The best country boots for your countryside getaway
If you look closely at our logo, you’ll see the term “Bootmaker”. Since our inception, rugged boots have formed the foundations of who we are as a company, and our history as a countrywear specialist continues to this day. So, if you’re looking for some of the best country boots in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.
But which ones to get? Every journey begins with a single step, and several factors should be considered when investing in a pair of country boots for your escape from the city. Luckily for you, we’ve outlined the most important ones to help you make an informed decision.
What are the best country boots?
Most country boots are built not as fashion items but as hardwearing footwear to protect your feet while traversing varied terrain. Of course, you’ll still look great and will do so for years to come, especially with a pair of well-made boots from Cheaney. When you invest in a quality boot, you’re putting your trust in a company with over 140 years of experience crafting footwear that lasts. So, trust us when we say the following is what you need to look for when shopping for the best country boot.
If you’re wondering what makes the best country boot, we’ve compiled a list of features and boot styles to look for when searching:
Styles:
Country-styled brogue boots
Whether you’re looking for the best women’s country boots or the best country boots for men, one of the most fitting styles you can choose is a brogue boot. Characterised by their decorative perforations, or “brogueing,” brogue boots originally served a functional purpose in the Scottish and Irish countryside. The brogue detailing allowed water to drain away from the shoe when walking through wet terrain.
For modern country boots, this traditional style is less functional and more aesthetic, yet the timeless, sophisticated design can transition seamlessly from rugged outdoor pursuits to more formal country-house settings.
If you have a country weekend coming up, why not browse our collections of men’s and women’s brogue country boots for the ultimate countryside aesthetic?
Casual derby boots
The perfect country boot should also give you a more relaxed look than your usual sleek city boot, perfect for that off-duty aesthetic: Derby boots offer just that!
The Derby boot is defined by its open lacing system, in which the eyelet tabs are sewn to the vamp. This distinctive design creates the perfect country boot by allowing a wider opening and greater adjustability across the instep, making the boot significantly easier to put on and take off, and providing a more relaxed look.
Crucially, this construction accommodates thicker socks for bracing against country weather and provides a more comfortable, non-restrictive fit for long days of walking or exploring, ensuring comfort even when your feet swell slightly.
For a relaxed country look and feel, browse our men’s and women’s country derby boots.
Boots made for walking: Hiker boots
If you’re headed to the countryside, whether you’re planning to traverse rugged terrain or take a leisurely walk, hiker boots are a great option to bring. Hiker boots are built with practicality and endurance in mind. With features inspired by true hiking gear, such as speed lacing hooks and a higher ankle profile, this design offers superior ankle support and stability on rough, challenging terrain, minimising the risk of slips or twists. This design prioritises the wearer’s physical comfort and safety during extended, active wear in the countryside.
Don’t forget to pack a pair of hiker boots if you’re planning to explore the great outdoors.
Ankle protection: Padded toplines and tongues
Whether you’re on a hilly trail or navigating uneven terrain, some of the best country boots feature padded toplines and tongues for added comfort and protection on steep inclines and declines. A soft padding around the ankle collar and beneath the laces cushions the delicate ankle bone and Achilles tendon against rubbing and chafing, which is a common issue with stiff leather boots during long walks. Furthermore, the padded tongue helps evenly distribute pressure from tightly cinched laces across the top of the foot, ensuring a secure yet comfortable fit that lasts all day.
Our Ingleborough B Hiker Boot in Chicago Tan Chromexcel Leather is one such boot that offers extra support and comfort thanks to its padded tongue and top lining.
Hardwearing yet breathable leather
Regardless of whether you’re stomping through central London or rambling around the hills in Northumberland, your feet get hotter the more you walk. To cool off, your body’s natural response is to sweat. Imagine how uncomfortable you’re going to be after a few miles if your feet are enveloped in a synthetic non-porous material?
Boots made from this particular material may very well be marketed as waterproof, but that works both ways; no water can get in, but moisture is also trapped inside. As a result, bacteria will build up, may start to smell and feel clammy, possibly leading to rubbing and blisters.
The only way around this is wearing footwear made from natural materials, as they allow moisture to escape. Selecting hardwearing yet breathable leather, such as high-grade calf leather or certain thick, full-grain types, is essential for the longevity and comfort of a country boot.
The inherent toughness of quality leather provides a protective barrier against scuffs, thorns, and harsh weather. Simultaneously, its natural breathability allows moisture and perspiration to escape, preventing the build-up of dampness inside the boot, which is key to keeping feet dry, warm, and comfortable over several hours.
Good-quality leather is very hardy stuff; as long as it’s looked after, it offers a much more pleasant experience. And as long as you keep up regular polishing, your leather boots will offer some water resistance.
Grain leather
Across our country boot collection, you will see quite a few examples of grain leather, otherwise known as country grain or pebble grain. This distinctive type of leather is premium calf leather embossed with a slightly textured, eye-catching pebbled effect and serves a particular purpose. It effectively disguises creases and imperfections sustained during outdoor use, maintaining a smart appearance longer than smooth calf leather, making it brilliantly suited to hardwearing country boots.
Moreover, the natural rigidity of this structured leather type often translates to greater inherent strength and water resistance, making it exceptionally durable and practical for the rigorous demands of country wear. Not to mention, the textured feel also ages beautifully and gives an inherently rugged look, perfect for getting that ideal country aesthetic.
Opt for hardwearing grain leather for better protection and that classic rugged country look.
Oiled or waxed leathers for water resistance
We’ve already mentioned that proper leather polishing can offer some water resistance; however, if you’re expecting a lot of wet weather, it’s best to go one step further with an oiled leather boot.
In our country collection, you will also find a couple of examples of oiled leather boots, specifically Chromexcel, sourced from the Horween tannery in Chicago. After a much more intensive tanning process and treated with a blend of oils and waxes, this leather is unparalleled in its water resistance, making it ideal for the perpetually damp British countryside.
This treatment saturates the leather fibres, making the material less porous and actively repelling water penetration, preventing the boots from becoming waterlogged, stiff, or cracked when repeatedly exposed to rain, dew, or muddy conditions, thereby extending the boots’ lifespan and keeping feet dry.
Water and oil don’t mix, so using an oiled leather creates an extra barrier between you and the elements. There’s no doubt that waxy leathers and Chromexcel make the best leather country boots. Browse the collection below.
Rugged rubber soles
For a proper pair of walking shoes or boots, rubber soles are the unanimous choice for optimum balance of durability, waterproofing and grip.
A rugged rubber sole provides the grip and traction needed to navigate the unpredictable surfaces of the country, from slick mud and wet grass to gravel paths and rocky ground. Unlike smooth leather soles, the deep, varied tread pattern of a quality rubber sole offers superior non-slip properties, enhancing safety and stability. Furthermore, rubber offers better shock absorption than leather, minimising joint impact during country walks.
Within our country boot range, there are plenty of variations to choose from, and aside from having different appearances, there are practical differences. Footwear with chunkier treads, like our Commando soles, offers the best grip in muddy terrain as it has the most surface area, greatly reducing the chance of slipping. Shallower treads, such as the Dainite, Mitro, Brit Grip or Studded soles, are suited to everyday use and excel on rocky terrain.
Goodyear Welt or Veldtschoen construction
Another non-negotiable feature you need your country boots to have is a water-resistant construction, particularly the Goodyear welted method or the more specialised Veldtschoen technique, which is foundational to a quality country boot.
Goodyear Welted Construction
Goodyear Welted footwear genuinely has no equal when it comes to water resistance and robustness. They are supportive, adaptive, hardwearing and repairable; all ideal things to have when you’re looking for the best country boots for women and men. The Goodyear Welt creates a durable, easily resolable bond between the sole and the upper, while specific implementations, such as a storm welt, form a tight seal to keep your feet as dry as possible on wet-weather days.
Veldtschoen construction
If you want to go one step further, the Veldtschoen construction folds the upper leather outwards. It is then stitched to the welt, creating an almost impenetrable barrier against water ingress at the crucial join and channelling water away from where the upper and sole meet, ensuring the boots remain water-resistant in high-moisture environments. Our country collection features a range of ‘Veldtschoen’ options.
It goes without saying that boots will also offer a higher level of protection against mud and rain, particularly when combined with a ‘bellows tongue’, found on a few of our really serious country boots. This feature is where the leather overlaps at the bottom of the tongue and connects to the facings, creating an extra level of protection if the puddles you’re splashing in are unexpectedly deep.
A fantastic example of this feature can be found in our Pennine II C Veldtschoen Derby Boot in Burgundy Grain Leather.
Shearling lining
If you’re headed to the great outdoors during the cooler months, we would recommend considering boots with a shearling lining. A shearling lining, typically a soft, dense sheepskin, transforms a sturdy boot into an exceptionally warm country companion. This natural fibre is an excellent insulator, trapping air to keep feet wonderfully warm even in freezing temperatures, and it also has natural moisture-wicking properties that help maintain a dry, comfortable environment inside the boot. This level of insulation is paramount for stationary activities like shooting or cold-weather walks.
Browse our shearling-lined boots range for essential cold-weather country footwear.
Warm country colours
If you’re headed to the countryside, the last thing you want is your best everyday black city boots covered in mud. Instead, we recommend opting for red and brown hues. In practice, these shades are less likely to show mud and dirt, making them a sensible choice for boots meant for life outdoors.
Plus, warm colours, such as rich dark browns, deep chestnut, burgundy, and tan, complement the natural landscape and the traditional aesthetic of country attire. Their less formal hues also give a more casual, laid-back appearance, perfect for relaxed country dressing.
Warm tones also age beautifully, developing a rich patina that enhances the leather’s character with every wear. For the best women’s country boots and men’s styles, browse our brown boots collections below.
Shop the Best Country Boots at Cheaney
Ultimately, investing in the best country boots is about choosing footwear that offers an optimal blend of heritage style, enduring comfort, and practical robustness. Whether you favour the classic flair of a brogue boot, the easy fit of a Derby, or the rugged security of a hiker, the key features, from water-resistant oiled leathers and secure Veldtschoen construction to protective padded linings and high-grip rubber soles, all contribute to an experience of unparalleled quality and performance when frequenting the countryside.
At Cheaney, we have upheld the tradition of crafting these essential qualities into every pair for over a century, ensuring that your next country escape begins with the very best boot on your foot. So whether you’re shopping for the best women’s country boots in the UK or robust men’s boots to stomp around the countryside, we have a fantastic selection. Browse our country boot styles today at Cheaney.
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