Of all the items in a man’s wardrobe, shoes are probably the hardest workers of the lot. Hitting the ground in all manner of conditions mean that they’re always on the front line, at the mercy of whatever unsavory things may lay in front of them. By rights, it should follow that practicality reigns supreme when it comes to covering your soles.

However, against all good logic and reason, the siren song of the buttery soft nap of suede boots continues to lure in men season after season, with no signs of abating soon. A footwear style worn by rockstars and city-dwelling pavement pounders alike, it’s a passionate love affair of the heart, not the head.

There’s no getting away from the fact that when left to their own devices, suede boots are about as fragile as Donald Trump’s ego. But, by accepting their intrinsic need for a little extra TLC and employing some smart shopping moves this sensitive but strokable footwear is a better bet than you’d first think.

“Contrary to common belief, suede boots can be worn all year round,” says Tim Little, CEO and creative director of British shoe brand Grenson. “The secret is to look at the quality of the suede. It should be an even nap, not short and long patches.”

Mango Man

And, if you thought suede boots were just the thing to pull out on the weekend to impress on a date, you’d be right – but only partially. They’ve got formal flair too. “Design-wise suede works in anything just the same as calf does, so find your favourite boot and see if they have a suede version,” says Little.

As well as the obvious boot styles – desert and Chelsea boots – you’ll find hardier styles that also come in suede. Hiking boots and even worker boots are commonly found in supple and strokable naps – and are tougher than they look. The main takeaway, Little says, is that like all the best boots, suede options are far more versatile than you might think.