Chelsea boots are a stylish staple that is a must-have for every gent, no matter what style you adore, no matter what style you adorn. And as such, is a style of footwear that - despite its brash appearance - is a shoe that must be talked about.

And lucky for you, Don’s Footwear has decided to take it to the next level with some new designs on a classic style - made especially for short and tall men alike!

But before that, let’s go over what are Chelsea boots and why you’re missing out if you already are lacking a pair.

The history of Chelsea Boots

The closest iteration to the actual Chelsea boots we have today runs back to the early nineteenth century, thanks to a man named J Sparkes-Hall (1811-1891) whose patented “Elastic Ankle Boots” cemented the birth date of what would be his greatest creation - the old school Chelsea boot.

J Sparke’s attribution as the “royal shoemaker” to the British royal family at the time was especially noteworthy, and it is here where he created a shoe that would be worthy enough for even her Royal Highness, Queen Victoria herself.

And this was especially apparent as the queen donned his footwear daily - in a way lamenting to us - the value of his invention.

How practical are Chelsea boots?

Chelsea boots are a brilliant invention due to their multi-faceted unisex design, making them a fine shoe choice to serve for numerous occasions.

Chelsea boots are incredibly practical due to their timeless design, versatile look, and comfortable design. This type of footwear affords you the freedom to wear its design to numerous functions and events, from weddings to nights out, from casual to semi-casual functions. It is also a shoe that looks good in various materials, from leather to suede, to even higher heeled variations like their affiliated “Cuban heel” design.

What material is best for Chelsea Boots?

At Don’s Footwear, we care about quality craftsmanship, and that’s why it’s important from the beginning that you opt for the best material that goes most adequately with your Chelsea boots.

Leather is the best and most rounded material for Chelsea boots as the natural collagen fibres situated within the leather will aid in providing superior durability over other commonly used materials (like suede) used on Chelsea boots.

Footwear is one of many facets that make a good outfit, as it is often one of the first pieces of clothing that people will notice about you. Having good footwear is also one area in which it pays to invest in quality items.

Paying for quality footwear is something that every man should strive to afford, as compared to your pants or shirts, your shoes will be the one thing to take the most beating day in and day out from the streets upon which you strut your “stuff.”

Leather overall is the better option and is a material that will last you longer, with less upkeep. And you can thank the animal’s exterior hide, as this is the reasoning for leather being what it is - it literally protects the animals themselves.

Suede from the get-go is made from a split hide and comes from the treated inside of a hide (whereas leather comes from the outside.) This makes suede a perfect contender for softness and comfortability, but not when it comes to durability.

Unless you have the money to opt for two options, your first pair of Chelsea boots ought to be one made of leather - sturdy, reliable, and for a good (worthy) price.

Such is the case with Don’s Footwear, as owner Allan (A.K.A. Don) has been in the game for over 10 years, and prides himself in crafting affordable quality designs, for men - tall and short.

This is why Don’s Footwear has come up with the perfect blend between design, style, and durability - with their Echelon Grade Chelsea Boots.

Here’s why our Echelon Made Chelsea Boots are the best

At Don’s Footwear, we pride ourselves in offering only the best, for the best prices. And this is what you’ll find in our vast catalogue of boot offerings - all with Don’s specially integrated Echelon grade design - at a fraction of a price.

But what are Echelon Grade shoes and how can they benefit your Chelsea Boot?

What are Echelon Grade Chelsea Boots

Echelon grade is Don’s Footwear’s latest design into a world populated by few shoemakers, as this type of shoe construction is usually only available at premium bespoke workshops - but not anymore!

Most shoes come with a single slab of leather infused to the sole of the footwear - lacking much of an edge or even any sturdiness. And even when such a sole is present and mounted, the soles of most footwear out there come in at only a few millimetres thick.

Which is abysmal!

Why Echelon Grade is the best for your Chelsea Boot

Don’s Footwear takes it a step further and inserts a fiddle and blind welt outsole that permeates from the spine and tightens around the waist of the shoe - giving the soles of your Chelsea boots a more elegant “violin-shaped” design.

Don’s makes sure to “beef” up your boot (as the design was intended) to not only withstand the elements but to make sure it looks up to the part too! Expanding on old designs of edge sole shoes, Don’s Echelon Grade edge design means the edge of your boot will be thicker than anything else currently out there.

This makes the price for such shoe construction expensive, and only available at premium bespoke workshops…

However not here at Don’s Footwear! As we’ve decided to gift our customers with generous discounts right here.

I mean see for yourself!

As you can tell, your style and sensibilities will only be further heightened as Don’s blends ingenuity with design, along with empathy for shorter men who also want an added height boost to go along with all the fun!

And if you’re the type to wanna see it in person, check out our video below or come visit us in store for a more intimate look at the best!

Or come check us out at the store right here.

Or subscribe to our mailing list right here for opportunities to see, hold and test out shoe samples!

Chelsea Boots for Short Guys?

If you are a man of shorter stature, who says you shouldn’t also be afforded the same options as your taller brethren? And that’s exactly the mindset we have at Don’s Footwear thanks to its forward-thinking owner himself.

“If you feel that your height is a factor in your daily life, if you feel that your physical presence undermined your first impression, or if you feel that your height impedes on your life career-wise or socially… then my 100% hand made elevator shoes were made for you.”

Allan Donnelly (Don)

Shorter guys can wear Chelsea boots as their vertical design and subtle heel placement means you’ll be able to get the most out of the shoe. For a more dramatic option, consider opting for their elongated version known as the “Cuban Heel” boot.

Click here to view our offerings (we can help give you a height boost of up to 5 inches!)