Desert boots have been a menswear staple for decades, and for good reason—they’re comfortable and look good with almost everything. A decade ago, I bought a pair (J.Crew’s McAllister boot), which I wore completely into the ground. Once they died, I didn’t replace them because my tastes became more dressy, and I started wearing more leather-bottom shoes more often—penny loafers, tassel loafers, and more elegantly shaped chukkas—and found canoe moccasins were ideal when I needed to go more casual.
However, I’m once again back on the desert boot train. My lifestyle as a dad means having comfortable, durable, not super expensive shoes is a must, and the reality of getting older means I now have to take into consideration some foot issues that rule out many shoes (don’t ask, I won’t tell LOL).
So on many recommendations, I gave Astorflex a try. I originally learned of them when a friend told me they are the factory that makes Drake’s Clifford desert boot. Drake’s charges over $300 for theirs, but Astorflex’s own is just over $100. The last is custom for Drake’s, but it’s a desert boot so the last can’t differ that much. Seemed like a no brainer.
I ordered two models from Astorflex to try: The Greenflex and the Driftflex. Both are based on the desert boot style: a fairly low-height two-eyelet chukka with a round toe on a crepe sole. But there are some differences:
- Structured, particularly the heel cup
- Fully lined
- Slightly lower height
- More bulbous, higher profile toe box
- Dark crepe sole
- Soft and unstructured
- Unlined
- Traditional desert boot height
- Lower profile toe box
- Light crepe sole
Of the two, the Driftflex is the truer expression of a desert boot, though the aesthetic difference between the two is pretty subtle in practical terms. Compared to the Drake’s version, these are most noticeably different in the toe box—the Drake’s has a low profile toe like the original Clark’s, or even the McAllister. I like that visually, but it’s not enough of a preference to spend an additional $200.
I ended up deciding to buy the Greenflex, primarily because I felt the structure of them would be more forgiving on my feet (but the Driftflex are the ones I like the most because they have that casual desert boot vibe a little more). I bought the dark khaki color originally, but decided for a boot I’d wear primarily in the summer, I wanted a color that would contrast less with my staple white jeans. I ended up buying them in Whiskey Suede (which is the same color Drake’s calls their boots; perhaps it is the same, it’s hard to tell from photos).
Several colors of the Driftflex are on sale right now at End. My favorite color, whiskey, is not, but at $119 shipped, they’re already a great price.
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I recently bought a couple of pairs of the Astorflex Greenflex desert boots in the Whisky, Dark Khaki & Chestnut colourways and I’d definitely recommend them. I heard on the grapevine that they were the manufacturer for Drakes’ desert boots and had previously thought they looked very similar construction wise. Nice quality Suede, especially at the price and I love the memory foam cushioning – very comfortable, right out of the box. There moc toe Dukeflex model has caught my eye as well.
I’ve been enjoying mine. They are a tad bulkier than the desert boots I’ve had before. I really like the lightweight, unlined aspect of the Driftflex, and could see myself getting a pair of those in the future, maybe in a lighter color. But, they’re kind of an under the radar brand if you’re not a menswear dude like me, so I want to get the word out!
Thanks for this article. Was really useful – I purchased the Greenflex and Driftflex as well, sizing down, and I actually found the unlined Driftflex to be much comfortable and less clumpy (is that a word…), they seem to mould to your foot more. I have a pair of Huttons and they are as comfy, if not more so. The toe is nicer as well and more desert boot style. The Greenflex are more chukka boot maybe. Cheers for the article though – was great for research.
Glad to hear! I often wish I’d gotten the drift flex, just not in the dark color but instead in the whiskey color. Ah well live and learn.
FYI – there are a few pairs of Astorflex in the Hip Store (UK) sale at the moment – 40%+ off…just picked up a couple of pairs :)