Built with leather from the UK’s premier leather tannery, the Oliver Sweeney Lochside Chelsea Boot showcased the texture and performance you could expect from excellent quality boots. The slim silhouette gave the boot a more refined look that was stylish and versatile enough to be used on and off the work area. I appreciated the pull tabs that made boot-wearing much more convenient. The outsole had a nice flex, although it had minimal traction that didn’t prevent slipping on tricky surfaces.
Oliver Sweeney Lochside Chelsea Boot Review
Are these leather chelsea boots as good as they look for their price tag?
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With a refined profile, the Oliver Sweeney Lochside Chelsea Boot is the ideal low-key yet fashionable boost that your simple workwear and casual outfits need. It’s made of top-notch materials that showcase a premium look and, at the same time, offer reliable performance in non-harsh environments.
Performance Breakdown
Bottom Line
The Oliver Sweeney Lochside Chelsea Boot had an outstanding design, and I discovered its remarkable qualities when I used it for much longer. I loved the sleek design that suited work outfits and the casual ones I used for leisure. Even the outsole looked more streamlined than the ones I see on other Chelsea boots. This boot is made of premium materials and has a solid build and overall good looks, though I wouldn’t recommend it for extreme weather conditions and wet settings.
Pros
- Sleek, refined look – ideal for office use and in casual settings
- Slimmer outsole compared to other boots in the same style category
- Leather sourced from the UK’s famed Charles F. Stead Tannery
- Pull tabs on the shin and heel sections for more convenient boot-wearing
- Great value – almost half the price of handmade alternatives
Cons
- Minimal traction – unsuitable for wet weather conditions and tricky surfaces
Material
Waxed Phoenix leatherBoots Type
Work BootsSafety certifications
NoneWaterproof
No (water-resistant)Price range
Manufacturer
OliverWeight
1277 grams / 2.82 lbs. / 45.05 oz.Shaft Size
5.5 inchesSummary
Performance Analysis
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Following the wear-testing of the Oliver Sweeney Lochside Chelsea Boot, we have thoroughly assessed its performance across key features.
First Impression
This stylish boot stood out against other Chelsea boots because it had a versatile yet stylish design and a slim sole (and heel) structure. From the start, the fine quality of the leather shone through, which was exactly what I expected from Oliver Sweeney, who has been making fine-quality footwear since the 1960s. Genuine stitching between the upper and the sole caught my attention and assured me of high sturdiness.
Summary: The boot had a low-key, stylish profile that suits different environments, with the top-notch quality of materials and construction shining through as well.
Leather Quality and Care
This boot was made using Phoenix leather from the Charles F. Stead Tannery (in Leeds, UK), which has been renowned for manufacturing fine-quality leather since 1904. I also expected a lot (and wasn’t disappointed in any way) from the boot because it carried the name Oliver Sweeney – which has been crafting high-quality footwear since 1969. The superb quality of the leather was noticeable, and I appreciated its smooth and slightly grainy texture when I saw it up close. Inside, the calf leather lining offered another layer of smoothness and enough softness to fight uncomfortable chafing. The leather wasn’t prone to large wrinkles or creases when I went for my usual size because of the boot’s snug fit. I also discovered that its waxed structure had natural water resistance for protection against minimal wetness.
Summary: Sourced from the celebrated Steads Tannery in Leeds, UK, the boot’s leather shines through with fine quality and a solid structure. It’s naturally water-resistant, making the boot suitable for mild weather conditions – but not extremely wet weather.
Comfort & Fit
The boot’s slim profile stood out in aesthetics, but it (slightly) negatively affected comfort. It wasn’t easy to pull on because of the upper’s tapered design. Thankfully, two pull tabs (one on the shin and one on the heel) helped ease my foot more conveniently. Meanwhile, the gusseted sides widened the boot opening just enough to welcome my foot without discomfort. I appreciated the snug fit because it secured my foot and ankle in place, but this can be uncomfortable for those with wide feet or for people who are used to roomier boot designs. The boot’s style was particularly snug around the ankle and toes, so these areas were the most prone to friction and pinching. I liked the calf leather lining as it embraced my foot with a soft, smooth texture, making walking more comfortable. The insole was non-removable, though, so putting another insole on top would be very challenging to improve comfort.
Summary: With a slim profile, the boot had a snug fit that may be uncomfortable for wide feet. The gusseted sides and pull tabs helped make boot-wearing more convenient.
Break-In Period
The sole felt more flexible than I expected, so it didn’t need a long break-in period to be more comfortable for hours of walking. However, the premium-quality leather had a solid structure that was quite rigid initially. It needed to be broken in to become flexible for comfortable walking, especially around the toe and heel areas where the boot’s snug fit was most pronounced.
Summary: The high-quality Phoenix leather felt inflexible initially, so it needed to be broken in to make it soft enough for comfortable boot use. The sole felt flexible from the start, so it didn’t interfere with the foot’s natural flexing motion.
Design & Craftmanship
In terms of design, this boot stood out because of its sleekness and top-tier materials. Built with leather sourced from the UK’s legendary Charles F. Stead Tannery, the boot showcased a premium build to last long in different settings. I especially liked the leather’s smooth, grainy texture, which gave the boot a deeper character than boots made with inferior materials. Meanwhile, the toe had a squarish shape and looked slightly pointed. The genuine stitching between the upper and sole gave the boot an almost handcrafted appearance for even more remarkable aesthetics. Overall, the refined look made the boot suitable for work in non-formal environments while retaining a versatile appearance that can be enjoyed in more laid-back settings. The Vibram outsole also had a sleek shape that enhanced the boot with a streamlined style but didn’t compromise comfort because of a fairly flexible structure.
Summary: Using top-quality leather and stitching details, the boot showcased a premium look while retaining a versatile profile that can be maximized in different environments.
Weight
The boot had a medium weight level that didn’t surprise me, given the solid feel of the premium quality leather upper. It didn’t feel too bulky because of the streamlined design and outsole structure that was much slimmer than the soles on similar Chelsea boot styles.
Summary: This boot tipped the scale at a medium weight level, which wasn’t lightweight but didn’t feel too bulky.
Traction
The Vibram rubber outsole was securely attached to the upper with visible (genuine) stitching for enhanced durability. It felt flexible from the start, so it easily followed my foot’s motion before the boot fully broke in. The sole had minimal traction, which wasn’t surprising because of the slim profile and smooth outer surface. Since the outsole had a weak grip, I would only use this boot for mild weather and non-challenging surfaces.
Summary: The flexible Vibram outsole had a minimal grip on most surfaces, making the boot unsuitable for tricky surfaces and wet weather conditions.
Safety Features
This Chelsea boot didn’t have safety features, typically built into more heavy-duty boot styles. It’s suitable only for casual use and for non-harsh work environments since it wouldn’t be able to protect the foot against safety hazards.
Summary: The boot had a soft-toe design and didn’t have other safety features, making it suitable only for non-hazardous work areas and for casual use.
Water Resistance
The waxed leather used on this boot is naturally water-resistant. I tested this resistance level by putting the boot on water for quite a while, and it didn’t readily absorb water. The boot would hold up well when exposed to minimal wetness, such as the occasional rain. However, it’s unsuitable for extremely wet conditions and heavy rain.
Summary: The boot’s waxed leather upper is naturally water-resistant and doesn’t quickly absorb liquids. It can handle mild weather conditions but not heavy rain.
Durability
The boot’s solid construction started with the top-quality leather upper designed to hold up well in various environments. I tested the waxed leather’s water resistance and found that it can block minimal wetness so that the boot won’t get damaged by exposure to small amounts of liquids. The Goodyear Welt construction reinforced the bond between the sole and the upper, enhancing overall boot strength. It also strengthened the boot’s ability to stop moisture from seeping in. I did have some reservations about the Vibram outsole’s structure, which felt more flexible and thinner than average boots in this style category. I know that the boot’s soft-toe style is best suited for casual, non-hazardous conditions – but I still think there are other boots with better soles within the same category and price range.
Summary: The boot’s solid construction and fine-quality materials delivered lasting strength and performance. However, the outsole was thinner and more flexible than the soles on similar boot styles, so it may not last as long.
The Challengers
Blundstone 510 Leather Chelsea Boot
The Blundstone 510 Leather Chelsea Boot has a water-resistant leather upper that protects the foot from getting wet in mild weather conditions and other settings with minimal exposure to moisture. Its lightweight design helped make walking much easier to manage over long periods since there wasn’t extra weight to carry around the foot. Inside, the well-cushioned footbed used an exclusive comfort system to relieve the impact of continuous steps on hard ground. The relaxed fit design allowed the foot to flex comfortably and left enough wiggle space for the toes. The pull tabs and gusseted sides helped ease the foot in. The outsole resisted acids and oil but didn’t feel very thick or durable.
Conclusion & Verdict
The Oliver Sweeney Lochside Chelsea Boot is an impressive Chelsea boot offering good value for money. It uses fine-quality leather (sourced from the UK’s premier leather tannery) and visible stitching details that give the impression of handcrafted work. The sleek, versatile design works well with different attire options for work and casual use. The pull tabs and elasticized gussets make the boot-wearing experience more convenient. However, the minimal traction offered by the outsole makes this boot unsuitable for tricky surfaces.
These boots are ideal for those who are looking for:
- Sleek Chelsea boots
- Snug-fitting pull-on boots
- Chelsea boots made with premium-quality leather
These boots are NOT ideal for those who are looking for:
- Lace-up work boots
- Fully waterproof boots
- Boots that can prevent slipping on tricky surfaces
Jobs That These Boots Are Ideal For
Professors/Teachers, Hotel concierge staff, Restaurant managers, Real estate agents
FAQs
- How many colors is the Oliver Sweeney Lochside Chelsea Boot available?
- It’s offered in 3 colors – dark brown, Nero, and dark tan.
- Can this boot be re-soled?
- Yes, the Goodyear Welt construction allows this boot to be re-soled to prolong the leather upper’s life once the outsole becomes worn or damaged.
- Are there interesting marks on the boots?
- Yes. The letters “O” and “S” (for “Oliver Sweeney”) are discreetly embossed at the back of the left and right boots, respectively.
- Are the pull tabs made of the same material as the leather upper?
- No. The pull tabs are made of fabric embroidered with the brand name and the words “Goodyear Welted”.
Luke Davis
Luke is the lead author on WorkWear.org. He has a vast experience in construction engineering and project management in California and Texas, where he had the chance to put to test a wide range of safety boots and PPE. Outside work, Luke is an avid hiker and not surprisingly a DIY fanatic!
