Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?
FRANKLY, IF we can wear dad sneakers or slippers to black-tie events, we absolutely will not object. But in reality, it’s not so much about whether we can or can’t, but whether we’d look right doing so. So, when it comes to formal footwear, we understandably default to dress shoes to ground our fits of blazers and dress pants. But should you want to look really elevated—like an A-lister making an appearance on the red carpet—a handsome pair of dress boots will do even better.
The best dress boots for men often have a solid construction, fine leather or suede outsole, and a rubber heel; they often boast a slim, streamlined profile, and never look out of style. Often worn with a suit, the best dress boots can also get you through sleet and snow with ease, dressed up for the office or date night, or dressed down with chinos.
Best dress boots on amazon
Thursday Boot Company Captain Cap Toe Leather Boots
Read more
Best chelsea boots
Charles Tyrwhitt Leather Chelsea Boots
Read more
Best chukka dress boots
Rodd & Gunn Pebbly Hill Chukka Boot
Read more
best-looking dress boots
MAGNANNI Riley Diversa Chelsea Boot
Read more
Most elegant dress boots
Beckett Simonon Elliot Balmoral Boots
Read more
Best casual dress boots
Cole Haan ØriginalGrand Chukka Boot
Read more
best wingtip dress boots
Johnston & Murphy XC Flex Cody Wingtip Boot
Read more
If you’re new to dress boots, start with classic chukka or Chelsea boots in either black or brown. Or take a look at our selection of the 12 best dress boots for men. They’ll have you smelling the leather and feeling and craftsmanship first, before you finally upgrade your footwear game and breathe life into your shoe rack to boot.
Best Slip-On Shoes | Best Cowboy Boots | Best Duck Boots | Best Work Boots | Best Leather Sneakers | Best Dress Sneakers
Best dress boots on amazon
Thursday Boot Company Captain Cap Toe Leather Boots
Best dress boots on amazon
Thursday Boot Company Captain Cap Toe Leather Boots
Pros
- Footbeds form to your feet and provide all-day comfort
- Goodyear welt construction
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Narrow; not for wide feet
They say that fine wine gets better with age. The same can be said for a great leather boot. Available in 11 colors and made with 100% leather, you will want to keep the Captain lace-up boot within arms reach for years to come.
Pros
- Goodyear welted construction
- Classic, timeless look
- Long-lasting and resolable
Cons
- Limited size options
A pair of well-made Chelsea dress boots can be a foundational yet elegant part of your evening wardrobe. Charles Tyrwhitt's design features smooth leather, a Goodyear welted construction, a comfortable rubber sole, and a pull tab for on-and-off ease.
Best chukka dress boots
Rodd & Gunn Pebbly Hill Chukka Boot
Best chukka dress boots
Rodd & Gunn Pebbly Hill Chukka Boot
Pros
- Pull tab for easy on and off
- Can be dressed up or down
- Study and comfortable
Cons
- Reviews report that the size runs large
Most chukka boots look too casual or rugged, as if they only belong in Once Upon A Time in the West. These don’t. In fact, crafted in luxe leather with a minimalist welted design, these look refined, elevated, and effortless to pull off under blazers and dress trousers (though they're still tough enough to be worn under a trucker jacket and jeans).
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
best-looking dress boots
MAGNANNI Riley Diversa Chelsea Boot
best-looking dress boots
MAGNANNI Riley Diversa Chelsea Boot
Pros
- Looks elegant and very formal
- Multiple air channels for cushioned comfort
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Expensive
This handsome design from Spanish shoemaker Magnanni will instantly upgrade your daytime outfit with rich, burnished calfskin leather and a streamlined Chelsea profile, while a cushioned, arch-support footbed offers all-day comfort. The Diversa comfort tech promotes breathability, as well.
Pros
- Iconic OG design
- Look great with anything
Cons
- Not water-resistant
Known for their durability and versatility, owning a pair of suede Clark Desert Boots should be a no-brainer. Available in a variety of colors, have fun mixing-and-matching with your casual office looks, or pack a more neutral color (white or taupe) on your next vacation.
Most elegant dress boots
Beckett Simonon Elliot Balmoral Boots
Most elegant dress boots
Beckett Simonon Elliot Balmoral Boots
Pros
- High-quality calfskin leather
- Gets better with age
- Comfortable and resolable
Cons
- Can look a bit too much
Characterized by a single line of stitching and broguing along the toe, Balmoral Boots were originally made for England’s royal family. Nowadays, they carry style cred for us commoners like this version from Beckett Simonon made with full-grain calfskin leather that only gets more stunning with age.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Best casual dress boots
Cole Haan ØriginalGrand Chukka Boot
Best casual dress boots
Cole Haan ØriginalGrand Chukka Boot
Pros
- Lightweight with cozy GRANDFØAM footbed
- Easy to move in with all-day comfort
- Keeps your feet dry
Cons
- Reviews report that it runs big
If you're looking to elevate your footwear game but aren’t ready to commit to a full-on dress boot, the newly re-designed OriginalGrand Chukka boot by Cole Haan might be a great start. The elegant leather upper is expertly balanced with a sporty, ribbed midsole, offering a casual start to your dress boot journey.
Pros
- Affordable
- Shock-absorbing footbed
- Synthetic leather for breathability
Cons
- Won't last too long
Like a pair of classic jeans, the ankle boot is one of those tried-and-true footwear staples that never go out of style. This sleek and contemporary design by Bruno Marc is easily within reach and available in a rich black as well as some colorful brown hue, with an easy-to-wear build.
best wingtip dress boots
Johnston & Murphy XC Flex Cody Wingtip Boot
best wingtip dress boots
Johnston & Murphy XC Flex Cody Wingtip Boot
Pros
- Flexible sole with memory-foam footbed
- Warm and comfortable
- Sturdy construction that really lasts
Cons
- Not a minimalist style
If you think that the classic wingtip design is only reserved for oxford shoes, think again. The XC Flex Cody dons that sharp heritage wingtip accent that every man should own in their shoe collection, and a construction that's not only shock-absorbing but also flexible for all-day wearing comfort.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Best suede dress boots
Shoe The Bear Dev Chelsea Boot
Best suede dress boots
Shoe The Bear Dev Chelsea Boot
Pros
- Flexible outsole
- Versatile style
Cons
- Needs some breaking-in
Suede boots might be considered the more casual alternative to leather, but when styled correctly, they can still elevate your outfit. Opt for a darker brown color to start (for greater versatility) like this design from Shoe The Bear that features a Chelsea form, an easy slip-on style, and twin elastic gores for an ideal fit.
Best weather-proof dress boots
Nisolo All-Weather Andres Boot
Best weather-proof dress boots
Nisolo All-Weather Andres Boot
Pros
- Hardwearing, shock-absorbing rubber soles
- Slip-free heel with high traction
- Ready for all elements
Cons
- A bit expensive
If you live somewhere that frequently rains or snows, your boot wear might need additional protection. Check out this elements-ready Nisolo design made with waterproof leather, a hardwearing outsole, and a removable memory foam insole for enhanced comfort.
Best zipper dress boots
Florsheim Norwalk Side Zip Boot
Best zipper dress boots
Florsheim Norwalk Side Zip Boot
Pros
- Side zip for easy on and off
- Cushioned ComforTech footbed
- Flexible, lightweight outsole
Cons
- Might not fit wide feet
If you want to earn some serious style points and add an inch at the same time, easily slip into this zipper style in a timeless profile that can be dressed up with a wedding fit as well as down with casual attire and jeans.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
How We Selected
Our editors at Men’s Health have put on a number of men’s dress boots and put them to the test on different occasions. To review the best dress boots for men, we’ve evaluated them based on style, comfort, price point, and durability. In addition, we also considered top-reviewed dress boots with high ratings on e-commerce websites we trust.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Saint Laurent practically invented the Western-meets-luxury boot category and honestly, we aren’t mad about it. If you want to earn some serious style points, and add an inch at the same time, slip into the Wyatt 40 style with soft almond toe, rich calf leather, and ankle harness.