Chelsea boots are my favorite compromise between the design of traditional laced-up boots and the comfort of sneakers. You can easily dress them up or down, depending on the style you’re going for, and thanks to the stretch band on each side of your ankles, they’re comfortable to wear all day long.
That being said, not all Chelsea boots are made equal.
At Luxe Digital, we’ve written an entire story on the best Chelsea boots for men, so I know from personal experience that the build quality and comfort of the shoes can hugely vary from one brand to another.
One pair that stood out from our testing is Amberjack The Chelsea. The brand set out to create a traditional-looking pair of Chelsea boots with the level of comfort you might expect from a modern pair of sneakers.
The result is a lightweight and cushy pair of Chelsea boots you can easily wear all day long while still looking traditional.
Curious to know if they’re the right pair for you too? Let’s dive into my hands-on Amberjack The Chelsea boots review to figure that out together.
Perfect for the man-about-town, Amberjack The Chelsea takes the classic boot and supplies it with a contemporary twist—the brand’s elite craftsmanship and premium leather or suede really come into their own with this shoe.
At a glance
- Style
- Men’s Chelsea boots
- Materials
- Full grain leather, Italian suede or nubuck, with sheepskin lining
- Made in
- Portugal
- Colors
- 14 colors, including Obsidian, Chestnut, Copper and Grizzly
- Sizes
- 7 to 15, wide in select colors
- Shipping
- International, customer pays shipping and duties
- Warranty
- 2 years, covers manufacturing defects
- Returns
- Free in the contiguous US on orders over $70, final sale excluded
What we loved
- Water-repellent Italian suede
- Personalized fit thanks to the thermo-mouldable insole
- A supreme design melding the timeless Chelsea boot with a modern spin
What could be better
- Wide fits come in select colors only
Why you can trust Luxe Digital? Over the years, we’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of shoes at Luxe Digital. While we focus on designer sneakers, we’ve also gained experience with men’s Chelsea boots and pretty much every other shoe category for men.
Over the years, we’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of shoes at Luxe Digital. While we focus on For this particular review, I would argue that my expertise with sneakers is actually a plus, as it sets the bar for my expectations in terms of comfort. However, I recognize that this isn’t necessarily what every man is looking for in a pair of Chelsea boots. If you want something more traditional, you should check my list of alternatives further down below.
For more on how we test products, see our HAPPY philosophy for buying luxury products.
Hands-on review of Amberjack’s The Chelsea
Amberjack’s mission is to offer a modern spin on traditional men’s shoes. Their uppers are traditional-looking, while their soles are made with modern materials for all-day wear.
The brand lives up to its mantra: “Obviously good, secretly great.” We reviewed most of the other models in their collection, and they’re very consistent in applying modern tech to traditional men’s shoe styles.
Unboxing: Simple and sustainable
Amberjack worked hard to deliver carbon-neutral shipping for all its shoes. You couldn’t tell if you didn’t pay attention to the packaging, though.
The Chelsea boots were shipped in a single plastic-free box with two linen (not nylon) dustbags. On the bottom of the box, some playful text read, “Slip them on, already.”
It’s a simple yet effective unboxing experience that keeps the focus on the shoes.
Materials & craftsmanship: Unquestionable quality
Crafted by committed Portuguese craftsmen, The Chelsea reflects the passion intrinsic to the brand. With no detail left by the wayside, everything from the water-repellant suede to the feather-soft sheepskin lining joins forces to elevate this dress shoe to luxe new heights.
Aesthetic & design: Respect for traditions
Unmistakably a Chelsea boot but with a clear contemporary aura, Amberjack succeeds in bringing a timeless classic into the modern era with flying colors.
The wave-like midsoles pair with the subtly tapered shape to add a fresh feel. They can be easily paired with chinos and jeans.
Colors: Fourteen ways to stay classic
Amberjack currently offers The Chelsea in 14 colors across full-grain leather, Italian suede and nubuck, so you’ll have plenty to choose from. If you’d rather wear an Oxford, The Original dress shoe is the one to read about next.
It’s a safe selection of colors, though. From black to chestnut and dark brown (the brand calls it Grizzly), I’m confident you’ll find a couple of variants that work for you.
For this review, I tested the Grizzly in Italian suede (my personal favorite) and the Obsidian black in full-grain leather. Both are safe choices for Chelsea boots.
Comfort, fit & sizing: Now we’re talking!
In my opinion, this is the single most important section of this review. Comfort is really what sets Amberjack apart from its top competitors in the Chelsea boots category.
The brand is embracing modern technology to upgrade the traditional Chelsea boots. You’ll particularly feel it in the soles of the shoes. They are very comfortable to walk in. The upper is breathable and lightweight too.
For sizing, I wore my usual size with no problem. The brand says the shoes run true to size, and to take the smaller one if you are between sizes. If your feet are on the broader side, pick the wide option, or go up a half size when the color doesn’t come in one.
Care & maintenance: business as usual
The Grizzly suede comes water-repellent from the factory, so it needs no extra treatment out of the box. However, we advise popping in a tree horn to keep that sharp shape, and keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources like radiators and wood burners lest they dry out.
Price: Fair value
Given the premium quality and distinct design, you may expect to shell out a small fortune. Not so: The Chelseas are among the most comfortable dress shoes on the market and, at $205, they’re affordable luxury at its finest.
Who are Amberjack The Chelsea best for?
The Chelsea is a boot for the meticulous gentleman; the ultimate finishing touch to show onlookers you appreciate style and quality without falling victim to fickle trends.
If you want a traditional-looking pair of Chelsea with the comfort of contemporary sneakers, this is the pair to get.
Where to buy Amberjack The Chelsea boots?
To pick up The Chelsea boots or another style by Amberjack, your destination is their official website. That’s the best place to get the latest deals and discounts directly from the brand. Amberjack runs true to size across the Amberjack collection, and between two sizes you take the smaller one.
Amberjack backs every pair with a 2-year warranty and will repair or replace the shoes free of charge if a manufacturing defect shows up. Within the contiguous US, returns and exchanges are free on orders over $70 (final sale excluded). Outside the US, you pay shipping, import duties and any return shipping.
The alternatives: Looking for something else?
There aren’t many alternatives to Amberjack The Chelsea that will match their level of comfort. That being said, you should consider the following options from other brands we love if you want something else:
- For something a little more Scandi, head over to Axel Arigato
- Oliver Cabell are your alternative for a sleek, luxury sneaker
- The chunkier Chelsea by Koio is a must-have for the edgier man
Where to buy
Prices checked at time of review. We may earn a commission — it never changes your price or our verdict.
Products featured here are independently selected by our editors. If you buy through our retail links we may earn an affiliate commission — it never changes the price you pay, and it never decides our verdicts. Read our earnings disclaimer.
