The Desert Boot and Chukka appreciation/review thread

[Johnniegold]

Clark Desert Boot in Hairy Ginger Suede.

 

[Fehr]

View attachment 2145671

Ahhh…the old Johnniegold strikes again with no caption/description!

Is that a Montflex or a Brownflex?

 

[Johnniegold]

Ahhh…the old Johnniegold strikes again with no caption/description!

Is that a Montflex or a Brownflex?

Dang it! My bad. 😀

Clark Desert Boot in Hairy Ginger Suede.

 

[Johnniegold]

It does appear that Astorflex has been producing models that have a narrower toe box than the wider silhouette of the Greenflex.

The Greenflex with the (as I referred to it) bulbous toe box.
View attachment 2130859
The Brownflex gives a slightly less rounded toe box. View attachment 2130861

Same with the Montflex.
View attachment 2130865

I might have to give one of them try too. 🤪😀

Yesterday, I ordered two pair of the Brownflex Chukka in Tobacco Suede by Astorflex. The tobacco suede model is currently on sale at Huckberry (with another 15% off on top of that) That additional kicker along with free shipping and free returns made it hard to resist. I purchased the Greenflex awhile back from Huckberry as well.

I ordered a Size 10 and a Size 11. I usually wear a 10.5E US in most shoes. Astorflex recommends sizing down so we shall see since that was not my experience with the Greenflex.

When I get ‘em, you’ll see ‘em.

 

[Fehr]

Gold,

I‘ve tried the Brownflex Stone size 10 (43 EU) from Hucks too — but it’s too loosey goosey on me exactly like your experience with the Greenflex 44 — a 3/4 to almost an inch allowance in the front toe box. A lot of heel slippage even with the shoelaces tight which I think can be attributed to the Brownflex’s flat back heel form just like the Clark’s.

I still don’t know how you managed to make that Greenflex fit you. But whatever you did, good for you.

Will try to make this Brownflex work with a double layer Walmart insole on top of the Astorflex one. If I still can’t get it to work, I will have to return this today. Too bad they don’t carry the Greenflex anymore.

 

[Johnniegold]

I still don’t know how you managed to make that Greenflex fit you. But whatever you did, good for you.

The Greenflex definitely requires wearing a heftier sock.

 

[Fehr]

By the way, I have already tried the Greenflex size 42. I’m a little bit disappointed ‘cause I was expecting it to be more roomier than the Dukeflex. It is but not much at all, I still find it uncomfortably snug all around with thick socks. At this point, my only consolation is that there’s no vamp tightness to worry about anymore. But I found a solution to the snugness. I took out the insole and it felt a lot better.

Now I have to contend with the possibility of wearing these without insoles for the life of it or just give it up. 🤕

 

[AndAllTheRestOfIT]

Hey, I just picked up some sanders chukkas. I have a US 13 (usually wear 13's) and they are a little tight in the toe box. Anyone have any experience with this shoe? Will they give a little or is it a no go?

 

[Fehr]

Hey, I just picked up some sanders chukkas. I have a US 13 (usually wear 13's) and they are a little tight in the toe box. Anyone have any experience with this shoe? Will they give a little or is it a no go?

Go half a size up to 13.5. That is what the folks at Sanders & Sanders recommend for the Hi-Tops.

 

[AndAllTheRestOfIT]

Go half a size up to 13.5. That is what the folks at Sanders & Sanders recommend for the Hi-Tops.

13 is the biggest size so I’m already at the limit.

I guess the snuff suede will give a little but nothing like half a size

 

[Fehr]

13 is the biggest size so I’m already at the limit.

I guess the snuff suede will give a little but nothing like half a size

Well, you lucked out. If the insoles are removable, you can try wearing without them. See if it relieves pressure on your toes.

This is what I did with my Astorflex Greenflex. It was snug all around until I removed the insoles and wore thinner socks.

 

[Johnniegold]

13 is the biggest size so I’m already at the limit.

I guess the snuff suede will give a little but nothing like half a size

If you don’t mind a slightly different style on the outsole, which is the oneI prefer with a more pronounced heel, try the Luther from Sanders as it has a rounder toe area as opposed to the more tapered area of the high top.

 

[AndAllTheRestOfIT]

If you don’t mind a slightly different style on the outsole, which is the oneI prefer with a more pronounced heel, try the Luther from Sanders as it has a rounder toe area as opposed to the more tapered area of the high top.

View attachment 2151229

View attachment 2151237

Interesting. I just took a look at their site and Sanders suggest going half a size down in the Luther. So TTS may be a good bet. Have you tried on the high top in the past? If so, what was your experience?

Thanks for pointing that out.

Now trying to find stock in the US to give them a try...

edit** The hi tops also come in a 'Sam' model made with the same SNO round toe last as the Luther

 

[Johnniegold]

Interesting. I just took a look at their site and Sanders suggest going half a size down in the Luther. So TTS may be a good bet. Have you tried on the high top in the past? If so, what was your experience?

Thanks for pointing that out.

Now trying to find stock in the US to give them a try...

edit** The hi tops also come in a 'Sam' model made with the same SNO round toe last as the Luther

I never tried the Hi-Top because I preferred the notched-heel of the Luther. I ended up with a 9.5 EU which is roomy in the toe. I may have been able to get away with a 9 but I’m fine with the 9.5

 

[mossrockss]

I just ordered these from Sid Mashburn: https://shopmashburn.com/products/sid-mashburn-chukka-boot-snuff-suede-s53461

Made in Spain. $450. Wondering who might be making them.

They fit small, though. I ordered my normal size 11US, and on the box the manufacturer label lists 45 (most EU makers, I'm a 44). But they're snug and fit more like a 10.5. So I ordered another half size up to see how it goes. But they're a great boot, with a great shape and the price is good considering Carmina is now nearly $600.