Astorflex Greenflex Chukkas Review

---

An eco-friendly, genuine leather boot that’s handmade in Italy and costs less than two Benjamins? Count me in.

The Astorflex Greenflex Desert boots prompted three double-takes when I came across them at Huckberry. First for the rugged design, then for the “handcrafted in Italy” badge of honor, and finally for the unbeatable price.

Put those together and you’ve got a winning combination that instantly landed these in my shopping cart (the stone-colored pair, to be precise).

Take a look around and you’ll quickly see that I’m not the only guy to instantly fall in love with these premium chukkas.

What We Dig

What We Don’t

The Specs

The Verdict

The Greenflex Desert boot boasts a 4.5-star rating at Huckberry that’s backed by 260+ reviews, and the reviews are overflowing with praise, amazement, and satisfaction.

In short, I like them, my editor likes them, and the wisdom of the crowds says you’ll like them, too. But if you’re not sold yet, don’t worry — you will be by the time we’re finished here.

I’ll run through the nitty gritty details about what comes in the shoebox, then we’ll take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly from first-hand reviews.

About The Astorflex Greenflex Desert Boots

Astorflex is a family-owned business that’s been handcrafting boots in Northern Italy since the 1800s.

After passing the shoemaking craft down through six generations of family members, it’s safe to say that these guys are masters of their trade.

Style

The Astorflex Greenflex Desert boots are styled after the classic desert chukka boots favored by WWII-era soldiers. Over the years they’ve graced the feet of icons like Steve McQueen, and the timeless style means you’ll still spot them on celebs and fashion-conscious men and women today.

The great thing about desert chukka boots like these is their versatility. They’re fashionable enough to wear to the office on casual Friday, comfortable enough to wear around town on busy Saturdays, and rugged enough get a little dirty at the campground.

Materials

The Greenflex Desert boots feature a premium European leather upper that’s aged for 30 days in an all-natural concoction of oak bark, water, and powdered mimosa. Astorflex then softens the leather with natural ingredients to produce a supple, eco-friendly suede finish.

On bottom, the Greenflex Desert boots are finished with a 100% natural crepe rubber sole with an ergonomic footbed that’ll feel like you’re walking on pillows.

Colors

You’ll find the Astorflex Greenflex Desert boots in four earth-based colors: stone, sand, dark khaki, and dark chestnut. I personally prefer the stone-colored finish, but you honestly can’t go wrong with any of these.

Sizing

Considering that these chukkas are made in Italy, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they’re labeled in European sizes. Huckberry converts that into US sizes for your convenience, but you won’t find half-sizes like traditional American kicks.

The Astorflex Greenflex Desert boots run a little large, so Huckberry recommends sizing down if you’re normally a half-size shoe.

Customer Reviews

Understanding the tech specs is helpful, but reading first-hand accounts from the field is the best way to see how well the manufacturer’s description matches up with the finished product. In this case, you’ll be happy to hear that the reviews are even more convincing than the marketing materials.

I’d recommend browsing through the 260+ reviews at Huckberry if you’re on the fence, but if you’re short on time, here’s a sampling the commentary you’ll find online from their customers.

The Good

“[These] are the best desert boots I’ve ever owned, and I’ve had plenty over the years,” reports Herb P. “Great craftsmanship, and [a] 10 on the comfort scale!”

“These are the most comfortable shoes I own, period,” declares John K.

“You don’t really want anything fancy from a desert boot. You just want comfort and durability, and these fit the bill,” says Andrew R. “They seem to run large, so if you’re between sizes, I’d go with the smaller one.”

“Great construction,” comments John F. “A little more sturdy that the traditional desert boot. Love it.”

“I weighed several options before purchasing the Greenflex Desert Boot,” reports Joseph P. “I came into the purchase thinking I would likely buy Clarks’ famous version. I read reviews and comparisons, tried on Clarks in a store, and opted for this shoe. The fit is perfect. The quality construction is immediately apparent. They are comfortable beyond my hopes and look great. I expect to wear them a lot, for a very long time.”

“Love this boot, very well made,” says Neil W. “They were a bit too snug when I first wore them, so I wore them around the house for a few hours and stretched a little, and now [they’re] comfortable.”

The Bad

“These boots look awesome [with] high quality suede outers [and] super-soft leather inners,” says Patrick W.

“Unfortunately the fit is not right, and I don’t think I will be able to really wear them. The overall length is right with enough room in the toe, but [there are] weird pinch points on the side of the foot and I’m usually a standard B/D width. I really wanted to like these, but unfortunately [they’re] unwearable due to the blister / pressure factor.”

“Fit is extremely tight,” complains Michael S. “[The] boots are very stiff, impossible for me to wear. They need to be stretched with shoe trees.”

“I purchased this shoe awhile back but with a different color. I was so blown away on the comfort level, [they’re] literally the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. The style and look is also simplistic, which I prefer,” says Alvin S.

“So I purchased another one but in a darker color (dark brown). [I’m] very disappointed. I just started to wear them, and [it’s] definitely not the same experience as the first one. It’s pretty stiff, the sole is not as pleasing, and [they] recently started to give me abrasions in the back of my heel.”

The Ugly

Who am I kidding — there’s nothing ugly about these handsome chukkas.

The comparatively minuscule cluster of negative reviews indicates that some customers may run into sizing issues that lead to poor comfort, but even those unsatisfied customers admit that these Desert boots look fantastic.

As for the fit, Huckberry says the boots run a half- to a full-size large.

Don’t be afraid to exchange them if it’s not a perfect fit, though you should expect a short breaking-in period — which is par for the course with any pair of genuine leather boots.

Also, let’s not forget that these beauties are handcrafted, so there’s bound to be a little bit of variance between batches.

If you happen to get a pair of boots that doesn’t fit right or has a manufacturer’s defect, don’t be afraid to take advantage of Huckberry’s easy return process.

They don’t do exchanges, so you’ll have to return the first pair and purchase a new pair.

Our Recommendation: Get ‘Em

I’ll keep this short and simple: if you’re a fan of chukkas, you’re going to love the Astorflex Greenflex Desert Boots. They’re ruggedly handsome, unbelievably comfortable, and immaculately well crafted.

The trick to a happy marriage with these chukkas is to pick the right size and be prepared to break them in a little before you reach the pinnacle of comfort.

Keep in mind that they run a half- to a full-size large, so don’t be afraid to dip below your normal shoe size.

Once you break the leather in and the boots mold to the unique structure of your foot, you’ll enjoy a pair of chukkas that are built to last a lifetime.

A little style advice: chukka boots like these look their best when paired with jeans. Dress them up with a knit sweater at the office, then dress them down with a henley t-shirt on the weekend.

Whether you’re sitting in a chair all day or running errands around town, your feet will be comfy and cozy from dawn til dusk.

More Recommended Footwear

Sign up for our free email to join thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week.