The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word HOBNAIL
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
H
O
B
N
A
I
L
More clues leading to the result HOBNAIL
- Walk over roughly being sadly fashionable but safe anyhow
- House number in guarantee, a provider of sole security
- Elf to fix protector to boot
- These boots fasten by opening of huge orange buckles
- One keeping shoes on losing time in muddy biathlon
- Unfashionable but not unsafe arrangement used to reinforce footwear
- Hold over boy lain, fixed with sole supporter
- End of match with Albion, ruined part of boot
- Cooker fix? It’s applied at last
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "These boots" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case these boots = hobnail.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does HOBNAIL mean?
HOBNAIL noun- A short nail with a thick head, typically used in boot soles.
- A clownish person; a rustic.
- To fit with hobnails.
- To tread down roughly, as with hobnailed shoes.