Why We Are Obsessed With the STAUD Wally Ankle Boots
For a long time, we were searching for the perfect chocolate brown ankle boot at a reasonable price. One that felt polished with trousers for work, comfortable for full days on your feet, and durable enough not to scuff after the first wear. We kept coming back to the STAUD Wally Ankle Boots in Espresso, and after nearly two years of consideration, it became clear why.
We wanted something for walking all over New York City, commuting, and a polished night out. We did not want to chose between a classy boot and a comfy one and with the Staud Wally, you don’t have to chose. There are many chocolate brown boots and they all LOOK good, but this one actually holds up.
Here at Stylishly Grounded we curate and recommend shoes (and mid-luxury handbags) that have passed the quality test. Before recommending anything, we test it to ensure it lives up to our quality standards.
In this STAUD Wally ankle boot review, we apply our strict filter: a heel under three inches, high-quality materials, a substantial heel you can walk on all day, real comfort, and a low cost per wear. The Wally ankle boot earns its place, and if you’ve been searching for a winter-ready alternative to pumps that won’t hurt your feet, keep reading.
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Staud Wally Ankle Bootie: First Impressions
This boot is classic. The espresso brown color is perfect. It is not too cool-toned nor orange. It sits squarely in the middle and goes with everything.
The square toe gives it a modern edge and at the same time, looks classic. There are no embellishments, which makes this a true foundational boot rather than one you can only wear with certain outfits. We also love the hidden zipper which matches the color of the leather. (Cheap boots have bright mismatching silver zippers which can be jarring and limit what you are pair them with.) The brown hidden zipper keeps the silhouette clean. Because the design is so simple, it pairs effortlessly with both gold and silver belts and jewelry.
Also, if you get boots with hardware, you’ll likely need multiple pairs. This one pair has you covered across every occasion.
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Wally Ankle Boot Fit, Comfort, and Wearability
The Wally ankle boots run true to size. I am typically a US 7.5 and ordered a 38, which fits perfectly. My feet are normal / average width so these do not cramp my toes because the toe box comes to a subtle square toe. Note: it does not come in wide width styles.
These work exceptionally well at the office. They serve as a smart replacement for pumps, especially in the fall and winter. If you’re searching for the best boots for work in the office, this is exactly the category these fall into.
Leather Quality: How We Know It’s Real
One of the most common questions we see is whether the STAUD Wally boots are comfortable and whether they’re made of real leather. The answer to both is yes.
They are buttery soft and incredibly comfortable. Each wally boot is made of either calf, goat or lambskin. The upper is made of 100% lambskin and non-heel part of sole is 100% calfskin. The heel is 2.2 (55mm) inches tall and elegantly thick. We say elegantly thick because they are not chunky like riding boots; they are just not a stiletto, which makes them stable and easy to walk in.
The heel has a rubber sole for traction. The rest of the sole is made of 100% calfskin leather which in time will mold to your feet. We wouldn’t break them in on a snowy day because a lug sole is better for snow. However, on a regular fall, winter or early spring day, these are optimal.
Note: the product description specifies the leather type. It does not say “genuine leather,” which is often a vague, lower-quality label. When brands call out a specific leather like lambskin or calfskin, it’s a strong indicator of quality. They’re intentionally calling it out because they want you to know vs labels like “100% genuine leather.” Calfskin is the kind of leather that wears well over time rather than chipping or cracking after a few uses.Genuine leather is bonded leather which is almost painted on with leather scraps. Read more our Leather 101 article here.
Other Wally Styles Worth Knowing
One thing worth calling out is how thoughtfully STAUD has expanded the Wally line. Not only do they come in DOZENS OF COLORS, they also come in different styles, textures and prints.
The Wally Sock Bootie
The Wally now comes in a sock bootie version, which is genuinely hard to resist. It offers extra coverage through the ankle, creates a cleaner line under trousers, and looks impeccably sleek on the leg. It feels modern without being loud and works especially well if you like a more streamlined silhouette.
The Wally Flat Ankle Bootie
The Wally is also available as a flat ankle bootie, which makes a lot of sense for New York City days when you just don’t feel like wearing heels.
The Wide Wally (Wide-Calf Friendly)
We’ve already covered the Wide Wally for wider calves, which remains one of the better options in that category.
Understated Animal Print Options
If you want something a little more expressive without going overboard, the understated animal print Wally styles strike the right balance. They add interest while remaining wearable and grounded, making them an easy way to introduce pattern without committing to something trend-heavy.
Price, Value, and Cost Per Wear
The retail price sits in the mid-range, and in our opinion, it’s justified. This is a classic boot made from high quality leather with a shape that won’t date quickly. We strongly believe you are paying for quality and not the designer logo.
You can absolutely buy a $100 brown ankle boot. The problem is that those often start to chip, crease poorly, or lose their shape almost immediately. They also tend to be slightly off in color or proportion, which is why they end up pushed to the back of your closet. There is nothing more frustrating than a one-time wear shoe.
With the Wally, you’re paying for durability and repeat wear. This is the type of boot you’ll reach for season after season, which is where cost per wear actually works in your favor. STAUD does occasionally run sales, sometimes up to 25 percent off, and first-time customers can often receive around 15 percent off. That said, these are popular and sell through quickly.
If you want one brown ankle boot that will last you multiple seasons, this is a smarter buy than cycling through cheaper pairs.
Often Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks Fifth Ave have Giftcard sales. As of writing this article, Neiman Marcus’s code is NMTODAY.
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The Stylishly Grounded Perspective: Final Thoughts
We are tough critics when it comes to boots meant for daily wear. Most ankle boots miss the mark because the heel is unstable, the leather feels cheap, or the design is too trend-driven to last.
The STAUD Wally ankle boots get the fundamentals right. The heel height is ideal. The heel itself is substantial enough for all-day walking. The leather is buttery soft yet durable. The silhouette is simple, classic, and endlessly useful.
SG Verdict: This is a true wardrobe workhorse. It replaces pumps in the winter, works seamlessly for the office, and delivers real cost-per-wear value. If you’ve been looking for a brown ankle boot that actually earns its place, this is the one.
if you’re looking for another Stylishly Grounded approved option, read our review on the the Delfina Bootie by M.Gemi.
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