Dear reader: I’m going to admit two things. The first is that I started writing this draft by hand in a notebook in an airplane flying somewhere over the western half of the United States—while wearing my pair of 5.11 Chukka boots. The truth is that they’re extremely comfortable, and they’ve since become my choice of footwear when traveling.
It’s not only that they’re comfortable to wear for extremely long periods of time due to their Ortholite insole, but they also make the wearer look more put-together even while wearing jeans. More importantly, the Vibram full rubber outsole really does grant the wearer more traction.
Have you ever noticed how wet and slippery public airport bathroom floors are?
The Vibram sole makes the difference from skating around the floor of a Hartsfield-Jackson bathroom after you deplane and try to take care of business.
The 5.11 Approach To Designing Chukka Boots
The second thing I’ll admit: 5.11’s Chukka boots are the only desert boots I’ve ever worn. Other than the history of the classic desert boots such as the Clark’s that I highlighted in Part 1 of this article, I have no practical experience. I mention this because I can surmise that the experience of wearing the 5.11 version with the Ortholite insole and Vibram outer sole probably isn’t like wearing the shoe with the original crepe sole.
While the 5.11 Chukka boot respects the original lines and styling established by the Clark’s pattern desert boot, their approach to designing the boot is deservedly more modern.
Using a firearms-related analogy (this is a firearms website, right?), one can think of the classic Clark’s Chukka as a standard 1.0 mm thick Type 4 stamped-steel Kalashnikov receiver, whereas the 5.11 Chukka is more akin to a Sharps Bros. modern-milled and beefy AK receiver. In other words, the 5.11 version of the desert boot is built on a completely different and more robust chassis.
It’s basically a hiking boot that’s fashioned to follow the classic lines of the Chukka. This design approach is what makes the 5.11 Chukka a true general-purpose boot. Not to sound like boring ad copy, but after wearing these since September 2024, they really do fit in anywhere where dressing with these boots makes sense—from a shooting bay full of gravel to wearing them on a date at a lounge (again, those overly slippery bar bathrooms).
Nuanced Practical Details
As mentioned previously, the 5.11 Chukka counts on a wider and rugged Vibram outer sole intended to provide traction nearly anywhere. The extremely cushy Ortholite insole feels like one of those good hotel pillows for one’s soles. Likewise, the upper of the 5.11 Chukka respects the classic of the Clark’s desert boot and even follows the same stitching pattern.
At the same time, it also has some subtle functional upgrades that help support the 5.11 Chukka’s more modern mission as a shoe.
For example, it has an extra eyelet on either side for laces. It’s three to a row as opposed to the Clark’s two per row. This allows the boot’s laces to cover additional surface area and also gives the wearer the ability to tie their laces with more tension for a greater degree of support—something useful when stepping on non-paved surfaces.
Similarly, 5.11 incorporated a finger loop that makes it easier to put on or take off the boots. The rear edge of the 5.11 Chukka’s opening has a section of a softer neoprene material that’s more elastic and less abrasive on the heel. I think this softer insert is one of the reasons why the boot is actually comfortable to wear all day. Even with the right socks, the edge of any shoe’s opening can rub too much and aggravate the heel.
Short of needing fully technical athletic support, going for a long walk while wearing these isn’t taxing at all. It’s also one of the reasons I personally like them for airport duty too.
Wearing 5.11 Chukka Boots
I’ve worn my pair since September on many different occasions, from going out to socialize to walking the dog for a few miles around the neighborhood. Laugh at me if you must, but the range is the only place I don’t wear these because it’s the muddy season. Honestly, they’re nice shoes, and I’d hate to soil them, considering how much mileage I already get from them.
On this note, I appreciate that the 5.11 Chukka boot’s leather material does not scuff too easily, either. My size 12 boots fit dead on and even spare a little extra space in the toe box (a must for all-day wear).
The only thing I can’t comment on is long-term durability. I’ve only been wearing these since last September, but thus far, I am very happy with them. I shall continue wearing them, and not just to the airport.
For more information, please visit 511Tactical.com.
