In Review: The $45 Stafford Darrel Cap Toe Chukka Boot

Stafford Darrel Cap Toe Chukka – $44.99 w/ FORYOU27

Note: Code FORYOU27 is good for 25% off and expires today, 11/8/16.

It’s hard not to love a good slim-soled chukka boot. They’re versatile, usually quite comfortable, and a perfect compliment to the common smart casual looks most of us favor on a daily basis.

But for those that are thinkin’ this is going to be a chukka version of the well loved Deacon and Gunner boots? You’d be mistaken. Slightly mistaken, but mistaken.

Simple cap toe. Nice shape. Just needs to have that too-perfect shine knocked off em’.

Look, multiple things can be true. And for these “Darrel” chukkas, here be your friendly, neighborhood affordable style blog editor’s interpretation of the facts:

1. The leather just isn’t as good as it is on the Deacons and Gunners
2. The leather is more than fine for a $45 boot

Made in India, the uppers are a nice shade of cognac, but a little too “perfect” looking. A bit glossy. They’ll almost certainly look better with use, but out of the box and during a try on, they’re not as pliable or as natural looking as the Decaon and Gunner. They seem to have more in common with the Nolan wingtip, albeit not quite as lifeless looking as those Nolans.

Sole has some traction, but is still slim enough to be dressed up.

Could they benefit from the black-shoe creme strategy that’s been used before on Stafford shoes? Yes they could, but I don’t know how well shoe creme is gonna take to these things. They’re pretty glossy. Not patent, but not real porous either.

The rest of the boot is great. Great shape. Sizing seems true, but be aware that the stiffness of the leather might cause a few problems to start. I was wishing I had worn thicker socks during the try-on due to that bit of rigidity. Soles are slim but still grippy. And the simple cap toe makes for a nice look up against jeans or cords.

Leather can lean lighter depending on the light they’re in (cloud cover vs sun, indoor vs outdoor)

Just don’t assume you’re getting that bizarrely awesome leather that comes with the Deacon and Gunner. You’re not. It’s better than you’d think it’d be considering the price, but it’s not quite as good as the still grand champions of all super affordable boots.