Have you been wanting to update your winter wardrobe with a brand new pair of boots, but can’t quite figure out what exactly it is you’re looking for?

 Photograph Drew Coffman (Unsplash)

Finding the perfect pair is no easy feat – and with prices being steeper than ever, making the right choice shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Below, we’ve listed four important things to consider to help you decide whether the pair you’re eyeing are really worth your money. Whether it’s ethical production concerns or figuring out if you actually like the style (or have merely been influenced by FashionTok), we’ve got you covered.

Practicality: Do Your Boots Fulfill Your Everyday Needs?

First off, we completely understand the urge to buy a pair of boots simply because they look cool. However, when it comes to winter footwear, you’ll have to take a few more things into consideration besides their looks – especially if you live in a colder climate. Especially consider whether they’ll need to be able to withstand rain or snow and which practical needs you’ll require them to fulfill. If you walk long distances in mud everyday, you’ll need a much more durable, comfortable, warm set of boots than someone who’s in a warm climate all year round and only wears boots for the aesthetic. The 00’s may be back – but unfortunately, uggs are just as badly suited for winter weather as they were the last time they were trendy.

Ethical Concerns: Animal Welfare, Worker Conditions, etc.

Besides the level of practicality you’re looking for, you’ll also need to have your ethical standards in order before you decide to invest in a pair of boots. When we say this, we’re of course referring to things like animal welfare, factory worker conditions, climate impact, etc. If these are factors that matter to you, it’s important to be aware that far from every brand ticks off these boxes – but that, luckily, there are plenty of ethical options out there, if only you know where to look. For the vegans, for instance, HelpMeVegan have shopping guides for many different types of animal-free boots – whether you’re looking for Doc Martens, Chelsea boots or something else. More and more brands are also using recycled materials and working on lowering their emission levels and bettering working conditions. Or, if you’re up for a more extensive search, there’s also a chance you’ll hit the jackpot and find your dream boots at a thrift store.

 Photograh Emily Lewandowski (Unsplash)

Style or Trend: Long-Term Investment vs. Impulse Purchase

Next up, you should also take the time to consider whether you’re looking to buy a long-term investment piece or just want something current and fun to spice up your wardrobe. If you’re counting on making the boots you’re purchasing last for many years to come, go for a timeless style that you won’t find yourself getting tired of in a year or two – in a high quality, so that you won’t have to worry about the boots falling apart before their time. If you just want to have a bit of fun and participate in a trend, try and see if you can thrift to get a better price instead of buying the fast fashion version. With the pace of the trend cycle right now, there’s a good chance someone’s already bought and gotten tired of a pair, allowing you to snatch them up for half of the original price.

Before You Buy: Be Honest With Yourself

Lastly, it’s also extremely important to remember that liking how a pair of boots look by themselves or styled on Instagram is one thing – but knowing how to incorporate them into your own wardrobe is something else entirely. So, before you buy anything, take a moment to be real with yourself. When you really think about it, do you just like the idea of them, or do you realistically see yourself wearing them outside of the house? Try and see if you can come up with at least a couple of specific outfits with the boots and items you already own. If you manage this, you’ll have a plan for how you’re going to work them into your wardrobe – and know that purchasing them won’t make you feel like you have to buy even more stuff to make them work for you.