It goes without saying that boots are one of the most timeless and important pieces of any man’s wardrobe, and while one or two pairs can get you by in this day and age, a well-rounded collection of colors, styles, and cuts can do wonders for your everyday arsenal. Despite this, we also understand that buying multiple pairs of premium boots might not be in the cards for many people. Luckily, there’s a shade that will pair nicely with (almost) every article of clothing that you own: black.
The all-black boot is likely the most diverse in its respective genre, allowing you to wear it with virtually any other color. This opens up many doors for people who are trying to build multiple outfits without having to worry about matching them with unique footwear pieces. Since black boots are lauded for their styling capabilities, the industry’s largest names spare no expense in terms of darker hues. Oftentimes, even flagship models can be found in pure, all-black colorways. Below, we’ve aggregated a handful of our shadowy favorites, laying the groundwork for your next multi-purpose purchase.
Dr. Martens Black Combs 2
Dr. Martens is known primarily for its militaristic, punk-inspired footwear, but every now and then the brand deviates from its path for a more contemporary take on the boot genre. The Black Combs 2 is one such offering, bringing ankle-high paneled nylon canvas, an eight-eye lace-up closure, and logo webbing pull-loop to the table for wearers who want something a bit more modern. To keep comfort and capability at the forefront of the Combs 2, the brand has incorporated its signature Air Cushion rubber sole, which features a grippy, texturized tread for increased efficiency.
Timberland 6-Inch Basic
Like Dr. Martens, Timberland dwells within its own niche when it comes to capable outdoor footwear. While some of the brand’s most notable offerings have been inspired by the urban landscape, the 6-Inch Basic amplifies its standing through a slim, high-profile architecture, premium leather materials, and a utility-approved, seam-sealed waterproof construction. Better yet, the Basic also incorporates 400 grams of PrimaLoft insulation for those cold winter days, working along the shoe’s padded leather collar, recycled nylon laces, and rust-proof hardware to provide wearers with a stylish, long-lasting silhouette.
Hunter Insulated Commando
Hunter’s boots are always unique, helping them to stand apart from the rest of the industry’s well-endowed offerings. One of our favorites is the Insulated Commando — a robust footwear piece that takes the brand’s iconic design principle, and turns it into a winterized mainstay. It’s crafted atop a rugged, waterproof architecture, and features a comfortable and cozy fleece lining for those days where the weather might take a turn for the worse. To amplify the boot’s appeal for everyday wearers, a cushioned footbed and grippy texturized outsole have been included, giving the Commando a stable foundation for years of usefulness.
Danner Jack III
No boot list is complete without Danner, and that means that we had to find the perfect all-black boot for the masses. Our mission didn’t take long to complete, thanks to the Jack III. This gentlemanly offering is a more contemporary play on the brand’s iconic heritage boots and features a robust, premium-leather upper, 971X last, and a removal Ortholite footbed for increased cushioning and support. To improve the shoe’s internal standing, the entirety of its footbed is crafted from open-cell polyurethane, promoting the expulsion of uncomfortable heat. Like many of the proprietor’s other models, the Jack III features a Tualatin outsole, legendary stitch down construction, and classic appeal that’s rarely matched.
Thursday Captain
Thursday has carved a large swathe through the boot industry, and we’re not complaining. As fans of the brand, we’re often enamored by its expansive catalog of tasteful models, and the Captain is no exception. This staple essential is crated from resilient leather and features a ruggedized black matte to make it a perfect addition to your all-black list. On top of that, it’s got all the great inclusions that we’ve come to expect from Thursday, including a capable Goodyear Welt construction, fully-lined, glove-leather interior, and Poron shock-absorbing insoles that have been treated with antimicrobial properties. Kevlar laces and reinforced eyelets round out the boot, prolonging its life, and supplying wearers years of stylish companionship.
Blundstone Original Series
Blundstone’s minimalist approach to footwear is one of our favorites. As such, one of its simple, understated boots was bound to make its way onto our list. While it might not be as dark as the other offerings on this guide, the Original Series boot is a formidable opponent thanks to its utilitarian upper, which has been crafted from waterproof leather. Dive deeper, and you’ll find a cushioned, comfort-inclined midsole, a TPU outsole for improved traction on a variety of surfaces, and a pull strap to make donning and doffing a more intuitive process.
Grenson Joseph
Grenson joins our selection with one of its most iconic models, the Joseph. This military-inspired mainstay takes a more tasteful approach when compared to its competitors, thanks to its unique toe cap derby design. Sadly, style is the name of the game here. You won’t find any hard-wearing materials, work-approved cushioning, or outdoor intricacies. Instead, the Joseph relies on its fashion-forward orientation, adopting a beautifully-tailored black calf leather and Commando sole for unprecedented urban appeal.
FRYE Union
FRYE’s Union boot is a personal favorite, and perhaps, one of the most aesthetically-pleasing models on our list. Like the aforementioned footwear piece from Grenson, it takes a more tasteful approach to the genre, incorporating more stylistic cues than utilitarian principles. That being said, it’s still one of the more capable fashion-focused offerings, thanks to its waterproof finish, pull-up leather construction, and Goodyear Welt construction. To ensure that you’ll maintain your footing throughout every season, the boot has also adopted a durable rubber lug sole for unquestionable traction.
Red Wing 8137 Heritage Work 6″ Moc
Like Danner, Red Wing is an immediate entry on any boot-focused guide. This is due to the brand’s unwavering commitment to quality construction and craftsmanship, and the 8137 Heritage Work 6” Moc — one of its premiere models — is a testament to that fact. Over the years, the boot has reprised its role as one of the brand’s foremost offerings. This all-black edition, which features a formidable Traction Tred outsole, Skagway leather, and Goodyear Welt, is yet another aesthetic upgrade that holds true to the brand’s timeless design principle.
Fracap Monkey Boots Black Mamba
It isn’t often that we include Fracap on our footwear guides, but the brand’s Monkey Boots Black Mamba is an iteration that we just can’t gloss over. This unique boot is crafted from a premium black calf leather, amplifying its foundation with a natural calf leather lining and cuoio insole. To bring its aesthetic to an entirely different level, the item’s exterior has taken on a pebbled appearance, while a rippled outsole, burnished eyelets, and flat laces round it out as a true competitor within the heritage footwear space.
Wolverine 1000 Mile Axel
Wolverine errs on the edge of utility for many of its boots, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t stand alongside the industry’s more stylish proprietors. The brand’s 1000 Mile Axel is a perfect example of its fashionable chops. Calling upon a handcrafted upper that pays homage to the original 1914 model, and made from premium Horween leather, this unique offering incorporates a variety of rugged, long-lasting traits, including a versatile Vibram outsole, and a set of flat waxed laces. As a result, this time-tested staple is durable, flexible, and awe-inspiring, placing Wolverine’s valuable (and technical) knowledge at the forefront.
Hanwag Tashi
Hanwag’s Tashi boot is a genuine frontrunner that’s often neglected by other outlets. Regardless of that fact, we’re huge fans of the brand’s heritage, as well as its timeless essence. This boot is a prime example of its dedication to clear-cut capability, thanks to its Chromfree leather lining, double-stitched construction, and specialized yak leather upper, which you don’t see in many of today’s more common boots. It also adopts a handful of expedition-inspired accents, including clamped lace hooks, a ball bearing lacing system, and a shock-absorbant heel, giving the Tashi enough gumption to replace your favorite pair of boots in terms of intuitive, all-day comfort.
Paul Smith Jarman
Paul Smith’s transcendental footwear oozes style and class. That’s no different for the Jarman — an all-black boot that’s as sophisticated as they come. Since this a dressier option, you won’t hear a lot of the hard-wearing terms that we’ve been spouting throughout this guide, however, the Jarman stands on its own in terms of pure elegance. Calling upon a blissful mixture of black calf leather, lace-up fastening, and artisinal stitch detailing, this stacked-heel offering might be the perfect boot for your next urban outing.
Viberg Wholecut Classic
Usually, it would be difficult for a footwear offering to follow one of Paul Smith’s tasteful models. Not for Viberg, however. The brand’s Wholecut Classic is in a league of its own in terms of aesthetic acuity, thanks to its simplified lace-up front, reinforced backstay, and near-seamless upper, which calls upon whole-cut premium leather to do its bidding. To keep it within your arsenal for a prolonged period of time, Viberg has also introduced a channeled Goodyear Welt, allowing you to provide some TLC whenever the Classics are looking worse for wear.
Church’s Wootton
Church’s rounds out our list with its Wootton boot, and that’s a tough thing to do with so many prominent competitors. Despite the fact that many of the footwear world’s most iconic providers dabble in all-black boot variants, the Wootton is still a surefire hit, thanks to its timeless derby styling. It comes complete with a natural calf leather finish, Goodyear Storm Welt construction, and blind eyelets, allowing it to maintain its sleek, stylish appeal. As with many of the company’s boots, subtle branding on both the crest and tongue mark its inclusion into the outfit’s lauded catalog.
The 20 Best Winter Boots For Men
All-black boots can amplify any outfit that you put together for a night on the town, but what happens when colder weather becomes the norm? Head to our guide on the best winter boots for men to find the perfect alternative for the snowy season.
