While fashion has taken backseat in many people’s lives amid the unforeseen and unprecedented challenges of 2020, a few trends have emerged amid the chaos.
Chief among them is the appetite for comfy, cozy styles well suited to working from home, casual gatherings, running errands and weekend outdoor excursions. While these occasions may not be particularly inspiring from a sartorial standpoint, they represent opportunity for brands looking to remain relevant during a time where much of the world is shut down.
On Wednesday, fashion firm Deckers revealed its innovation department’s newest footwear creation. Led by Hoka One One co-founder and former CEO of outdoor brand Salomon, Jean-Luc Diard, the Decker X Lab has released the Ko-Z Chukka, touting it as the must-have silhouette of the fall season.
The chukka boot style for men and women is made with the under-foot feel of a plush house slipper, the performance features of an everyday sneaker and the ample cushioning of a recovery shoe, according to Decker X Lab.
Ethical and sustainable EcoTan sheepskin and cow suede uppers keep feet at an ideal temperature in both cold and hot climates, while a 10mm looped wool interior, which blends 80 percent natural wool and 20 percent recycled polyester, acts as a natural thermoregulator. An Xponent midsole, made with multiple layers of compression-molded EVA foam with gradient density, puts the softest cushioning next to the feet while becoming denser as it radiates outward.
According the Deckers X Lab, the shoe’s ultra-light and wide 3mm sponge rubber outsole is designed with Hoka’s Meta-Rocker geometry, which propels wearers forward by complementing their natural gait. Creating a smooth roll from first impact to touching off the ground increases efficiency, it added.
The Ko-Z Chukka is available in four color ways for men, including light grey, orange, taffy and black, and six color ways for women, including ice green, a floral print, light grey, black, orange and beige, retailing for $170 on DeckersXLab.com.