Men's Chukka Boots, Laced but not Least
A good pair of boots is hard to beat for men’s footwear. Especially when they’re as versatile as the Chukka. This boot style is unique, it gives a sophisticated look while at the same time maintaining some of the ruggedness that boots are known for. Depending on how you wear them, chukkas are good for a short trek or a day at the office. That’s a tall order for many boot styles, but not for the chukka. Read on for our Chukka Buying Guide and recommended boots from our favorite boot makers.
What to Watch Out For
Build Quality
As with any boot, a well made chukka is usually worth the extra cash. Be on the lookout for double stitched construction, quality leather and a sole that can withstand the type of use you’ll demand from your boots.
Material
Chukka’s are traditionally a darker boot in either leather or suede. The smooth Leather option gives the most versatility, as the suede are much harder to pull off in a formal environment. Either way you go, its good to research the type of leather the boot maker uses. A “bonded leather’ or “genuine leather” will be less durable and take polish or conditioner much worse than higher quality leathers. In chukka boots (or any consumer leather goods for that matter) you want to look for “top grain” or “full grain” leather. This is heirloom grade leather that will last and last, given the right care.
Sole type
The Clarks Desert boot is a classic example of the crepe sole style of Chukka. According to Clarks this design hasn’t changed in over 60 years.
Chukkas traditionally sport a classic leather sole, but these days you can get them in just about any sole imaginable. Like with many aspects of these boots, how you use them will determine what sole you’ll need. A leather sole with a thin rubber outsole is the right choice for dressy environments, and also looks nice in semi-casual dress out on the town. A dark colored rubber sole can emulate this look and save some money too, it all depends on how authentic you want your wardrobe to come across. Another option is the classic crepe rubber sole, usually lighter in color and thicker than leather soles, this is a great option to up the ruggedness of your look. Technically chukka’s with this type of sole are referred to as a “Desert Boot”. This term has been confused and used interchangeably with “Chukka” by quite a few manufacturers though, so don’t sweat this detail too much.
Whatever the goal is for your Chukkas, we’ve got a few suggestions. Let’s get you started on the right foot.
Thursday Boots is a relatively new, but very solid, boot brand. Thursday doesn’t sell a pair of boots over $200, yet they bring a level of quality that rivals much more expensive brands. Their Chukka features a classic leather sole with rubber outsole, double stitched construction and high quality U.S. made leather. What’s not to love?
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This boot by Rockport has a slightly updated take on the chukka with the addition of darker tone heel leather. The dark rubber sole is a nice look too. coming in under $100 together with respectable build quality puts this boot on our recommended list.
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Red Wing is the go-to boot for something that’s made in the U.S. with long lasting quality. Their Chukka is probably more accurately a desert boot, but there’s one thing that is not in question: This is a boot you can DO things in. The Weekender is a design that is tried and true, well made, and it looks slick. You’re going to have to shell out a little extra to get your hands on them, but hey, you get what you pay for.
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On the other end of the spectrum from the rugged Red Wing, we have this pair from Bruno Marc. Offered in a couple of fun and funky colors at around 50 bucks, these are the perfect way to make sure you have a statement color for any outfit. The classic and clean lines of these shoes lend themselves to many wardrobe possibilities, so pick up a pair (or two) and have some fun!
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Bringing our list to a close is clarks most popular style of chukka, the Bushacre. This is the 3rd iteration that brings a few minor changes to the original, but maintains a classic look. It’s a clean no frills design that is possibly the most versatile on our list. Available in a huge variety of colors and finishes, it’s a hard boot to beat, especially since its regularly on sale for around $80.
