Best Boots for Summer Festivals
Stay Dry and Comfortable With Rugged, Ready-for-Anything Boots
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Among the many pursuits now packing your social calendar, we’d wager a concert or two is chief among them, or better still, a proper music festival packed with headliners and a touch of summer sunshine (or rain).
Heading to a music festival — especially one with the potential for inclement weather — is more than just about packing a poncho. It’s about building a stylish, functional outfit from the ground up with some rugged boots. We favor more stable, durable boots over sneakers at festivals, since boots are ready for all manner of weather — and they make it easy to find traction up near the barrier after a long day on your feet.
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The best boots, either of the pull-on or lace-up variety, can even be mixed and matched with cool summer staples like light wash jeans or, better still, jean shorts. When you’re wearing a tough-yet-comfortable pair of boots, anything is possible. You’ve got the tickets in hand to your next summer festival — these are the best boots to wear when your next concert rolls around.
Blundstone 500 Boots
Blundstone
The original and best — Blundstone has been making boots like these for decades, with an easy-on, easy-off pull-on style, comfortable elastic side gores and handy pull tabs for quick access at a moment’s notice. These will stand up to wind, rain and dust without missing a beat, and it helps that they look great with dark blue jeans outside of the festival grounds, too.
From $100.25 at Amazon.com
Dr. Martens 1460 Boots
Dr. Martens
Dr. Martens have been associated with many movements over the years, and they still bring plenty of punk rock attitude and toughness to concerts the world over. For long days on your feet, it’s hard to top the rebound-minded comfort of these sturdy, rubber-soled boots, and it doesn’t hurt that the contrasting yellow lacing on black leather is instantly recognizable and able to pair up with everything from slim black jeans to grey denim shorts.
From $90.87 at Amazon.com
Timberland Earthkeepers Boots
Timberland
Although best known for its wheat-hued 6-inch boots, the Earthkeepers Boots just might be your best bet for prime festival style. They’re a unique take on the leather lace-up boot thanks to the eye-catching, gets-better-with-age brown leather and contrast stitching, not to mention the breathable, sustainable lining made from recycled plastic bottles. Wear these with rolled light wash jeans and a short-sleeve henley for style that works at any festival, anywhere.
From $94.98 at Amazon.com
Wolverine Lux 1000 Mile Wedge Boots
Wolverine
It’s hard to go wrong with any pair of boots from Wolverine’s famed 1000 Mile collection, which uses heritage-quality materials and time-honored construction to produce boots that stand the test of time. The 1000 Mile line gets a lightweight upgrade here in the form of a rock ‘n’ roll-approved wedge sole, which should prove ideal for all-day traction. The rich leather will take on a distinctive patina as it ages, too — yet another bonus for a pair full of style points.
$385 at Wolverine.com
Eastland Lumber Lace-Up Boots
Eastland
If it’s maximum durability you seek, then Eastland’s take on the moc toe boot is among the best boots for a summer festival. They’re triple-stitched for the ideal blend of toughness and even a dash of style (note the rugged moc toe design). The mini-groove sole design also helps you stay light on your feet all day long, while the two-tone laces are a nice design touch alongside richly crafted brown leather. Feel free to wear these with grey stretch jeans for lightweight summer comfort and style.
From $50.47 at Amazon.com
Todd Snyder Nomad Desert Boots
Todd Snyder
Now, look: Not every music festival is going to entail dry, dusty ground or a muddy landscape. Some music festivals these days are much more tranquil and suited for enjoying a glass of wine camped out on a blanket (or taking in the action from a coveted VIP spot). When that description fits the vibe of the next festival you’ve got on your summer or early fall calendar, you can easily pull off suede desert boots from a famed designer like Todd Snyder. The company’s first-ever original boot design is headliner-worthy, no doubt about it.
$324 at ToddSnyder.com
Danner Panorama Mid Boots
Danner
Those hiking boots you trust to take you from town to trail are also an ideal option as far as the best men’s boots for a summer festival are concerned, too. How does that work out? It’s simple, really: Danner’s craftsmanship and penchant for next-level durability is outstanding, and they’ve applied those principles to a comfortable, up-for-anything pair of boots. Case in point: The cushioned EVA midsole and 100 percent waterproof design, with visually appealing red laces thrown in for good measure.
$160 at Danner.com
Amberjack Chelsea Boots
Amberjack
Remember what we said about some festivals offering a more tranquil environment these days? Dress yourself accordingly with a set of go-anywhere, comfortable-as-can-be Chelsea boots from upstart brand Amberjack. Made from handsome full-grain leather, these feature some sporty appeal thanks to the wedge sole, but they’re as refined a pair of summer festival boots as you could hope to find, and you can rock them with everything from chinos to linen trousers and classic black jeans.
$195 at Amberjack.com
Thursday Boots Captain Boots
Thursday Boots
Thursday Boots are a fan favorite for a reason: They’re well-designed, they’re ridiculously well-made for the price, and you can rock them anywhere — to the office, sure, but also as a pair of the best boots to wear to a summer festival. The captoe design of the aptly named Captain Boots provides nice durability and styling potential, while the Kevlar-blend laces and Goodyear welt design are also two insanely tough design features.
$199 at ThursdayBoots.com
New Republic Sonoma Suede Chelsea Boots
New Republic
Repeat after us: If you’re going to be attending a festival at, say, an amphitheater rather than a dusty park, it’s perfectly acceptable to go more refined (yet no less comfortable) with your footwear choice. New Republic’s famed Sonoma Suede Chelsea Boots deliver some serious bang for your buck, with sleek styling potential — try them with slim light wash jeans and a black denim jacket. The natural crepe sole should prove remarkably comfortable and easy-wearing, too.
$89.60 at ShopNewRepublic.com
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