Thoughts on Side-Zippered Boots

[The Knize]

What do folks think of these Beckett-Simonon side-zippered boots? I am drawn to these for some reason. It may be a 1960s thing. I cannot make up my mind whether these would good with a modern suit and/or blazer and gray slacks, which is pretty much what I would have in mind for them, not that I need any more dress shoes.

Or maybe they would work with jeans, too. I am not sure which color to get if I was going to try for that amount of flexibility.

Anyway, I am trying to make up my mind as to whether these are something I would actually want to wear or are just a passing fancy and not very practical. I welcome all thoughts. (Maybe I should be buying a pair of Chelsea boots instead. I am not sure I love te idea of zippers!)

 

[BigD]

Not a big fan.

 

[Raissermesser]

Have worn side-zippered boots as a dress shoe. Nothing good or bad to say about it. All comes down to personal choice.

 

[eelhc]

I vote Chelseas. Similar look, less fuss.

 

[sneefy]

I like side zip boots.

I find the elastic gore of a Chelsea tacky unless it's well hidden. It also looks much more casual.

 

[The Knize]

Thanks for the feedback. Anyone else who has any thoughts, keep them coming.

All comes down to personal choice.

Sometimes I am sure of my own personal choices, and sometimes I am not! I have bought items in the past that I did not end up wearing very often!

 

[The Knize]

less fuss.

Interesting word, "fuss." Maybe that is what is giving me pause.

I do not find myself wearing any other shoes with zippers down the side. Zippers seem, perhaps, young? Informal? Unsophisticated? I do not think of an excellent Italian shoemaker installing a zipper just right!

 

[eelhc]

Interesting word, "fuss." Maybe that is what is giving me pause.

I do not find myself wearing any other shoes with zippers down the side. Zippers seem, perhaps, young? Informal? Unsophisticated? I do not think of an excellent Italian shoemaker installing a zipper just right!

I feel like if I am going to fuss over a zipper than I might as well go with laces. Doesn't take me that much longer.
The Chelsea is a no fuss, throw on and go boot.

 

[sneefy]

The zipper is almost as quick as a slip-on but it can be pretty well hidden and allows for a more svelte profile in the ankle.

I prefer laces overall, but have worn side zip and liked them a close second. They give a clean look.

 

[captp]

For some reason I can't fathom, I detest zippered boots. Just a little tick of mine.

 

[The Knize]

For some reason I can't fathom, I detest zippered boots. Just a little tick of mine.

I understand. I may be sensing that "something in nature" does not like a zippered boot!

 

[blantyre]

They look like nice clean lines. As long as the zip doesn’t jam at an in-opportune moment (security line an an EU airport where they make you take shoes off between connections sometimes). I understand that it is NOT usually possible to replace the elastic in a Chelsea boot. Probably possible to replace a zip easier.

 

[The Knize]

They emphasize that they have YKK brand zippers, so I suspect they understand that folks might think zippers would be a weak spot.

 

[sneefy]

I understand. I may be sensing that "something in nature" does not like a zippered boot!

I'm betting nature prefers a zipper to elastic.

 

[sneefy]

They look like nice clean lines. As long as the zip doesn’t jam at an in-opportune moment (security line an an EU airport where they make you take shoes off between connections sometimes). I understand that it is NOT usually possible to replace the elastic in a Chelsea boot. Probably possible to replace a zip easier.

Yes, zippers can be replaced even by mediocre shoe repair shops.

 

[BigJ]

For some reason I can't fathom, I detest zippered boots. Just a little tick of mine.

+1! Guess I am in the same camp! I would go with either laces or slip-on.

 

[captp]

+1! Guess I am in the same camp! I would go with either laces or slip-on.

I think my dislike for them comes from having a pair 45+ years ago. Mediocre and fell apart way too fast.

 

[Doc4]

Well, the zipper will be a source of weakness in the design, so maybe not a good design feature for workboots or hiking boots and such ... but as a dressy-casual boot, I don't see enough stress coming to the boot to make this a problem.

And IMHO this look will be more "dressy casual" than the more "casual casual" Chelsea. I know there is a high-end Australian boot maker that does a Chelsea boot that is actually very good looking, but ... that's the exception to the rule.

 

[sneefy]

If it's a decent zipper, there's not much to worry about. I have a pair of highly abused Double-H jump boots with a side zip. They're 16 years old now. The sole is cracking and the leather has about had it but the zipper still works great. Granted, it's a really beefy brass YKK zipper. Heavier than you'd find on a typical dress boot.

I'm just not a fan of elastic on a dress boot. Super tacky. A casual boot, sure.

 

[demaro]

I wear them very often , sometimes with a regular pair of dress pants with a collared shirt , with a suit , or even when I wear a tuxedo , I have 5 or 6 pairs of them , I have worn side zipper boots since high school ,