Chukka appreciation thread

[Mercurio]

As a Chukka Lover, I wanted to post my different experiences with this versatile kind of boots, but I didn't find a general thread not related to specific brands, so I decided to create this Chukka Appreciation Thread where anybody could share their opinions and experiences. I own some different models, some of them in calf, some other in suede and crepe sole, so they qualify for the Desert Boot name, that I feel is a just a Chukka sub category.

HESCHUNG GENET

I will start with my recently acquired Heschung GENET during the current Barneys NY sale, that I bought with an incredible discount. This is a model that attracted my attention mostly due to their Norwegian stitch construction, perfect for the rainy weather of where I Live: Bogota, Colombia.

I did quite a research before placing my order, mostly related to the brand history, but more important to me, how they fit and their sizing. I read different opinions and I received some advice to make my decision, that was restrained to size availability during the sale. I checked and double checked different size charts, not only the official from the brand, but from different stores, that are not always the same.

I own different chukkas from Herring, Loake, Church's, Rider Boot, among others, sometimes 6.5 UK, some others 6 UK, 7.5 US or 7 US depending mostly on their last, but I would say that 6.5 UK / 7.5 US is my usual size. For the Heschung Genet I decided to downsize to 6 UK and they were on the spot. Their fit is quite similar to the Loake 026 last in 6.5 UK, even though the Heschung are a little bit wider on my feet.

My first impression: wonderful chukka boots!

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Built on the Odeon last with a very soft "Anycalf" leather and natural rubber soles, they were comfortable from the first moment, no need for a break-in time. Some of my Herring were very hard with my ankles, these were perfect. From Heschung: "Anilcalf leather comes from selected hides from French calves fed on their mother's milk, known as free-raised calves. It is an aniline full-grain leather with an ultra-natural finish, which develops an attractive patina over time, though it remains vulnerable to scratches".

I loved their very soft lining and their padded tongue that contributes to comfort, the boxing was impeccable as well as their ample and strong travel bags: certainly everything is top quality

Even though I liked the "noisette" (hazel) color, I found it a little dull, not what I had in mind or what the Barneys NY web page advertised as they looked more "reddish" and darker in color:

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I knew that I wanted a more reddish color, with less yellow or orange hue, something that were close to what the color name implies...

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But, how to get that hazelnut color, that is full of different hues including dark brown without getting to this color, as I already have the Loake PIMLICO in dark brown calf? As I like to experiment with my shoes and I really wanted a deeper color, I checked my shoe cream colors to decide what to apply on the top of it.

My first try was with Saphir Cognac, as it was the closest to the base color of a hazelnut: they changed a bit, but now they were very similar to the Herring Gosforth II tan grain... As I didn't want to have two pair of chukkas so similar in color, I decided to go more aggressively: I used "cordovan" color, as its base is like a mixture of dark red with a touch of black. As expected, the transformation was important, not only in the tone but in the nuances that are generated with light. I discovered that with very little brush this type of calf gets very shiny, as you can see with my final result:

Side by side:
Herring Goswoth II built on Loake 032 last, 6.5 UK.
Heschung Genet built on Odeon last, 6 UK

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Now I feel that I have a very different Genet chukka boots, I hope you like them. ​

 

[Gus]

A nice looking boot. I too prefer the richer color after you treated them.

 

[Mercurio]

On feet after color change:

 

[WilYa]

Great way to start a thread!
Unlined shell from C&J