A box containing Rocky’s Coronado Chukka 5-inch coyote boots sat under my bed for too long. I live in a part of Florida where boots aren’t really needed, or so I thought. Flip-flops, tennis shoes or a pair of Crocs usually suffice, right? Besides, I’d get to the boots as soon as time allowed, or so I thought.
Things changed drastically when two hurricanes were forecast to hit southwest Florida – Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Hurricane Helene missed Sarasota, thank God. However, it made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend, and tore a path of deadly destruction across several states. Hurricane Milton arrived less than two weeks later and was supposed to make landfall on Siesta Key, which is just south of our home. It was time to go.
I put on the Rocky’s as soon as time allowed. They fit more like tennis shoes than boots. However, the laces were not up to the task. They were too thin and too short, more like what you’d wear on dress shoes. I replaced them with some 550 chord which was perfect and is still on both boots.
The Rocky’s were immediately comfortable. There was no break-in period, which is normally required by other boots. They’re more like tennis shoes. The instant they’re donned, they’re comfortable. You can see through the sides when they’re held in bright light.
I wore them for weeks – wet and cold and dry and comfortable. They’re simply the best boot you could encounter in southwest Florida. They feel like a tennis shoe but offer great support for your ankles. Nothing seemed to mar their appearance. A good wash was all that was required to make them like new again. They dried in only a couple of hours.
Despite weeks of rain and the hard work, the Rocky’s still look great. They took no damage at all, although the lace holes got a bit larger due to the parachute cord, which is thicker than the issued laces.
Bottom line: The Rocky’s Coronado Chukka 5-inch Coyote Boots have an MSRP of $158.00. For someone who lives in the tropics, who does not need insulation or anything else in their footwear, they’d be incredibly hard to beat.
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About Lee Williams
Lee Williams, who is also known as “The Gun Writer,” is the chief editor of the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project. Until recently, he was also an editor for a daily newspaper in Florida. Before becoming an editor, Lee was an investigative reporter at newspapers in three states and a U.S. Territory. Before becoming a journalist, he worked as a police officer. Before becoming a cop, Lee served in the Army. He’s earned more than a dozen national journalism awards as a reporter, and three medals of valor as a cop. Lee is an avid tactical shooter.
Thanks for the recommendation. I will get a pair to keep in my BOB. I’ll vacuum pack them using my food vacuum sealer. I do this for other stuff in my BOB to keep it compact, organized (especially if the stuff falls out of the BOB), and weatherproof. TIP: Cut a small notch on each side of the bag near the top (about half the width of the seal) then mark the cuts with a permanent marker so they are easy to see. These notches make it quick and easy to rip the bag open without tools. I really like… Read more »
Good tips. Vacuum sealing and adding a notch is very clever. Rocky, make great footwear.
I put my bob items in Ziplock bags. I put extra socks in the bags and when opened the bag can be resealed. I keep slippers in one to wear when around camp, but these boots look like they’d work better.
You should pack those socks in your mouth and seal your head in the plastic bag.
I also pack a change of clothes in Ziplock bags in case I should get wet. Dry clothes are a lifesaver when out in the woods. Recommend a small bag for fire tender and a lighter when out in wet weather as well.
Do they come in 16 R, for those of us with a bit larger feet?