When it comes to selecting a Goodyear welted style that can be worn all year round there are several Barker boot styles of note that will fit well in every gentleman’s wardrobe no matter their style.
Leather boots feature in most of the Barker collections including the BarkerTech, Country, Creative, and Professional collections. An English boot classic is a brogue with the Barker Calder boot from the Country collection and the Knights brogue boot from the BOEB Archive collection being highly recommended. Both brogue boots styles are made on the 460 last from premium calf and grain leather on a durable Dainite rubber sole.
The most popular boot style across the Barker collections is the Chelsea boot, a menswear slip-on staple that can be worn smart or casual depending on the occasion. Within the Professional collection, you’ll discover the Bedale (polished leather/leather sole) Chelsea boot and the Mansfield, a versatile Chelsea boot made from premium calf, grain and burnished suedes on a choice of leather or Dainite rubber sole. The latest Mansfield colourway is the Cherry Grain (Dainite sole) which is quickly becoming a Barker boot icon. Other Chelsea boots that currently feature in the Barker collection include the Freddie, Hopper (Creative collection) and Sergey (BarkerTech collection).
A classic menswear style that can be worn as a work boot is the Chukka boot which is generally an ankle-length lace-up style. Chukka boots feature in the Country, Creative and Casual collections with the most popular styles being the Orkney (Dainite sole), Conner (Vibram sole) Connor and Navona (crepe sole) Chukka boots. Chelsea boots made from calf or hi-shine polished leathers work best if worn formally with suiting but for a relaxed casual look, the grain or suede Chukka boots are highly recommended.
A Country collection staple that was inspired by the Scottish highlands is the Glencoe hiking boots, a functional design made on the 29 last from premium leathers on a lightweight Vibram Vi-Lite sole. Available in several colourways, the Glencoe features a Goodyear Storm welt construction, bellow tongue and D ring lacing system to protect your feet from the elements.
Other Barker lace-up boot styles to consider are the Donegal and Foley Country collection styles which are made on premium grain leathers.
Barker boots are available in F, FX and G fittings and are made on several Barker last shapes including the 29, 460, 486 and 493.