In Haiti, Daniel Craig’s Bond trades tailoring for something made for the road. The Church’s Ryder III chukka boots are plain dark brown suede, ankle-high, with a rubber sole and no ornament at all. They are, in our view, the most sensible casual boot to take from his wardrobe into yours.
In the film
Bond wears the Ryder III in Quantum of Solace (2008), including the Port-au-Prince scenes in Haiti in which he rides a motorcycle. They belong to the film’s casual wardrobe, a small group of outfits away from the tailoring. The Ryder III is also recorded in Casino Royale, though Haiti is where it is best remembered.
The details of the Church’s Ryder III chukka boots
Dark brown suede. The upper is soft Castoro suede in a deep, even brown. Dark suede hides marks better than a pale desert boot, which makes it the easier one to live with.
Goodyear welt. The sole is stitched to the upper through a welt rather than glued. That matters more than any other detail here: when the sole wears down, a cobbler can unpick it and fit a new one without damaging the rest of the boot. Looked after, the sole and heel can be replaced repeatedly.
A rubber sole. The film pair has a rubber sole. It keeps the boot slim and gives grip on wet ground, and it is why this chukka reads as a smart shoe with a casual attitude.
Extra internal lining. Church’s adds a lining inside the boot to prolong its life, which is sensible for a pair you intend to wear often.
Wearing it now
This is the boot for autumn and spring, when a shoe is too formal and a trainer too slack. It suits a quiet casual wardrobe: dark selvedge or washed indigo denim, stone or olive chinos, a navy crew-neck, a plain overshirt. We would also wear it with an unstructured wool suit in grey or navy, with the shirt open at the collar and no tie. Leave it at home with shorts or anything shiny.
Care. Brush the suede with a suede brush after wearing and let damp pairs dry naturally, away from radiators. Use a protector spray before the first outing. Resole through a good cobbler, or through Church’s own repair service, before the welt is damaged.
Sizing. Church’s uses its own fitting numbers: a size 90 corresponds to a UK 9. Try them on if you can, or ask the retailer about fit before you order.
Finding a pair. The Ryder III is no longer in Church’s range, so the button searches eBay for second-hand pairs.
A caution about the current range. At the time of writing, the Ryder on Church’s own site is the Ryder LW, which has a lightweight double sole. It is a different model from the film pair. If you want the film version, look for a Ryder III described as rubber soled, and check the sole carefully whether you buy new or pre-owned. Good second-hand pairs are worth considering for a Goodyear-welted boot.
Specifications
| Model | Church’s Ryder III chukka boot |
|---|---|
| Upper | Dark brown suede |
| Sole | Rubber (film pair) |
| Construction | Goodyear welted |
| Lining | Extra internal lining |
| Sizing | Church’s fitting 90 = UK 9 |
| RRP | See the retailer’s page. The current Ryder LW, a different model, is US$1,200, RRP at the time of writing, October 2026. |
For current Church’s boots and care services, see Church’s own site.
Questions
Did Bond wear Church’s Ryder III boots in Quantum of Solace?
Yes. Bond wears the Ryder III in dark brown suede with a rubber sole, notably in the Haiti scenes where he rides the motorcycle.
Is the Ryder III the same as the Ryder LW?
No. The Ryder LW now on Church’s site has a lightweight double sole. The film boots have a rubber sole, so check the sole before you buy.
Can Church’s Ryder III boots be resoled?
Yes. They are Goodyear welted, which means a cobbler can replace the sole without damaging the upper. That is much of why they are worth owning.
What should you wear with chukka boots?
Dark denim, chinos, knitwear and an overshirt are the obvious answers. They also work with a relaxed wool suit. Avoid anything too formal or too sporty.
For more of Bond’s footwear, see our shoes collection, the Quantum of Solace page, or the wider world of Daniel Craig’s Bond.
In the same spirit
Current dark suede chukkas in the spirit of the film pair:
