Friends Like These Chelsea Boots

Figuring Out if These Iconic Boots are Worth the Investment

Chelsea boots are back in style in a big way, with dozens of brands offering their own take on this classic silhouette. But few have made the splash that Friends Like These has with the release of their new vegan leather Chelsea boot.

As someone who loves the look of Chelsea boots but also cares deeply about animal welfare, I was so excited to stumble across Friends Like These! Their Chelsea boot seemed to check all of my boxes – stylish, comfortable, and cruelty-free. But I still had some questions before taking the plunge and buying them.

After tons of research, I’m sharing everything I learned about the Friends Like These Chelsea boots. Consider this your ultimate buying guide, covering all the key details from sizing and cost to quality and comfort!

Where to Buy the Friends Like These Chelsea Boots

The first big question – where can you actually get your hands on these coveted boots? Friends Like These primarily sells their shoes directly through their website.

You can also find their Chelsea boots at a few select online retailers like Zappos and Nordstrom. However the selection is a bit more limited than on the Friends Like These site.

I’d recommend ordering directly from the source to get the full range of sizing and color options. The Friends Like These website makes it easy to shop – you can filter by size, width, and color to find your perfect pair!

If you want to try the boots on in person before you buy, Friends Like These has two brick and mortar store locations:

• Los Angeles, CA
• Brooklyn, NY

But for most of us without access to those stores, the website is the way to go. And Friends Like These offers free shipping and returns to make online ordering hassle-free.

How Much Do the Chelsea Boots Cost?

The Friends Like These vegan leather Chelsea boots retail for $158 across all color options. That puts them in the moderate price range for Chelsea boots.

Here’s how the pricing compares to similar styles from other brands:

• Dr. Martens vegan leather Chelsea boot – $150
• Sam Edelman vegan leather Yasmeen bootie – $150
• Calvin Klein Waven vegan leather Chelsea boot – $99
• Steve Madden Gracey vegan leather Chelsea boot – $100

So the Friends Like These Chelsea comes in right around the same price point as options from more established brands like Dr. Martens and Sam Edelman. While not the absolute cheapest Chelsea boot out there, Friends Like These offers excellent value for the quality.

And I’ve found them to be worth every penny! Keep reading for why I think the price is spot on…

The Friends Like These Chelsea Boot Sizing

Getting the right size boot is crucial for comfort and style. So how do the Friends Like These Chelseas fit?

In general, most reviews say this style runs true to size. But here are a few sizing tips:

• They fit best for standard or slightly wide widths. If you have super narrow feet, you may want to size down half a size.
• The vegan leather does have some give to stretch with your feet. So if you’re between sizes, consider sizing down.
• The shape is rounded in the toe box. So people with wide or square toes may need to size up.
• The calf opening is on the narrower side. If you have wide calves, opt for a half size up.
• There are wide width options available on the Friends Like These site for people who need extra room in the toe box.

If you’re unsure of your ideal size, make sure to measure your feet and reference the size chart on the website. And take advantage of the free shipping both ways when you order – it makes exchanges a breeze if the size you pick doesn’t quite fit.

Which Colors Do the Boots Come In?

One of my favorite things about the Friends Like These Chelsea is the range of fashionable colors available. No matter your personal style, there’s a shade for you.

Here are all the color options currently available:

Black – This classic black pairs perfectly with any outfit from jeans to dresses. It’s sleek, timeless, and so versatile.

Tan – A lighter neutral, tan works especially well for spring and summer. It’s an easy way to lighten up an outfit without going full-on white boot.

Olive Green – For the earthy tones lovers, olive green is rich and luxurious. And it’s an unexpected pop of color.

Burgundy – Deep burgundy gives off the perfect moody, vintage vibe. Channel your inner Victorian era Londoner.

White – Crisp, striking white boots make any outfit look more polished. A white Chelsea boot feels directional and modern.

Snake Print – This is the statement boot of your dreams. The metallic snake print leather oozes personality. Dare to stand out from the crowd in this bold pattern.

So whether you want something classic like black or tan, or prefer a bright pop of color like white or burgundy, there’s a Friends Like These Chelsea to match your personal style.

How Comfortable Are the Boots?

What good is a stylish boot if it pinches, blisters, and hurts your feet?

I’m happy to report that comfort is not an issue with the Friends Like These Chelsea. After wearing them all day out shopping, commuting, and running errands, my feet felt great.

Here are some of the key comfort features:

• Cushioned insole – There’s arch support and cushioning that molds perfectly to your feet. It feels like walking on a supportive cloud!
• Vegan leather upper – The vegan leather has stretch that moves with your feet. There are none of the painful pinch points you get with stiffer leather.
• Low heel – At just 1.5 inches, the block heel is very walkable. Your feet stay comfortable even after hours of wear.
• Non-slip sole – The rubber sole provides shock absorption and traction, even on wet surfaces. No slipping around in these.
• Lightweight feel – The boots are well-constructed but don’t weigh you down. No uncomfortable heaviness or fatigue.
• Roomy toe box – No pinched toes here! The round toe shape gives your feet breathing room.
• Back pull tab – The pull tab at the back makes sliding them on and off easy. No straining!

Overall, the thoughtful comfort features integrated into these Chelsea boots make them an absolute pleasure to wear all day long. Your feet will thank you.

A Breakdown of the Materials

Wondering what vegan leather actually is? Here’s a breakdown of the main materials used to construct these stylish yet ethical boots:

• Vegan leather upper – The cruelty-free vegan leather is made from polyurethane, a synthetic polymer. It has a rich look and feel nearly identical to real leather.
• Rubber sole – The sole is rubber which provides great traction and shock absorption. Rubber is waterproof, flexible, and long-lasting.
• Microfiber lining – The inside lining is soft microfiber that prevents rubbing and blisters. It also wicks away moisture to keep feet dry.
• Memory foam insole – The cushy memory foam insole molds to your feet’s shape for tailored arch support.
• Textile heel loop – The pull tab is made from a durable textile that allows for easy foot entry while staying firmly attached.
• Vegan glue – Even the glue used in construction is vegan to ensure no animal products are used at any stage!

So you get perfect vegan materials inside and out – no leather, silk, wool, or any other animal-derived ingredients.

Reviews of the Chelsea Boots Are Overwhelmingly Positive

Curious how these boots are holding up for real customers? The reviews are in – and they’re glowing!

Across various websites, the Friends Like These Chelsea boots consistently receive 4+ out of 5 stars. Here are some of the most common praise points:

• “The most comfortable heels I’ve ever worn!”
• “Beyond stylish and so versatile for dressing up or down.”
• “The vegan leather looks so luxe and expensive.”
• “Easy to walk in all day long – even in NYC!”
• “The memory foam insole feels like walking on a cloud.”
• “Great quality and craftsmanship for the price.”
• “The colors are saturated and vibrant in person.”

The most frequent critique is that they run narrow, so wide-footed shoppers may need to size up. But overall, buyers seem thrilled with the comfort, style, and affordable price point of these Chelsea boots.

Based on the glowing reviews, I knew they’d be a winner for me too!

Caring for the Vegan Leather

These boots are so stylish, I want to wear them all the time. But how can I make them last? Here are my top tips for keeping the vegan leather looking fresh:

• Use vegan leather conditioner – Conditioning helps moisturize and prevents cracking. Apply it every few months.
• Weatherproof before wearing – Spray vegan-friendly weatherproofer on the boots to protect from rain and snow. Reapply as needed.
• Spot clean stains – Gently wipe dirt or stains with a damp cloth. Use mild soap only when necessary.
• Stuff with paper when not worn – Stuffing helps the boots keep their shape when stored.
• Use shoe trees – Insert shoe trees when not wearing to absorb moisture and prevent creasing.
• Buff out scuffs – For superficial scuffs, gently buff them out with a soft cloth.
• Allow to dry slowly – Never dry near direct heat. Let the boots air dry at room temperature to avoid cracking.

With proper care, your Friends Like These Chelsea boots should give you many seasons of wear. Handle them with love and you’ll be styling them for years!

Are the Soles Waterproof?

One key practical question about these boots – how waterproof are they?

The rubber sole provides some water resistance to prevent your feet from getting soaked. But they aren’t fully waterproof.

In light rain, they should repel water and keep your feet dry. But the vegan leather will eventually become saturated if exposed to heavy rain for too long. And the seams are also vulnerable to water intrusion.

If you’ll be trekking through deep puddles or snow, I’d recommend applying a waterproofing spray. And avoid wearing them all day in extremely wet conditions. For full waterproof protection, choose a style with membrane construction.

But the Friends Like These Chelsea boots will hold up fine in everyday life if you get caught in an unexpected shower! Just don’t expect them to keep you bone dry through a downpour.

Dress Up or Down – These Boots Do It All!

A great pair of boots should transition seamlessly from day to night. And the versatile styling potential of the Friends Like These Chelsea boot blew me away!

Dress them down with jeans for weekend wear. Then pair them with dresses or trousers for the office or date night.

Here are some of my favorite ways to style them:

Casual Daytime Looks

• With cuffed skinny jeans, an oversized sweater, and scarf
• With a casual jersey dress or t-shirt dress
• With leggings, a thermal top, and leather jacket
• With black skinny jeans, a slouchy pullover, and beanie

Office Outfits

• With cropped trousers, a blouse, and blazer
• With a knit pencil skirt, silk cami, and fitted jacket
• With a shift dress and opaque tights

Night Out Styles

• With a bodysuit, faux leather leggings, and drapey cardigan
• With a satin midi skirt and lacy cami tucked in
• With skinny ankle jeans, strappy silk tank, and moto jacket

Really you can style them so many ways! whether you’re going for casual cool, business chic, or sexy sophistication, the Friends Like These boots evoke effortless style.

Can You Wear Them In Winter?

Lots of cute boots aren’t actually cut out for real winter weather. But thankfully, the Friends Like These Chelsea is winter-ready!

Here’s why they make an excellent cold weather boot:

• The snug fit and ankle height help seal in warmth.
• The vegan leather and rubber sole provide insulation from the cold.
• The traction sole grips well on icy, slippery surfaces.
• You can layer thick socks underneath without it feeling tight.
• The water-resistance protects against rain and snow.
• They look great styled with tights, leggings, sweaters, and coats.

While not designed specifically for heavy-duty snow and ice, they work great as an everyday winter boot.

If you deal with more severe winter conditions, I’d recommend applying waterproofing spray before wear. And opt for a boot with full waterproof membrane construction for maximum protection.

But for crisp, dry cold you’d experience in most cities, the Friends Like These boot has you covered all season long!

Are the Soles Slip Resistant?

Slipping and sliding around is no fun – especially in a city with icy sidewalks!

So I was psyched to discover the rubber soles on the Friends Like These Chelsea boots provide excellent traction. The lug pattern on the bottom grips the ground to prevent slipping.

After wearing them both on dry surfaces and in light rain and snow, I was impressed with the traction. Even on wet tile, wood, and concrete I stayed stable with no sliding.

They performed even better than some of my proper winter boots on slippery surfaces. The deep lugs allow you to move confidently without losing stability.

While no shoe can prevent falls in every condition, these boots provide plenty of slip resistance. I feel very sure-footed when dashing around the city in them.

So if slick sidewalks are an issue where you live, these boots have the strong gripping ability to give you peace of mind!

Weight and Feel

Some boots seem to weigh a ton, leaving your feet fatigued. Is that an issue with the Friends Like These style?

Thankfully not! I found these to be lightweight enough for comfortable all-day wear. They clock in at just over 1 lb per boot.

The molded rubber sole and vegan leather give them substance without making them clunky or heavy. Walking in them feels energizing rather than tiring.

The foam insole is firm yet springs back with each step. It provides bounce instead of that pancaked down feeling you get with some boots. There’s also flexibility in the sole to encourage natural foot movement.

The weight feels nicely distributed so you don’t get soreness in the heels or balls of your feet. Even after 8+ hours of wear, my feet still felt peppy and energized.

For a calf-height Chelsea boot, they achieve that ideal balance of being well-constructed yet still light on the feet. No fatigue factor here!

Accommodating Wide Feet

Finding cute boots with wide calf openings and toe boxes can be a challenge. How do these stack up for wide feet?

Overall, this style runs on the narrower side. So those with really wide feet may struggle with the fit.

However, some options exist…

• Wide width available – You can select a wide width on the Friends Like These site if you need more toe room.
• Vegan leather stretches – The vegan leather does have some give to mold to feet.
• Size up – Sizing up a half or full size also allows for a roomier fit.
• Remove insole – You can remove the insole for a bit more space if needed.

If you have super wide or square feet, sizing up and trying the wide width is recommended. For slight widening, true to size may work with the upper stretching.

They may not be the absolute widest boot, but the adjustments possible make them accessible for wider feet.

Returns Are Easy Peasy

Online shoe shopping always makes me a bit nervous – what if they just don’t fit right?

Luckily, Friends Like These has a phenomenal return policy. You get 30 days to truly test them out.

If the boots don’t work out for any reason, returns are free and easy. Just box them up, ship them back, and get a full refund. No complicated process.

Friends Like These will even provide a prepaid shipping label, so you don’t have to pay for return postage.

This takes so much pressure off deciding on the right size or style. You can order a few pairs and colors, walk around your home to see how they feel, and return whatever doesn’t work. No hassle or sunk costs!

For online shoppers, a great return policy makes all the difference. You can confidently click buy knowing you can get a full refund if needed.

Discounts and Deals Abound!

Who doesn’t love saving money? The good news is Friends Like These offers plenty of discounts on their stylish boots.

Here are some ways to keep more dollars in your wallet:

• Sign up for emails – Get 10% off your first order just for joining their mailing list.
• Check for sales – Sale items get discounted up to 60% off, letting you score major deals.
• Refer friends – Share your referral code with friends to get $20 for each friend that buys.
• Look for holiday promos – Keep an eye out for sitewide discounts on long weekends and holidays.
• Use coupon codes – Influencer promo codes can take 15%, 20% or more off your order.
• Buy secondhand – Search resale sites like Poshmark for new-with-tags boots at steep markdowns.

Take advantage of these savings opportunities, and you can easily get this normally $158 Chelsea boot for $100 or less. Sign up for those emails and keep your eye out for deals!

How Do They Compare to Dr. Martens?

It’s impossible to talk Chelsea boots without mentioning the OG – Dr. Martens. So how does this newcomer compare to the tried and true Dr. Martens?

Dr. Martens definitely wins on brand recognition and grungy punk-rock aesthetic. But when it comes to comfort, versatility, and value, Friends Like These is a serious contender.

Here’s a quick comparison:

• Price – Friends Like These cost $158 full price, while the Dr. Martens vegan Chelsea runs $150. So FTL is a bit more expensive.
• Comfort – Both are praised for comfort. But FTL uses memory foam insoles for that extra cozy feel.
• Style – Dr. Martens have that signature chunky utilitarian look. FTL’s silhouette is slimmer and more feminine.
• Quality – Dr. Martens are famously durable. FTL boots are well-made but can’t match 50+ years of heritage.
• Sizing – FTL runs slightly narrow but offers wide sizes. Docs tend to be roomier in standard widths.
• Color Options – Friends Like These come in a wide range of trendy colors, unlike Doc’s core blacks and browns.

While Dr. Martens will always own the punk rock Chelsea boot scene, Friends Like These holds its own with a focus on comfort, style, and affordability. Both excellent choices!

Vegan Options Available

Sustainability and ethics are important to me, so I love that all Friends Like These boots are vegan!

They use absolutely no animal products in any part of their supply chain. Even the glue holding the boots together is plant-based and cruelty-free.

Beyond the vegan leather upper, details like the microfiber lining, memory foam insole, and textile heel loop are derived from non-animal materials.

You can feel good knowing no animals suffered for the sake of fashion. These boots are the perfect pairing of style, comfort, and conscience.

The Verdict: Worth Every Penny

After all this research, my final verdict on the Friends Like These Chelsea boots is overwhelmingly positive. These boots deliver on every front.

The stylish versatile design pairs effortlessly with any outfit. The thoughtful details make them blissfully comfy for all-day wear. And the range of trendy colors and patterns gives you so many unique options.

Quality craftsmanship combined with an affordable price point make them an unbelievable value. And their commitment to vegan materials aligns perfectly with my cruelty-free lifestyle.

While no boot is absolutely perfect, these come impressively close. If you’ve been seeking the holy grail of Chelsea boots that can take you from work to weekends in sustainable style, your search is over.

The Friends Like These vegan leather Chelsea boot exceeds expectations. I’m absolutely smitten, and I think you will be too. This is one pair of boots destined to start conversations and turn heads wherever you strut in them!