Ariat Wexford

When you’re looking for an all-around boot that’s timeless, comfortable, and goes with pretty much everything, it’s hard to beat a Chelsea. The elastic-sided style is said to have been invented by Queen Victoria’s shoemaker back in 1837, and became all the rage in England by the mid-1800s. I love this style of boot because it rarely requires much break-in and never needs to be tied or zipped; those handy elastic sides mean you can slip this baby right on and go, which I appreciate. So I was excited to try out Ariat’s Wexford Waterproof Boot, which stands as a pretty archetypal version of the style — with a bit of Western flair and a totally waterproof construction. Ariat, the Brand Founded in 1993 and named after the famed racehorse Secretariat (co-founder and CEO Beth Cross fondly recalls watching him win the Kentucky Derby on TV back in 1973), Ariat is a company that values substance over style. Cross grew up on a horse farm in Pennsylvania and started Ariat with Stanford Business School classmate Pam Parker. They dubbed their products “The New Breed of Boot,” integrating athletic footwear technology into equestrian-style boots. Today, they make all kinds of shoes, clothing, accessories, and even pet products designed for high performance, high durability, and a comfortable fit. Many of Ariat's boots are focused on riding or on work, but the Wexford has become their most popular Chelsea for its easy-to-wear casual style that doesn't require any athletic endeavors to wear. The Aesthetic Slip-on Chelsea boot Five leathers available Not especially sleek due to waterproof membrane The Wexford Waterproof is constructed like a classic Chelsea boot with traditional twin gore style elastic panels over the ankles, but with an upturned toe that gives it a slightly Western feel. It comes in five colorways: black leather, taupe suede, cordovan (a chocolate brown leather), java, and a lighter “weathered brown.” A classic Chelsea-style heel loop tab, rounded toe, contrast stitching, elegant plaid interior, and a one-inch stacked heel with lightly lugged rubber sole complete the look. It hits me right above the ankle bone and pairs well with just about any outfit I throw at it. The "Taupe" suede colorway. I wouldn’t say this is my sexiest Chelsea boot, nor my edgiest — something about the pebbled leather and contrast stitching gives it a slightly late-90s mom vibe (no offense, moms), plus the strips of leather running from the bottom of the elastic to the base (seen above) feels unnecessary. But it’s probably the comfiest boot I currently have in my closet. Ariat Wexford Women's Boots Construction Great shock absorption Solid arch support Grippy outsole Fully waterproof, but breathable These boots are made for walking! (Sorry, been waiting to pull that one out.) This boot has much better arch support than the typical Chelsea, the footbed feels soft and cradle your feet as you walk, and the non-marking Duratread™ rubber sole has lots of traction and grip, even when running to catch a train on rain-slicked subway tiles, as I can personally attest. The fact that this boot is fully waterproof is also a huge boon: I stepped in several sidewalk puddles with these guys and felt no moisture, but the breathable membrane construction means you’re not getting that sweaty-foot rainboot feel, even if the weather is humid. Perhaps the biggest construction factor in terms of comfort, though, is the ATS® lightweight forked shank, which relieves foot tension by diminishing the load on your arches, calves, and knees, and helps keep you balanced even on uneven terrain. For someone with flexible, high arches like me, this is a godsend in terms of comfort and support. In other words, this is the boot I reach for when I’ve spent all day walking in less-comfortable boots, even if it means sacrificing a bit of style in the process. I wore these to a cool art party after a 15,000-step day and felt slightly uncool, but thoroughly comfy. Ariat Wexford Women's Boots Sizing These boots run true to size. My usual size 9s were perfect with regular socks. Ariat Wexford Women's Boots Price $190 At $190, these are some reasonably priced boots for the quality of construction and materials. Plus, I like knowing the company values sustainable and ethical sourcing and am willing to pay a little more for that. Wrapping Up: Are Ariat's Women's Wexfords Worth It? When it comes to comfort, quality, and durability, the Wexford Waterproof is hard to beat. Factor in the company’s partnership with NuShoe, which offers high-quality repairs like zipper replacements and resoling on most of Ariat’s boots, and you’ve got a boot that’s guaranteed to take you places.