You’ll find that some shoe brands use ‘Chukka boots’ and ‘desert boots’ interchangeably, but that’s not technically correct. Chukkas traditionally have a leather sole, while desert boots are finished in crepe rubber. Desert boots are really a type of Chukka boot, which means all desert boots are Chukkas, but not all Chukkas are desert boots. Make sense? Broadly speaking, desert boots tend to be on the more casual side of the Chukka family. You probably wouldn’t wear them to a job interview, but they’re bang-on for a Sunday pub session.

There’s a reason you see men’s Chukka boots on nearly every ankle. They’re an extremely comfortable shoe. Some of our Chukkas, like the ADAMS, are all made from leather and leather lining. Others, like the DAMIEN, have a suede upper, pig leather lining and a synthetic sole. Whichever way you go, you’ll notice that Chukka boots feel more like a sneaker than a dress shoe, especially after a few wears, when the leather starts to relax. If you’re looking for a comfy work boot for everyday office wear, Chukkas are a great choice.

There aren’t too many hard-and-fast rules when it comes to styling Chukka boots. Their versatility is legendary, and it’s a big reason they’ve stayed in vogue since the 1940s. It all depends on whether you want to dress them up or dress them down. A simple tee and dark-wash denim over tobacco DAMIEN chukkas is an easy, pub-friendly look. A knit blazer, some tapered chinos and our UTAH ankle boots would be great for a cocktail party. Or, if you want to pull out all the stops, swap your office brogues for some black ADAMS boots—they’ll work wonders under a sharp charcoal suit.

The Dorado Brown Desert Boots

Let’s talk Chukka boots and suits. First things first, yes you can legally do this. It won’t be for every office, but suits and Chukka boots can definitely work together. They just need to be the right kind of Chukkas. Something like the ADAMS or BRODY would look great underneath a two-piece black or navy suit. A more upright style, like the UTAH could also work nicely: try it with a brown or grey suit for a slightly more laid-back look. When it comes to tailoring, hem your suit pants as you would for Derbies or Oxfords. There should still be that natural ‘break’ on top of your boot. If you can see ankle, you’ve gone too far.

Suede and Nubuck Chukka boots are more casual by nature. You could wear these with a suit, but they’re more at home with suiting separates. Something like the CORTES, for example, would look great under khaki chinos, knit blazer, and a blue button-up shirt. Most of the time, suede and Nubuck Chukkas are going to be your weekend go-to boot (at least if the weather is dry). Simply throw them under some double-cuffed jeans or chinos pants, then layer up with shirts, knits and casual jackets. It’s pretty hard to mess this one up. Start with some BELLARD khaki boots, then finish things off with a mid-indigo denim, leather belt, crew tee and cotton bomber.

Just a quick note on Chukka care. All leather Chukkas will need basic care and protection, including a water-resistant spray. That’s a great place to start. Suede and Nubuck Chukkas, however, will require a bit of extra love. We’ve written a comprehensive guide over here, but let’s break down the basics. First, keep them dry. Getting your suede Chukkas wet will dry and crack the nap over time. Next, make sure you clean them with the proper tools: we’re talking a suede shoe brush and dedicated suede shampoo. Keep your Chukkas on a shoe tree, if you can, too. This will extend their life and help them hold their shape.