Holiday Gift Guide: Men’s Casual Boots

There’s a time to plow up a mountain and a moment to plod through winter slush. A time to stroll into work looking good and occasions to show up after hours ready to roll. Active Junky’s footwear choices take all these scenarios in stride.

Chacos Yonder: Why wait

Chaco Yonder $116.07 - $181.41

All of the situations mentioned above? Check, check and double check with Chacos’ entry into the hiker-inspired casual boot category. Testers loved lacing the full grain leather upper (with wax laces, of course) complete with stitching accents and a moccasin-inspired rand running the entire length of the welt. Easy care with a little leather protector maintains a classic look up top and gives the no-mark outsole (“full rubber block”) a chance to navigate city streets and country paths. Comfort battles for top honors with appearance as Active Junky applauded this total approach to footwear happiness. Sizing runs large so order a full size smaller if your feet are narrower, one-half size for wider feet.

Best For: Aggressive casual and travel wear, all-day lace-up with the LUVSEAT footbed

Altra Men’s Desert Boot: Walk on the sunny side

Altra Men’s Desert Boot Starting at: $91.65

The buoyancy of this brand and shoe model got testers out of their chairs and moving. With roots in running, Altra knows how to translate anatomy into efficient motion. With the expanding line of casual footwear that includes a previous tester favorite (the Instinct), science gets styled with genuine leather on top of a Zero drop platform in this worthwhile leather boot. Cushioned and ready for extended standing along with serious stepping, Altra’s Desert Boot weighs in at 11.4oz with a chukka-inspired design that carries the relaxing FootShape toe box Active Junky was hoping to find. Now, there’s no reason to sacrifice support for sport, play for putting down comfort with a versatile casual shoe.

Best For: Everyday casual, travel and transition to most work situations

Wolverine Kilometer: Walk a meter in my shoes

Wolverine Kilometer

Or keep going as long as the full-rubber, Vibram outsole keeps digging in. And the full-grain leather continues to wear even better than Kilometer’s rugged finish hints. Testers wore this one a size down from normal footwear (due to narrower feet) and recommend a half-size drop to take full advantage of the 6” tall, five eyelet and two loop design. Lacing here is sure and holds well with the classic foundation of a Goodyear Welt down below. While unlined, Active Junky relished the ability to select socks based upon the setting, whether casual Merino blend or bushwacking-ready yarn alchemy. Fabricated in the U.S., Kilometer is another reason to give Wolverine leather boots a wear as the weather turns more turbulent.

Best For: Upgrading your urban game, finding a new direction for casual and weekend outings

Bogs Johnny Chukka Boot: No-slouch casual

Bogs Johnny Chukka Boot Starting at: $109.27

With a waterproof leather upper, this casual boot takes on life with urgency. At the same time, the more relaxed feel of Johnny Chukka has all the time in the world for bocce, the latest hop-crazy brew or hunting for new views with a smartphone. The max-wick lining breeds all-day comfort, with an OrthoLite footbed below to dampen the impact of the dense, slip-resistant lugged rubber outsole. In between, count on dual-density EVA to pave the way. Active Junky rates the Bogs Johnny boot line highly, with lots of admiration thanks to the Johnny 5-Eye version that laces proudly for every occasion.

Best For: Confident everyday wear in all weather conditions, travel as a more refined multi-use leather boot (including light hiking)