The 18 Best Summer Boots You'll Abandon Your Sandals For

Perfect for pairing with your floatiest dresses.

woman wearing yellow snakeskin summer boots
(Image credit: Christian Vierig)

While some might assume boots are synonymous with fall and winter weather, I am something of an all-season boot opportunist. Long story short: I hate showing my toes—especially in the summertime in New York City. And while there are plenty of great boots brands to shop from, I’ve been finding it tricky to track down the very best summer boots to invest in for the warmer weather and beyond. So, I went to the experts to figure out exactly what boots are best for the warmer weather, and where to find them. 

Boot Silhouettes Trending for Summer 2023

When it comes to the best type of boot for the summer, don’t just settle for your classic ankle boots in 2023: cowboy-inspired boots are a safe bet this season, too. “Western boots are definitely a summer staple,” says Jamie Lee, the shoe buyer at Moda Operandi, who cites brands like Golden Goose—who are beloved for their range of lived-in-looking white sneakers—and insider-approved brand Aeyd, who she says is “serving up a colorblock twist on their signature boot this season." Also trending are denim boots, as seen at brands like Gianvito Rossi, Chloe, and Jacuqemus.

What to Look For in the Best Summer Boots

Odds are, you already have brown and black boots in your collection, but I recommend trying out something a little different in the summer. “A short shaft height or lighter color to balance out the weight when pairing with breezy summer dresses or denim shorts,” Lee says about the pairs she has her eye on. As a year-round boots-wearer, I’ve found that boots with cutouts are also key to keeping my feet cool. Summer is also the only time that I test-run a patterned boot, and this year’s metallics trend doesn’t just stop with my clothing pieces—metallic silver boots are a fun way to spice up a little black dress on a night out. 

Ahead, shop all the best summer boots from brands like STAUD and Charles & Keith, hand-picked by a person who gets to shop for a living as Marie Claire’s E-Commerce Editor.

The Best Summer Boots

Meet The Expert

Jamie Lee
Jamie Lee

Jamie Lee is a footwear buyer at Moda Operandi. Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, she spent half of her life in Korea and the other half in the United States. She began her buying career at Dover Street Market New York. She now lives and works in NYC.

Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she covers everything from the latest beauty and fashion launches and sales to celebrity outfits and news. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and STYLECASTER. In her spare time, Julia can be found creating shopping guides for all of her friends, spending too much money on yet another pair of black boots, and cooking in her far-too-small kitchen.