Shoe shopping is often an exercise in patience.
Different brand sizing. Stores. Widths. Styles. One hour eventually turns into two, turns into four, and suddenly, no shoe feels right, the entire outing seems like a waste, and you end up either picking shoes that “work” or going home empty-handed.
Online shopping is easier in some ways, and harder in others. Searching through stock and narrowing down your options may take less time, but then you come up against sizing. Many charts are different. Not all of them are accurate. And the cycle begins anew.
This has regularly been the case for me with combat boots.
Sandals are easy. Sneakers are relatively so. But with a shoe size that ranges from a U.S. women’s 8.5 to 11, depending on the brand, and feet that have slightly different widths, finding combat boots that are actually comfortable is a challenge.
Dream Pairs changes that.
With an extensive variety of boots—and shoes of all kinds—on offer, and sizes ranging from a 5 to a 12 (though most boots, unlike other shoe varietals, don’t have a wide option), it’s much easier to find a pair that fits just how you want them to. Their size guide is as clear as it is accurate, and I’ve found their customer service to be exceedingly helpful in choosing the right combat boots for my particular needs.
This sense of accessibility and comfort is what the brand was founded on, after all. Established in 2009 by Brian Cao, Dream Pairs has always ensured that every pair made is as trendy as it is affordable and easy to wear.
Of course, this only makes it harder to name just one pair of shoes as your favorite—so I didn’t. I found three.
1. Knit-Cuff Moto Ankle Boots
Of the three pairs I like best, the Knit-Cuff Moto Ankle Boots in black are the most everyday style. Cool enough to wear most days (though perhaps not in the 100-degree heat I’m experiencing at the moment), versatile enough for a range of outfits (including some dresses—particularly knee-length black dresses), and easy to get on and off with the side zip, they’re the perfect shoe to throw on just before you walk out the door.
The polyurethane upper has been easy to clean, while the faux-fur lining is comfortable without socks (though I don’t recommend doing so in the heat or on long outings, to avoid matting down the material with sweat over time). The knit cuff is an attractive design element without adding excessive warmth, particularly for fall and winter outfits. The only downside, for me, was the length of the boot lacing, something that has never been a favorite of mine, though that was easily rectified with a spare pair of sneaker laces.
2. Utilitarian Ankle Mid Calf Combat Boots
If there’s one thing I—and many women—love in my outfits and accessories, it’s unexpected pockets. And the black Utilitarian Ankle Mid-Calf Combat Boots in the Terran style deliver. The long side pocket, closed with a zipper, opens to reveal a fairly sizable space for keys, cards, cash, spare charging cords, or whatever pocket item (preferably not too bulky, to maintain the lines of the shoe) you’d like to have handy. They’ve already helped me avoid bringing a whole purse on a few quick errands.
Like the Moto Ankle Boots, these combat boots have a faux-fur lining that keeps the shoes warm without becoming too stuffy. Their uppers are also made of polyurethane, but the available color range is the widest of the bunch, including brown, camel, grey, white, and burgundy. Plus, these shoes have alternative forms—knee-high snow boots and lug-soled motorcycle boots—in case you like the style but not the precise form or purpose.
3. Platform Lace Up Lug Sole Combat Boots
Padded foam interiors. Polyurethane leather footbeds. Eye-catching exterior buckles. Heavy soles. The Platform Lace-Up Lug Sole Combat Boots are made to help you feel powerful in every scenario—and they achieve their goal with ease.
But appearances aren’t the only benefit these boots have to offer. The umbrella fabric uppers, combined with the warm interiors, make them the perfect boots for rainy days. Like the Mid-Calf Combat Boots—and unlike the Moto Ankle Boots—I’ve found that they work perfectly with both shorts and pants (though, personally, they’re not my first choice for pairing with skirts or dresses). And an accompanying detachable bag gives you an easy place to store them indoors, keeping the shoes—and your floors—clean.
The buckles do slow you down when putting these on in a way the other boots avoid, but the finished look makes it all worth it.
When it comes to shoe shopping, and combat boot shopping in particular, Dream Pairs makes everything easier. To start your own search, visit the company’s website HERE.
