Much of the time, a quality pair of boots is both the literal and figurative foundation of any man’s wardrobe. Built to stand up to years of wear, they have the potential to outlast most of the other items in a guy’s closet. Because there are numerous brands making first-rate boots, one must make a conscious long-term decision when investing in a new pair. Over years of wear, these investments become highly personal, forming to the wearer’s feet, displaying well-earned creases and aged hues.
To hear the stories behind some well-loved boots, we reached out to some of the most stylish guys we know and asked them to share their favorite boots. The styles and stories vary as much as personalities we surveyed, but every pick exhibits top-tier features built to stand the test of time.
Todd Snyder, Designer
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Vintage Red Wing 877 Irish Setter Boots: “I probably have over 15 pairs of boots, so it’s hard to pick just one. I guess my favorite boots are my Red Wing 877 Irish Setters circa 1970. I found them vintage in a RRL store approximately 15 years ago and they fit me perfectly. I have a size 13 foot and I can never find vintage anything that comes close to fitting me, so I jumped on them. They had the best patina and were in great condition so the $500 price tag seemed like a steal. They are totally worth it.
To me, Red Wing invented the work-boot and are still doing it the way they did back in the day — made in the USA with great quality and comfort. These boots are the reason that I wanted to collaborate with the brand in the first place. I get so many compliments from the Red Wing workers when I visit their factory in Minnesota. I travel there once a year to discuss the future collabs and work with their design team. Everyone there is very proud of what they do. I cherish these boots because they look cool, but they also are legit (looks like I wore the heck out them, but took very good care of them). I should give thanks to the guy who broke them in for all of those years! Thank you, sir.”
