What Are Lug Sole Boots? Different Styles and Where To Buy

Boots are made for walking, and that’s just what you’ll do in lug sole boots.

The right pair can see you through every season and add a slight masculine twist to your outfit.

We’re all familiar with the Chelsea boot and the equestrian style, but the lug sole boots are fairly new to mainstream fashion trends.

They’ve broken out of the world of streetwear and into everyday style.

These chunky sole boots have become one of the biggest trends in fashion, uniting everyone from fashion editors to celebrities and influencers.

Celebrities wear the trendy chunky lug sole boots

We’re rounding up everything you need to know about the lug sole boots, the most popular styles, and where you can buy a pair for yourself.

What Are Lug Sole Boots?

While we might think the lug sole boots are a relatively new style, they date back to the 1930s.

The concept came from an Italian mountaineer who wanted to create hiking boots after several friends died during an expedition in the Alps.

Italian mountaineer Vitale Bramani created the world’s first rubber lug sole

What made these shoes unique was their rubber sole, which would prevent you from slipping on the ice.

These versatile boots have practicality at their heart, as a utilitarian style that is easy to pull onto your feet.

The shoes are experiencing a resurgence in the face of the pandemic, as we all search for comfortable footwear.

After all, is anyone wearing heels right now? The lug sole boots have a platform sole, giving you height without compromising on comfort.

If you open your Instagram feed, you’re guaranteed to see influencers and celebrities alike rocking these shoes. Everyone from Bella Hadid to Kendall Jenner owns a pair.

Celebrities Olivia Palermo, Lucy Hale, Irina Shayk, Bella Hadid, and Kendall Jenner are embracing the lug sole boot trend (Credit: Steve Searle / Instar / WENN)

They’re a bold choice without being overbearing, with a minimalism that works with any outfit.

Whether you’re someone who lives in jeans, or if you prefer dresses, you’ll get your cost per wear out of a pair of lug sole boots.

Lug sole boots are as practical as sneakers. With these shoes, you can walk through the snow or freshly cut grass with ease. They’re slip-proof and designed to keep your feet comfortable all day long.

We think these boots are the next ‘it’ style of footwear that you can expect to see everywhere in the next few seasons.

Since the Fall/Winter 2019 collections launched, we’ve seen more brands jumping on the bandwagon.

They’ve followed the lead of Bottega Veneta and Prada by releasing their own take on the lug sole boots.

What Styles Are There?

Unlike other boots, there are several styles of lug sole boots that you can choose from.

What makes a shoe fall into the ‘lug sole boots’ category is its chunky, platform sole, with an easy to pull-on style.

As the name suggests, all these shoes need is to have a ‘lug sole’ to qualify. Beyond that, anything goes!

Gianvito Rossi 20mm Lug-Sole Chelsea Boots, $1,095 at Nordstrom

The Gianvito Rossi lug-sole Chelsea boots feature smooth calf leather upper with side goring and chunky lugged rubber soles

Chelsea boots are the most popular silhouette, with military boots coming as a close second.

You’ll find this trend in boot height, any color under the rainbow, and by all your favorite brands.

Stuart Weitzman Nisha Military Boots, $573 at Farfetch

Tough but chic, Stuart Weitzman’s Nisha military boots have a paneled design with round toes and block heels

Lug sole boots are one trend that everyone can experiment with as the styles on offer are diverse enough to incorporate almost every fashion aesthetic.

If you’ve ever owned a pair of boots, we can guarantee you that there’s a lug sole boot out there for you.

Don’t be fooled into thinking these boots are all on the shorter end.

If you’re a fan of knee-high boots, you’ll be sure to find a lug sole boot to match your style.

Dirty Laundry by Chinese Laundry Women’s Vandal Combat Boots, $55 to $89.95 at Amazon

Dirty Laundry’s Vandal is both tough and sexy, thanks to its knee-high combat boot silhouette

Most of the options you’ll see on the market are booties, embracing the flexibility of the trend to make it wearable for every day.

Where Can I Buy Lug Sole Boots?

We’re seeing this style of shoes everywhere, from the (virtual) runway to our Instagram feeds.

Get ahead of the trend and pick up a pair to add to your closet. We’re rounding up some of the most popular brands for lug sole boots to help you start your search.

Doc Martens is one footwear brand that’s long been an advocate of lug sole boots. It’s their signature silhouette.

There are dozens of styles to choose from with Doc Marten, with something to offer every fan of combat boots.

Their Devon Heart leather platform boots are a feminine twist on the trend, incorporating heart buckles into the shoes.

Dr. Martens Devon Heart Leather Platform Boots, $180 at Dr. Martens

Heart-shaped buckles add a feminine twist to the classic milled nappa silhouette with 1.5-inch Quad soles

One luxury brand embracing the trend is Prada, whose brushed leather and technical fabric booties are a best-seller.

These shoes are two trends in one, incorporating the nylon removable pouch, synonymous with Prada’s accessory range.

You’ll want to match these lug sole boots with the brand’s Reissue 2000 bag.

Prada Brushed Leather and Technical Fabric Booties, $1,520

The Prada brushed leather and technical fabric boots are characterized by the removable pouch and have oversized light rubber sawtooth soles

Another Italian fashion house to consider is Bottega Veneta, which is leading the way with footwear trends.

Their lug boots are a mid-calf length with elasticated side panels for extra comfort.

Like all things Bottega, these shoes are minimalistic, with a sleek silhouette and finish that makes them one of the most versatile styles that you can add to your closet.

Bottega Veneta The Lug Boots, $1,100 at My Theresa

Practical and versatile, the Bottega Veneta lug boots feature a sleek and minimalist mid-calf silhouette with elasticated side panels and thick lug soles

Do you want a pair that is a little more out of the box? You can try Bottega’s ‘BV Puddle Boots’.

It comes in an array of colors, including kiwi yellow and lollipop pink.

Their seamless look makes these boots a must-have for any follower of streetwear fashion.

Bottega Veneta BV Puddle Ankle Boots, $650 at Farfetch

Turn heads in the Bottega Veneta BV Puddle ankle boots, featuring a seamless rubber construction with chunky soles

Are you not in the mood to drop several hundred dollars on a pair of lug sole boots? We’ve got you covered!

Everlane is our go-to choice for the latest fashion trends without breaking the bank or compromising on quality.

The brand’s rain boot is a shorter style and perfect for winter days when you don’t know how the weather will turn out.

Everlane The Rain Boots, $75 at Everlane

Never let the rain steal your thunder in these affordable but stylish Everlane Rain boots

If you see a pair of lug sole boots that catch your eye, they are an instant ‘add to cart’.

These shoes might be a trend, but they have a classic silhouette that makes them an ideal investment in your wardrobe.

Keep them at the front of your closet and reach for them on days when you want to make a statement.