Soul Jasper Chukka Review: A Wool-Cork Travel Shoe That Works Like a Slipper and Walks Like a Shoe

Introduction

The Jasper Chukka from Soul is a lightweight shoe that tries an unusual combination: a soft, slipper-like wool upper sitting on top of a thick, sturdy cork sole. The idea is a shoe you can wear comfortably around the house and still trust for a full day of walking around town.

At the time of writing, they are currently 40% off with an extra $20 off through the sale link, bringing the normal $145 price down to $67 through December 3rd. That discount makes this already interesting shoe worth a closer look.

Design and Aesthetic

The Jasper Chukkas look like a hybrid between a slipper and a cork-soled walking shoe. The upper is a blend of merino wool and bison fiber that feels incredibly soft while staying warm yet breathable.

The upper has very little structure, so it pretty much folds completely down for packing into a travel bag. That floppiness might sound like a problem on foot, but the laces do a surprisingly good job of fitting the fabric to your foot. Once laced, the upper forms well around the ankle and does not sag or feel floppy.

Comfort and Footbed

Soul is known for its footbeds, which come in a wide range of sizes and shapes and can be heat molded to fit your foot. In practice, the stock cork insoles that come with the Jasper Chukka are incredibly comfortable right out of the box, so there was little need to experiment with other styles.

The sole itself is made from thick, recyclable cork. It is firm enough to feel like a regular shoe, but the cork is also squishy, which makes it comfortable to walk in. The overall feel is a combination of a sturdy walking shoe on the bottom and a comfortable slipper on top.

Fit and Sizing

In a men’s size 11, these fit mostly true to size, though maybe a tiny bit small. The toe is not pressing against the front, but there is also not a lot of room in the toebox.

They do not come in half sizes, so if you are on the border or between sizes, it is best to round up to the larger size.

Weight and Packability

These are not ultra light, but they pack down surprisingly small. Because the upper is flexible, the whole shoe folds completely flat, so packed thickness is essentially just the sole plus whatever footbed is inside.

On a scale, each shoe weighs about 12.8 oz, which is just over a pound and a half for the pair. That places them firmly in the “very light” category rather than ultra light, and they are considerably more comfortable than many of the other ultra-light zero-drop shoes out there.

Everyday Performance and Weather

The outsole grip is a fairly basic grid pattern. That makes these perfect for walking around the city or town, and fine for easy trail walking, but they are definitely not hiking shoes.

The merino wool upper is treated with a water repellent. It stays breathable and warm on your feet and repels water decently in light drizzles, but if you wear these out in proper rain, your feet will eventually get wet.

In everyday use, they have worked great as a basic around-town walking shoe. The thick cork bottom is soft and comfortable and does not wear your feet out after walking all day, the upper is snug and form fitting, and indoors they feel like a comfy pair of slippers.

Buying Advice

At the sale price of $67 through December 3rd, down from the normal $145 with 40% off plus an extra $20 off through the sale link, these are a genuinely good deal if the slipper-meets-walking-shoe concept appeals to you.

They make the most sense for travelers and city walkers who want one shoe that handles an airport lounge, a hotel room, and a full day of walking. If you need serious weather protection or trail grip, look elsewhere.

Conclusion

The Soul Jasper Chukka pulls off its unusual concept well: a soft, warm, breathable wool upper that packs down flat, paired with a thick, squishy, yet supportive cork sole. Add strong out-of-the-box comfort and true-to-size-minus-a-touch sizing, and you get a very likable travel and around-town shoe, especially at the current discount.