by The early days of mountaineering boots were rough. From the Dolomites to the Rockies, adventurers had precious few options for the ascent. Heavy leather lace-ups with metal “hobnails” driven into the soles for traction were the most common—not the sort of thing you can wear to the pub after an expedition.
That shifted in 1937, when Italian hiker Vitale Bramani founded the pioneering rubber-sole company Vibram after the deaths of six companions in the Alps. The new soles were lugged and lighter, and they offered better traction. They changed the game entirely. A steady stream of innovation since then means Alpine-style boots have only gotten easier to wear. They’ve also come down from the mountain. While technical versions still work at high altitudes, you’re more likely to see the classics—ankle high, made of leather or suede, and finished with that signature metal rivet-and-loop lacing system—on a city street than a switchback trail. It makes sense. They’re rugged but lend an air of throwback refinement. Supportive without weighing you down. And they just so happen to look cool as hell with everything from performance clothing to denim and tweed.
You can opt for something with a more modern edge, like Diemme’s color-blocked, ultralight Roccia Vet. Or maybe a luxury take in supple suede from Hermès. If the vintage vibe is more your taste, Ralph Lauren Purple Label makes an exceptional pair in sleek black leather (complete with a Vibram sole). Whether you plan to take them above sea level is entirely up to you.
