Tag / best men’s footwear

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Step Out with these Stylish Trainers from Rancourt & Co. This Fall

Sharp-yet-rugged sneakers, handcrafted to exacting standards by Rancourt & Co.

Are we big fans of Rancourt & Co. here on the blog? Yes, yes indeed we are — it’s getting tougher and tougher to find a brand that makes some of the best American-made footwear around, all the while adhering to tried-and-true quality and craftsmanship standards. Yet, that doesn’t mean Rancourt & Co. is a stuffy brand that never innovates. In fact, the new Rancourt & Co. Bennett Trainers are here just in time for the rest of October, and they’re some of the best men’s sneakers you can step into this season. Although it pays off to pack your footwear collection with rugged leather boots as we head into fall, there’s still something to be said for keeping a sleek-yet-rugged pair of stylish sneakers like the Rancourt & Co. Bennett Trainers in your rotation. After all, style is all about balance — and these sneakers have that in spades.

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To wit: The Rancourt & Co. Bennett Trainers feature premium suede leather uppers, as you’d expect from Rancourt, blended with a natural latex rubber sneaker sole. That combo gives you the toughness of Rancourt’s leather boots blended with the slick styling potential of your favorite pair of sneakers, guaranteed. Touches like waxed cotton laces — and of course, Rancourt’s signature made-in-Maine production — elevate these excellent sneakers even further.

SHOP: The Rancourt & Co. Bennett Trainers

Go with one of three versatile color options with the Bennett Trainers.

And when it comes to styling potential, these could be the perfect fall sneakers. They’re well-suited to slide on with your favorite pair of faded denim and a classic crewneck sweatshirt for a casual weekend coffee outing, or you can pair them with tough chore pants and a thermal henley for a bit of streetwear-inspired, off-duty style. Of course, the best men’s sneakers for fall aren’t made to take any days off — pair up the Beige version seen above with slim navy chinos and a white Oxford shirt at the office on a fall Friday, too. So, to recap: We’ve got stylish new sneakers made with the same care and attention to detail as your favorite boots … sounds like the ideal pair to wear until that first snowfall. Got questions on how to style ’em? Head over to Twitter to connect with me.

SHOP: The Rancourt & Co. Bennett Trainers
Elevated Basics. Grounded Price.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: These Quoddy Blucher Shoes are The Perfect Shoes for Early Fall

The rugged, classic boat shoes to wear as we start early fall.

So, here we stand, on the verge of Labor Day weekend (gasp!), the official end of summer (on paper at least), and the start of the slow transition toward early fall, and you’re going to need some of the most versatile men’s shoes on the market. What early fall style essentials are you shopping for? Well, I can help you out with at least one in today’s new See Now, Buy Now post: The Quoddy Blucher Shoes are some of the best men’s shoes to get on your feet right now, as apt to be worn on the weekend as at the office. How does that work out? Read on & you’ll find out. For starters, it helps that these rugged leather boat shoes have got that ever-crucial Huckberry stamp of approval, a nod of good faith that these richly handcrafted leather shoes are the real deal — especially as you start to stow away your stylish sneakers in favor of something a bit more substantial. And folks, that’s where the rugged appeal of the Quoddy Blucher Shoes comes into play, starting with a rich leather upper that’ll break in beautifully.

SHOP: The Quoddy Blucher Shoes

A new take on the classic leather boat shoe, one that’s equally ready for the weekend or the work week.

And as far as boat shoes are concerned, these have a  few other critical design pieces going for ’em. For one, they fit the rather rare definition of rugged leather boat shoes — again, that rich leather makes them more suited for the changing leaves and changing temperatures than the heat of summer. The anti-slip rubber sole also helps them navigate the city and perhaps even an early fall park stroll. And the design extends to the rich brick red outsole itself — these Quoddy Blucher Shoes toe the line between rugged and casual. They’d be ideal to wear with a rugged long-sleeve henley and classic dark blue denim for a weekend coffee date, but you can (and should!) team up the Quoddy Blucher Shoes with classic tan chinos and a timeless Oxford shirt for a casual day at the office. That alone makes them some of the best men’s shoes, don’t you agree?

SHOP: The Quoddy Blucher Shoes

Elevated Basics. Grounded Price.

by Beau H.

Style Guide Recommends: Step into Classic Astorflex Footwear

Astorflex Greenflex Chukka Boots

Classic, stylish and easy-to-wear chukka boots via Astorflex — more than deserving of an entry in this ongoing series, right?

OK  — step on up and let’s get started with another edition of Style Guide Recommends, our monthly look into what you should be wearing, shopping, reading … the whole deal and then some. Sounds good, right? Our last feature told you all about why you should be shopping Bespoke Post — monthly purveyors of “Boxes of Awesome” and plenty of other excellent #menswear. Also an advertiser on this site, I would confidently recommend Bespoke Post either way. And today’s latest entry tells you all about Astorflex — Italian-made crafters of the classic suede boots to  buy now, and plenty more beyond that.  If you peruse the pages of this site from time to time, the brand should (hopefully) jump out at you. The brand makes all of its stylish men’s footwear with careful attention to detail in northern Italy, then sells ’em at excellent prices — as simple as that. I personally love my Astorflex suede chukka boots, and I break them out as often as I can (follow me on Instagram to see exactly how I style them).  With that being said… why are they the right brand for you, and why are they the focus of this week’s #menswear entry?  Allow me.

Astorflex

Sneakers that blend craftsmanship, sustainability and style in equal measure.

It can be all too easy to get sucked into the cycle of buying clothing that looks good just because it … well, looks good. The fine team at Astorflex goes beyond that, though. The brand makes it stylish footwear sustainably — something that’s tough to come by in the industry, it seems (looking at you, fast fashion retailers). That means that everything from the well-crafted Astorflex Softflex sneakers to durable Astorflex Chelsea boots are made with responsible construction and premium European leather that’s aged in an all-natural water, oak bark and powdered mimosa mix for 30 days. That creates a supple, soft suede that matches up perfectly with crepe rubber soles — the result is a classic pair of desert boots (or sneakers, or rugged Chelsea boots) that look great and feel incredible. And when I say incredible, I mean that Astorflex suede chukkas in particular are comfortable enough to be worn with just stylish no-show socks (finished off with slim light wash denim and a classic Oxford, I should add).  Too good to be true? Not in the slightest. And in addition to comfort and style, Astorflex also offers plenty of versatility throughout its line.

Here’s your next pair of suede chukkas — according to this author.

Take the Astorflex Greenflex— you’re getting a casual and easygoing suede chukka, a perfect multi-season boot. It’s ready to team with everything from a rugged short-sleeve henley and faded dark denim in the spring and summer to a slim topcoat and perhaps wool trousers in the fall or early winter months (certainly, before the first polar vortex hits). And if you’re more of a sneakerhead, look no further than the finely crafted, sharp and visually interesting Astorflex Softflex sneaker. This one sneaker that takes the principles of time-honored footwear and applies it to a silhouette that could work with light wash denim and a classic pocket tee or your new favorite Oxford and slim chino shorts.

Astorflex Bootflex

A well-made, tough pair of Astorflex boots — ready for just about anything.

And lest we forget, the brand also introduced the rugged, tough and wearable Astorflex Bootflex, a lace-up boot that applies that same quality craftsmanship and versatile style. Wear the Astorflex Bootflex with everything from tobacco-colored cotton chinos in the early fall to grey denim in the spring — they’ll work in equal measure for a weekend coffee date or your next music festival.  Last but certainly not least, it’s imperative that you keep the Astorflex Bitflex Chelsea Boot in mind as you consider potential wardrobe upgrades.  Another comfortable and surprisingly lightweight boot, these sleek, stylish Chelsea boots would do well with dark black denim as you figure out how to dress for a rock concert, and they’ll add a bit of edge to a crisp white Oxford and grey cotton chinos in a spring work week ensemble. How’s that for one brand that can do it all? Definitely not bad.

Timex

So, to recap. It can be tough to find a brand that does it all — from blending sustainability and style to crafting well-made, versatile silhouettes, Astorflex hits the nail on the head. The brand’s craftsmanship is apparent, and it starts with that premium European leather and attention to detail. And the resulting styles? Excellent and nearly impossible not to wear well.  Try the Astorflex Bootflex out with everything from grey selvedge denim and a blue Oxford to dark denim and a tough henley. Or, pair the more laidback Astorflex Softflex sneaker with your favorite shorts come summer time. The rest of the year, I’d step into the Astorflex Greenflex or a dependable pair of Astorflex Chelsea boots. Again, keep in mind that the brand is offering up all of this at great prices — starting at $145 and topping out at $190. Hopefully, you see now why they made our Style Guide Recommends series — agreed? Good deal.

Let me know what you think of the brand in the comments section below, or follow me on Twitter for daily style dispatches.

Thanks for reading!

Timex

by Beau H.

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Men’s Transitional Footwear for Spring

Join us for the ride today as we kick off another Online Shopping Picks entry  — if you’re looking for the best men’s transitional footwear for spring, you’re in luck.   What exactly do we mean when we say transitional? Well, we — and by we, I mean me — aren’t exactly talking about rugged winter boots or even classic summer sneakers. No, today we’re talking footwear that’s a touch more durable than your average set of kicks — maybe they combine a few different elements, like the cut of a chukka and the materials of a sneaker (see: Exhibit A, the SeaVees Huckberry Chukka).  Or maybe, they’re both slightly dressy and yet suited for casual wear. Better yet, they should be relatively durable and versatile for fighting spring rain and looking great at the same time. So, you’ll see a solid mix below, from sleek suede chukkas to durable sneaker-boots and everything in between. If you agree with these picks — and even if you don’t — join me over on The Style Guide Facebook page to pick up what should be a lively #menswear discussion.

Greats

#1. Beckett Simonon Laval Suede Chukka Boots in Chestnut — $199

Supremely stylish and water-resistant suede chukka boots — perfect.

I’ve been fortunate enough to test out some Beckett Simonon footwear across the past few months, namely during a fall weekend in New York City. And the good news is that the brand’s chukkas are sturdy, sleek and extremely stylish. Such is the case with the Laval Suede Chukka Boot in a handsome shade of Chestnut. Pre-order these now and wait for them to arrive, because I’d wager you’ll want to wear them with everything from slim light wash denim to chinos. Oh, and an even better perk? The water-resistant suede, fit for taking on inclement weather.

#2. SeaVees Mariner Boot in Navy or Olive — $149.98

SeaVees

A collaboration between SeaVees and Taylor Stitch, with very stylish results.

When it comes to talking transitional footwear, the Mariner Boot just might be the ideal pair to buy now — and wear very frequently when spring rains roll through.  The end result of a collaboration between our pals at SeaVees and Taylor Stitch, the Mariner Boot features a British Ventile waterproof duck canvas upper for crucial spring protection. Plus, SeaVees’ signature herringbone tread outsole adds a nice dash of traction on wet streets, and the option to pick up either the Navy Mariner Boot or the Olive option bodes well for those of us who appreciate versatile footwear.
Frank & Oak

#3. AstorFlex Bitflex Chelsea Boot in Dark Khaki — $180

Astorflex Chelsea Boots

The combination of suede and a Chelsea boot silhouette is especially crisp for spring.

As seen in a Style Pick of the Week entry last fall, the Astorflex Bitflex Chelsea Boot has a lot going for it — it’s stylish and sustainably made, for one. And crucially, it combines both a relatively slim profile and a unique crepe rubber sole. Plus, who doesn’t love a great Chelsea boot? It’s an of-the-moment silhouette that’s transcended, well, trends, to become a footwear essential. And if you haven’t tried out a pair, this spring might be a good time to start. While they’re not water-resistant like the Beckett Simonon suede chukkas above, you still get nice quality & sharp looks.

#4.  CLAE Hayward in Mojave Pig Suede — $100

Retro style meets functionality — waterproof suede and a neat silhouette.

The retro-style runner continues to have a moment in the menswear space — in other words, it’s simply an excellent-looking shoe style. If you love a great pair of sneakers, give the CLAE Hayward a look if you’re seeking a new way to shake up your spring footwear rotation.  They’re certainly unique in both looks and functionality, incorporating waterproof suede with nylon side panels atop a crisp runner’s sole. Wear these guys with white jeans and a slim short-sleeve chambray shirt — plus a  stylish denim jacket — on a breezy spring day, and you’re all set.

#5. OluKai Pahoa Boots in Black Seal/Brown — $200

Note the burnished leather, waxed laces and easily wearable design.

If you’re sensing a theme in this post — that of durable footwear that also looks sharp — then you’re right on the money. And the last entry on the list definitely falls underneath that umbrella. Comin’ at ya all the way from Hawaii, the OluKai Pahoa Boots feature some mixed-media design touches — note the contrasting upper and waxed cotton laces. What’s more, the footbed features EquilFit technology for comfort and performance. Not bad for a pair of leather chukka boots, ehh?

Honorable Mention: Thursday Boots Honey Suede Scout Chukka — $149

Crisp, clean and well-made — all for under $150. That’s what you get with Thursday Boots.

We’re bringing back the Honorable Mention category in these Online Shopping Picks posts, namely because it’s mighty tough to pick just five great pairs of stylish spring footwear. And when the final brand on the cut line is Thursday Boots, you can be darn sure we’ll give ’em a second look. Featuring a slick European-inspired silhouette and plenty of traction via a studded rubber outsole, these are dressy enough for the office and more than ready for Sunday brunch.

From start to finish, I hope you enjoyed this essential, excellent, even tremendous rundown of the best men’s transitional footwear for spring. Finding shoes that serve a purpose while providing comfort and functionality can sometimes be tricky — yet, plenty of brands are hitting that sweet spot quite nicely.  From the water-resistant suede of the Laval Suede Chukka Boot to the toughness and on-point styling potential of the Mariner Boot, you’ve surely got options aplenty. If retro-inspired style is more your bag, grab the CLAE Hayward for a change, and I’d urge you not to pass up a pair of dressy-yet-versatile Chelsea boots (like the Astorflex Bitflex Chelsea Boot). Of course, who can resist yet another pair of suede chukkas, like the Thursday Boots Suede Scout Chukka? No one, that’s who.  If you’ve got questions on how to style these boots or heck, if you should buy any of them, drop me a line via Twitter or in the comments below.

More importantly — stay stylish!

-Beau