Kate Hudson and Sarah Jessica Parker’s Winter Boots Featured This Practical Detail

It’s no surprise that boots — knee-high and ankle — are the winter shoe. They’re so timeless and practical that we’ve been wearing them for decades, but because of that, they might be starting to feel just the slightest bit stale. With some fashion basics you really don’t need to reinvent the wheel, but you can make some minor tweaks. So rather than ditching the style altogether, some celebrities have started rocking a new and shockingly practical take on the classic.

Just this week Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Hudson, and Dakota Johnson all wore classic black ankle boots with one updated detail: a front zipper. The small addition is as stylish as it is practical, adding a grungy touch to the iconic look while making the shoes infinitely easier to put on. The celebrity-loved style is different enough while maintaining the key elements that have made boots such a winter staple, so of course I immediately set out to find my own. If you’re also ready to hop on winter’s newest trend, these 10 front-zip boots can help you achieve that ‘It’ celebrity look, and prices start at just $33.

• Mysoft Platform Chelsea Boots, $33 (Originally $40); amazon.com
• Clarks Calla Zip Boots, $66 (Originally $130); zappos.com
• Free People Myles Zip-Front Boots, $100 (Originally $278); freepeople.com
• Blondo Demaria Waterproof Boots, $119 (Originally $160); zappos.com
• Timberland Everleigh Platform Bootie, $119 (Originally $190); nordstrom.com
• Sorel Brex Heel Zip Boots, $114 (Originally $180); zappos.com
• Dr. Martens Jetta Sendal Leather Boot, $180 (Originally $210); zappos.com
• Hunter Explorer Ankle Zip Flatform Boot, $215; anthropologie.com
• Maguire Lana Violet Front-Zip Boot, $300; maguireshoes.com
• La Canadienne Nash Waterproof Platform Bootie, $575; nordstrom.com

Mysoft Platform Chelsea Boots

If you’re wanting to get the look for less, consider grabbing Mysoft’s now-$33 platform Chelsea boots, which are available in black, nude, and white. The style features a small heel and platform, as well as elasticated sides that make the zip-up shoes somehow even easier to put on and wear (yes, even your chunkiest winter socks can fit inside). One shopper called these their “best purchase” of the year, explaining that they “wore them during a snowy weekend in New York City, and [their] feet stayed dry and comfortable for miles of walking outside.” And according to another person, the boots are “such good quality, super comfy, [and] don't look cheap” despite their affordable price-point. 

Dr. Martens Jetta Sendal Leather Boot

You of course can’t go wrong with Dr. Martens, a brand that’s been worn by everyone including Meg Ryan and Olivia Rodrigo. And right now at Zappos, the brand’s zip-front Jetta Sendal boots are on sale for $180. These are designed out of smooth leather and, according to shoppers, are “high quality, super cute, and…durable.” Plus, they feel good. “These are comfortable out of the gate,” gushed one person, noting that the chunky style “is not cumbersome or heavy.” 

Sorel Brex Heel Zip Boots

My personal favorite zip-up boots are the Brex Heel booties from Sorel, which boast a chunky block heel in a seriously bold blue. If we’re talking about deviating from the basic look, this shoe does that to a tee, with one person saying the style has gotten them “so many compliments.” Plus, this boot is waterproof and features a memory foam footbed, prompting one person to call them “comfortable…[and] great [for] walking in snowy conditions.” 

Free People Myles Zip Front Boots

Free People’s Myles Zip-Front Boots offer a slightly higher rise than the other ankle boots on the list, hitting at mid-calf. And in addition to the zipper, this leather style has a super chunky, cool-girl platform. But despite the exaggerated heel, one shopper wrote that they’re “shockingly light” and “super comfy to walk in.” “These shoes are stunning,” said another fan, describing the shoes as “lightweight,” roomy, and “stable.”

This winter, celebrities are breaking from the boot-norm with a game-changing detail that’s as practical as it is stylish. And now I’m all-in on zip-front boots. Shop more styles inspired by the celebrity trend, below.

Clarks Calla Zip Boots

Blondo Demaria Waterproof Boots

Timberland Everleigh Platform Bootie

Hunter Explorer Ankle Zip Flatform Boot

Maguire Lana Violet Front-Zip Boot

La Canadienne Nash Waterproof Platform Bootie