We’ve Curated the Best High-Low Boot Shopping Guide

We dove into the runways and street style to uncover the luxury and budget-friendly trends.

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Last updated In Buying Guides
Women wearing fall boots, ankle boots, knee high boots, and leather boots
(Image credit: Launchmetrics/Getty Images)

Keeping up with shoe trends can feel like a full-time job. Between eyeing the designer pairs that walk down the runway, monitoring the new trendy sneakers celebrities wear, and keeping tabs on TikTok's -core du jour, seasonal shoe shopping can be an overwhelming feat. But autumn offers a respite from the trend cycle's madness because the best fall boots always persevere—no matter what fashion's bigwig footwear players show on the runways or what's trending on your For You Page.

Name a boot, any boot, and it will work as a boot trend for back-to-school season. Heeled knee-high boots and sharp ankle booties will elevate a fall work outfit so you can tackle a busy day of Q4 business meetings with your head and ankles held high. Out of the office, chunky combat boots are perfect for stomping on freshly fallen leaves, and a smart pair of leather thigh-highs will solve your mini skirt outfit dilemma.

Emilie Joseph wears black large sunglasses, a pale yellow high neck / sleeveless / short dress, a camel shiny leather small belt, a beige with gold buttons blazer jacket, a beige wicker and white shiny leather bicolored handbag, pale yellow matte leather block heels / high knees boots , during a street style fashion photo session, on April 30, 2023 in Paris, France.

This Paris Fashion Week guest, for one, opted for a smart pair of ivory knee-hight boots.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Yes, it's worthwhile to consider what the fall 2024 trends have to say (above-the-knee boots and moto boots, for example, were repeat silhouettes on the runways this season), but whatever style speaks to you is the best boot for you this season.

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Plus, you don't have to obliterate your total seasonal budget on a single pair because there is a gamut of great options at reasonable prices (think: $200 and below from brands like Madewell and Free People). Ahead, find some of the best buy-now, wear-forever fall boots for fall 2024 at a mix of price points.

Our Favorite Fall Boots

Riding Boots

Woman wearing black equestrian boots, white turtleneck sweater, black blazer, black pants, and black Gucci Jackie bag

See? Not all equestrian-esque boots need to be paired with horse-bit hardware and riding britches.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

According to fashion directors and retailers, the humble riding boot is a top fall and winter 2024 trend women will actually wear because it's a familiar fall favorite with easy practicality. Even those who don't frequent the stables (or, perhaps, have never even ridden a horse) can appreciate its low heel and walkability. Keep it slick and streamlined with a no-frills pair from the reliable Reformation or minimalist clothing brand Toteme.

Knee-High Boots

A woman wearing black knee high boots and a red coat

Simple and with little-to-no fashion complications—a neutral knee-high boot is a sure place to start your fall shopping.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

A classic knee-high boot is a core component of a fall wardrobe, and aside from the tall silhouette, the specifics of the shoe are up to you. Tony Bianco's Fantasy black boot, priced at $360, will work well when styled with your best fall dresses and suede mini skirts. On the more luxury end of the spectrum, Khaite's Marfa will earn you approval from any fashion-inclined friend, as will Loeffler Randall's pair made of burgundy leather, a foremost fall 2024 color trend.

Over-the-Knee Boots

Eva Chen wearing black thigh high boots and a black and silver sequined sweater dress

The bonus to boots that end at your upper thigh is that you can go forgo your bottoms!

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

A few inches above the more agreeable knee-high, these overachieving boots hit in the upper thigh territory. Chloé—whose Fall 2024 show was a love letter to boots so tall, they doubled as pants—offers ample smooth leather options in autumnal neutrals, like inky black and woodsy auburn. If you would prefer an option in a must-touch texture, consider Staud's high-heeled suede boot.

Moto Boots

Gabriella Karefa Johnson wearing knee high black moto boots, a yellow and red dress, and colorful striped sweater

Pro styling tip: contrast a motorcycle boot's rugged leather with oh-so-soft knitwear for a more intriguing combination.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

While a buckle-heavy biker boot could currently be categorized as an of-the-moment trendy silhouette (you've likely seen outfit breakdowns featuring the shoe on TikTok and Instagram Reels), the rough-and-ready silhouette is a long-standing fall staple. Miu Miu helped reignite the recent moto moment on the runways, so the fashion house's hardware-heavy pairs are certainly one to consider. Alternatively, you can try Ganni's viral moto boots, which have been one of the most popular buys of the season, with demand increasing 296 percent according to Lyst's Q3 2024 Index.

Heeled Booties

A woman wearing black heeled booties, a tan dress, and tan top coat

A closer-to-the-ground kitten-heeled bootie offers more of a subtle statement compared to a hefty-soled ankle boot.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Unlike a knee-high or thigh-length boot, ankle booties won't dictate your outfit as much. You can pair a chunky-heeled bootie like Free People's with your favorite wide-leg jeans and a button-down shirt. Or, for a more out-of-the-box option, Maison Margiela's split-toe Tabi Boots (which rank high on editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike's list of capsule wardrobe alternatives) lend themselves to a graphic print dress or your best tailored trousers.

Chelsea Boots

A woman wearing black Chelsea boots, a white shirt dress, and black sweater

Take your favorite summer linen shirt dress into autumn by slipping on a cardigan and your best Chelsea boots.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Classic Chelsea boots are believed to date back to the Victorian era. Known for the signature side-stretch elastic panels that make slipping them on and off easy, they're a textbook example of fashion-meets-function. Higher-heeled options like Veronica Beard and 3.1 Phillip Lim's offer a dressed-up sophistication, while heavy-tred styles like Ganni and Barbour's are more equipped for the great outdoors.

Combat Boots

A woman wearing black lace-up combat boots, a grey plaid mini skirt, and black, white, and yellow leather jacket

Masculine combat boots always make for an unexpected and intriguing option to pair with a mini skirt.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Last but not least: the combat boot. To give your arches a break from a towering heel, go for a flat-soled style by Dr. Martens or Frye. But if its height you're after, Tory Burch's block-heeled boot and Zadig Voltaire's tall lace-up both have you covered.

Emma Childs
Emma Childs
Former Fashion Features Editor

Emma Childs is the former fashion features editor at Marie Claire, where she explored the intersection of style, culture, and human interest storytelling. She covered zeitgeist-y style moments—like TikTok's "Olsen Tuck" and Substack's "Shirt Sandwiches"—and has written hundreds of runway-researched trend reports. Above all, Emma enjoys connecting with real people about style, from designers, athlete stylists, politicians, and C-suite executives.

Emma previously wrote for The Zoe Report, Editorialist, Elite Daily, and Bustle, and she studied Fashion Studies and New Media at Fordham University Lincoln Center. When Emma isn't writing about niche fashion discourse on the internet, you'll find her shopping designer vintage, doing hot yoga, and befriending bodega cats.