BLACK OR BROWN BOOTS: The Final Fight 

Substitute black for olive green, and burgundy for brown and you'd be surprised how versatile it is. Black is much too formal for most wardrobes, but if you insist on wearing casually, go with a flat waxy or roughout look over the shiny chromexel.

Brown all the way. More daily versatile. If I need black, I’m ditching boots altogether and going with oxfords. The Goodyear welt color contrast on a black boot looks less appealing. And as said, if you need only ONE boot, I’d go brown all the way. Fun video guys!

Fun video-enjoyed it. Personally, I think burgundy is the most versatile color followed by dark brown. I do wear black, though, I tend to confine it to grays, navies, and black.

that pair of black grant stone brass boots looks like the winning ticket for me!

I love the black rocker look the dude was rocking in the video, as a fan of brown boots. Almost punk without being “liberty spikes” glaring. So, I’d argue black can be more than formal. I would also argue that the comment about hoodies was off. I wear boots with hoodies all the time. Even, and this will throw you for a loop, a black hoodie with blue jeans on top of my decade old black nubuck Danner Vertigo Crosby boots with the red laces. Absolutely not heritage, which is maybe beyond this channel, but it’s straight casual fire. In any case, if we want the real answer, I think it starts and ends with the outermost upper layer (jacket or otherwise). If that is earth tone, brown boots is the answer. If that is grayscale or even color that isn’t earth tone, the answer is black.

As a comedic writer I can say that the back and forth was great. For me, my black thursday cavaliers go with my suits and blue jeans while my hoffman 16 inch all leather powerlines and my thorogoods 8 inch mocks go with almost all of my casual outfits including blue jeans. I think that wearing my red buffalo plaid flannel and black jeans with black boots just doesn't work well.

I have two pairs of black and one pair of browns. I rarely wear the brown ones.

Get both. But black is my choice over both colors.

I just recently bought my first pair of heritage boots, Viberg's Service Boots in their 2030 last. I was torturing between black and brown and went with what turned out for me the perfect compromise, which was C.F. Stead's fully anilined Regency Calf in their Winter Smoke color. Beautiful! It's the color of motor oil. Saphir's cream polish in Dark Brown is a perfect color match.

This video makes me want the billy boot back so bad, that klondike they used was such a good leather

Brown for boots, black for shoes. If you want the best of both worlds try Waxed Flash or CF Stead's Waxy Commander and just re-wax when you want to have a darker and more formal look again. The thing is though I feel you only really need one pair of black boots and/or shoes and you're sorted, but brown is so versatile and varied you can more easily justify a copious amount of spending on your boot obsessions! Maybe it's because I'm from the UK, but I'd also add in favour of black that it's also the go-to choice in the punk, goth, and mod scenes. It's not only for formal wear.

Black boots are my preference and I have four pairs. I especially enjoy my black double shot C355 Loggers from White’s!

My first pair of boots were black Iron Rangers. Haven't worn them in years because I think they only match with black tops and I felt like a wannabe biker anytime I'd wear them. If I could only keep one pair of my boots I'd keep either the Thursday natural Captains or GS Diesel in storm suede. Both super versatile.

This video literally forced me to buy the black Grant Stone brass with the half lug sole. Now I have to suck it up and sell my black Whites MPs that never fit me right. Thank you guys!

You’re both right. I do love black with natural welt, that works for me. I own Storm Grey kudu and Sweet Potato suede boots and they both work well with jeans black or blue.

My style leans way more black/monochrome, but black boots often make me feel like I'm trying too hard especially when paired with my black Perfecto jacket. Color #8 GS diesel is my daily driver. I wear them hard but brush them daily to keep a shine. I surprisingly find the color to be the most versatile and I own boots in almost every color including oddballs green and gray/purp.

False dilemma! No need to choose, buy both😊

If you are already watching these videos you are probably above average interested in boots and can get both. I do agree however that Burgundy or actually olive would be a good compromise, that goes with almost everything

if you are just starting to get into to boots/fashion black, for me, is where to start. As you delve deeper and you develop an understanding of what goes well, how to care for your boots and gain an interest into the patina boots develop you go to the options brown offers. Honestly, the true answer is to have options of both.

Black is not only versatile it's also a required color for some jobs which gives it more points.

I think generally the darker your wardrobe the more I favor black and the lighter your wardrobe the more I'd favor brown. Black and dark reds, dark greens, dark blues, and even dark browns all work imo but when you start throwing in lighter tones the contrast means that color becomes a statement so black pants with a light green, light brown, or orange shirt and it punches you in the face whereas a dark or light brown closes the gap. A dark brown boot with high polish is probably more versatile in that you can toss it together with whatever you wear but I think a black boot probably could fit just fine in most modern wardrobes.

Brown are most common, but footwear colour should match the outfit first and foremost. Black for black, grey (can work with dark blue jeans too), brown for almost everything else imo

Good arguments. I’d go with brown, myself. Having said that, I actually preferred the black boots (both pairs) on display.

Black chelsea boots are the most versatile shoe I own.

I’ll die on the team brown hill. Much more variance with shades of brown making it more versatile. The only boots I’d want to use in black are a chelsea to dress up with a suit or maybe a balmoral style boot if I want to get extra fancy.

I own 2 pairs of black boots. Most of my boots are brown. But, I get the most compliments on my Whites Perry Select's in Burgandy Double Shot leather. They seem to go with most of my things I wear. Enjoy the banter as always...

My Parkhurst Allen boots in Dublin leather are a wonderful reddish brown and I wear them with everything.

Black suede or rough out is a good center point, cleaned up they're plenty dressy for most jobs, that being said i have three pairs of each color so who cares at the end of the day just wear what makea you happy

Black tea-core is the best of both worlds and ages beautifully, particularly in horsehide. also, black, as a pigment, is not lack of color, it's all the colors.

I have just about every shade of boot except black. I have more greens than anything else.

Very entertaining gentlemen as always and Troy never fails to keep things moving forward and should be seen more often I believe.

Dark brown boots can be dresses up more than you would expect. A freshly oiled pair of supersole 2.0s work on the job site and be taken to a more casual night out (post conditioning/cleaning).

That brass boot is sharp. I’ve been wanting the red wing huntsman but they’re impossible to find. The brass boot looks like a good alternative.

I am a guy who wants ONE color for accoutrements. I don't want to worry about matching this or that. So, up until very recently, ALL my leather boots were black and ALL my leather belts are still black. Most of my hats are black, none are brown, and a couple olive. Black boots match all pants, even brown pants.

I have so many colored boots but always wear the black ones.

Good discussion!

I’ve got four shades of brown boots but I could see myself getting a black pair in the future

My ‘daily driver’ are burgundy - Loakes Dingley in Rosewood Grain, fancy name for burgundy - I just like the colour. Saying that, I’m fortunate to be able to afford several pairs so have polished black, nubuck black/grey, brown suede, dark brown brogue etc… - all Chelsea boots as I can’t be arsed with laces. But, if I could only have one pair I’d stick with the burgundy/rosewood grain. Having said that, I lived in Black DM 1460’s when I was younger but DM’s were a very different boot back in the 80’s - todays DM’s are shocking boots in my opinion.

Ox blood is a great in between for myself

I have more brown boots than black, and they generally go well with pretty much everything I wear. Last time I did anything dressy, I wore CXL#8 (burgandy?) and got it to come together by wearing a red necktie. I'm sure it would have been even better with Shell Cordavan.

Highly recommend Red Wing Weekenders. My local RW shop says they have a load of 10d-12d 2448’s in brown. I’m gonna shower, suit up, and go try them on in hopes of a set fitting and looking at least 3/4 as good as my 2yo Weekender Chelseas.

I personally will pick black every time. For me I need to get the most out of my shoes& brown is more limiting to my current style& color palette.

I don’t mix black and brown, so I have 2 outfit schemes. This has shown me that sneakers tend to go better with black or monochromatic schemes, while brown is obviously better for earth tones.

Black with brown welt works almost as good as brown. You only need burgundy boots. But having black with brown accents is great too.

The opening 😅 to this vid

Oh and my hazelnut vegtan with black quarter panels shoellie from jim green says why not both

I have to agree with Nick... because of course he's right. If you are only going to buy one pair of boots a dark brown pair is far more flexible than black. And I wear suits all the time. Black goes best with black.

Brown is for complementary colors, black is for contrasting colors.

I have olive, teak, dark brown, natural, chili, shaved chili, shaved mahogany, blue but no black.

If you have no fashion sense or just starting your style journey 89% of your urban style is going to be greyscale and black will be the way to go. If you live in a rural area 95% of your style is going to earth tones and brown shades are going to be your go to. One thing for sure is you definitely need and appreciate what the other brings to the table as your style morphs into the best ways you like to express yourself through your wardrobe.

Love the video fellas. Nick, what’s the name of the model of the jacket that you are wearing?

Brown for work, #8 for everything else

I bought my first pair of Iron Rangers in Black Harness and I really regret it to be honest. They always look too formal and I should've gotten Amber Harness or Copper Rough & Tough.

Black looks more badass, but brown is more Versatile. All black for me. I’ll wear Brown in my 50’s & 60’s. Lol I still want to hold onto my youth

Just get those Truman’s in Java Waxed Flesh. Then you got both…at least for the first year.

Black and Blue looks like a bruise, my opinion.

Black boot, sneakers in multiple colors can fill the other holes in wardrobe if necessary.

Why not both? Both are good.

how about having both brown or black I love them all

One thing I've botice between my black and brown boots is wehn I want a subtle look, I go black boot but if I want my boots to pop and stand out, brown is the way to go.

Team Black I often have to stop myself from buying yet another black cxl boot and i have my eye on a shell black cordovan Alden plain toe. But i own a lot of brown, some burgandy, a few blue boots and a green jungle kangaroo so whatevs.

Black, all the way. If you truly are looking for a casual look, go with a matted black.

First off, Nick, I see you in that sweet Tanuki jacket. My first raw jacket with the Tanuki Red Cast 16.5 oz and it's got a beautiful slow-burn fade, so enjoy your journey! But more importantly, how could you leave out waxed flesh, roughout, waxy commander, and tea core when you're talking about how black doesn't patina? I don't know, I'm wondering if you both were secretly against black boots... 🤔 (but yeah, in the end, brown boots def go with more 😆)

As a rock 'n' roll guy, black boots is the go to. Though I wear my brown boots when I wear something "softer" or more normal lol

I like black boots but all the security wear black boots so i don't have black boots... Only brown, oxblood, gray, green and tan

What an interesting conversation! How about the Red Wing 9875 / 9874? Which colour would you go for? Or how would you dress accordingly?

Yes, Yes, and Yes! Be sensible! ❤❤❤ How about both?

Blue boots! 🔥😊

Men need a pair of each. Brown & Black to enhance your appearance for a variety of occasions.

I'm on the brown boots side They can go with a lot of things and you thought not not naturally brown natural shell cordovan turns into a beautiful brown patina

I have both 😆😆

Wait. Hear me out- WAXED FLESH. You get near black that wears into a nice brown.

So, get both, got it.

i mix the leather colors

No love for dark olive boots?

A word on color: Black is ALL the colors combined, when referring to paints, stains or dyes. It is the absence of color when referring to the light spectrum where white light is all wavelengths of color are combined. Sartorially speaking, brown is always considered a casual color choice. Black can go casual or formal. If you have only one choice, go black.

A good argument for having at least one of each...

Pairing black boots with black jeans is infinitely cooler than anything you could pull off with brown boots... but sometimes you want some colour. Get both.

Black rough out suede

Brown always….! Many variants of either light brown, dark brown, tan, mid tan and on and on….. Brown Nick… You got it!

I wanted to love having a black pair of boots so badly. But unless you wear a lot of black already, they just don't look good. I thought I looked a bit dorky & unsophisticated in every outfit except black jeans & a white t-shirt. The fantasy is black boots will give you that masculine, sexy motorcycle riding look, but the reality is we just look like that kid who played a lot of magic the gathering in high school and tried to buy a leather jacket to off-set that (Is that you Troy)? Commented with love from a guy who used to play a lot of magic...

If you can only afford one pair of boots - work harder. But… Crimson Diesel is the answer. Than add that black Brass boot. Hilarious video, thanks guys.

All I wear is black, so I am team black all the way

I have 14 pairs of boots, I'd say two thirds of them are varying shades of brown.

I'm definitely a brown boot kind of guy but there are 2 styles where black is superior - engineers and jodhpurs

Saying black won’t age as much I was waiting for him to say black don’t crack.

You are both wrong, the best boot color is obviously Horween's Color #8.

Black formal Brown day to day

Team Brown but really, Burgundy is the best answer. I have a pair of color 8 brass boots from Grant Stone that I wear more than any other pair.

Black

Coment in favor black, any added color to the boot I.E. the black brass boots with the mid sole in brown, brass eyelids and clear stiching on the video, makes them a lot more interesting to wear than brown colored boots.

When I think of a pair of boots, the first thing I think of is Charlie Chaplin. And I believe his boots were black (at least before he tried to cook them). PS, most of my collection are dark brown or burgundy or cognac or tan....

black is the greatest

I want all of them

DARK OLIVE GREEN IS THE BEST COLOR.

Easy fix...get both.

One pair of each. Black boots are the OG. Brown boots are versatile, but are the younger brother.

Tea core black boots !

Why not own both?

Hey Nick.. great video. Quick question for you... I have a pair of black-ish boots (diesels in earth tone) and want to go for my brown ones now... do you think the coach rambler (truman) is it too difficult to combine? Is too less versatile than straight brown? Many thanks and congratulations.