How I test the best knee-high boots:
I wish testing the best shoes for arch support involved booking multiple city breaks — the kind of long weekend that’s heavy on walking and exploring. Instead, each team member tested each pair for a period of three average days, wearing them for their morning commute, evening hot girl walks and while running errands at the weekend, all the while considering their comfort, fit and durability.
After properly breaking in each pair, we rated each pair of knee-high boots against the following criteria — and, of course, only the knee-high that impressed made it into this edit:
| Materials | What are the boots made from? Are these materials sustainable? Do they feel of good quality and durable? |
| Fit | Are they true to size? Is there space to wiggle my toes, and does my heel slide excessively? How do they fit on the calf — are they tight or wider-fitting? Do they provide decent ankle support? |
| Practicality | Do they provide ample warmth and insulation? Are they waterproof, suitable for wearing in rain, slush and wet snow? What is the traction like — do they have a rubber outsole with deep, multidirectional tread or lugs? Are they overly heavy and flexible, not at all limiting my movement? |
| Price | Would I be willing to spend this much on a pair of boots again? |
| Shipping & delivery | What were the shipping costs? How quickly did they arrive? |
Why you can trust me:
The career I was sure I wanted by the age of 12? Magazine journalist — specifically one reporting on the latest fashion trends and spotlighting high street highlights. Almost twenty years (crazy) on, and she did it, having spent the last decade writing for leading UK titles such as Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health and Glamour.
Nowadays, my 9 to 5 involves reviewing functional fashion essentials — underwear, shapewear, swimwear, activewear and footwear — in a bid to find the best sandals, walking shoes and winter boots on the market. But to ensure I’m as clued up on the latest launches and research as possible, I regularly attend press days and interview brand founders and industry experts for answers to common style-related FAQs.
Personally, when it comes to boots, let me say this: I’m a practical shopper, seeking out shoes that combine decent arch support with cutting-edge style. Ahead of writing this piece, my willing colleagues and I tried a variety of boot styles (all mine in a UK 6 or 6.5 )to see which scored high in terms of comfort, quality and wearability.
A version of this article originally appeared on Glamour US.