Why Suede Boots Are the Ultimate Essential—Plus, How to Care for Them

Few shoe styles compare to the best suede boots in your wardrobe come fall. Cut from luxuriously soft fabric, they’re the boot style you wait all year to wear in crisp temperatures, though, yes; they’re entirely acceptable year-round if you’re a die-hard. But autumn’s brisk and refreshing weather makes supple ankle boots, knee-high silhouettes, and heeled varieties all the more appealing, if not downright quintessential.

With casual wear like jeans and sweaters, you can’t go wrong with a suede ankle boot, be it heeled or flat. For the ultimate in laid-back, a sturdy lug-sole or low stacked-heel reads easy-chic in black, brown, or tan, while minimal mid-calf or to-the-knee designs work well for extra warmth over pants. When you’ve tossed on a midi dress for work or dinner with friends, minimal block heel, slouchy, and knee-high suede styles are flawless in coordinating shades from neutral tones to colors. Select an unexpected hue like burgundy or olive to play off of a pretty print. When dressing up for more formal occasions like a cocktail party or elegant night out, aim for more dramatic silhouettes like a stiletto, angled, or demure kitten heel—your choice to opt for an ankle-skimming, knee-high, or thigh-grazing length. Then, of course, there are buzzy trends to give any fall outfit au courant appeal. This season, it’s all about the clog boot for a ’70s touch, plus nostalgic lug soles and western-inspired silhouettes for ’90s and ’00s-era looks.

Keep scrolling for a comprehensive edit of the best suede boots for women. You’ll discover everything from versatile styles all guaranteed to last for decades in your wardrobe all the way to the freshest trends worthy of investment this season. Plus, tips for caring for suede, from protective tips to cleaning and storage.

Black

Like a little black dress, black suede boots are a wardrobe essential, be it an ankle-length, knee-high, or slouchy stiletto style.

Loeffler Randall Lennon black suede booties

Sam Edelman Sulema high-shaft suede boots

Alexandre Birman Benta pieced booties

Amina Muaddi Ida suede slouchy mid-stiletto boots

Larroude Barb black boots

Brown

Your go-to neutral in the suede boot department should unquestionably be brown. We’re for owning two shades; deep chocolate and goes-with-everything tan.

Michael Kors Leigh suede boots

See by Chloe Mallory lace-up buckle boots

Madewell Greer boots in suede

Schutz Maryana Flare suede high boots

Freda Salvador Ace brown suede boots

Beige

A light beige suede boot feels elevated and fresh, whether with white winter outfits, denim, or head-to-toe knitwear.

Inez Paz 70 boots in ginger

Michael Kors Dabney suede boots

Khaite Charleston ankle boots in coco

Rag & Bone Rover Chelsea boots

Dolce Vita Lottie platform booties

Christian Louboutin Cavalika tall suede boots

Flat

For the ultimate in comfort, a flat suede boot is a must. First, start building your assortment with black, brown, and beige. Then, add in other versatile shades like olive green or grey.

Jimmy Choo Rourke Clove suede ankle boots

Khaite Diego boots in caramel

Isabel Marant Seelys suede boots

Stuart Weitzman 5050 over-the-knee boots

Proenza Schouler suede quad knee-high slouch boots

Block Heel

The most comfortable heeled boot in the game is undoubtedly the block heel. For a more casual look, opt for one in the one to two inch range. Boots that are three inches and up will create a more dressed-up effect.

Valentino Garavi rockstud 90 suede ankle boots

Banana Republic tall suede slouchy boots in biscotti

Gianvito Rossi heeled suede boots

Marc Fisher Ltd. Jarli high-heel booties

Staud Aimee suede ankle boots

Slim Heel

Slim heeled boots are perfect for a slightly more feminine look. So whether a kitten height or sky-high stiletto suits your tastes, reach for these on more formal occasions.

Larroude Kate brown suede boots

Massimo Dutti Smart Split suede heeled boots

Manolo Blahnik Pamfilo 90 stretch-suede knee boots

Nine West Torrie dress booties

Ankle

Few shoes feel quintessentially fall quite like a suede ankle boot, be it a stacked, low block heel, or western-inspired design. What’s more, they transition well into other seasons, like with springtime dresses, summer shorts, and beyond.

Jack Erwin Robie Chelsea boots

3.1 Phillip Lim Alexa suede ankle boots

Mango suede leather ankle boots

J.Crew low-heel suede ankle boots

& Other Stories pointed suede block-heel boots

Aquatalia Ulyssa water-resistant booties

Knee-High

Knee-high boots are among the most elegant, no matter if you dress them up or down. Try slouchy or slim-fit designs tucked under midi hemlines, from skirts to dresses, and wider shafts with slim jeans tucked in.

Tamara Mellon Legacy knee-high 75 boots

Neil J. Rodgers Eva slouch boots

By Far Stevie suede knee boots

Paris Texas knee-high suede boots

Staud Wally tall suede boots

Ann Taylor suede block-heel boots

Over-the-Knee

Over-the-knee boots are certainly the most dramatic of the suede bunch. Whether a flat or heeled style speaks your sartorial language, they pair beautifully with mini dresses or atop slim pants.

Stuart Weitzman round-toe block-heel boots

By Far Colette suede over-the-knee boots

Kenneth Cole Justin high-heel boots

Saint Laurent Tomcat over-the-knee boots

Brother Vellies Ronstadt boots

Lug Sole

Lean into ’90s and ’00s nostalgia with a pair of lug-sole suede boots. Even better, many are well-suited to cold-weather moments, coming in water-resistant fabrics or lined with toasty shearling.

Madewell Citywalk lug-sole Chelsea boots

Jimmy Choo Yari seaweed soft suede ankle boots

Tory Burch Miller suede lug-sole boots

The Row Zipped Boot 1 suede ankle boots

Cult Gaia Ori suede ankle boots

Western

While western boots are a signature of designers like Isabel Marant, they also boast a decided trendiness this season, with options abounding from many labels. Some skew more literal than others, with features like angled and stacked heels and pointed toes as signature details.

Isabel Marant Denvee suede boots

Johanna Ortiz Last Day on Earth boots

Reformation Onesta western boots

Zara cowboy split leather heeled ankle boots

Larroude Louise boots in Tobacco

Aquazzura Saint Honore 45 suede ankle boots

Clog Boots

Look no further than the suede clog boot for your biggest footwear statement this fall. While plenty eye-catching, this style is comfy, too, featuring a walkable flatform shape and shearling lining in some cases.

Loeffler Randall Anabelle cacao clog boots

Veronica Beard Daxi clog booties

Ugg Thebes suede clog boots

Charlotte Paloma cocoa clog boots

No.6 five-inch bull-on shearling clog boots

Suede Care

Once you’ve chosen your go-to suede boot styles, care should be your number one priority to ensure they last not just one season but through many. Fortunately, suede is a very durable fabric, as Margaux co-founder Sarah Pierson explains. “We recommend treating your boots before they’re exposed to the elements to keep them looking their best,” she tells Vogue, suggesting a suede protector from a trusted brand. She cites Scotchgard as one of her favorites and Margaux’s specially-developed suede care kit, including a spray-on cleaner and protectant and suede brush. “Be sure to test it in an inconspicuous place before treating your shoes,” she advises. “You can use a suede brush to gently remove any marks or scuffs to the suede between wears and a spray-on cleaner to treat surface marks or stains. After you’ve cleaned your suede—or at minimum, every few wears—treat the suede with protectant again to guard against future wear.”

Loeffler Randall founder and creative director Jessie Randall also recommends a pre-season suede treatment by way of a cobbler. “Prior to applying any product to your shoes, I always think it’s best to ask a professional,” she says. Before suede shoes become scuffed up or overly worn in, the designer advises, “At the beginning of the season, depending on where you live, you can bring in your boots for winter prep. A cobbler can apply protective soles, top and heel lifts, and water/stain repellent,” Randall explains, citing NYC’s Leather Spa and their product line as her go-to trusted source. “For day-to-day [care at home], it’s a good idea to purchase a suede brush to brush your boots after you wear them. This removes dirt from the suede fibers before it sets in, helping to keep suede boots and shoes looking good longer.”

It’s also essential to store suede shoes properly to extend their longevity. “Before storing your suede (or any shoe, really), make sure they’ve thoroughly air-dried, particularly if they were exposed to snow or rain,” Pierson says. “We recommend storing boots upright on a shelf or in a rigid box to protect their structure. You can also use a shoe tree or shoe shaper to help return or retain their shape.”

Leather Spa suede and nubuck premium cleaning kit

Nisolo suede and nubuck care kit

Scotchguard suede and nubuck protector

Synovia suede cleaning and protection kit