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These boots are made for walking.
As shopping writers and editors, we’re all too familiar with the disappointment of slipping on a cute shoe only to realize it’s totally impractical. But when we tried Margaux’s West Chelsea Boot, it was an entirely different story.
Though we put 15 different commuter shoes through their paces for our inaugural Made it Here Awards, the suede style emerged as the overall winner — and with good reason.
Margaux The West Chelsea Boot
Pros:
- Even the suede options offer light water resistance
- Durable lug sole
- Great style-to-comfort ratio
Cons:
- One of the priciest picks on the list
During our testing, Commerce Reporter Miska Salemann walked from Columbus Circle to Battery Park — nearly six miles! — in the suede boots. And while plenty of shoes wouldn’t be up to the task, the Margaux style took it like a true champ.
Salemann arrived at the finish line well before our other testers, saying, “I didn’t slip once, even after putting them through pretty much everything an NYC sidewalk can throw at you.”
Size range: 3.5-14
Our review
Material and design
When it comes to style, Margaux is a step ahead of the pack. It’s emerged as a favorite for plenty of NYC-based editors and content creators — and we can totally see why.
“The style-to-comfort ratio is very good,” Salemann raved. “They have the ruggedness and support you’d expect from a substantial boot while still looking stylish enough for everyday city wear.
While she chose the rich-looking chocolate brown suede version, the style also comes in tan and cedar, plus a glossy black leather option.
Feel
But they’re not just good looks. While Miska even ran several blocks during the test (don’t try this at home), she still found the boots held up better than she expected — and she made it several miles before any blisters began.
Is it worth it?
While $445 for a shoe is undeniably steep, Margaux’s Chelsea boots are a true wardrobe staple you’ll keep coming back to again and again. That said, if you prefer a more budget-friendly boot or walking shoe, be sure to check out our full roundup for a few other great options.
How we tested
We poured blood, sweat and tears (well, not the last one) into walking in 15 different shoes to test which styles have what it takes for a real NYC commute. We judged based on the following factors:
- Comfort: Do they still feel good after a real city day? How long did the testers walk comfortably before blisters started to kick in?
- Subway stairs: Can they handle endless stairs without foot pain?
- Run-for-the-train test: Can you briefly sprint without slipping?
- Rain/puddle test: Can they survive wet sidewalks and mystery curb water?
- Sidewalk traction: How do they handle grates, slick tile, cobblestones and uneven pavement?
- Style-to-comfort ratio: Are they actually cute, or just “comfortable”? Can they easily go from meetings to an after-work dinner?
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