Lace up boots have the reputation of being the boot that never really goes out of fashion, the one your mum wore, the one everyone's little sister is wearing now, the one that comes back every single winter looking almost exactly the same. I mostly agree with the hype. A cheap pair bought for a festival weekend will see you through two muddy fields and then fall apart at the eyelets. A proper pair, decent leather, decent sole, will outlast several trend cycles and several pairs of jeans.
Where they let you down is anywhere that speed matters. Laces are not your friend on a morning when you're already late, and they're not forgiving if you've got narrow calves and thick socks, you'll end up loosening and relacing all day. They're also the wrong pick if you're on your feet for hours in a hard sole version, that sort of stiffness takes weeks to give, not days, and nobody tells you that until your heel's already blistered.
They come into their own from autumn through to early spring, for commuting, dog walks, anything outdoors where you want grip and a bit of ankle support without looking like you've dressed for a hike. They sit nicely under jeans that have a bit of room at the hem, under midi skirts if the boot itself has some presence, and they're honestly better company for a practical day than a dressed up one.
Where they clash is anywhere delicate or formal, skinny tailored trousers that taper right down, or anything floaty and occasion specific, the chunky shape fights the line of the outfit rather than finishing it. Before you buy, check the eyelets are riveted rather than just punched, because that's the first place a cheap pair gives out, check the lining for anything that'll make your feet sweat in half an hour, and flex the sole in the shop rather than trusting it'll soften at home. If you're starting with one pair, go for black leather, it does the most jobs with the least thought.