By Lee Williams
SAF Investigative Journalism Project
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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