While boots may not be your first choice in the summer, we feel that with the right makeup, they’re appropriate year-round.
After all, the best characteristics of boots ring true in the heat as well—they protect your feet, offer support, and look darn good while doing it.
From years of experience and extensive research, we’ve come up with our choices for the best summer boots. We’ve broken down our list by style to give you the best options whatever your preference.
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5 Best Men’s Summer Boots
Best Overall: Viberg Service Boot 2030 Natural Chromexcel
The Viberg Service Boot is an iconic silhouette that makes it highly versatile and suited to a variety of wearing occasions. The pattern features classic styling that will not go out of style. They’re available in a variety of leathers and several different lasts to best fit your foot shape.
The Service Boot 2030 is made using stitchdown construction, but with elegant stitching on the sole they give a rugged feel without being too bulky.
What I Like
The all-leather uppers (Horween Chromexcel on my pair) are unlined, meaning that the natural pores of the leather allow for your foot to breathe even on hot days. The leather footwear will also mold to the shape of your foot over time to create a bespoke feel. Just make sure if you wear them on really hot days to use cedar shoe trees or stuff them with newspaper to help with moisture control.
The rugged construction methods allow you to take these wherever you need to go on any given day. I wear them to the office, but if I need to visit the workshops or construction sites, I’m not afraid they will fall apart.
Despite the ruggedness, the boots also boast many elegant details. The stitching on the sole is flawless and has a very high stitch per inch (SPI) that offers a nice contrast to the military styling.
What I Don’t Like
At $785-$925 these are very expensive, maybe prohibitively so. Despite that price tag, they’re the type of boot that will not only last forever, but the styling will not become outdated.
My boots feather a Dainite outsole. While by no means poor quality, I’d prefer to have a Vibram 700 (V-bar), or Vibram 430 (mini lug), that would help provide slightly more traction in slippery conditions.
The Verdict
The Viberg Service Boot is the most versatile boot in my entire collection. It’s my go-to top choice for summer, but if I’m being honest, it’d likely be my pick for spring and fall as well. Wear it to the office, on a hike, then to dinner and you will have the best looking, and most comfortable boots wherever you go.
The Service Boot has been a Viberg icon since the 1930s. It's versatile, rugged, and Viberg makes one of the best versions of this boot you can find. But you gotta be willing to pay the price.
Best Summer Chukka: Clarks Desert Boot
The Clark’s Desert boots were first introduced after Nathan Clark spent time in Africa in World War II.
Inspired by made-to-order boots built for soldiers at the Bazaar of Cairo, the desert boots feature a crepe outsole and suede uppers.
If they were good enough to be worn in the desert, they’re more than capable of handling your summer barbecues.
What I Like
While Clarks offer a huge variety of leather types and colors, for the summertime I would stick with a light suede. While the Brown Beeswax leather may be the best looking and offer most patina potential, the suede will be more breathable for the hot weather.
The crepe outsole is incredibly soft underfoot. They aren’t the most durable and will pick up their fair amount of dirt, but they are unmatched when it comes to comfort.
The boots are made with a single row stitchdown construction that allow the boots to be very flexible and lightweight. Perfect for summer casual wear.
What I Don’t Like
The crepe outsole, while soft and comfortable, does not offer a lot of support. Some models as well do not have a shank to strengthen the sole. This can cause some discomfort over long periods of wear.
The Verdict
The Clarks desert boot can be dressed up or down, worn with socks or sockless, and beaten up or babied. Regardless of how you treat them, they’ll be welcome additions to your summer lineup.
Chukka’s rise only slightly more than shoes, and only have a couple eyelets to lock down your foot, so if you don’t want something too cumbersome on your feet in the summer, these are a great pick.
The highlight of the Clarks Desert boot is the richly oiled pull up leather and the simplicity of its construction. While the crepe sole is delicate, it provides a lot of cushion, though you’ll need to give these boots a rest every so often.
Best Summer Chelsea: Red Wing Weekender Chelsea
Red Wing is arguably the king of heritage footwear. Their boots are classic Americana styling with thick, foot conquering leathers. The Weekender series is a bit of a departure for them, but one I’m absolutely here for.
The Weekender’s feature a single row stitchdown construction with a crepe-like rubber outsole. They ditched the thick vegetable tanned insole for Comfort force foam for immediate wearability. What they’ve kept however, is their signature SB Foot full grain leather that continues to provide great breathability in the summer heat.
What I Like
Despite using some different materials this time around, these Red Wing’s still use SB foot leather in the uppers and are fully resoleable. Meaning that if you wear out the soft outsoles you can swap them out and be confident the uppers will keep getting better.
The laceless design, flexible stitchdown construction and breathable leather uppers make these feel like giant summer slippers.
What I Don’t Like
Currently Red Wing is only offering the Weekender Chelsea in their copper rough and tough leather, which is an oiled and waxed nubuck. While this leather patinas beautifully, I’m a sucker for suede and roughout in the summer. I would love to see them start to offer these in a variety of leather options, including the Hawthorne Abilene (more on that later).
The Verdict
The Weekender Chelseas are great to slip into after a long day. The laceless design is perfect to pull on and off with ease, and the soft footbed will keep your feet happy. The leather uppers will offer breathability throughout the hot summer days, and the timeless styling can be matched with anything from light colored denim to hiking shorts.
The weekender Chelseas are great to slip into after a long day. The laceless design is perfect to pull on and off with ease, and the soft footbed will keep your feet happy. The leather uppers will offer breathability throughout the hot summer days, and the timeless styling can be matched with anything from light colored denim to hiking shorts.
Best Work Boot in Summer: Keen Utility
Keen has been a constant in my household for years, but mostly outfitting my toddlers in their machine washable sandals. When they aren’t making kiddie shoes, they are a leader in work boots of all styles.
What really impressed me, however, were their Utility Lansing boots. They feature a waterproof Gore-tex membrane that still allows for great ventilation when the heat gets turned up.
What I Like
Steel toe-cap is asymmetrical which reduces pinch points on your foot, making these some of the most comfortable work boots.
Rubber toe guard functions to protect the toes from debris and abrasion.
Upper made from leather and textile, which has an odor fighting insole.
ASTM F2413-18 M/ I/ C EH Compliant.
What I Don’t Like
EVA and rubber outsole is glued, which does not allow for resoles.
Laces can sometimes get shredded by the eyelets.
The Verdict
The Keen Utility Lansing boot is a great addition to the boot lineup. The rubber toe cap will help keep the uppers from being damaged, the breathable materials will help keep your feet cool throughout those hot summer days, and the odor fighting insole will ensure that if your feet do get sweaty, it will not lead to unwanted odors.Â
The Keen Utility Lansing boot is a great addition to the boot lineup. The rubber toe cap will help keep the uppers from being damaged, the breathable materials will help keep your feet cool throughout those hot summer days, and the odor fighting insole will ensure that if your feet do get sweaty, it will not lead to unwanted odors.
Best Non-Leather Boot: Palladium Pampa
Following in the footsteps of the Viberg’s and Clark’s boots on our list, the Palladium Pampa also gets its start in military applications—originally used by soldiers in the French Foreign Legion.
Made from 14oz canvas on the uppers and a beefy lug sole, the Pampas are a go to for both their lightweight feel and their vegan makeup.
What I Like
Canvas uppers offer good breathability and comfort with enough strength to stand up to everyday use and moderate hiking.
They look like beefier Converse Chuck Taylor’s but provide more arch support and comfort.
Offer a vegan alternative that does not use plastics or PVC.
What I Don’t Like
Not as much support as leather boots.
These are not resoleable or rebuildable, so they will invariably end up in a landfill once the canvas does rip or the outsoles wear out.
The Verdict
While not as durable and lacking some of the longevity of leather boots, the Palladium Pampa are a great, lightweight alternative to leather boots. If you are a sneaker enthusiast looking to bridge the gap into boots in the summer, these would be a great place to start.
The Palladium Pampa is a canvas high top boot that mixes the laid back casual vibe of a sneaker with the build and structure of a boot. Best of both worlds? Heck yeah.
Honorable Mention: Red Wing Classic Moc Abilene Hawthorne 8833
Unlike the aforementioned Red Wing Weekender’s, the Moc Abilene Hawthorne 8833s are built to the full specs of Red Wing work boot toughness. Featuring roughout SB Foot leather, thick vegetable tanned insole and Vibram Christie outsoles, these are a pair of boots that will last for ages.
What makes this a summer boot over other Red Wing Mocs? The color! Hawthorne Abilene comes in a beautiful wheat color that is perfect for summer days and nights.
What I Like
The 8833 are semi leather lined, which will allow for breathability in the hot weather.
SB Foot’s Hawthorne Abilene leather comes out of the box in a soft wheat color that can be kept clean and tidy with some suede soap and a brush, or can be left untouched and it will begin to darken and pick up a beautiful patina as you wear them.
I’m primarily a trouser guy myself, but wearing these with raw denim will result in dye transfer (crocking), which some folks love.
What I Don’t Like
Unlike some other boots on the list, these will require a significant break-in period. Depending on how much you wear them, they might not be fully broken in until next summer.
Red Wing currently only offers these in a D width. I would typically wear a 10.5 EE in Red Wing boots but went 11D for these.
While not personally an issue, some wearers think the Classic Moc looks a bit like a clown shoe. But fear not—with the right fit these will look fantastic on anyone.
The Verdict
I had a really hard time not putting these in the top spot overall. Ask me next summer and I might have a different answer for you. The Red Wing Classic Moc in Hawthorne Abilene are as near a perfect summer boot as you can get.
I had a really hard time not putting these in the top spot overall. Ask me next summer and I might have a different answer for you. The Red Wing Classic Moc in Hawthorne Abilene are as near a perfect summer boot as you can get.
Things to Consider When Buying Boots for Summer
Avoid Man-Made Uppers
Unless you’re spending your days knee deep in a river, boots are best when made from leather. It’s a natural product that is unrivaled by man made alternatives. It is strong, breathable, naturally anti-odor and anti-microbial, and just looks so good.
Avoid products made from man-made textiles as much as possible. They tend to wear out faster and are harder to maintain in the long run. They aren’t as breathable and may not be recyclable or reusable.
Leather Finishing Matters
Leather is made from skin, so any leather that still has pores will do the trick. Patent leather, or leather with heavy coating that clogs those pores should be avoided. Some leather that is stuffed with waxes and oils may lose some of their breathability, but in my experience even Horween Chromexcel is great in the summer.
Pick a Classic Style
Find a style that works for you not only today, but for years to come, then get them in the best materials possible. The higher the quality, the more likely that the materials will be durable and breathable.
Trust Your Fashion Sense
Fashion is subjective. Function isn’t. If your footwear works for you, then that’s all that matters. Yes, wearing logger boots with a linen suit might look silly, but if you want to give it a shot, be my guest.
If you’re wearing a pair of Nicks Urban Loggers in unlined full grain leather, your feet will still be happier and less stinky than the guy in faux leather dress shoes from Ross.
Don’t Pack Away Those Boots
Summertime doesn’t have to be all Birkenstocks and flip flops.
With the right boots made from the right materials you can keep your feet happy all summer long.
While the Viberg Service Boot is by far the most expensive on our list, we believe that they’re the perfect mix of rugged style with elegant execution, durable materials, and breathability to keep your feet cool.
The Service Boot has been a Viberg icon since the 1930s. It's versatile, rugged, and Viberg makes one of the best versions of this boot you can find. But you gotta be willing to pay the price.
And if the Viberg’s are out of reach, we know you’ll be more than happy with any of the options on our list.
FAQs
Is it OK to wear boots in summer?
Absolutely. Not only will your boots be the best-looking footwear in the room, but your feel will be much better supported than sandals or sneakers, and you will get more wear out of your favorite pairs.
Are leather boots OK for summer?
Not only are they ok but we recommended it. Leather is a natural material that is breathable, supporting and only gets better with wear.
Can you wear boots with shorts?
Boots with shorts might seem like a daunting choice, but don’t fret. Wearing chukka boots or hiking boots is totally ok to rock. You can go sockless with your Desert boots or take the opportunity to show off your favorite socks as they peek out from the top of your hikers. Just don’t forget leg day.
