6 Footwear Styles For The Autumn & Winter

We’ve managed to stave off the colder weather perhaps a little longer than expected this year, but the temperatures have inevitably begun to plummet in recent weeks and got us thinking more seriously about our autumn and winter wardrobe options once again. We’re working from the ground up this time around, placing the spotlight on our trusty autumn and winter shoes with a curated edit of rugged boots, hybrid-style hi-tops and everything in between.

Here are our 6 footwear recommendations for the autumn and winter seasons…

Balenciaga Black Trooper Rubber Boot

At this point, absolutely no one should be surprised by the distinctive and downright outlandish designs that have come to epitomise Demna Gvasalia’s Balenciaga. The featured Trooper Rubber Boot is all that and more, with its abruptly squared-off toe and arched bridge cutting a unique and wholly original shape. They’re certainly no slouches in the durability department either, with a deep, thick treaded sole and robust rubber body that are primed and ready to tackle even the fiercest of the elements. Mr Gvasalia has conceptualised several unique footwear silhouettes that have formed the template for so many (now standard) shoe designs in the industry and with this latest Trooper Boot, we dare say he might just have done it again…

Jil Sander Black High Top Trainers

Jil Sander’s portfolio is perhaps one the finest examples of ‘luxury minimalism’ in the fashion world and a potent reminder of just how effective the approach can be when executed with this much tact and skill. Our featured High Top Trainers from their latest collection prove as much with a typically focused design that trims the fat and accentuates the features that really matter the most. In this case, one such feature is the rugged, duck boot-style sole unit, with its raised platform and grippy outsole for that added bit of traction (especially crucial for dealing with those treacherous winter surfaces). And it’s all wrapped up in this sleek, uber-stylish package that lends itself to wear for almost any occasion you can imagine.

Stone Island Shadow Project Ecru Chapter 2 Duck Boot

If you are looking for true aficionados of contemporary functional fashion, then you really need look no further than Stone Island and their offshoot Shadow Project label. The Shadow Project division in particular has arguably pushed that message the farthest since its debut and has given us some of the most innovative and technically astounding designs in recent memory. The Chapter 2 Duck Boot brings that focus to the fore once more with the kind of considered quality-of-life features that make wearing them an absolute joy, particularly in those trickier weather conditions. You’ll certainly appreciate the felt-lined insides and ergonomic ECCO sole unit during longer periods of wear during the autumn and fast-approaching winter.

Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh Black High Top Vulcanized Leather Trainers

There’s nothing quite like a good pair of hi-tops to have handy when the weather starts to take a turn. They can be a great alternative to the often frumpy and clunky winter boots that tend to hog the spotlight this time of year, especially when they offer as much as Off-White’s High Top Vulcanized Leather Trainers do. You might not be willing to compromise on the insulation and durability offered by your favourite pair of boots (and why should you?), so it’s more than reassuring to find that the structured ankle collar, layered body panels and reinforced sole of this featured style go a long way towards giving you that same peace of mind when you step out into the snow, sleet and whatever else the end-of-year weather holds. The added bonus? You get to keep the signature flair and attitude that comes only with a pair of Off-White trainers. That’s what we like to call a win-win.

Valentino Garavani Khaki Netrunner Trainers

Valentino Garavani’s Netrunner trainers are certainly one of the more streamlined styles on our list, from a design perspective, but that by no means makes them any less recommendable. Why’s that you ask? Well just take a look at that delightfully chunky sole unit - an absolute dream for functional fashion enthusiasts. Grounding yourself with espadrilles and thinner-soled shoes is an approach best left to the summer months when you actually want to feel the earth beneath your feet. Come the winter, you’ll probably want nothing less, so giving yourself that extra bit of elevation above the cold, damp ground will be a welcome bonus. We’ve opted for the season-appropriate khaki green for our selection, but the stealthy black variant is a worthy alternative.

Y-3 Black Terrex Swift R3 GTX Trainers

With its weather-resisting, GORE-TEX upper, rugged Continental™ Rubber outsole and its myriad of supporting features, Y-3’s Terrex Swift R3 GTX Trainers are a masterstroke in utilitarian design. Of course, that isn’t too far removed from Y-3’s usual modus operandi, especially when you consider that this silhouette is an evolution of the similarly feature-packed Terrex boots from collections not long past. What we have in the low-top adaptation is a more streamlined and accessible shoe that lends itself to more casual modes of dress, all while retaining the protective assets and adventurous spirit that made the original Terrex boot such a popular winter-weather option.