When the Tube isn't running, Londoners have to take a ‘planes, trains and automobiles’ approach to the commute, aka any means necessary. Well, trains, buses and foot actually. It has meant that my usually pretty sedentary (and sweaty) journey to work became a 40-minute cross-country walk (well, cross-Green Park) each way from the train station to the office.
It has reminded me of the importance of a great pair of comfy shoes (colleagues were arriving into the office complaining about blisters from angry speed-walking around tourists). And one pair of boots in particular has proved an absolute godsend. Introducing the new-season Wylder canvas lace-up boots from Fitflop (which were recommended to me by GH’s Style Director, Melanie Rickey, who recently wore them to trek through the Costa Rican jungle). Here’s why they've saved my feet this week.
The Wylder boot at-a-glance
The Wylder ankle boot has a chunky, stompy sole, which I love and feels perfect for right now. There’s also a rubber wraparound strip to stop rain getting in (ideal when it inevitably tips it down), a grippy tread and a Microwobbleboard midsole, which sounds like something from Roald Dahl but is actually just a great cushioning layer that protects your soles as you pound the pavements. FitFlop also says the Wylder is engineered to optimise your body’s alignment and has natural arch support. All of which adds up to a comfy and stylish everyday boot.
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They went particularly well with my cropped barrel-leg jeans (I kept the silhouette slimmer on top) and would go with any new-season cropped trouser, from cords to tailoring. I also think they’d add a great practical edge to a pretty midi dress.
Yes, they're fairly pricey, but you can get 15% off right know if you use the code: WELCOME at checkout, and I reckon I'll get a lot of wear out of them.
My honest verdict
As a Type 1 diabetic, I know I need to really look after my feet, but I haven't always been great at it. In my twenties, I thought nothing of going out in a pair of five-inch Louboutins (now, I can barely stand in them).
Slipping into these boots, I felt like I was finally doing something good for my poor toes that have been squeezed into narrow kitten heels and shoes that prioritise toe cleavage over comfort for years. You can feel the cushioning in-soles and I bounced along the London pavements. Which meant that my hour+ commute-walk a day was a breeze. I had no blisters or rubbing, which was impressive for new shoes. One piece of advice though – I wore a chunky long sock with them to avoid any rubbing at the ankle from the canvas fabric.
They’re water-resistant and the canvas outer layer is super practical so I also wasn’t concerned about stomping through a muddy St James’s Park in them (alongside the resident wildlife – I thought they were ducks; my colleague tells me they're geese).
In other words, they’re really practical winter boots that don't skimp on style either. The chunky sole and functional design is totally on trend right now. Oh, and I also tried them out in khaki. I’ve decided to keep the black as I’ll probably get more wear out of them but the army green offers something a little bit different if you want to switch it up from a classic biker.
More new-in FitFlops to shop
If you like the sound of the ergonomic design and the wibblewobble layer – okay, that's not technically what it's called but we're going with it – but want something a little smarter for the office, there are plenty of options in the new A/W 25 range.
I also tried out a pair of the Luma Square Chain Loafers. I loved the buckle design on sight, although I wasn't convinced by the thick sole initially. However, they definitely won we over (again, wear with a chunky sock). Immediately comfortable and great with jeans or your work trousers, they're another hard-working pair of autumn shoes.
And here are a few more that might take your fancy...
FitFlop RALLY T-Toe Suede Crepe Trainers
FitFlop F-MODE Water-Resistant Warm Mesh Laced Booties
