Few things can make an outfit like a pair of knee-high boots. In fashion, boots are often an intricate affair, mixing utility and style in ways that are either unnecessary or impractical in other types of clothing. Being considerably taller than an average piece of footwear, knee-high boots allow this unique item to form a larger part of your ensemble, but things in fashion are rarely as simple as they should be.
Finding a shoe size that fits can be tricky since not all shoe sizes are created equally, it seems. However, a little browsing through the reviews of a particular piece of footwear will usually reveal if it sizes a bit smaller or larger than than the number on the box would suggest. Then you might have to deal with your feet being narrower or wider than average. That one requires a little more effort to find suitable footwear without having to try on dozens and dozens of shoes like a reverse-Cinderella.
Knee-high boots, as stunning as they look, add another wrinkle into this situation with calf size. Unfortunately, unless the knee-high boots you are looking at are of the neoprene workboot variety, you will likely need to find a pair that suit your calves, since good looking boots tend to be made from less pliable materials like leather and suede. Getting knee-high boots that are too wide will feel clumsy and awkward, like your legs are rattling around as you walk, while getting knee-high boots that are not wide enough will… well, they won’t fit. And nobody wants to buy a gorgeous pair of knee-high boots only to find that they can’t zip them up!
Fortunately, the fashion industry is aware of the struggle of the wider-calved people among us, and there are plenty of options out there for you to choose from. And, in an effort to make your search a little less stressful, we’ve put together a list of our ten best boots for wide calves. We’ve tried to include a little something for everyone here, so hopefully, you will be able to find a boot that fits you comfortably and matches your style. So let’s get to it!
1. TOETOS Women’s Knee High Winter Riding Wide Calf Boots
Kicking things off (sorry), these knee-high boots may look like they are made from genuine leather, but it is actually faux leather. Despite this, many wearers report that it feels as good as the real thing, with some even preferring the faux leather over the real deal. There is a rubber outsole to provide grip on those cold winter streets, and a side zipper to make getting the boots on and off as easy as possible.
The cuff clocks in at just over 17″, with one of those inches being taken up by the heel. The fabric lining should be enough to keep your legs and feet toasty when the temperatures plummet. On the outside, you will find a stylish buckle that can be adjusted to provide a snugger fit around the ankle. Be aware that these boots do come in a non-wide version, so make sure you order the right ones if you’re looking for that extra calf room. There are also a few different styles to choose from, which should make finding a pair to suit your preferred look much easier.
2. DREAM PAIRS Women’s Knee High Boots (Wide-Calf)
Though Dream Pairs have a wide selection of knee-high boots to offer you, their wide calf options are what we are interested in here. Fortunately, the wide calf knee-high boots use the same materials as their regular variants, so any reviews you see about the materials, appearance, or durability can be applied to the wide calf versions.
There are several different styles to choose from, from tan leather to grey suede and plenty in between. They sport a synthetic rubber outsole which, while not the grippiest of boots on this list, is fine for getting around town. The shaft features a full-length instep zipper, making them a sinch to get on and off. Inside you will find a faux-fur lining that should keep your feet and lower legs warm and comfortable. The heel of these boots sits a modest 0.5″ high, while the shaft height comes to 17.5″ tall, making them a little on the taller side, something to bear in mind if you aren’t the tallest of people.
3. Sam Edelman Women’s Penny Classic Equestrian Boot
Made from 100% leather, the Penny Classic Equestrian Boot may be intended for horse riding, but they make an excellent high boot for your everyday life as well. The manufacturers even boast that they make an ideal companion to a pair of skinny jeans. The outsole is synthetic and should provide plenty of grip. Meanwhile, a full-length zipper on the back of the calf provides you with very easy access for getting your feet in and out.
The heel is a substantial 1.25″, while the boot shaft reaches to around 18″ from the ground, making this one of the taller boots below-the-knee on the list. That being said, that chunky heel makes up a larger-than-average portion of that height, so those of you with shorter legs don’t necessarily have to write these boots off. As far as looks go, you can get the Penny Classic in brown or black leather, with both options featuring subtle detailing to make them a great addition to any wardrobe.
4. RF ROOM OF FASHION Women’s Wide Calf Stretchy Over The Knee Riding Boots
Sam Edelman may recommend you wear a pair of skinny jeans with their boots, but what if you’re more of a bare legs kind of person? Room of Fashion’s over the knee boots has you covered. At least, they have you covered just past the knee.
These are a flexible boot with stretchy fabric making up the shaft, which reaches an impressive 23.5″ from the arch. Granted, the shaft of these boots offers much less protection than many of the other boots in this list, but we’re not recommending you go wading through alligator-infested water in them! Naturally, a boot like this is designed to fit snugly against your leg, so you’re not likely to be wearing them with jeans or trousers.
There is a partial internal zipper to ease the process of getting these boots on and off. That being said, you will still have to squeeze your legs into the stretchy material. These boots are also made from 100% vegan material, if that is something you look out for.
5. Brinley Co Women’s Jimmi Engineer Boot Regular & Wide Calf
If you are looking for something with a little more emphasis, the Jimmi Engineer Boot might be the boot for you. Available in black, gray, and tan faux leather, the shaft of this boot sports a full-length side zipper to make sliding your feet in and out a simple affair. The subtle design of the stitching and the ankle buckle is a fashion statement in and of itself, but where this boot really makes a statement is with the heel.
At 1.5″, this heel means business. And with a 17″ stretch from arch to cuff, you should be good to go whether you are exceptionally tall already or a little on the shorter side. The cuff is a little wide, so you will probably be looking to wear these with a pair of jeans or something similar, rather than bare-legged, but you should have no problem with discomfort due to a narrow cuff. And, as an added mark of quality, all Jimmi Engineer boots are 100% made by hand—no automated manufacturing.
6. Frye Women’s Melissa Button 2 Riding Boot
If you enjoy well-executed simplicity, you should definitely take a look at the Melissa Button 2 Riding Boot. Again, though it may be designed for riding, this boot is stylish, well-made, and available in a range of different colors, making it a perfect everyday boot.
Externally, the boot is made from 100% leather, including the outsole. Inside, you will find more leather, along with a cushioned leather insole for added comfort. This boot is a singular celebration of leather.
There are no zippers or buckles to help with getting your legs into the boot, and leather is not a particularly pliable material, so you’ll want to make sure you get a comfortable size to avoid putting on and taking off your boots being a big ordeal.
Though an exercise in minimalism, the Melissa Button 2 does have some aesthetic additions to boast, such as the Frye logo embossed by the heel and a metal stud up by the cuff. Overall, however, the visual appeal of the Melissa Button 2 comes from its understated style.
7. Comfortview Women’s Wide Width The Heather Wide Calf Boot
For something considerably less understated, the Heather Wide Calf Boot is an elegant choice that would be perfect for those less-than-casual evenings out. Made from faux-leather, the Heather Wide Calf Boot features a scrunch-style shaft complete with a faux-leather bow.
There is a full-length inside zipper to make your life a little easier, while the flexible outsoles should make moving around in these boots as natural as can be. These outsoles are also skid-resistant and accompanied by a padded insole. In short, plenty of thought has gone into the comfort of this boot.
The heel measures a respectable 1″, while the cuff sits at a proud 17″ above the arch. There are a few different colors to choose from, including the very popular cognac, along with the usual black and brown offerings. Or, if you like to stand out, you could choose to get them in white. Just don’t go trudging through any muddy fields in them, or they won’t stay white for long!
8. DREAM PAIRS Women’s Flat Knee High Boots
Our second pick from Dream Pairs on this list is a more casual affair. Gone are the ankle buckles to be replaced with simple, understated quality. Available in a huge range of colors, with synthetic suede or leather-like materials to choose from, these boots will go great with any day-to-day outfit.
They feature an elasticated section in the cuff to make getting them on and off easier, while there is an instep zipper for even more convenience. Inside, you will find a lightly padded faux-fur lining, as well as insole, which should be enough to keep you warm and comfortable in most situations. These are a typical slouch boot design, so make sure you size them up correctly so as to avoid having them slipping halfway down your calves as you walk!
9. Naturalizer Women’s Kamora High Shaft Knee Boot
For boots that mean business, we present to you the Naturalizer Women’s Kamora High Shaft Knee Boot. These boots are made from leather and sport 2 3/4″ heels. The addition of an ankle buckle adds a nice touch of detail to a boot that would otherwise be relying entirely on its solid quality and comfort.
Speaking of comfort, a full-length inside zipper is there for your convenience; flexible soles and breathable linings should make sure you don’t find yourself wanting to take them off mere hours after putting them on. The Kamora is available in a wide range of colors.
10. Naturalizer Women’s Jessie Wide Calf Knee High Boot
Sticking with Naturalizer for our last pick, the Jessie Wide Calf Knee High Boot is a little more showy than the Kamora. With ankle and cuff buckles, as well as flexible sections in the cuff, this boot is a little busier and a little more grounded with a quarter inch heel.
That being said, it still boasts those breathable linings and flexible soles that the Kamora has. The boot itself is made from leather, while the outsole is synthetic. You can get a pair of these in black, chocolate, or banana bread… which is another way of saying black, brown, and tan.
The flexible nature of the cuff on these boots makes them ideal for winter wear, as you can easily couple them with a pair of thick socks to keep you warm.