Replace your Uggs with motorcycle boots for fall

Time for a moment of contrition: for the past few winters, I’ve worn Uggs. Shamelessly, in public, for all to see. And I’ve loved my Uggs, since I embrace comfort, but I don’t think I can continue to wear them this fall. Good thing I don’t have to: motorcycle boots are popular again!

This trend showed its presence last year, but now that nearly every major brand is producing a motorcycle boot of some sort (Valentino even has one with a bow on it. I’m not kidding), it’s time to round them up and discuss. There are knee-high versions, stiletto versions, platform versions and every other type that you could possibly think of, but what I’m interested in right now is those that could replace Uggs for a lot of us – flat, ankle or midcalf and utilitarian.

Gucci Edie Ankle Boots: If you’re not sure that you want to go whole-hog with a bold, chunky boot, then these are your best choice – think of them as motorcycle boots for someone that rides a Vespa. They still have all the charm and detail without a hyper-masculine feel, which makes them the most versatile of the bunch. Buy through Saks for $840.

Jimmy Choo Bike Leather Boots: This pair is my personal favorite – they retain all the chunky attitude of traditional motorcycle boots without a few of the hardest edges, and the wrinkled, soft-looking leather keeps them luxurious. For the price, they better be. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1050.

Dolce & Gabbana Lug-Sole Ankle Boots: Naturally this trend borrows a great deal from early-90s grunge, and this pair references those styles more than most. The super-thick sole probably reminds everyone under 45 of a pair of shoes that they had in 1993, for better or for worse. Buy through Saks for $825.

DSquared Biker Boots: DSquared’s interpretation of the motorcycle boot trend is where you look if you want a version that’s very straightforward. These may not be as distinctive as what some brands are doing, but they do a good job capturing the prototypical motorcycle boot feel. You might actually be able to wear these on a bike, if you were so inclined. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $825.

Frye Engineer Boots: Frye was doing biker boots before they were trendy and they’ll be doing them long after; it would be silly not to include them in this list. This pair also presents the best value: all of the other shoes listed here are more than $800. Buy through ShopBop for $208.

Emily

For some reason, I don’t like the shorter versions of the motercycle boot. I prefer them to be to the knee.
Deanna G.

I like the Gucci best!
bisbee

I also like the Gucci best…but there are SO many other versions of this boot out on the market for much, much less! I bought a very similar pair from Madewell last year…I returned them after deciding I didn’t really need them, but for $250 or so, they were just as cute as any other the others!
- Amanda Mull
  
  I remember those Madewell boots, I still wish I had bought them but I was trying to be very cheap at that point. I hope they make something similar again this year.
Jen

Please no more Uggs!!! I liked them for a fleeting moment but sooooo over done! The motorcycle boots I can get on board with:-) Frye are great boots!!! I have a tall red pair and put with everything-
miko

i like the Dsquared2 the best, but I’m definitely investing in Frye instead! (and i STILL LOVE UGGS and you CANNOT get me to stop wearing them. lol)
Sakyie

I like the Jimmy Choo & Dsquared!! I can’t wait for fall so I can get a pair of biker boots, and LIVE in my jeans for months again! I really don’t care for Uggs, it never gets cold enough here for me to justify buying them lol. Some people say they buy them for comfort, but Uggs in Florida? No way!
- Kim
  
  I leave in the South too (Texas) and last winter was when I finally broke down and purchased Uggs. i also believed that it didn’t get that cold but after a few snow days my mind quickly changed.
Chris

Love the Gucci boots. Very nice and not too masculine.
(And yes, I have to admit it, I still have a pair of gray Uggs in my wardrobe.)
Laureen

The Frye boots are cute! Great for the price.
RB

Love Frye. Very durable and they look great.
jo

thank goodness i neednt wear THAT here in my country!
KD Munoz

I’m going for Minnetonkas this Winter… American made, liking the styles & comfy as can be!
NinjaNinja

Not a fan.
quimerula

This is a trend I will follow gladly.
Dezynrbaglaydee

I like the Jimmy Choos best. I must confess I have been wearing Uggs in the winter for years and my husband HATES them, he calles them Ugglies. I need a replacement this year for sure…at least to wear in public.
daniel

i defintiely like the pair of jimmy choos!
Kara

I got jimmy choo look alike by franco sarto last fall on sale and for 38.00 hands down the best boot!
Chic ‘n Cheap Living

I don’t know if I like these though they would be styling with some tights and my silk motorcycle jacket! The dsquared really reminds me of short Frye boots!
Leigh

If I did wear this trend, I would be inclined to go with the Gucci boot since it’s more streamlined. I guess anything more clunky reminds me of the grunge days from the early 1990s and I don’t really want to revisit that fashion trend again.
Laura

LOVE motorcycle boots! The Gucci ones are beautiful, but I also really like the DSqaured ones.
Rachel

I love the jimmy choos…but the Fryes really don’t fall far behind for me. I actually bought some Fiorentini and Baker boots last winter that I love!! But, can a biker boot really act as a replacement to Uggs?
- Amanda Mull
  
  I think they can – they’re comfortable and casual, plus there’s no heel or wedge to stop you from wearing them to run to the grocery or something like that. I can think of one or two situations where maybe they wouldn’t work, but they’re probably as close of a fashionable replacement as you’ll find.
  - Rachel
    
    I think that last year Jimmy Choo did the biker boot lined in shearling! That was a tempting substitute to Uggs. I am so sick of my Uggs!
atrophia

I almost can’t believe this is a trend now–but it’s one I can totally get behind. I love the D&G’s and the Gucci ones, but I also agree about the Jimmy Choo’s. The Frye’s are great too. Not really feeling the DSquared, although I love some of their other shoes.
Josie

I’ve had — and worn — Frye motorcycle boots for a few years now. Love ‘em. But you can’t slip them on barefoot to run errands in the snow. I know how uncool Uggs got and how fast they got that way, but they’ll never be too uncool for me. Uggs (and similar sheepskin boots) are winter’s flipflops. You can be more chic, but you can’t be more comfortable — and sometimes comfort is the only thing that matters.
Ashley

Love the moto boot trend.
I have a brown knee high pair I picked up while in London on vacation a few years back and I live in them through winter/fall.

…I’ll admit, I still have my Uggs. And I adore how comfy and cozy they are. Maybe I’ll retire them to house-only this fall.
Treselle

i love motorcycle boots so much but only with the right outfit.
Ashley

I try so hard to like motorcycle boots because they often look really great on girls I see. I really dont think I could pull them off though.
faith24

definitely a better replacement for Uggs! but i still prefer heels
Ally

I bought the Frye ones in red years ago, wore them once, could anyone provide some styling ideas?
Katrina

I’m choosing the Gucci! i love the zipper detail!
jetsetgo!

I’m ind of digging the Chanel version this year.
Mary

I always have loved the Frye boots-I think they are a classic ala the Chanel flat!
adrienne

none for me thankx
adrienne

i’ll keep my uggs
ter garney

I’m a fan!
Lauren

Love them, don’t own Uggs never will and can’t resist buying great boots
Chrisine R

Love the Frye boots!! But alas I am a repeat offender!! I wear my uggs year round due to comfort and my hectic schedule with work school and my kids activities and not to mention the depressing weather the Great NW has to offer!!
madigan

Has everyone forgotten the motorcycle uggs that came out last year? They look EXACTLY like the Frye engineer boots. Why not have your cake and eat it, too?
Kristen

I bought a pair of motorcycle boots late last winter and love them. They go with absolutely everything, and they look so much better than Uggs. Don’t get me wrong, I love how comfy my Uggs are, but motorcycle boots look a bit more polished.
sunchicka

I like the polished look of motorcycle boots.
Kelly

Can’t stand Uggs. Would wear these over them any day.
Valentina

Hate Uggs as much as I hate Lady Gaga. Though I like boots so much, I’m not 5’9″, hence I don’t wear them unless they’re ankle boots, or have a little heel, cause’ I would look shorter, and I hate that ):
Michelle

I like the Jimmy Choos and the DSquared because they’ve got a worn in [but not dirty] look, which is always my favorite.
Chelsea Clark

YES! Down with uggs! Motorcycle boots for the win!
Michele

Uggs are so 5 years ago. You should have moved on since then anyway. I’m loving the Jimmy Choo boots.
- Iip
  
  TW15T3D32 on October 24, 2011 I have been doing this and it does work If aonyne would like a link to a legit site that does these offers Pm me.
Leona

If someone created a pair in a brown/conac tone that still lokks feminine & doesn’t remind me of the 90s, I might get a pair….
Tiffany

I love motorcycle boots! Super hot!
gpc

Wait to see what Miu Miu releases. They usually have the best motorcycle style of the season.
erg

I like the Gucci boots best. They are very sleek and would go with everything.
19yearslater

I did buy my first pair of Frye boots this year and I’ll surely be wearing them a lot, but I don’t think I’ll be able to resist Uggs on the really cold days.
MissThang

I have the gucci motorcycle boots and they are to die for these are as precious as my children. Lol not quite but I do love them with all of my Hart.