It might seem a bit counterintuitive, but wearing boots in the summer is a great idea. Sure, pop on the flip-flops or other casual summer shoes: it makes perfect sense. But the fact is that there are gonna be times you need some men’s summer boots. Discover the best of the best summer boots for 2023 in your ultimate list below.
The Palladium Pallabrouse is probably one of two of the most unique-look men’s chukka boots in the list (along with #9, the Skechers). For starters, it’s Palladium’s “baggy chukka boot,” with the exaggerated upper in the ankle area that can be folded over and buttoned.
Palladium does have a “regular” Pallabrouse chukka that doesn’t have the fold-over-able ankle material and it is very good looking. Both the regular and this baggy version feature a cotton canvas upper, so it’s going to be lighter and more breathable. It’s got a rubber sole and a canvas inner lining.
Available in six different colors, shown in “woodling/honey.” Fun fact: Palladium started making the Pallabrouse for the French Foreign Legion in 1949.
If you’re looking for the best pair of chukkas for the summer, look no further than Clarks Bushacre 2 Chukka boot — and, more specifically, the white colorway. These boots are near perfection when paired with a maroon or other dark colored pair of chinos. They’re classy-looking without being pretentious.
There’s also a blue suede option that deserves a look, although they’re currently sold out. Bummer. The white chukka boots will be more versatile, anyway.
The Ariat Lookout Chukka Boot features an all-leather premium grain upper. The look is “distressed leather.” It qualifies in the men’s summer boots category because of its comfort factor.
It’s designed for “everyday comfort” according to Ariat, and that can be seen in the “4LR Four-Layer Footbed.” The sole is a Duratread sole. These are very popular boots: out of nearly 100 customer reviews, they’ve got a 4.3 out of 5-star rating average.
Fun fact: Ariat was founded in 1993 as a maker of performance footwear for equestrian athletes in the English and Western performance categories. They’ve obviously branched into casual wear and they say their products have been seen being worn by country music stars Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Lyle Lovett and others.
Timberland is in the stratosphere in terms of its street wear popularity, thanks largely to its iconic Timberland Premium Waterproof Boot. That’s a great boot to rock any time of the year, but, obviously, a bit on the “heavier” side.
When it comes to something lighter, the Groveton Chukka Boots fit the bill. The upper is a leather/canvas combo, with the foot portion being 100 percent leather and the upper is canvas, which means it’s lighter and more breathable. Timberland calls this a “sneaker inspired” boot and it does feature a synthetic sole with beveled lug sidewalls.
You could call this the granddaddy of men’s chukka boots, given the fact that it was Nathan Clark who invented the Desert Boot back in the 1940s. Clarks has been resurgent on the popularity front, thanks in no small part to the fact that recording artist Drake collaborated with Clarks recently on his own signature style of Desert Boots.
These are the classic — with a bit of an update since they’re done in a taupe canvas. They’re available in a ton of different colors, including different upper/sole color combinations. That sole, by the way, is the classic Clarks crepe sole that’s been part of the Desert Boot since the beginning. I have a different pair of Clarks and I can attest to the comfort of the crepe.
If customer reviews are important to you, you’ll want to take note that this boot has been reviewed nearly 3,000 times and it has a 4.3 out of 5-star rating average.
These chukka boots by Reef are very close in style to the iconic Clarks Desert Boots, but there are certainly some unique Reef touches that sets this style apart. The upper is suede leather, with a pigskin tongue and heel lining. That upper is water resistant, by the way.
The boots feature a soft contoured premium corduroy sockliner with arch support. Shown in khaki color, the boot is also available in “bungee” color, which is a dark brown suede. Reef says its Voyage boots feature “no break in period for instant comfort.”
This men’s chukka boot comes in the classic chukka suede material and it’s just a bit more on the dressy side, as is fitting of a Cole Haan piece of footwear. The upper is all leather suede and the sole is rubber. Cole Haan describes it as “innovative rubber unit bottom cored out with “grand.os” technology.”
Shown in “bourbon” color – which is my color of choice for the summer – the boot is available in six different colors. This one gets very favorable ratings, with a 4.4 out of 5-star rating average.
Shown here in a Dark Olive suede, these Thursday Boot Scouts are a fantastic, high-quality chukka boot that you can wear all summer long. While I’d avoid the flashier brown leather option, the three suede options (this one, cognac, and midnight) are all great additions for your summer wardrobe.
They slip on with ease, and there are no long laces to tie. They’ve got gripping on the bottom so they’re not as slippery as the average boot.
As far as sizing is concerned, Thursday Boot Company recommends ordering half a size down from your sneaker size.
A very affordable entry in the men’s summer boots category. These “Recent-Handlers” (don’t ask me where the name comes from, even the Skechers website doesn’t say) are a pigskin suede upper with synthetic overlays at the heel and collar.
Both the tongue and the ankle collar are padded and the insole is Skechers’ proprietary Air Cooled Memory Foam cushioned. It’s a two-eye lace up and it does have the fabric pull-on tab at the heel.
The light brown upper is contrasted with the orange detailing on the top part of the mid-sole, as well as the orange Skechers logo on the tongue and heel.
Canvas boots are fantastic for the summer, as they’re lighter and more breathable than leather. Check out the Doc Martens Alfie Boot if you’re looking for a great canvas boot.
There’s an awesome black canvas option that is more of a sublimated black that’s almost actually a charcoal gray. This gives you a lot of pairing options, making them quite a versatile boot. And at under $50, they’re priced right!
Another one from the category of men’s summer boots that hews closely to the classic Clarks Desert Boot. These chukkas from Kenneth Cole Reaction are in low-cut profile and feature premium suede uppers with contrasting stitching.
They’ve got a contrasting two-tone mid-sole and a rubber sole. The insole is cushioned and they feature a one-inch heel. Three-eye lace-ups, with “hidden” eyelets (i.e., they’re simply plain eyelets).
These are a very popular men’s chukka boot, with more than 360 reviews and a 4.2 out of 5-star rating average. Shown in olive suede color, they’re available in 25 different colors, including some BA red suede. Our second pick would be the walnut colorway.
The copper color shown is fantastic and these boots from Golden Fox come in four other tones. The upper is all leather and they’re lined with pigskin.
The profile of these chukkas is a bit lower, but they’re definitely chukkas. The boots feature “dual density” arch support and a cushioned insole for shock absorption. The outsole is lightweight rubber (fitting for men’s summer boots) that features traction treads and oil resistant qualities. They feature Goodyear welt construction, so they are durable.
Golden Fox says they’re “easy wearing” and we definitely think they’re easy on the eyes.
* A “chukka” is a period of play in the game of polo. They’re seven-and-a-half minute periods and there are usually six of them in a polo match. It’s also called a “chukker,” which ain’t to be confused with the bird, “chukar.” And don’t chuck this list. Share it!
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Tom’s has quite a few pairs of great boots, but for the summer, your best option from them is their Hawthorne boot. It has a rubberized sole with all the grip you could want, while still remaining ultra stylish. There are three colors available including black, peanut brown, and dark toffee – each of which makes a great addition to your wardrobe.
In my opinion, the best option here is the dark toffee leather, which has a beige sole and stitching to match. They’re all made from full-grain leather and are waterproof, so they’ll stand up to the summer rain just fine.
Remember that every pair of shoes you purchase from TOMS they’ll also give a new pair of shoes to a child in need, making this option more attractive for brand conscious buyers.
These London Fog Belmont Chukka boots are the perfect canvas boots, with equal parts value and style. The grey and black color option are the best-looking of the bunch, with an off-white sole and stitching. The sole is rubber with small grip lines, and the laces are long enough for a double tie.
The two-tone look on the featured kicks is really sexy, they have a casual yet formal look that you will love every time you put them on. Make sure you don’t sleep on all the different colors and styles that these dope kicks are available in. There are currently a ton of sizes and also 5 different colors.
Doc Martens have a long history in street wear and they’ve recently made another surge in popularity. The Mayport Chukkas are a good example of the brand bringing contemporary fabric and styling into the mix.
This boot features a casual chambray twill upper in a two tone flecked design. It’s got the iconic Dr. Martens air-cushioned sole and the branded heel loop for easy-on/easy-off. Two-eye lace fastening. Shown in black, these chukka boots are available in nine different colors.
This is a somewhat unique men’s chukka boot because it comes from the creator of the Chelsea boot. Blundstone, headquartered in Tasmania, has been making boots since 1870 (they’re one of the creators of the Chelsea boot).
These chukkas are definitely men’s summer boots that are suitable for “a hike through the brush or a bite to eat on the town,” according to Blundstone. They’re an all leather upper with contrasting (and good looking) stitching at the footbed. They’re a bit on the darker side, so you might not want to wear them on the hottest days of the summer.
They feature the crepe sole that is, according to Blundstone, “crafted with the Blundstone shock protection system that disperses shock at the heel strike and reduces skeletal stress on the feet, knees and vertebrae.” In other words, comfy, comfy, comfy. (I have a pair of Blundstone Chelsea boots and they are exceedingly comfortable.) Shown in rustic brown.
Chelsea boots are another essential for those looking for great boots to add to their closets before the summer – mostly because you’ll typically find Chelsea boots in suede and canvas as opposed to leather.
Here, we’ve got these ultra light New Republic Chuck Suede Boots in a light tan color with detailed craftsmanship. Their quality is unmatched, with a back spine that just won’t quit. The elastic gussets that chelsea boots offer make them a great, quick on and off option for the summer.
It's not all about the sneaks or flip-flops. Men's summer boots are it. Chukka Boots keep you really cool.