The Clarks model has been round since 1825, imagine it or not. Since its inception, their desert boot has turn out to be a males’s fashion stalwart, however the query is whether or not or not the long-lasting Clarks Desert Boot actually stands the check of time.
On this complete, long-term Clarks Desert Boot assessment, I’m going to go over the historical past of Clarks, clarify the distinction between chukkas and desert boots, delve into the fashion & design, the standard & craftsmanship, consolation & sturdiness and shoe sizing & worth.
Moreover, I’ll get into the professionals & cons, most significantly how they’ve held up over the previous 7+ years, and eventually wrap issues up with my desert/chukka boot suggestions and whether or not or not I feel they’re price it.
Let’s get began.
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AN ABRIDGED HISTORY OF CLARKS DESERT BOOT
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The Clarks story started nearly 200 years in the past when Cyrus and James Clark based the corporate in 1825. It wasn’t till 1950 that the Clarks Desert Boot was born.
Since its humble beginnings, the desert boot has made its mark as a standing and cultural image around the globe. Worn by beatniks, mods, Jamaican impolite boys, Britpop bands just like the Beatles, from Tokyo to London, from Paris to Kingston—the long-lasting Clarks Desert Boot attraction nonetheless endures to today.
WHAT IS A CHUKKA BOOT?
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Usually, the desert boot — aka a chukka boot is an easy shoe with open lacing and two or three pairs of eyelets. You’ll sometimes discover this ankle-high boot in suede or leather-based. A fast sidebar: this new shearling desert boot, Todd Snyder x Clarks collab is one you’ll need to take a look at.
Do you know {that a} type of chukka, popularized because the desert boot, has its origins within the British navy? Due to its comfortability and sturdiness in harsh desert circumstances, chukkas grew to become many troopers’ leisurewear of selection.
It’s been stated that the chukka boot is the primary dress-casual shoe, which permits for super versatility. Chukkas can play properly with a swimsuit, and might simply be worn informal with darkish wash denims and a white tee. The Clarks Originals Desert Boot is a real traditional with its distinctive silhouette. No different shoe or boot is sort of prefer it.
The underside line:
The desert boot straddles the fence between dressy and informal—leaning extra so on the informal aspect. Fits turn out to be effortlessly cool with chukkas and your informal choices are limitless.
Fast be aware: Should you’re having fun with this Clarks Desert Boot Evaluate, you then’ll most likely like this information on 7 Superior Boot Kinds for Males.
ARE CHUKKA AND DESERT BOOTS THE SAME?
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Briefly, no. Very similar to liquor—all bourbon is whiskey, however not all whiskeys are bourbon—all desert boots are chukkas, however not all chukkas are desert boots. Complicated?
Properly, the first distinction between chukkas and desert boots is that the chukka boot is inherently extra dressy than the desert boot and infrequently made with high-quality Horween and full-grain leathers.
Moreover, chukkas lean in direction of having dressier and sleeker silhouettes which lets you costume it up with a swimsuit, whereas desert boots are finest worn extra casually.
Lastly, an indicator of the desert boot is the spongy crepe sole that make them ultra-comfortable, whereas chukka boots sometimes have a extra sturdy building with a dainite sole for instance.
STYLE & DESIGN
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As talked about beforehand, the Clarks desert boot has a particular silhouette that’s immediately recognizable. What as soon as was worn as practical footwear has developed to turn out to be each fashionable man’s good informal boot of selection.
What’s distinctive about my Clarks desert boot is the unmistakable Beeswax colorway. It’s a full-grain leather-based higher that’s comparable in building to a Saddleback bag. The leather-based is well marked which might add a definite character to every boot.
The desert boot’s design leans extra informal in my eyes, though you may costume them up too. I really feel that they’re most at dwelling worn casually with denims and a rugged area jacket.
See Clarks Desert Boot Value
Associated: You is likely to be on this Greatest Chukka Boots Final Information.
QUALITY & CRAFTSMANSHIP
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By way of high quality and craftsmanship, the Clarks desert boot is nicely made, even when it’s made abroad. Vietnam is now the number one exporter of textiles on the earth, surpassing Bangladesh and even China.
And I’ve gotta say, my homeland makes some high quality merchandise. The Clarks desert boot doesn’t have a lot of a lining. The leather-based higher is comprised of a single piece of leather-based with medium weight.
As for the stitching, it’s not a goodyear welt, however in line with the Clarks group, the boots are Blake stitched a stitchdown building. A advantage of a blake stitched shoe over a GYW is that blake sew footwear are inclined to have a sleeker look, thus make for a extra refined trying costume shoe.
Whereas good 12 months welted footwear can have a extra rugged look, making them the proper welt building for a lot of forms of boots. With a stitch-down building there’s sometimes a tighter seal across the welt, midsole and sole which might make for a extra weatherproof boot with a extra rugged look.
The beeswax leather-based higher is reminiscent to that of Saddleback leather-based. Additional tough, rugged and easy with the kind of leather-based that’s susceptible to scratches and markings. This enables for each boot to develop a singular look by the times, weeks and in the end years of wear and tear.
Product Particulars
- Full leather-based higher
- Absolutely leather-based lined
- Crepe sole
- 0.5″ platform
- 1″ heel
- Made in Vietnam
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ARE CLARKS DESERT BOOTS COMFORTABLE?
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By way of match and luxury, the delicate crepe sole positively aids in a snug step. They’re neither vast nor slender and match my toes correctly, whether or not I’m carrying no-show socks or thicker merino wool socks.
I’ve worn these boots for a few years and by no means skilled discomfort in my toes or toes. As of now, Clarks solely gives an ordinary medium width which I really feel is enough for males with common to even barely wider toes.
The break in interval for the Clarks desert boots is faster than different extra rugged boots I personal just like the Wolverine 1000 Mile or Thursday President Boot. That is primarily because of the boot’s kind issue and comfy crepe sole.
The walkability of those boots is sort of good, though it’s not operating sneaker stage of consolation. Nonetheless, you may stroll all day lengthy with out feeling any discomfort in my expertise.
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HOW THE BOOTS HAVE HELD UP (AFTER 7+ YEARS)
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Over the previous 7 years, my Clarks desert boots have gone by lots of of wears, although it’s price mentioning that I haven’t worn them a lot within the final 2 years.
I did begin carrying them once more in preparation for this assessment as I wished to get a really feel for the boots once more. Total, these boots have held up nicely via the years and even constructed a definite character of its personal as you may see by the distinctive scratches and markings.
I recall early on in these boots’ life, taking them on a visit to Italy. We did a ton of strolling by the cobblestone streets and museum halls. All was good till…
I bear in mind it rained closely sooner or later and I regretted carrying them as a result of the crepe soles aren’t suited to moist circumstances. The rain seeped by the soles and my toes had been soaked. After that day, I by no means wore them within the rain once more.
One space which may disappoint you over a few years of wear and tear is the spongy crepe sole. It will get soiled fairly simply and isn’t all that straightforward to wash up. For the sake of a good assessment, I made a decision depart the only as is and as you may see, it’s fairly nasty.
It will possibly additionally turn out to be sticky and entice every kind of particles and hair which isn’t essentially the most enticing sight. I usually put on my desert boots casually and so the soiled soles don’t trouble me a lot.
Fast be aware: Should you’re having fun with this Clarks Originals Desert Boot Evaluate, you then’ll most likely like this long-term Thursday Boot Evaluate.
WHERE ARE CLARKS DESERT BOOTS MADE?
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The USA within the Clarks identify is deceptive as a result of most of Clarks lineup together with the favored desert boots are made in Asia. My pair is particularly made in Vietnam. It’s price mentioning that there are variations of the Clarks desert boot that you could find made with Italian leather-based.
The unique desert boot was in fact made in England, however I think about they now supply from Asia to maximise their bottom-line. Gotta love capitalism.
ARE CLARKS DESERT BOOTS SLIP RESISTANT?
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These boots carry out pretty nicely in moist circumstances, ie. you gained’t be slipping round like with leather-based soles. That stated, crepe soles aren’t precisely ultimate for wet climate as talked about above.
I nonetheless bear in mind being caught in a rainstorm in Rome a few years again and after awhile the rain started to seep by the crepe sole and into the footwear which was unlucky.
ARE CLARKS DESERT BOOTS TRUE TO SIZE?
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I’m usually a measurement 7.5 to eight relying on the model. The dimensions I bought for Clarks desert boot is 7.5 UK and eight US and so Clarks runs practically true to measurement. I’d measurement down for those who’re between sizes. As of now, on their web site, they solely supply a single customary medium width.
The boots match nicely with thinner socks, though barely free. However once I put on thick winter socks, the boots are completely comfortable and much more comfy.
Clarks Desert Boot in Beeswax
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLARKS DESERT BOOT AND BUSHACRE?
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Whereas they each have comparable silhouettes, customary 2 eyelet system and a suede or leather-based higher, the first distinction between the Clarks Desert Boot and ever standard Bushacre 2 Chukka Boot is that the previous options the unmistakable crepe sole whereas the latter has a tough and easy rubber sole.
The crepe sole could also be extra comfy and lighter, however it’s much less put on resistant than the hardwearing rubber sole of the Bushacre which will definitely maintain up higher over the lengthy haul.
Associated: You may like this long-term Thorogood Boot Evaluate.
ARE CLARKS DESERT BOOTS GOOD FOR WINTER WEATHER?
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In my view, Clarks are higher for summer time climate than they’re for winter climate. There’s no insulation in any respect, only a single piece of leather-based and that’s not sufficient to maintain your toes heat.
I by no means actually put on them within the winter time until I’m carrying ultra-thick and heat winter socks, even nonetheless it’s a significantly better boot for spring, fall and even summer time, making it a stable 3 season boot.
Should you’re in search of the proper winter boot at an analogous worth level, take a look at Timberland’s premium 6-inch waterproof boots. The Primaloft insulation is subsequent stage when it comes to holding your toes heat and comfy.
MY CLARKS DESERT BOOTS RECOMMENDATIONS
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As I browsed by the Clarks web site, right here’s the types and colours that caught my eye, that I like to recommend proper now. For starters, they now supply vegan variations of their standard Wallabee and Authentic Desert Boots.
Clarks Desert Boots to Verify Out
In fact, the ever present Clark’s Originals desert boot is a go-to for starters. These chukkas are available principally impartial shades of brown, navy and sand. Personally, I’d for a darker brown and even burgundy for extra magnificence and flexibility or a lighter shade in suede for extra informal get-ups.
CLARKS DESERT BOOTS PROS & CONS
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PROS:
- Immediately recognizable, a perpetually traditional, iconic shoe
- Easy, clear boot design that’s excessive in character and straightforward to fashion
- The Beeswax leather-based develops distinctive creasing and markings over time
- Many a leather-based and suede colorways to select from
- Comfy boots which you can stroll in all day
- Reasonably priced worth level of principally $150 (and is commonly on sale)
CONS:
- Not good for winter
- Not good for moist circumstances
- Crepe sole will get tremendous soiled
ARE CLARKS DESERT BOOTS WORTH IT?
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Over 7 years later, I actually can’t complain concerning the situation of my boots. The worn in beeswax leather-based has aged gracefully, with distinctive marks all through the boot’s higher.
Certain, the crepe sole seems to be fairly disgusting and I haven’t actually cared to wash it up, however general I’m impressed that the boots are nonetheless wearable and extra comfy now than they had been initially.
At sub $200, you’re paying for a timeless boot that’s extra distinctive than most. This quintessential favourite doesn’t sacrifice fashion or consolation both.
Finally, I extremely suggest the unique Clarks Desert Boot. It makes for an ideal first boot so as to add to any man’s footwear assortment. It’s actually an unique.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT CLARKS DESERT BOOTS?
Let’s proceed the dialogue over within the Gents Inside Personal Fb Group.
Trying ahead to seeing you in there.