Pick one: Moto or combat boots?

I'm hoping to add one pair of boots to my closet this year. I adore boots and would love to add more than one pair, but it's just not doable right now, all at once.

You can see the entirety of my boot wardrobe below (heh).

I've long loved both the classic Dr. Martens laceup boots and moto/engineer boots, but I've never owned either. I think both/either would add some much-needed edge/toughness to my wardrobe.

Things I want: leather, traction, edge. I'm shopping in the men's department, so there aren't as many choices (which might be OK, since I'm stymied right now over this beginning question, not to mention all the myriad specific choices). Mostly (if not exclusively) for wearing with jeans.

Potentially complicating factors: I don't see myself tucking pants into any of the boots, nor scrunching above them, and certainly not showing skin between the top of the boot and the end of the pants. I'm a bootcut and flares kind of girl, and at the moment I'm not sure it's worth trying to find skinnies or leggings that fit and that I like. Which means I might lose the metal details that give the moto boots edge, as they'd be covered by the jeans.

So. Thoughts? Advice? What would you do?

Amazon

Nocona Boots Men's MD2732 11 Inch Boot

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Top Pick

9 years ago

Elly

Veteran

If you aren't going to wear them with the "tops" showing I'd pick a harness boot (so you'll be able to see the buckles and straps poke out from under pants) maybe with a chisel toe or a pair of classic docs in black or a fun color.

Word Lily

Ah, so harness is the word I was looking for! I'm still not sure the hardware will really show, though ...

And either would probably be in black or brown, of some kind.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I agree with Elly.

Diana

If you are going to be wearing under your jeans I'd go with combat boots because the laces mean you can tighten the shaft more, which will give a better line under bootcuts. I can't wear my moto boots under pants as the shafts are too wide and lumpy.

Suz

Agreeing with Diana. Moto boots don't allow for wearing under pants, really.

Maneera

I would get a pair of ankle length cool boots that don't look lumpy under the pants. Since yours not doing to tuck jeans in the boots, get something that fits just right.

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Those are nice boots, Maneera — too pretty for me though, I think.

viva

I'm with Diana and Suz. Combat boots that you can cinch with lacing will be a nice alternative to your cowboy boots. A totally different look and feel, and you will still have a great legline no matter how narrow the pants.
I love the look of the "cherry arcadia" finish on this Doc Marten 1460.

Jenn

I will pretty much always vote in favor of classic combat boots.

Ooh, viva! That color/finish is really great, I agree!

Thanks, everyone!

I used to have a pair of Fryes like these--- totally worked under bootcuts.

Zappos

Frye Harness 8R

$268.00

Elly, yes. I see people saying the harness boots / moto boots / engineer boots won't be easy to wear inside jeans, but they're bootcuts, they're designed to go over boots. They go over the western boots easily. So I'm skeptical that it wouldn't work.

But regardless, I probably need to go try some on.

JAileen

I would try some on and then pick the most comfortable pair.

Joy

I agree that you should try on a variety of boots with the jeans you want to wear with them, then decide. Have you considered a stompy pair of hiking boots?

I've considered them, Joy, but I don't think they have the edge I want. Or maybe the simplicity?

I think you need to play dress up for us! It might come down to colour and detail on the front vs overall style, since they'll be peeking out from your jeans. I love my lace up boots, but I swing Victorian, lol, and either pair them w skirts or roll up my skinnies to show them off (usually w scrunched hand knit socks too).

Eva, I'd like that kind of lace-up boots, too, but I think they're farther down the line for me? (I wouldn't have chosen cowboy boots for my first ones either, but that was kind of serendipity.)

kerlyn

I actually have a pair of Rocket Dog moto boots that look great over skinnies OR under bootcuts. Very few seem to work for both. I don't care for my combat boots under bootcuts quite as much because the pointier toe just looks funny to me. If they were more of a rounded, chunkier toe I think they'd work better.

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