Going through my wardrobe the other day, I realized I didn't have a good pair of knock-around boots that I could just throw on to take out the trash or play soccer with my son. The Chukka boot fits the bill! The word chukka is the term for a period in the game of Polo -each 'chukka' usually lasting 7 minutes. Like I know all about Polo. Hell, in Italy they eat horses. And cats aren't bad either.
OK - back to the boots. So what defines a chukka boot? Not a whole lot, really. To qualify, they should be ankle length and have two to three eyelets per shoe. More than three eyelets looks like a regular ankle boot to me. Variations of the boot were worn by British forces in North Africa during WWII. Did they have a few eyelets so they could get them on quicker when they were getting strafed by the Germans, Jah? I don't know. As for material, the sky is the limit. Suede, leather, cordovan, synthetic, etc. Think about what you want them for. I have a nice pair of Edward Green ankle boots (Silverstone) that I only wear for nice occasions. Are they chukka boots? Technically, yeah. I guess. But they sure don't present as chukkas. I want my chukkas to be able to take bad weather and a real pounding. So, if you are looking for something that does the job, consider Alden, Red Wing, or Rider Boot Company. They all make some awesome Chukkas. Some nice higher ups are the Edward Greens (Banbury model) and of course Vass from Budapest (first photo). These boots are pushing $1G but they are incredible. Not sure if I would go on a Boy Scout hike with those things, but some guys do. This is one boot where less may be more.
FAQs
1. How do I wear chukkas? They look great with jeans - with, ya know - boot cut.lol.
2. Can I wear chukkas with shorts? Yes! They look cool. Throw on a pair of grey socks too. Cool look.
3. Can I wear them with suits? Look - I'm a huge fan of ankle boots with suits ('booted and suited') but I'm thinking some chukka brands may be too outdoorsy for that. Perhaps with a tweed jacket or something like that. But then again the Vass chukka is pretty incredible but I can't see myself throwing on a pair to drink a beer with my neighbor over the fence.
The third photo is a pair of Navy Boondocker shoes. I remember my boondockers had three eyelets, as opposed to the four eyelets in the first picture (sorry for the quality but that was all I could find). Certainy post-Vietnam/Desert Storm era. Ah, my mispent youth. One decade I'm trying to kill Iraqis, the next decade I'm trying to save 'em. Post your chukka stories. Meanwhile, enjoy the pictures. Ciao.
P.S. Starting off with an Hungrian made shoe? I know. I know. But come on. Vass. I mean it's Vass for crying out loud.
