Having the perfect boot is just as important as having that go to dress, or go to blouse. Everyone needs a tried and true shoe that makes you feel good when wearing it.
So, what actually makes a boot good enough to become your go to boot?
Just like all good things, the details matter: the sole, the fit, the footbed, the materials, breathability and even the height of the heel.
If you're new here my name is Lisa and I am a traveler but also love to dance. Over the years I have found what I love, don't love, need and don't need in shoes because I'm not one to be inconvenienced.
So here's what you should look for when it comes to what boot will become your tried and true.
What to Look for in Everyday Ankle Boots
The obvious is that they have to be comfortable.
And not just comfortable when you first put them on. Everyday boots need to feel good after a few hours of walking, commuting, travelling or simply being on your feet.
Look for quality, breathable materials
The first thing to look for is the material. I'll make it easy, synthetic material lacks breathability so you'll be counting down the minutes until you're taking them off.
I always use high quality material whether that's full grain leather, a strong suede or a patent leather.
The new Womads leather boots are made with leather inside and out, including the upper, lining, sole and footbed. It's part of what gives them that soft feel while allowing the boot to gradually mold to the shape of your foot.
Our suede is soft to the touch and a little lighter than full-grain leather. I also just love the way it looks. That subtle texture gives the boot a little more dimension without making it any harder to style.
Material also matters when it comes to the overall structure of the boot. You don't want your go-to pair to feel flimsy, but you also don't want them to feel heavy on your feet. These were designed to sit somewhere in the middle: strong and structured, but still light enough for everyday wear. The wooden heel is wrapped in leather, each pair is carefully stitched and hand-finished and even the laces are made from cotton. When I say these were designed as everyday boots, I mean every detail was considered with everyday wear in mind.
And because I love to travel, I also wanted them to be a pair you could easily bring with you. They're light enough to slip into your luggage without taking up a ton of weight, but structured enough to hold their shape once they're in there. No pulling out your favourite boots only to find them crushed, wrinkled or bent out of shape.
Choose a heel height you'll actually wear
Okay lets chat about heel height. I love a tall heel but I wouldn't say my 4-inch heels are the ones I reach for often. Heel height can completely change how an ankle boot feels and how you feel walking around.
Too high and the boot you imagined wearing every day can quickly become the pair you save for dinner. But having a slightly elevated heel, while the rest of our foot is supported, is the perfect happy middle for an everyday shoe. What I love is you don't need to think about these boots, when you get your perfect fit, your ankle boots will be your perfect shoe.
For me, I found the sweet spot is two inches and then I learned this is actually a proven perfect height for all day wear. A blog by Purewow features Dr. Tea Nguyen, a California-based podiatrist weighs in on why the 2 inch heel is the perfect height for a practical balance of walkability and style. In a Huffpost Life article Dr. Hira H. Mirza describes 2 inches as the magic number for a heel height.
How Should Everyday Ankle Boots Fit?
A good leather boot should feel secure, but never painfully tight.
Always start at the toes. You want enough room to move them comfortably without your foot sliding around inside the shoe. Your toes shouldn't feel squished against the front or pressed together from the sides. The best test, is can you wiggle your toes and because our ankle boots have a rounded toe shape you'll get that extra bit of wiggle room while still having the elegant look.
Then look at the ankle. A little movement is normal, but excessive gapping or slipping can make a boot uncomfortable over a long day.
You also want to pay attention to the material. Womads are made with high grain leather so if your shoe is slightly on the tighter side, the shoe will stretch and mold to your foot quickly. If you need more tips on stretching leather, check out our tips and tricks blog here.
With leather it ages with you, the shoe will naturally stretch to the shape of your foot giving you that true perfect fit. Because nothing's more perfect than a shoe that molds to your foot shape.
Laces, Zippers or Slip-On: What's Best for Everyday Wear?
There are advantages to each.
Laces give you control, you can adjust the boot around your foot and ankle until it feels secure without being restrictive.
Zippers give you convenience. No sitting down to lace your boots every time you leave the house. Zip and you're gone.
And the real question is, why do we need to choose, we really can have both.
Womads combines adjustable laces with a side zipper, giving you the customized fit of a lace-up boot with the convenience of a zip boot.
The idea is simple: adjust the laces until you've found your perfect fit, then leave them there.
From that point on, it's zip and go.
Now if you're thinking, this is basically a slip on shoe once the adjustments are made. However, slip on shoes rarely feel supportive around your heel and ankle, to me a slip on feels like a "one size fits all". But not all size 8 shoes fit the same so the best part of the zipper and laces is you can find the fit for each part of your fit and then when you're ready you can slip them on.
When you're talking about a shoe you plan to wear constantly, those small details are often what turn a beautiful boot into the pair you automatically reach for.
Everyday Doesn't Have to Mean Basic
Somewhere along the way, "everyday" became synonymous with basic. But that's so far from the truth.
An everyday boot can have personality, the trick is balancing a classic shape with something a little unexpected.
For Womads, that starts with the silhouette.
Chunky boots are having their moment, and they can make a great statement. But they aren't necessarily what you want every morning. A slimmer, more refined ankle boot gives you something different: a shape that feels feminine, elegant and easy to work into your wardrobe year after year.
Then you can have a little more fun with everything else.
Rich suede, glossy patent and unexpected colors can transform a very simple outfit. A deep green suede with denim. A glossy red peeking out under trousers. Pewter with an otherwise neutral look. Chocolate brown with basically everything you own.
That's how an everyday boot can still feel special.
Finding Your Everyday Pair
The perfect everyday ankle boot is less about finding the simplest shoe and more about finding the one that fits just right and gives you a peace of mind.
It should be comfortable enough to walk in, easy enough to put on without thinking and versatile enough to work across your wardrobe. The materials should feel good against your foot, the fit should feel secure without squeezing and the heel should give you the lift you want without making you regret it three hours later.
That's what we kept coming back to when designing Womads ankle boots: butter-soft leather inside and out, adjustable laces paired with an easy side zipper, a walkable two-inch heel and a sleek silhouette that leaves room for colors and finishes with a little more personality.
Your tried and true boot is the one you can put on last minute regardless if that color for you is black, chocolate brown or red.