Chelsea, Chukka or Lace-Up? How to Choose Men's Boots
Men's boots · 49 Ashe Street, Tralee
If you buy one pair of boots this winter, make it a brown leather Chelsea. It slips on in a second and looks right with jeans, chinos and a suit.
A chukka is the easy weekend boot, and a lace-up boot is the warmest and toughest for a Kerry winter. Below: how the three styles differ, leather or suede, how a boot should fit and what to wear it with. The photos are the boots on our shelf right now.
Three styles
Chelsea, chukka or lace-up?
Almost every men's boot is one of these three. The difference is how it fastens, and that decides how smart it looks.
- Chelsea boot. Elastic panels at the sides and a pull tab at the back, so it goes on without laces. The smartest of the three: a slim leather one works with a suit, a suede one with jeans.
- Chukka. Ankle height with two to four eyelets, often in suede. The relaxed choice for chinos and jeans, and comfortable from the first day.
- Lace-up boot. More eyelets, a padded collar and usually a thicker sole. It holds the foot best and keeps out the most weather, so it's the one for wet weekends and long walks.
The leather
Smooth leather or suede?
The Kerry rule
If you'll only own one pair, buy leather on a rubber sole. A leather sole looks sleek but slips on wet footpaths; a rubber sole grips and lasts longer in the rain.
Colour
Which colour goes with what
Brown boots go with more of a man's wardrobe than black, which is why most of the boots on our shelf are brown.
| Colour | Wear it with | On our shelf |
|---|---|---|
| Tan and cognac | Navy, denim, grey and olive. The easiest colour to wear | Cognac and tan leather Chelsea, cognac chukka, tan lace-up |
| Dark brown | Navy and grey suits, dark jeans, chinos | Dark brown leather Chelsea and desert boot, brown suede Chelsea |
| Navy | Grey trousers, light or dark denim | Navy suede and navy leather Chelsea |
| Burgundy | Navy, charcoal and grey | Escape Dan Patch lace-up |
| Black | Black jeans, charcoal or black suits | Hugo Boss leather Chelsea, online |
Fit and size
How a boot should fit
- 1Try them on late in the day, when your feet are at their biggest, and in the socks you'll wear with them.
- 2Leave a thumb's width in front of your longest toe. Your toes shouldn't touch the end when you walk downhill.
- 3Snug across the top of the foot. The heel can lift a little while the boot is new; it settles as the sole bends. If your heel slides right up, the boot is too big.
- 4Chelsea boots: the elastic should hold your ankle without digging in, and the boot should go on with a firm pull on the tab.
Most of our boots come in European sizes, 41 to 46. A UK 9 is usually a 43, but brands vary, so try them on in the shop or ring us before you order.
What to wear them with
Which boot for which day
| Where you're going | Boot | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans, every day | Tan or cognac Chelsea, or a chukka | Slim or straight leg, resting on the boot |
| Wet weekends and walks | Leather lace-up boot | Rubber sole and a padded collar |
| Office, smart casual | Dark brown leather Chelsea or chukka | With chinos and a knit |
| With a suit | Slim leather Chelsea, dark brown or black | Trousers hemmed to sit on the boot |
| Christmas party | Polished leather or navy suede Chelsea | Navy suede with grey; black with a dark suit |
Need the suit to go with them? See our men's suits in Tralee. For Christmas outfits, see our Christmas gift guide.
Make them last
Looking after your boots
- Suede: spray with a suede protector before the first wear and again every few weeks. Brush off dried mud with a suede brush; don't rub it while it's wet.
- Leather: wipe off mud with a damp cloth, then polish or condition every few weeks so the leather doesn't dry out and crack.
- Wet boots: stuff them with newspaper and let them dry at room temperature. Never on the radiator or by the fire: heat cracks leather and hardens suede.
- Give them a day off. Boots worn every day never dry out properly. Two pairs worn in turns last much longer than one pair worn every day.
Order online
Boots on our website
We're adding the boots from our shelf to the website. These you can order now, with free delivery in Ireland over €95 or free Click & Collect.
Straight answers
Questions we get asked
Are Chelsea boots smart or casual?
Both. A slim leather Chelsea with a thin sole, in dark brown or black, is smart enough to wear with a suit. In suede, or on a chunky rubber sole, it's a casual boot for jeans and chinos.
Can you wear boots with a suit?
Yes, a slim leather Chelsea in dark brown or black. Have the trousers hemmed so they rest on the boot without bunching, and keep chunky soles and lace-up work boots for the weekend.
Should new boots feel tight?
Snug, not tight. Leave about a thumb's width in front of your toes. The heel can lift a little while the leather is new, and leather and elastic both ease with wear, but if a boot pinches in the shop, go up a size.
Can you wear suede boots in the rain?
In a shower, yes, if you've sprayed them with a suede protector first. For a wet winter day, leather on a rubber sole is the safer choice. If suede gets soaked, let it dry naturally, away from the radiator, then brush it.
Where can I buy men's boots in Tralee?
At Ryle Menswear, 49 Ashe Street in the centre of Tralee, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. We have Chelsea, chukka and lace-up boots in leather and suede. Not every pair is online yet, so ring (066) 712 1586 and we'll check your size.
Try before you buy
Try them on in Tralee
Call in to 49 Ashe Street, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Bring the jeans or trousers you'll wear them with, and we'll find the size.
Ryle Menswear · 49 Ashe Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry V92 CF24 · free delivery in Ireland over €95
More: men's boots · chinos guide · Christmas gifts