The Dive Watch Connection

Looking for something, not dress, that works well with jeans and cords, maybe suede. I know the usual suspects, just throwing this out there. I may very well have to go with an AE, if they even offer chukka options for a narrow foot. A lot of my casual stuff is Martin Dingman, so I can get away with a medium width sometimes. Thanks guys.

Red Wing makes a nice one.

I like Blundstones for working outdoors.

I also have these AE Knightsbridge boots, which are very comfortable!

I've owned various AE chukkas, and all have been good. You can often find good deals on their factory seconds page on boots/chukkas. I have owned several pairs of their chukkas, and whatever the issue is (small crease or blemish) is typically minor or forgotten about after one or two wears.
https://www.allenedmonds.com/factory-se ... oes-boots/

AE is a good choice. As noted, quality product and a wide variety of sizes. If you can't try before buying, just make sure you can return (usually not a problem). Sometimes your foot won't agree with whatever last a company uses for a particular style.

Alden also does them, but I'd look at AE first. I've had better experiences with AE calf leather than Alden's. Alden is great for shell cordovan, but I've found their calf leather tanning to be sub-par.

I'd steer away from some of the lower tier "dress shoe" brands like Johnston & Murphy or Cole Haan. The leather quality just isn't there, and it isn't too big of a financial step to move up to AE or Alden.

If you want something a bit more casual, Red Wing is a good choice as Ed suggested. You can also look at the Clark desert boot. I've never owned them but they have a huge following.

I've owned several pairs of Clark's desert boots. Solid for the money.... The original crepe sole version is super comfortable, but they are a lot more unstructured than AE's. Beeswax leather is tough and easy to restore with mink oil but it is not soft. Fairly crude design - basically a moccasin sewed to a layer of crepe. Crepe is slippery when wet FYI.

dnslater wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 05, 2021 9:06 am

I've owned several pairs of Clark's desert boots. Solid for the money.... The original crepe sole version is super comfortable, but they are a lot more unstructured than AE's. Beeswax leather is tough and easy to restore with mink oil but it is not soft. Fairly crude design - basically a moccasin sewed to a layer of crepe. Crepe is slippery when wet FYI.

Crepe also gets dirty, and it dries out and crumbles after a time. Can the Clark's be re-soled?

JBZ wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 05, 2021 10:20 am

Crepe also gets dirty, and it dries out and crumbles after a time. Can the Clark's be re-soled?

Yes, a lot of examples out there of people having replaced the crepe with Vibram soles.

Thank you, gentlemen. Tried on a pair of AEs today and unfortunately, I'll have to have their B width, 10B is the size of all my AEs. If it's not my damn skinny wrist, it's my damn skinny feet. I've got a pair of Wallabees that are not narrow, so maybe I'll look at the Clarks. I was hoping for something less pricey than AEs or Aldens (don't know how much I'll wear them), but I'll keep looking.

BlueSky wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 05, 2021 1:06 pm

Thank you, gentlemen. Tried on a pair of AEs today and unfortunately, I'll have to have their B width, 10B is the size of all my AEs. If it's not my damn skinny wrist, it's my damn skinny feet. I've got a pair of Wallabees that are not narrow, so maybe I'll look at the Clarks. I was hoping for something less pricey than AEs or Aldens (don't know how much I'll wear them), but I'll keep looking.

J Crew carries a line of casual suede chukkas for $158. I've actually had good luck with their footwear from a comfort perspective. But if you already have Clark's that fit, the desert boot may be the way to go if the lasts are similar

JBZ wrote:

BlueSky wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 05, 2021 1:06 pm

Thank you, gentlemen. Tried on a pair of AEs today and unfortunately, I'll have to have their B width, 10B is the size of all my AEs. If it's not my damn skinny wrist, it's my damn skinny feet. I've got a pair of Wallabees that are not narrow, so maybe I'll look at the Clarks. I was hoping for something less pricey than AEs or Aldens (don't know how much I'll wear them), but I'll keep looking.

J Crew carries a line of casual suede chukkas for $158. I've actually had good luck with their footwear from a comfort perspective. But if you already have Clark's that fit, the desert boot may be the way to go if the lasts are similar

I’ve been cycling through the J Crew ones for the past decade maybe. They all fall apart eventually (sole gets detached), but they fit me well and are super comfortable for me. I consider them disposable. Ideally I’d like to switch to something nicer, but I’m the type of guy with clothing that just continues buying something that works for me until they stop making them.

CHECK --
georgia boot - romeo
...for another idea

Wolverine makes a good ones for casual/work.


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Rossi boots. The real deal from Australia.

Blundstone is a good one. Also Australian (Tasmania). I was a Men’s shoe editor for Amazon for a couple years. Saw many of these up close. Great style.


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Alden unlined chukkas. Expensive, overpriced these days in fact, but I like them a lot.

Danner may be to casual, but these things are really comfortable. They are my go to in the "winter" time down here in FL.

https://www.danner.com/men/lifestyle/mo ... e-tan.html

and here is there version of the Chukka

https://www.danner.com/men/lifestyle/pi ... acken.html

manitoujoe wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 05, 2021 11:30 pm

Blundstone is a good one. Also Australian (Tasmania). I was a Men’s shoe editor for Amazon for a couple years. Saw many of these up close. Great style.


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they moved to china years ago. redback and rossi are the two that I know of that are still made in auxtralia.

Thanks again, guys. Good stuff and I appreciate it.

Check out the Canada West Romeo (for a slip on):

https://www.canadawestboots.com/romeo

The or Moorby line for lace up:

https://www.canadawestboots.com/mensmoorby

These are made in Canada, goodyear welted and sell for $250 CAD (which is a relative steal compared to other similar products). These guys have contracts with various Canadian police forces to supply footwear.

Jim Green offers some solid casual boots.
I picked up a pair of the Vellies last year and just got a pair of Outbacks.

https://jimgreenfootwear.com/product-category/all/
https://stridewise.com/best-desert-boot ... -vs-chukka

I like the Helm Declan ($250)..

Oakstreet ($375) makes a nice one...

Thursday Boot Co the Scout ( $150).....Thursday Boot Co and you don't have to break the bank...

I’m a big fan of Oak Street. They have some good year end sales.