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Chelsea boots for men are all the rage but they don’t have to be expensive to look good.
Whether you wear them with jeans or a suit, Chelsea boots are a popular choice and come in a variety of styles and colors.
After much research and comparison shopping, we present a selection of the most popular options from well-known brands that all:
- Look great
- Get lots of good reviews
- Don’t break the bank (less than $200)
What are Chelsea boots?
Chelsea boots have a long history dating back to the mid-1800s when they were made for Queen Victoria of England. It wasn’t until the 1960s with icons like the Beatles and Rolling Stones wearing them that they became part of recent fashion trends.
These days you will see them on both men and women as general-purpose upscale footwear.
Many men appreciate the fact that the same pair of Chelsea boots can be worn with either a casual, business, or formal outfit. They are very versatile.
Chelsea boots have some core characteristics:
- Pull on (no laces)
- Ankle height
- Elastic side panels
- Pull tab to help get them on
- Low heals
- Constructed of two pieces that meet at the ankle
- Most often made of leather or suede
The finish can range from polished and shiny to distressed and subtle. Your style and how you plan to wear them will help you decide which color and finish to get.
What is the best Chelsea boot?
Unfortunately, there is no “best” Chelsea boot.
They come in a variety of colors and variations, but a few stand out as the most popular:
- Brown in any shade and burgundy are the core colors, and can be easily dressed up or down.
- Black is preferable for more formal looks, including white collar business attire.
- Bold colors on the whole boot or just the trim can work if you want to make a statement.
There are many companies making high quality and affordable Chelsea boots for men. The suggestions below highlight a broad sampling of popular options from several brands.
We left out the pricey luxury brands and only included well-rated boots that cost $200 or less.
Brown Chelsea boots for men
Blundstone 550
Blundstone in Australia is a very popular maker of Chelsea boots. Their Classic 550 Chelsea is a best seller and very highly rated. It comes in a rainbow of different colors.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposBørn Hemlock
The Born Hemlock is hand stitched and known for comfort right out of the box. Available in several colors.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposUpgrade your boots with personalized insoles from treadlabs.com!
⭐ Read our full review of Treadlabs insoles
UGG Biltmore
Known for their winter boots, the UGG Biltmore is waterproof and comes in a variety of colors.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposAriat Midtown Rambler
The Ariat Midtown Rambler has a more rustic cowboy look. The outsole is built for traction and support.
Check price at Ariat Check price at ZapposECCO Turn GTX
The ECCO Turn GTX is made of GORE-TEX waterproof leather and has a side zip closure. The rugged brown color looks broken in and ready for anything.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposBlack Chelsea boots for men
Dr. Martens 2976
Dr. Martens are a classic brand known for their boots. The 2976 is a simple and stylish boot with the signature “Doc Martens” stitching around the bottom. Available in several colors.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposTimberland Squall Canyon
The Timberland Squall Canyon is a durable waterproof Chelsea boot with side zippers in addition to the mesh panels.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposBlundstone 1472
The Blundstone 1472 come in a matte black leather with a decorative design. Both subtle and fancy at the same time.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposSOREL Madson
The SOREL Madson is waterproof and comes in several colors but this option is a made of textured nubuck leather in a deep, dark black.
No products found. Check price on ZapposBlundstone 510
From the classic 500 series, the Blundstone 510 is a simple, clean black Chelsea boot made of weatherproof oiled leather.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposColorful Chelsea boots for men
If you want to break the mold of browns and blacks, then these more colorful options will spice things up.
Blundstone 1316
Add some color to your black boots with bright red elastic panels, stitching, and treads.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposUGG Camino
The UGG Camino comes in two unique colors – dark tan (shown) and taupe. Water-resistant suede protects them from the elements.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposSteve Madden Highlyte
The Steve Madden Highlyte is an affordable suede Chelsea that comes in several colors including taupe and tan.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposBlundstone 1604
Also from the 550 series. the Blundstone 1604 comes in the color “blueberry.” The perfect option when you need a blue pair of Chelsea boots.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposDr. Martens 2976 Vegan
These Dr. Martens 2976 Chelsea boots are a polished, high-gloss finish and made with a vegan-friendly synthetic upper. The “cherry red” color adds some punch.
Check Price on Amazon Check price on ZapposChelsea boot sizing
Since Chelsea boots don’t have laces, they need to fit correctly. The elastic panels on the sides provide support and they should feel snug up against your ankles.
Sizing generally runs true to size, so be sure to try them on with the socks you would normally wear.
Some manufacturers include extra insoles to use for adjusting size. Whether you want to change the size or make them more comfortable, you can always add some good third party insoles.
Both Amazon and Zappos offer free shipping and returns, so don’t be afraid to try them on at home and send them back if they don’t fit. With Amazon Prime Wardrobe, you can even try them before you buy, so you don’t have to waste time driving around for the right boots and size.
Find your Chelsea boots
There are a lot of great options listed here and most of them come in more colors. Plus, it’s easy to order and try them on without any commitment.
Pick a pair you like and click through one of the links to find out more.
You should be out looking good in a new pair of Chelsea boots!