**The Official Shoe Care Thread: Tutorials, Photos, etc.**

[Mercurio]

What’s the difference?

From my point of view, I feel that even though both fell in the same boots category and that the differences might be subtle, the main one between chukka and desert boots is that the latter tends to be lighter in weight as most would be unlined and has a floppier upper. An essential component of most deserts boots is that they have crepe rubber soles, most chukkas would have leather or Dainite, usually lined and more structured with a sturdier construction type.

Origin can also be considered:

On the one side, "The style can trace its origin back to the sport of Polo where a Chukker or Chukka is a seven and a half minute playing period. Chukka boots themselves also resemble the Jodhpur style worn by Polo players and they became very popular among off-duty players thanks to their high levels of comfort.",

On the other, "the Clark’s Desert boot was inspired by the boots worn by British Army soldiers during the Western Desert Campaign of the second world war. These boots were manufactured for British Army officers in Cario’s Khan el-Khalili bazaar and featured distinctive crepe rubber soles"

A chukka can be more easily dressed up and wore with more formal attires, the desert boot is quite informal and normally would be used only with jeans, chinos or corduroys. I wouldn't use a desert boot with flannel trousers but certainly would with proper chukka boots.

To illustrate what for me are the differences, from the same brand:

Loake Sahara desert boots:

Loake Pimlico chukka boots:

 

[Reiver]

From my point of view, I feel that even though both fell in the same boots category and that the differences might be subtle, the main one between chukka and desert boots is that the latter tends to be lighter in weight as most would be unlined and has a floppier upper. An essential component of most deserts boots is that they have crepe rubber soles, most chukkas would have leather or Dainite, usually lined and more structured with a sturdier construction type.

Origin can also be considered:

On the one side, "The style can trace its origin back to the sport of Polo where a Chukker or Chukka is a seven and a half minute playing period. Chukka boots themselves also resemble the Jodhpur style worn by Polo players and they became very popular among off-duty players thanks to their high levels of comfort.",

On the other, "the Clark’s Desert boot was inspired by the boots worn by British Army soldiers during the Western Desert Campaign of the second world war. These boots were manufactured for British Army officers in Cario’s Khan el-Khalili bazaar and featured distinctive crepe rubber soles"

A chukka can be more easily dressed up and wore with more formal attires, the desert boot is quite informal and normally would be used only with jeans, chinos or corduroys. I wouldn't use a desert boot with flannel trousers but certainly would with proper chukka boots.

To illustrate what for me are the differences, from the same brand:

Loake Sahara desert boots:

Loake Pimlico chukka boots:

That sums it up nicely. Both have a similar upper design.

 

[Reiver]

From what I have read, the usual recommendation with Astorflex is to go down at least half a size, as I have slim and low instep feet. As my usual size is 6 UK and it seems that this is their smallest size, it looks that I would not be able to try any of their models.

On the other hand, even though they might be cousins, I would not compare desert boots to chukkas as they have a different character not only in shape but in use.

I read the same sizing advice however when I found a good deal in my true size I decided to take a chance and I found them to be a perfect fit. I honestly don’t think I could size down at all.

I do have quite wide feet however and a relatively normal instep I believe.

 

[Reiver]

That is exactly why I went with the Luther rather than the Hi-Top. The bumper outsole is quite conspicuous on these playboy chukkas so, IMO, the notched heel gives it a bit more definition than the almost wedge-like sole of the Hi-Top.

Then again, I could be wrong as I have not put a lot of thought into this. ??






You lead and I will follow. ??

Will do! I haven’t currently got any photos of my own but will start a thread for us all to appreciate desert and Chukka boots.

 

[Reiver]

The Desert Boot and Chukka appreciation/review thread

Thought I would start a thread devoted to desert boots and Chukka boots. Feel free to post photos of yours and any reviews or friendly discussion.

www.styleforum.net

Done! Happy to acknowledge any input on the title. It’s the first thread I’ve ever started!

Hopefully it will start a good discussion about these iconic boots and help share some knowledge, reviews and of course great photos!

 

[Mercurio]

The Desert Boot and Chukka appreciation/review thread

Thought I would start a thread devoted to desert boots and Chukka boots. Feel free to post photos of yours and any reviews or friendly discussion.

www.styleforum.net

Done! Happy to acknowledge any input on the title. It’s the first thread I’ve ever started!

Hopefully it will start a good discussion about these iconic boots and help share some knowledge, reviews and of course great photos!

I started a similar thread a couple of years ago, without much success...
It didn't include desert boots in the title. Let's hope yours will have more followers.

Chukka appreciation thread

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...

www.styleforum.net

 

[CWV]

Changing the topic. Could anyone instruct me on what loose grain is?

 

[Reiver]

I started a similar thread a couple of years ago, without much success...
It didn't include desert boots in the title. Let's hope yours will have more followers.

Chukka appreciation thread

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...

www.styleforum.net

Let’s hope so and sorry yours didn’t work out back then!

 

[Reiver]

Changing the topic. Could anyone instruct me on what loose grain is?

I don’t know the technical reason but it is where your get large prominent creases which differ in appearance from normal creases.

I think it is usually due to less optimal parts of a hide being used when making a shoe. Some parts of the hide have more tendency to crease than others.

Some leathers just do this and it is considered part of the character I believe. I think it can happen with CXL but don’t quote me on that.

 

[Schweino]

I don’t know the technical reason but it is where your get large prominent creases which differ in appearance from normal creases.

I think it is usually due to less optimal parts of a hide being used when making a shoe. Some parts of the hide have more tendency to crease than others.

Some leathers just do this and it is considered part of the character I believe. I think it can happen with CXL but don’t quote me on that.

Correct, depends on the part of the animal where the hide is from. Belly hide for instance has very loose grain, which is considered to be of inferior quality..

 

[JFWR]

Correct, depends on the part of the animal where the hide is from. Belly hide for instance has very loose grain, which is considered to be of inferior quality..

Just like some girls I know.

 

[CWV]

Correct, depends on the part of the animal where the hide is from. Belly hide for instance has very loose grain, which is considered to be of inferior quality..

But I still don’t get what it is. A deep crease? Why is that “loose”? And what it is it’s relation with the grain?

 

[Mercurio]

But I still don’t get what it is. A deep crease? Why is that “loose”? And what it is it’s relation with the grain?

Some reading:

Looseness - www.leather-dictionary.com - The Leather Dictionary

www.leather-dictionary.com

QC or Not QC? When To Worry—Or Not—About Your Shoes’ Flaws - Stitchdown

At least for a minute, at least when they're brand new, we tend to want our shoes and boots to be perfect. The truth, though, is that quality shoemakers execute by hand many of the processes they use to build your footwear. Which means: variability is a given, and mistakes will be made. That said,

www.stitchdown.com

In-depth - Leather quality vs leather properties - Shoegazing.com

To judge leather quality is a science of its own, and many times people confuse leather quality with specific properties of various types of leather.

shoegazing.com

 

[CWV]

Some reading:

Looseness - www.leather-dictionary.com - The Leather Dictionary

www.leather-dictionary.com

QC or Not QC? When To Worry—Or Not—About Your Shoes’ Flaws - Stitchdown

At least for a minute, at least when they're brand new, we tend to want our shoes and boots to be perfect. The truth, though, is that quality shoemakers execute by hand many of the processes they use to build your footwear. Which means: variability is a given, and mistakes will be made. That said,

www.stitchdown.com

In-depth - Leather quality vs leather properties - Shoegazing.com

To judge leather quality is a science of its own, and many times people confuse leather quality with specific properties of various types of leather.

shoegazing.com

GREat thx!

 

[JFWR]

Basically, loose grain is indicated by deep, profound creasing, especially very early on in the shoe's life. All shoes become creased, but tighter grained leather shoes that creasing less.