Looking into durable footwear this season?
Footwear doesn’t have to be awful. You don’t need to sacrifice durability for aesthetics or aesthetics for durability. You can have the best of both worlds.
Don’t believe us? Don’t worry, you don’t have to take our word for it. You can see for yourself.
In the following sections, you’ll find 5 incredible brands that break the mold. They make footwear both fashionable and durable. When you’re ready to decide for yourself, read on.
1. Converse
Athletic footwear accounts for over $37.76 billion globally each year. It’s a big business. Everything from track shoes to hiking boots falls into this category.
But few are as famous as “Chucks.”
Chuck Taylor All-Stars are the most prolific sneaker in the history of shoes. Converse was made famous with this design when, in 1917, a basketball player by the name of Charles H. Taylor walked in complaining of sore feet. Charles, aka “Chuck,” was offered a job, and began promoting Converse across the US.
Converse soon named a design after him, and the rest is history. Little has changed in the design or the materials used in the shoe’s manufacturing. They still have the same stylish, retro, sturdy design.
They’re forever fashionable.
The only thing that has changed is the introduction of new colors Though Converse still carries the black and white All-Stars, it also offers these:
- Green
- Orange
- Red
- Yellow
- Off-white
- Grey
- Pink
- Neon
- Mauve
- Light blue
If you want to make your own fashion splash, Converse also provides a “design your own” style. You can have these durable shoes made with pictures of your favorite sports icon, or you can just ask for leopard print and call it a day. Whatever fits your personality best.
The classic, rubber-soled sneaker comes in both high-top and low-top options. They’re perfect for an inner-city basketball court or a Silicon Valley boardroom. Or maybe both; the choice is yours to make.
2. Doc Martens
Doc Martens, or just “Docs” for short, have an unusual history. The eponymous brand name came from a man by the name of Dr. Klaus Martens. He began the company after he created a pair of soft leather boots with air-padded soles made from tires.
Like Chucks, Docs are built to last.
The footwear comes in a classic boot and more recently the shoe. They’re both built with a stiff polished leather in solid colors.
The sole is no longer made with tire rubber. It’s tougher. It’s made with an incredibly resilient contemporary rubber.
The sole is bonded into place. Then it’s sewn together with an industrial thread that’s likely strong enough to climb if you could get a sturdy grip.
The manufacturers didn’t skimp on the laces either. They’re the kind that’ll last you a decade even with hard use.
The best part is they polish up to a nice shine. They give you the best of both worlds. They’re as sturdy as any military boot and as fashionable as any Gucci design.
You could wear these boots to a construction site or out for a night on the town just as easily. The shoe comes in both high-tops and low-tops. The manufacturer also offers them in a waterproof and steel-toe design.
It’s some of the most durable footwear you’ll ever come across.
3. Flojos
We’ve talked about sneakers and boots, so let’s now turn our attention toward sandals. Flojos are fashionable enough for elegant summer brunch and strong enough to withstand tough surfer treatment.
They have a shorter lineage than the other brands mentioned thus far. But, that doesn’t make them any less of a contender.
The company headquarters is located in Irvine, CA and owned by Sea Jack LLC. They started back in 1979. Now they make all sorts of sandals, including:
- Comfort sandals
- Outdoor sandals
- Flip Flops
- Beach sandals
- Flat Sandals
- Wedge Sandals
You can’t compare the durability of a beach sandal with a military boot. You can, however, compare one beach sandal to another. When you do that, Flojos climbs to the top of the list.
They’re made to withstand the harsh stresses of hot California summers and abrasive ocean surf. The soles are composed of a cushy foam layer followed by a sturdier rubber layer on the bottom.
The straps are also durable. Most are made with a tough, woven fabric. Some sport leather uppers instead. Learn more about these trusted products by visiting their websites where you’ll find dozens of different colors and styles.
4. Merrell
Did you know that marketers expect the US to sell over 2.613 billion pairs of shoes, sandals, and boots in 2019? Shoe manufacturers want you to buy dozens of different pairs, one for every occasion. Fortunately, companies like Merrell can cut that footwear selection by half.
How? By creating hiking sandals, hiking shoes, hiking boots that can play dual roles. They’re superb on the trail and brilliant at a cocktail party. All their shoes go great with a pair of slacks and a dress shirt.
Merrell is the youngest of the shoe brands listed so far. They’ve only been in business since 1981 when they designed their first pair of high-performance hiking boots. We’re talking tough as nails, lifetime guaranteed high performance.
Since then, they’ve branched out create the sportiest, most comfortable shoe you’ll see at the trailhead. If you’re an avid hiker or mountain climber, this brand is for you.
5. Hudson
Like Docs, Hudson footwear brands call England home. It’s worth pointing out two things before we dive in. First, we’re focusing exclusively on Hudson boots, and second, we’re focusing only on the expensive styles.
- Simpson brogue boot (men)
- McKendrick boot (men)
- Revelin boots (women)
- Gypsum boots (women)
These boots are trendsetters. They can be worn to all presidential galas and any treks across a modern metropolis. They’re comfortable, stylish, and durable.
You probably wouldn’t want to take them on a hiking trail, however. They’re not built for muddy, rough terrain. You should limit the exposure of these stylish boots to urban areas.
Which Durable Footwear Should You Choose?
Though we don’t recommend you try every brand we listed, we do suggest you try at least one pair of durable footwear from one of these brands. Take an inventory of your lifestyle. Would a sports sneaker, military boot, beach sandal, hiking shoe, or luxury boot fit your daily life better?
So long and good luck!
