The Best Chelsea Boots For Women That Consistently Earn Top Ratings
The best Chelsea boots for women are marked by several key characteristics: They’re typically ankle height with a low heel, and have stretchy elastic panels and a grippy sole. Our top picks have all of these things—and more. For example, Ariat’s Wexford Waterproof Chelsea Boot are remarkably breathable and offer excellent traction, while Cole Haan’s Greenwich Chelsea Bootie have a cushioned outsole and are polished enough for work.
To compile this list, we reviewed more than 20 pairs of boots and rated them on comfort, style, and functionality. Here are the 11 best Chelsea boots for women that earned the highest marks, plus three also impressive honorable mentions.
- Best Chelsea Boots For Women Overall: Ariat Wexford Waterproof Chelsea Boot
- Best Chelsea Boots For Work: Cole Haan Greenwich Chelsea Bootie
- Best Stylish Chelsea Boots: Reformation Katerina Lug Sole Chelsea Boot
- Best Lug Sole Chelsea Boots: Veronica Beard Delilah Suede Bootie
- Best Chunky Chelsea Boots: Sorel Joan Now Chelsea Boot
- Most Comfortable Chelsea Boots: Born Cove Waterproof Chelsea Boot
- Best Chelsea Boots For Walking: Blundstone Classic Chelsea Boots
- Best Chelsea Boots With Arch Support: Vionic Evergreen Ankle Boot
- Best Waterproof Chelsea Boots: La Canadienne Sorento Waterproof Chelsea Boot
- Best Leather Chelsea Boots: Thursday Boot Company Duchess Chelsea Boot
- Best High-Heel Chelsea Boots: & Other Stories Heeled Leather Chelsea Boots
Other Top Picks To Consider:
Hunter Original Chelsea Boot: best Chelsea rain boots | SoftWalk Indy Chelsea Boot: best cushioning | Sam Edelman Laguna Chelsea Boot: best for wide feet
Best Chelsea Boots For Women Overall
A Low-Profile Boot For Everyday
Ariat Wexford Waterproof Chelsea Boot
Sizes: 5.5 to 11 | Materials: Suede upper, Duratread sole | Colors: 7 total
- What’s notable: This waterproof boot is both rugged and streamlined, so you get durability with style.
- What could be better: The leather can be stiff at first and will take some break-in time.
While Ariat is largely known for being an equestrian brand, they cater to all by creating high-quality performance footwear infused with athletic technology. These waterproof boots are breathable so your feet won’t overheat, and they have a rugged rubber sole, which provides traction for everything from navigating slick city sidewalks to working outdoors.
What the reviews say: Many praise these boots for their versatility, saying they’re “super comfortable with a timeless look” and the “fit is perfect and looks great with anything.” However, several reviewers say these run narrow in the toe box.
Best Chelsea Boots For Work
Practical And Polished
Sizes: 5 to 11 | Materials: Leather upper, rubber outsole | Colors: 2 total
- What’s notable: These are waterproof, which means not only do they look good, but they are also extremely functional for winter weather days.
- What could be better: Although these are meant to be medium width, they fit best on narrower feet.
This timeless style is seam-sealed to prevent water from creeping in on your commute, and they are fabric-lined and have a cushioned outsole for comfort. We also appreciate the D-ring detailing on the back pull tab, which adds a bit of style.
What the reviews say: Many comment that these are luxe quality at a more affordable price, with one saying, “the quality is excellent and they look fantastic.” Bear in mind, though, that some say they run large in length but are narrow in the toe box.
Best Stylish Chelsea Boots
Fashion And Function Meet Durability
Reformation Katerina Lug Sole Chelsea Boot
Sizes: 5 to 11 | Materials: Tumbled leather, rubber sole | Colors: 1 total
- What’s notable: The extended length of the stretchy gore panels makes these easy to get on, especially if you have a high arch.
- What could be better: These only come in one color (black).
These thick-soled Chelsea boots give off a stylish vibe and the lug sole provides traction on slick, snowy and icy surfaces. From a comfort standpoint, they have a round-shaped toe box, which allows toes to spread out comfortably, even in thicker socks. We also like that the tumbled leather is slightly textured so it’s less shiny (and more relaxed-looking) than many other options.
Best Lug Sole Chelsea Boots
Everyday Ankle Boots With Traction
Veronica Beard Delilah Suede Bootie
Sizes: 6 to 9.5 | Materials: Suede and leather with a rubber sole | Colors: 3 total
- What’s notable: With a nearly 2-inch heel height, these will give you extra lift.
- What could be better: They aren’t waterproof, and they are expensive.
Veronica Beard’s take on the classic Chelsea boot is crafted from soft suede or supple leather—and while both of these materials are stylish, they’re not necessarily practical for wet, snowy conditions. The slim 6″ shaft is higher than most (which allows them to slide easily under jeans), and the chunky rubber sole is shock-absorbing and sturdy enough to traverse uneven terrain.
Best Chunky Chelsea Boots For Women
Rugged And Statement-Making
Sorel Joan Now Chelsea Boot
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Materials: Full grain leather or suede and Evertread rubber outsole | Colors: 6 total
- What’s notable: These are a true medium width so they can accommodate a range of foot widths. Plus, they come in six chic colors.
- What could be better: The 2-inch heel height can be steep when streets are snowy or slick.
Sorel Joan Now boots are a winter staple for many, and this streamlined take on the brand’s comfy classic is a winner. It’s non-slip with a high-traction heel, and it’s made of waterproof materials that repel moisture. One unique element of this boot’s design is that the gore on these extends the entire length of the shaft height.
What the reviews say: Reviewers praise these boots time and again for comfort and function, with one saying, “warm and sturdy yet not too clunky to dress up.” Some comment that they can pinch at the bridge of the foot and others say that they think the toe is too round.
Most Comfortable Chelsea Boots
A Cushioned Footbed For Extended Comfort
Born Cove Waterproof Chelsea Boot
Sizes: 6 to 11 | Materials: Grain leather or suede upper and rubber outsole | Colors: 5 total
- What’s notable: The supportive, simple silhouette make this a classic, comfortable choice.
- What could be better: This pair has an elongated silhouette at the toe that doesn’t appeal to all.
In addition to providing support at the midsole, this ankle-height style is the perfect combination of rugged and polished. It checks all the boxes for foul weather, too: it’s waterproof so feet stay dry, and the lightweight rubber outsole offers winter-ready traction.
What the reviews say: “Comfortable” and “supportive” are two words often used to describe this style. It’s also reportedly standard in fit, with one reviewer saying, “they fit true to size and give the right amount of space in the toe box.” Some comment that they cause socks to slip, though, so you’ll want to choose socks with extra elastic when wearing these boots.
Best Chelsea Boots For Walking
A Legendary, Shock-Absorbing Style
Sizes: 6 to 11 | Materials: Leather, TPU outsole | Colors: 8 total
- What’s notable: Sturdy and roomy, they’re accommodating enough for toes to spread comfortably, but not overly clunky and loose.
- What could be better: Breaking these boots in takes commitment and time as they can be stiff at first.
Australian footwear brand Blundstone is known for their hardwearing, multi-purpose boots, which were first created in the 1870s. This pair is an antidote for sore feet—they have a removable footbed that’s padded at the heel for extra comfort, and they come with extra insoles so they can accommodate a thinner or thicker sock. The water-resistant leather makes these a good choice for inclement weather, and the leather develops a nice patina over time. A common praise is that these boots last for years.
What the reviews say: Comfort is key, with one reviewer saying these “support feet over ten-hour days” and another raving, “so comfortable, especially for flat feet and bunions.”
Best Chelsea Boots With Arch Support
Comfy, Stylish Support For Sore Feet
Vionic Evergreen Ankle Boot
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Materials: Leather or nubuck with flexible rubber | Colors: 4 total
- What’s notable: This shoe’s technology hugs your arches and has a built-in orthotic that treats heel pain.
- What could be better: Many wish the brand would offer these in a wide width.
Vionic’s proprietary Vio-Pod outsole offers comfy cushioning and flex, so the boots move with you and offer long-lasting comfort for long-hours-on-your-feet days. The water resistant upper comes in handy for inclement weather, and the microfiber wrapped EVA foam footbed is removable if you want to use your own orthotic.
What the reviews say: This style is known for being easy to slip on and off and many comment that no break in period is required. One user says, “they helped me to pack light because they served well as both hiking/sightseeing boots and look nice enough to dress up for going out in the evening.”
Best Waterproof Chelsea Boots
Lightweight And Ready For Any Weather
La Canadienne Sorento Waterproof Chelsea Boot
Sizes: 5 to 13 | Materials: Leather upper, rubber sole| Colors: 1 total
- What’s notable: These boots will keep you dry but won’t make feet sweat.
- What could be better: The price is on the high end but the craftsmanship justifies it.
This boot features quality construction along with a bunch of thoughtfully executed features. The lug sole is grippy but not clunky, the brand’s City Dry technology means the Italian leather is waterproof with a breathable microfiber lining, and these also have a cushioned memory foam insole for when you need to put in lots of miles walking.
What the reviews say: One reviewer aptly describes this style as “day to evening nice.” Users recommend going up a size if you have wider feet.
Best Leather Chelsea Boots
Classic, Streamlined And Stylish
Sizes: 5 to 11 | Materials: Leather upper, rubber sole | Colors: 9 total
- What’s notable: These boots offer a luxe look and exemplary craftsmanship at a great price.
- What could be better: There is limited arch support in these boots, so if you have a high arch you may want to consider adding an insole.
Thursday Boot Company’s boots have a rich chrome leather upper that’s durable and made to last but not
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