (read: trackie dacks).
Dr Martens Unisex Unisex Jadon 8-Eye Boots, The Iconic, $340
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Dr Martens. The brand prides itself on its line-up of iconic combat boots that deliver both comfort and style with all the edge. The Jadon is an evolution of the 8-eye boot, complete with the original details including the grooved edges, yellow stitching and heel-loops but has the addition of a chunky platform sole (perfect for those shorter people who need a bit of height). On top of covering the style department with the smooth and polished finish, they’re also incredibly comfortable to wear, according to many five-star reviewers. Pick them up in black here and white here.
BEST KNEE-HIGH COMBAT BOOTS FOR WOMEN
Seed Heritage Lara Leather Knee High Boot, $389.95
For even more leg coverage, the Lara boots from Seed Heritage extend above the knee cap, which will undoubtedly help keep you warm. Although tapered around the calf area, they still parade the classic chunky sole and flat heel combat boots are known for. There’s also a handy zip on the inside to make them easy to get in and out of. Our fashion advice would be to pair these with tights, a mini skirt and knitwear for a modern classic look.
ASOS Design Capricorn Chunky Chelsea Knee Boots, ASOS, $200
With a sleek design, pull tab for easy entry, zip-side fastening and eight-centimetre sole height, you really can’t help but be intrigued by ASOS Design’s Capricorn Leather boots. They really give us all the vibes of luxury branded boots but for a fraction of the price. We can only expect these will quickly sell out so you’ll want to make sure to snap up a pair before they do.
BEST ELEVATED COMBAT BOOTS FOR WOMEN
Aere Wavy Chunky Chelsea Boots, The Iconic, $240
Yes, contrasting soles are in right now and snapping up these Aere Wavy Chunky Chelsea Boots is exactly how you can jump on the trend. They’re hip and fun yet concurrently classy and timeless. If fluorescent yellow-green is a tad too farfetched for you but you love the concept, rest assured they also come in a white sole version, which is a lot more understated.
Siren Orielly Combat Chunk Boots White Box, $229.95 at Myer
According to countless celebrities and fashionistas, white boots are very much in so shake up your black boot selection and invest in these ones from Siren. They’re cute, different - without being too eccentric - and so easy to style. Match them with a structured blazer, white tee and dark-wash denim or opt for white jeans, which actually creates the illusion of longer legs.
We weren’t kidding when we said contrasting soles are one of the biggest fashion trends of the moment. These shoes from Billini are fiercely on-trend and because they’re not made from leather, you can also file these under ‘best budget-friendly’. Now the only decision you have is to choose between the three colour combinations.
WHO MAKES THE BEST WOMEN’S COMBAT BOOTS?
Just like any footwear purchase, there isn’t a universal pair of combat boots that are going to suit every individual’s feet. Instead, you’ll want to consider the following factors when choosing the best women’s combat boots for you:
Comfort and size: It goes without saying that if your boots aren’t comfy, you won’t end up wearing them (or you’ll be in pain every single time you do). While it’s best to try boots on before making a purchase, this isn’t doable if you’re shopping online. In this case, ensure you read plenty of reviews to evaluate what boots are actually comfortable to wear. When choosing the perfect size for you, never size down to reduce the toe room — instead, you want a toe box that has some extra space.
Cut: The most common lengths combat boots come in are mid-calf and knee-high.
Colour: Black will always be a versatile option, however, combat boots come in a variety of colours that will add a dose of personality to your wardrobe.
Price: You’ll of course want to pick a pair within your budget since combat boots can range anywhere from as low as $50 to over $1000. However, as a general rule, the price of a pair of boots will directly reflect the quality of the footwear.
Material: Leather boots are best if you plan on wearing them regularly or for working. This is because leather is more durable, fitting and stretches slightly. Of course, there are also plenty of faux leather options available that also come with a lower price tag.
ARE COMBAT BOOTS COMFORTABLE FOR WALKING?
Combat boots provide your feet and ankles with optimal comfort and support, which makes them great walking shoes. They’ll also keep your feet nice and warm during the cooler months.
The sole is made with deep indentations that have definition and width, which give plenty of grip. In saying this, you’ll probably want to leave your stylish boots at home when going hiking.
HOW DO YOU STYLE COMBAT BOOTS?
Combat boots are a staple that never go out of fashion so purchasing a pair will be a long-term investment. The great thing about combat boots is that they’re practical, go with almost any outfit and can even be more stylish than heeled boots. You can wear combat boots with jeans or dress pants of any length and cut, or even with leggings. But they’re not limited to pants — style them with any dress like an LBD, slip, denim, mini or shirt. They also go with denim, leather, mini and midi skirts. You can wear stockings with your combat boots or choose socks that end up below the top of your boots or peek out. The possibilities are really endless.
Looking for more stylish fashion pieces to add to your wardrobe? We’ve rounded up the most phenomenal white sneakers that’ll effortlessly pair with any outfit. Plus, the best puffer vests that are perfect for trans-seasonal dressing.
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