New winter boots (/hiking boots): black or brown? ETA Pics

Hi everyone!

Some of you might remember that I bought a pair of black knee high leather boots a few years ago - made in Austria, all leather, big toebox for my wide feet. Problem is, I can’t wear them now because they’re too tight around my calves. They were really great boots though, comfortable with wool socks in the cold, I could wear them in the snow without getting wet feet and comfortably walk all day in them.

So I thought I would get another pair from the same brand, lower boots so I won’t have the same fit problem in the future. I also think they would be great for travel, because they can double as hiking boots.

But now I can’t decide on a color. They’re available both in black and brown. The brown seems more casual, but also like a good fit with the style of the boot. The black looks a bit more urban (although l know these aren’t fancy by any means). When it’s really cold I wear mostly jeans and wool sweaters, so that’s what I would pair them with. Oh and I normally have a pair of lightweight shoes at work to change into, so I wouldn’t necessarily wear them all day (unless I have a field trip).

What do you think? Which color would you pick? (I haven’t seen them IRL yet, I need to go to Frankfurt to try them in the store. Pic #5 are my old boots btw.)

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5 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

They look gorgeous and comfortable! Who makes them? I think either colour will work, so choose the one that will make you happier and work better with your existing closet. If you wear a lot of black pants, for example, the black ones might be more versatile.

Astrid

The brand is called Waldviertler (https://gea-waldviertler.de/). I think the colors would work equally well in my wardrobe, although the black might be a tad more versatile...

jill58

Black. Casual but sophisticated.

rachylou

What Jill said, I vote for black. I agree they’d be just that little bit more versatile. They look super.

Thanks Jill and Rachylou! I know the black would work well for me. I usually try to at least consider some other colors so that my wardrobe doesn’t get too visually boring, but I guess sometimes black still is the best choice.

I will be in Frankfurt for work on Friday morning and will have a look in the store afterwards. Hope they have them stocked in my size. If I get a pair I’ll take some pictures for you.

Kate

I really like the boots! I thought the black would be a no brainer until I saw the brown pair—gorgeous color. I’m a fan of brown, so there’s that. I don’t envy your having to make the decision. Just go with your gut. Since both colors will work well with your wardrobe, you can’t go wrong. Enjoy your new boots!

Firecracker (Sharan)

I think either color can work for you. My choice would be the brown, because I recall seeing you wearing navy and gray, and plaids, which I think would go nicely with this reddish brown/cognac color. I'm also thinking it would sort of bookend your hair. (Not exactly, but maybe harmonize is a better term.) Brown would work well for hiking, too.

Sal

Nice boots Astrid!! I would choose them based around my bag and coats to be honest as with jeans (black or blue) either work well. Not that they have to match the coat - but coordinate.

I lean to the black but only just....next winter I plan to get something similar.

Jenni NZ

I'm keener on the black but not sure why. More urban like you suggest, maybe. I do like the brown too.

Jane

Black I think because they are the colour of your original version - I think -

Thanks for the input everyone! Also leaning towards black right now, but I guess in the end it depends on how they end up looking IRL.

And Sally, good point about considering bags and outerwear and not only the outfit below. I think both would work, but the black maybe a bit better. Seems like black has the edge...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

BROWN

Ha, thanks Angie!

texstyle

I really like the idea of the reddish brown for you - bookends your hair. Doesn't matter to me much if handbags match if the hair/shoes match.

JAileen

I agree with Angie and Texstyle - brown. It relates to your own coloring.

Joy

Brown. I suspect that it will best bookend your hair. Both boots look rather casual. I don't know if it can be done, but could a good cobbler shorten your black boots for you or somehow widen the shaft?

Thanks Texstyle, JAileen and Joy! You're right, the brown would bookend my hair better - but when it's really cold you can't see much of my hair anyway. The pixie cut more or less dissapears under a hat. But I get what you mean. As for them being casual, that's fine. I don't expect them to work with fancy clothes or skirts.

Joy, I would think that you could definitely shorten the boots, but I guess it would be a lot of work and really expensive. I'm not sure about stretching the leather... We don't have a cobbler around here anymore, so I would need to take them god knows where for an assessment.

I bought the black! The brown ones looked a lot more massive on my feet than the black did and they were very "in your face". And I actually thought that the black worked quite well with my colouring, because they are more of a bluish dark grey than a true black. I'll take some pictures once I'm back home.

Alright, here are some pics. No real outfit picture because I don't have a good spot to take them, but I guess you get the idea. Now I just need to break them in... They're real leather lined with leather and I know they will be heavenly once they're broken in, but I fear it might take a while.

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Nice! I know exactly what you mean about certain colour shoes feeling bigger and "louder" -- I often go with black for that reason.

Yes, especially because these have the wide toe box, so they look bigger than you're used to seeing anyway. I thought that was way less noticeable in the black too.

Bijou

The boots look really nice on your feet and I can see that they are likely to look sleeker in black. They are beautiful boots!

Thanks Bijou.

Nice! They look great with your jeans and the bit of sweater that's visible. Those will be great for your style, Astrid.

Stagiaire Fash

Those sound so incredibly comfy, with the leather lining that will conform to the shape of your foot. I bet you’ll enjoy them for years!

Thanks Firecracker and FashIntern! I'm looking forward to wearing them for years to come. I just love things that last, and even better, things that get better with age.

Sweet! They look like happy boots!

ChrisM

I love them - am looking at similar styles here....

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