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Last week I shared my picks of the best fall fashion trends, and I recommended buying a pair of lug-soled shoes for fall. The lug sole shoe is a hot trend this season, and a comfortable one at that. Looking great with jeans, dresses, trousers, and more, the lug sole shoe is an easy way to update your existing wardrobe for fall. Below I share my picks of lug sole shoes under $100 to embrace this trend.
What is a Lug Sole?
A lug sole is a thick rubber sole with deep indentations in a pattern designed to provide secure footing. Lug soles are often seen on work boots and give Dr. Martens their iconic style. Lug sole shoes are great for stability and comfort as well as on-trend style for the season.
Stylish Lug Sole Shoes Under $100
While I am a big fan of the lug sole trend and hope it sticks around for more than this season, I am hesitant to spend a lot on a trend its first season. Below I share several stylish lug sole shoes under $100 so you can try out this comfy and chic trend without breaking the bank.
Lug Sole Loafers Under $100
pink with tassels – $98 | ivory croco patent – $89 | black with large silver buckle and slight heel – $59.99 | cream with white soles – $99 | purply-pink with gold chain detail – $99 | dark leopard print with chain detail – $79 | black with black chain detail – $59 | dark snakeskin with gold bit – $79 | chunky cream with gold bit detail – $89 | baby blue patent – $99 | beige with beige soles – $59.50 | super chunky black with gold – $36 | pastel pink – $98 | black with chain detail – $48 | cream patent penny loafers – $46
Most come in other colors or textures; this one for example has nine different colors. Lug sole loafers are an easy way to update your current wardrobe for fall. Pair with your ankle pants and jeans, or wider-leg menswear-inspired trousers and looser denim.
Lug Sole Oxfords and Brogues Under $100
chunky black on the model – $43 | beige canvas with pink and beige sole – $74.99 | black patent with tan trim – $69.97 | burgundy patent – $99 | blush patent with white sole – $49.97 | black cherry Docs – $89.97 | olive suede – $99.95 | pale pink nubuck – $50.97 | chunky black patent – $59.03
Oxfords or brogues are harder to find under $100 but I found some chic styles that would be great for work or play. Like the lug sole loafers, these can be worn with most anything.
Lug Sole Warm-Climate Shoes Under $100
black loafer slides with gold detail – $90 | camel platform heeled slides – $59.99 | camel sandals – $89.99 | snakeskin sandals – $63.74 | camel loafer slides – $89.90 | black sandals – $72 | white sandals – $70
After the response I got from my article on fall fashion trends for warm climates, I had to share some lug sole shoes for those who live in the south and warmer locations! You're in luck, as lug soles were popular this summer and many styles in fall colors and fabrics are now on sale. However, many retailers have come out with lug sole slide versions of loafers for fall which look so chic with jeans and trousers. You can rock them all winter long while we'll have to store them for styles that can accommodate rain and show!
Lug Sole Pull-On and Chelsea Boots Under $100
tall pull-on boots – $68 | tan spotted – $89.99 | glitter boots – $99 | animal prints – $98.95 | brownish-black – $49.95 | black with studs – $59.90 | black croco – $89.95 | camel suede – $99.99 | black – $99.99
With our new lifestyle, it's nice to have a boot that's easy to slip on and off when leaving the house. Whether it's running late to work or leaving the home to run errands, a pull-on or Chelsea-style lug sole boot will get plenty of wear this fall and still look classic enough to wear next year.
Lug Sole Lace-Up and Combat Boots Under $100
black with camel soles – $50 | black with chunky sole – $89.95 | cream canvas – $39.99 | brown leather – $89.95 | stone leather – $99.95 | classic black leather – $89.99 | tall black with silver grommets – $50 | black patent – $99.95 | dark gray – $89.99
What Socks To Wear With Lug Sole Shoes?
A rule of thumb is if your ankles will show, don't have visible hosiery. A pair of no-see socks will keep you comfortable without ruining the line of your outfit. If your ankles are covered with longer pants, wear what feels comfortable. I've been wearing my Bombas wool hiking socks under my Doc Martens; they're long enough to protect my ankle and wick away moisture but don't peek out of the top of the boot.
Tights and patterned hosiery are back; if you are wearing lug soles with a dress or skirt a pair of opaque tights or a sheer black patterned stocking is on trend.
If you are one who loves creative hosiery, a trouser sock or dress sock in a fabulous pattern can add a lot to a look. However, this isn't for novices as proportion and pant length determine if you look polished or like Pee-Wee Herman. If your hosiery is showing between your hem and your lug sole shoe, it should be fitted and either match your shoe or be a contrast or print to complement your ensemble.
Last winter I bought a pair of Sam Edelman Chelsea boots with a lug sole and most of the time I love them. The only time I don’t is when I am trying to pull them on, the tiny tag at the back of the boots isn’t big enough to get my socked foot in comfortably.
I’ve seen a lot of these but most inexpensive ones fail my test, which is to see if the sole will bend.
If the sole won’t flex and bend you’ll be walking around with duck feet looking like a clown.
Lug soles can be the perfect answer to finky feet. The thick rubber sole, not some wedge of plastic, add your own arch insert if needed, absorbs impact, and feels great. But, it’s got to have some flex.
Under $100 pair of shoes that aren’t comfortable is a waste. My Mother bought me a pair of heels to wear to work back in 1982, and they had a lug sole, it was fairly thin, but even then it was a thing. Currently I’ve got several pairs of lug soled shoes -Cole Hahn, Munro American- that are more than a few years old so I think it’s fair to say it’s a long trend. what seems to vary is the thickness of the sole, the lugs are the timeless element. Don’t waste your money on cheap ones, get a pair that are comfortable and you’ll find yourself wearing them all the time.
I so agree! I’ll look for sales or resale versions of higher quality shoes rather than buy cheaper versions, even a trend. They just aren’t comfortable and the resale value is almost nothing.
I appreciate Allison’s point of view though and she’s done an amazing job of finding stylish, versatile and fun versions to consider.
Try some Paul Green lug soles—boots, pumps, loafers, sandals. Comfort and fashion forward. Although they are pricey, I have PG lug sole loafers that are at least 10 years old and have years more wear in them.
Wow, this is great! I have been wearing [and searching for] nice-looking, comfy lug-soled shoes ever since I moved into the US Upper Midwest and then to upstate New York years ago. Staying upright in strong winds, rain, sleet, ice, snow…..and lovely fall and winter days….has been my goal. I even have a pair of lovely black suede 3″ pumps [THAT was a long time ago!] for those sleety dressy times. Thanks, Alison, for always being so helpful!
I want to try the trend but need more arch support and comfort than must of those under $100 brands. I’m gonna try the Vionic Shearling ones.
Am I the only one who just cannot embrace this trend? Maybe in a boot, where they sometimes look like they belong, but otherwise I’m gonna pass on this one. Why would I want my feet to look so huge and bulky?
I am having so many flashbacks to my early high school days in Texas right now!
I bought a pair of ankle boots this weekend that play into the lug sole trend, but don’t have a lug sole visible from 10 feet away. I thought they were a nice way to update my wardrobe but have some staying power if the trend only lasts a season or two. (Blondo Sawyer bootie)
Now those I could do, and I like Blondo boots. It’s like a baby lug sole.
It’s like Brenda Kinsel advised: wear a fraction of a trend.
Aaah. We miss Brenda, don’t we? I live in CA and frequent the resale store run by her daughters. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree with her daughters. Great at styling.