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Winter is here, which means one thing, and one thing only: boot season has officially begun, people. Sure, classic boots are a practical, reliable choice to see you through the colder months in style, but a great pair of calf-skimming seasonal stompers also have the superpower to amp up any outfit in one fell swoop. So before you dust off your old faithfuls from the last five winters, why not consider an upgrade with a pair of the season’s sportiest new walkers?
Over the past few seasons, Bottega Veneta’s former creative director Daniel Lee has created fine-tuned incarnations of classic boots, from calf-high buffed-leather Chelseas with super-sized threaded rubber soles to souped-up Wellington styles, ankle-high and made from biodegradable rubber.
The latest offering in the mix (and arguably our favourite BV boots to date) ar the Puddle Bombers. Much like other boots of the Veneto-based brand’s recent past, these bad boys, which come infused with a sporty, sneaker-esque aesthetic, are as sexy as they are serviceable.
Boots by Bottega Veneta, £750. bottegaveneta.com
A classic hiking boot imbued with a modern, sports-infused attitude, the Puddle Bomber features an upper crafted from slightly padded technical fabric, which mirrors the bomber jackets from the Italian fashion house’s current season. Lined along the front are metal eyelets woven with tubular technical laces in contrasting hues for a secure yet eye-catching closure.
Available in eight colours, including black, Bottega’s classic “parakeet” green, inky blue and pure white with yolk-coloured laces and built around a chunky last, the Puddle Bomber boots are anything but shy and retiring – but why on earth should they be? It’s boot season, baby! So you better start walkin’!
If Bottega Veneta’s Puddle Bombers have you in the mood for a hike, here are some of the best alternatives. Just remember to wrap up on top, too.
Elegantly infused with artistic director Kim Jones’s chic-meets-street aesthetic, these boot-cum-sneakers are mainstays of Dior men’s winter collections. And they should quickly become mainstays of your cold-weather wardrobe, too.
Boots by Dior, £940, dior.com
Sporty, sexy, silly – these sporty new hikers designed by the late Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton should be at the top of your 2021 Christmas list. Because if you’re not coveting lime green super-branded walking boots right now then what are you coveting?
Boots by Louis Vuitton, £1,180, louisvuitton.com
An affordable entry point to the sports hiker trend, these ultra-lightweight options from Spanish brand Camper will work with most muted winter looks – and they’ll work just as well with garish ones, too.
Boots by Camper, £155, camper.com
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