While you can strut your stuff in shoes and boots, the main difference is that boots rise higher on the ankle than most shoes. The shape of boots tends to cover the whole ankle and even up part of the leg, while most shoes cut off below or at the ankle, like running shoes or dress shoes. You might prefer the feel of having your ankle covered or enjoy the protection a boot may give you, whether it is a high-shaft with waterproofing or a pair of men’s steel-toe work boots to protect you while you’re on the job.
Like men’s shoes, boots also scale across a wide range of categories, from dressier-style boots to rugged footwear ready to tackle all the elements. You can have multiple pairs for many occasions, such as trail shoes for hikes, dress boots for fancy affairs, and chukkas to wear all around.