The platform boot solves a problem that regular heels never quite figured out: how to add real height without turning every step into a balancing act. Instead of tilting the whole foot forward the way a stiletto does, a platform boot raises the front of the foot along with the heel, which keeps the arch closer to flat and takes a huge amount of pressure off the ball of the foot. A good platform boot has a substantial sole, usually rubber or a lug tread, that gives real grip on pavement and stairs alike. That is a genuine advantage over a delicate heel that catches in every grate and cobblestone. The boot shaft itself can go in a lot of directions, from a cropped ankle bootie to a knee high silhouette, and each length changes the way the boot reads with an outfit. A chunkier platform tends to look more casual and works well with denim, while a sleeker platform boot in a polished leather can go dressier with a skirt or dress. Either way, the platform sole is doing the real work.

We think platform boots are one of the more practical statement shoes out there, since the height comes with real stability instead of the usual heel trade-off. The best pairs balance a substantial sole with a shaft that still looks sleek rather than clunky. Our advice is to try a few shaft heights before deciding, since the same platform sole can look completely different depending on whether it sits at the ankle or climbs toward the knee.