Probably the most popular boot style out there, Chukka boots are extremely versatile. Often associated with derbies and Chelsea boots, they’re almost identical to desert boots. However, despite their versatility, they can be challenging to wear properly.
In this guide, you’ll learn about Chukka boots as we cover the following points:
Scroll down to read the full guide or use the links above to jump ahead!
Best Chukka Boots
- Ethically Made: Beckett Simonon Ellis
- Italian: Ace Marks Lorenzo Chukka
- Affordable Value: Clark’s Atticus Limit
- Most Comfortable: Wolf & Shepherd Striker
- Alternative Chukka: Clarks Desert Boot
- For Winter: Johnston & Murphy Copeland
- Most Stylish: Carlos Santana Corazón
- Affordable: Dr Martens Cabrillo
Other Dress Shoe Guides
Related Shoe Styles
- Color: Black, Brown, Tan
- Material: Calfskin Leather
- Pricing: $175* [Buy From Beckett Simonon]
*With “BU20” Discount Code
Beckett Simonon proudly crafts its ethical footwear from their Colombian workshop in Bogotá, which are all made from gold-rated Italian leather with an Argentinian vachette lining. As they’re made using a Blake stitch, they require no breaking in and are comfortable from the start. Therefore, they’re a great option for summer wear.
- Color: Black, Brown, Tan, Oxblood
- Material: Calfskin Leather
- Pricing: $330 [Buy From Beckett Simonon]
Ace Marks embraces Italian craftsmanship and aesthetics with its elegant yet affordable footwear. Unlike its other Italian peers, it opts for a direct-to-consumer model, which renders the shoes more accessible.
Its chukka boots feature a distinctive Italian silhouette with a sleek profile and stunning construction. If you’re looking for a more premium and dressier option, it would be our top choice!
- Color: Black, Navy, Taupe, Tan
- Material: Nubuck Leather
- Pricing: $125 [Buy On Amazon]
As part of Clark’s Artisan Collection, the Atticus Limit represents the brand’s heritage. Famed for their desert boots listed below, their Chukkas feature all the traditional hallmarks of the shoe style. However, the Nubuck uppers conceal an OrthoLite footbed and comfortable rubber sole.
- Colors: Black, Brown, Tan
- Material: Calfskin
- Pricing: $335 [Buy From Wolf & Shepherd]
Available in a pebble leather “bullet” tan, chocolate suede, or black full-grain calfskin, these are probably the most comfortable chukkas you could own. Rather than crepe, the soles are made from the brand’s lightweight PhoenixTech rubber while the footbed features memory foam.
- Color: Numerous
- Material: Leather
- Pricing: $130 [Buy From Zappos]
Although technically not a chukka boot, the dessert boot shares many features. In fact, they’re indistinguishable to the untrained eye! Inspired by the boots worn by British officers during the Second World war, these are very style boots for casual wear.
- Color: Black, Brown, Tan
- Material: Leather
- Pricing: $160 [Buy From Zappos]
Aside from the Wolf & Shepherd chukkas, which are quite exceptional, the Copelands by Johnston & Murphy are somewhat premium for the style. Lined with sheepskin, they’re very comfortable to wear and very warm indeed!
- Colors: Black, Brown
- Material: Full-Grain Leather
- Pricing: $140 [Buy Now On Zappos]
A stylish reinterpretation of the chukka boot, the sleek Corazón by Carlos Santana is more than a cash-in on the legendary guitarist’s name. They’re made from rich full-grain leather with a Blake stitch construction. Furthermore, they’re available in both black and brown in either full-grain or suede leather.
- Colors: Black, Brown
- Material: Wyoming or Virginia leather
- Pricing: $80 [Buy From Zappos]
Available in either brown Virginia or black Wyoming leather, the Dr Martens is an affordable chukka boot that offers some excellent value for money. It’s a stylish blend of Dr Marten’s ruggedness and iconic soles with the chukka boots rustic aesthetic.
What Are Chukka Boots?
A chukka boot is an ankle-height lace-up boot, typically with only two eyelets.
A well-stocked gentleman’s shoe collection contains more than just black lace-ups, brown loafers, and gym shoes.
You don’t need a collection in the triple digits, but you should have some options at your disposal for any occasion you can think of.
Though boot season technically comes and goes worldwide, it makes sense to talk about a classic boot that can be dressed up or down depending on its make and the outfit with which you pair it: the chukka boot.
History Of The Chukka Boot: Colonial India
Like madras and seersucker, the chukka boot comes to us from India via the British Raj, which wielded power in India from 1858-1947. Its name is taken from polo, as “chukka” or “chukker” is used to refer to a period of play during the game.
They are made in dressy calfskin versions with leather soles, casual suede with rubber soles, and even in sneaker versions (think high-tops). Plenty of companies make them ready-to-wear, and of course, any custom shoemaker can create a pair to your exact specifications.
It’s sometimes referred to as a “turf” boot, though this is rare compared to the ubiquitous word “chukka.” Desert boots are a specific version of the chukka.
Nowadays, chukkas can be found with more than two eyelets in innumerable colors and materials. Their defining factors are being ankle-height and taking laces.
How To Style Chukka Boots
Formality: Can You Wear Chukkas With A Suit?
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to wearing chukka boots, but they tend to go best with flannels, corduroys, and jeans.
They can be worn with suits in colder weather. To do this well, your boots must have a proper dress sole and heel, and it’s advisable that the upper be made of black or brown leather as opposed to suede. It would make sense for such a pair to be waterproof so as to be helpful during inclement weather and perhaps negate the need for overshoes.
Here are a few different styles of chukka boot and some suggestions for clothing pairings:
- Sneaker: Light denim, very casual khaki pants (note that this is a chukka boot with no dress sole or heel rather than a high-top sneaker)
- Suede: Slim dark denim, cords, flannel or twill trousers
- Leather: Dark denim, flannel trousers, worsted or flannel suiting
Seasonality: When Can I Wear These?
Being a boot, it’s best to wear them only in autumn or winter. Boots in spring and summer aren’t practical and will make you look like you’re trying too hard. It’s kind of like wearing sunglasses indoors: affected and silly.
An exception to this would be if you are wearing desert boots in early spring or if you live in a climate that’s cool enough year-round to warrant wearing boots anytime.
- Spring: Unless they’re desert boots, no.
- Summer: N/A
- Autumn: Suede in any shade of brown or pebbled leather for day, smooth brown or burgundy leather for night
- Winter: Dark leathers like black or brown, possibly with a rubber sole for days with lingering snow on the ground
A Final Thought
As a presumably aspiring well-dressed man, it behoves you to own at least one pair of chukka boots. On the dressy end, they’re a great alternative to oxfords or derbies. More casually, they can be worn in place of a casual blucher or sneaker.
We advise that a chukka boot be perhaps the fifth or sixth shoe you pick up to round out a collection of classics. Oxfords, bluchers, loafers, and monk straps should theoretically come first. However, if it’s getting cold and you’re looking to get a pair anyway, treat yourself. If you invest wisely, you’ll get years of stylish comfort out of them.
What Next?
Now that you have learned about chukka boots, check out some our related footwear guides for men:
- Jodhpur Boot Style Guide
- Chelsea Boot Shoe Guide
- Best Dress Shoes For Men
- Most Comfortable Shoes For Men
- Men’s Shoes Homepage
"A superb piece! Thanks for this, it helped me pick out some nice Chukkas and plan how to accommodate them into my wardrobe."Rating: 5.0 ★★★★★
Shoe Content
I don’t know who writes these articles but they certainly lack shoe knowledge. The brands that are featured besides Allen Edmonds are of poor quality and overpriced.
I refuse to believe you’ve tried each and every single one of the brands we’ve featured on this list. Within and without the Chukka Boot category, many offer better value than you can get with Allen Edmonds.
Rafael