Men’s desert shoes are an essential casual footwear essential. They pair beautifully with both casual t-shirts and jackets like cardigans or trucker jackets for the ideal casual ensemble.
Nathan Clark noticed many soldiers wearing similar mens desert shoes while stationed in Burma in 1941 and brought back this design for use at his family-owned footwear company and presented them at a Chicago Shoe Fair event in 1949.
1. Clarks
Clarks may not have invented or popularised the chukka or desert boot, but they certainly popularised them. Their classic suede desert boots remain timeless staples that will never go out of style. Their Oakwood suede version typically costs around $130 in stores or on their website; however, they can often be found for much lower prices on Amazon.
Clark customised their design, making them his own and debuting them at the 1949 New York Shoe Fair. Today, these desert boots from Clarks have become essential casual wardrobe pieces – especially among people seeking something dressier than sneakers but less formal than oxfords and chinos.
2. Jadd
At over 60 years old, desert boots remain as fashionable and timeless as ever. One key difference between desert and chukka boots lies in their sole material – crepe rubber is essential in desert boots!
These desert boots boast a dressy appeal with their bouncy sole, making them the ideal pair for tailored pants and looking to switch up your footwear this summer. Why not consider these comfortable brown desert shoes.
Jadd was established in Suffolk and uses vegetable-tanned leather and stitch-down construction to craft its mens desert shoes, making them more expensive than their Clark counterparts but ensuring longer durability. They offer various colour choices – my personal favourite being chocolate brown.
3. Astorflex
Astorflex has created this eco-friendly chukka shoe known as “la Scarpa Buona,” or “the Good Shoe.” Crafted of brown suede, they boast an unlined desert boot style design featuring an unresolvable Goodyear Welt and brick red Vibram Gumlite sole. Perfect for work attire like tan chinos with navy blue hopsack blazer or slim-fit denim and a plain white T-shirt or simply lounging around at leisure on sunny days outings.
Guys who prefer vegetable-tanned leather should consider the Astorflex men’s desert shoes, which offer the purest representation of desert boot design available today. Unfortunately, their casual yet boxy silhouette may be unsuited to guys searching for more structured options like Thursday’s Scout. Regardless, Astorflex should definitely be considered.
4. Red Wing
Red Wing’s sturdy work boots have long been known for their hardy construction, yet their unlined chukka with Vibram sole provides the ideal blend of ruggedness and comfort. A Goodyear welt extends the longevity of these timeless boots, allowing for future resoling as needed.
Desert boots, first made famous by British soldiers more than 50 years ago, have since become wardrobe essentials for menswear enthusiasts everywhere. Their casual yet rugged appeal makes them the ideal match with dark denim jeans.
Red Wing’s version boasts a Goodyear welt and uses definite rubber, which is tough, waterproof and non-marking – ideal for anyone interested in keeping their money within the US economy. In addition, its robust leather makes this shoe an attractive alternative.
5. Jim Green
From soft suede to sturdy soles, our collection of mens desert shoes covers it all. With styles like Church’s Ryder boots crafted with rugged, rough suede material and Crockett & Jones Chukkas with Dainite rubber soles – you are certain to find shoes suitable for your style!
Though they might appear counter-intuitive, desert boots pair perfectly with tailoring. A sharp silhouette like Aurelien’s in tan suede with lace fastening is perfect for creating the ultimate smart casual look; T-shirts or casual polos also work nicely before finishing the look off with a neutral-coloured chore or trucker jacket.
Jim Green of South African Shoemaker fame offers ruggedly handsome desert boots at an extremely reasonable price point. Their Vellie model stands out as being budget-friendly while still featuring timeless features such as a genuine rubber crepe sole. If you are looking for the perfect footwear to match your casual t-shirts and jackets, check out mens desert shoes now.