21 Pairs of Lug-Soled Boots That Prove the Chunky Footwear Trend Is Still Going Strong

Meet the winter equivalent to your beloved dad sneakers.

Author:
Dara Prant
Publish date:
Dec 9, 2019

Lug-soled boots on the streets at Milan Fashion Week Spring 2020.
Imaxtree

If you thought fashion's appetite with chunky footwear would die down, then think again: The industry is still high on huge rubber soles. Since 2017, major luxury players like Gucci and Balenciaga have ushered in an era wherein ostentatious — and at times downright ugly — sneakers are signifiers of status; but more than that, they're instant indicators of cool.

Much to the dismay of minimalist shoes lovers, Bottega Veneta and Prada took this obsession with bulky footwear up a notch for Fall 2019, when they each showed lug-soled boots (the winter equivalent to brawny dad sneakers), which later became streetwear standouts during the Spring 2020 season. Now, almost a year since they first clomped down the runway, the combat-inspired style has been brought to the masses with affordable options from Everlane and Mango. What's more, a slew of contemporary brands — think Simon Miller and 3.1 Phillip Lim — came out with investment-worthy versions that play with luxe materials and come in range of platform heights.