Anonymous

Great boots! Run at least a half size large (if not a full size). Still breaking them in, but it's what you'd expect with leather boots. Sprayed them with a water-proofing spray, slogged through a couple miles of dirt and slush in inner Minnespolis today and all the city grime literally fell right off. My feet stayed warm and dry just fine. Great shoes. Note: I bought the olive ones and they look grey in the picture, but they were very green when I got them and looked at them.

Anonymous

These boots are very stylish and attractive. I got the red oak leather. When they arrived, the leather was fairly stiff. I have short and wide feet, and these tend to run long and narrow. I wasn't sure it would be a good match. I ordered a half size smaller than normal, and the length was good. But the boot was uncomfortably tight across the bridge, and somewhat loose at the heel. But, every time I wore them (with thick socks), they broke in a little bit more, and after three to four wears, they feel just great. there's not much cushion or support inside the boot, so liners may be needed for some. So, go for it, these boots are well made and attractive. But if you have wide feet, you may have to put up with an uncomfortable break-in period.

The t

from Denver

I love everything about this shoe but the way it feels. I dig the look, love the thick leather, love the color, like the soles. However they just plain hurt ever after two weeks of wear. I don't know why but my couple pairs of Clarks have been painful to break in with foot and leg and lower back pain until I've worn them a week. With these the crease where the leather bends across the top of your foot has been killing me for two weeks as this wonderful thick leather pummels the delicate bird-like bones on the top of my powerful and sturdy man-foot. There is minimal cushioning on the heel and non in the front of the shoe. Fortunately they run large so as they stretch I'll have room to put in a gel insert or something. I normally wear 10.5 but got these in a 10 and they are fractionally loose but not enough to matter, especially as they wear in. If you spend all day on your feet or walk a lot the lack of interior cushion might be a problem. The crepe sole was hard as rock when I got them but are nicely springy now. The bottoms instantly became a sort of furry jet black. The red oak color is great. This shoe has never heard of arch support.

Alex

from NY

This is the first pair of shoes that I love that aren't sneakers. When I first put them on, I loved the way they looked, but they were amazingly uncomfortable. This is because they don't have thick padding that (immediately) conforms to your feet like sneakers do. Instead, the tough, long-lasting leather must be broken in and the sole takes getting used to. My feet were in agony for the first couple days, but then the shoes broke in and now, I love their feel. Are they uncomfortable compared to sneakers? Yes. But they have such a unique feel because the sole is thin and the crepe material is unique and infinitely entertaining to squish and play with during class. The fact is, I had never worn anything but sneakers before I got these. So if I can get used to these shoes and come to love their unique feel, why can't everyone else? There is one small problem with the shoe. It has absolutely no arch support, so make sure to get a pair of superfeet 3/4 insoles. I got them for mine and they feel so much better. Also, because they are made in the UK you have to go down a half size or a full size. I'm a 9 to 9.5 in sneakers, and had to get a size 8 in these. With age, the leather becomes pliable where it counts, and it gets scuffed so it takes on a really cool, worn look. These were not meant to be kept pristine like sneakers. They look better and get more comfortable with the wear. The leather is simple and sturdy. Overall, these shoes feel like shoes to live in. And you cannot beat the stylish, classic look.

Anonymous

from Seattle

These took a couple of weeks to break in, but they feel great now. During the break-in, the leather would pinch the top of my foot a bit where the toe box creased, but that went away pretty quickly. At this point my only complaints are that they feel slightly heavy on my feet and the grey could be a bit greyer (they're a touch olive). Overall, super happy with them though. They feel like they will last me a long time.

Anonymous

Great shoe. Surprising how comfortable it is with being so simple. Takes a bit of getting used to at first if you are used to tennis shoes, however. I did wax mine to try and protect them a bit longer. Changed the color a bit, but came back to the same gray after a few days.

Joseph

from United States

These are, hands down, the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I have ever put on my feet. The leather was as stiff as a cardboard box. It crushed the top of my foot, and cut in to my ankles with every step. I don't understand what they make the soles of these shoes out of, but it gives as much support as walking on a latex glove. Why would anyone buy these? The name? The image of them looking "natural" and "outdoorsy?" For the cost I expect a lot more than this. Do not waste your money. Returned.

Anonymous

from San Diego

First off, like most of the observations here, these shoes do indeed run a little large. I wear a consistent 10 but got a 9.5 because of the overall fit consensus and I'm glad I did. A 10 would have been a bit too large. Also, because I'm used to better arch support, with these shoes, it's almost essential to purchase some sort of insert. No real complaint there because I do that with most shoes. If I have any complaint, it's with the shoestrings - at least the ones I got. They're ridiculously cheap and I'm sure would break within the month. However, I had some REI boot strings on hand and replaced the existing ones. Otherwise, I'm thrilled to own these shoes (again) because it's a real blast from the past and they do hold up and "age" well. I wore this style of shoe exclusively from 5th grade and throughout high school (60s/70s) and, until very recently, didn't even realize they're still made. Glad I found them.

Brands I'd also recommend: bare feet ;-)

Anonymous

from New York

I have been wearing Clarks of England Desert Boots, Treks and assorted others since the early 70's. I am addicted. I have a picture of me around 1974 British Leyland Triumph TR6. I'm not sure I understand feeling SO strongly about a shoe (or a car).

Brands I'd also recommend: If you like Clark's, get Clark's!

Anonymous

from Olympia, WA

These are basically the only shoes I've worn for the last five years. Obviously these are great for anyone but especially wonderful for people with various balance, vestibular, or miscellaneous sensory problems or disabilities; the soles are so flexible that you can really feel the ground beneath your feet, and they only get better with time. I do wish standard colors like brown leather were more frequently available in the U.S.

Brands I'd also recommend: New Balance

Anonymous

from Portland maine

These boots are awesome! I needed something nice and comfortable that I can wear with skirts and skinny jeans. I ordered half a size smaller which is perfect. the instep is a little snug for me but they were easy to stretch.

Anonymous

from New York, NY

These shoes are great! A salesman at the Clarks store said that these shoes run large so I ordered one size down. But, I found them true to size and had to return for 1/2 size larger. Zappos made the exchange very easy. I was quite impressed with their customer service.

Anonymous

from Los Angeles, California

This shoe looks and feels great. The crepe sole give the shoe a nice cushiony feel. The leather breaks in nicely. A very highly recommended shoe. No wonder this is a classic.

Steve H

from Madison, Wisconsin

I love this shoe! It started out somewhat uncomfortable but after walking in them for a few days, it broke them in. I would suggest getting some leather honey and rubbing that in occasionally because it really improved the leather, especially after they had gotten soaked from running through the rain. They run a bit big and stretch a bit from wear, so I would suggest getting a half size smaller than normal. I normally wear an 11, sometimes 10.5. I got a 10.5 here, and probably could've gotten a 10.

Brands I'd also recommend: Birkenstock

M G

from Haleiwa, hi

These shoes are built to last and only look better with wear. I wore these for my 40 day trip backpacking Europe. I hiked in the Alps with them, walked on the cobble stone roads and taken them across the continent putting mile of use to them. I only wore these shoes and they look even better than they did when I bought them. Fit true and break in well.

Chris G

from Dc metro area

Love these shoes, wear them every day. They look great and feel supportive enough for my semi flat feet. I wouldn't go running in them but that's not what they're for. The corduroy suits my style perfectly.

Ian

from alabama

I love this boot. I have had mine for 4 years and they are still going strong. Great comfort and style. I have two different styles and love them both.

Brande A

from Tacoma, WA

These are great shoes and look classy for many occasions. They do run large however and I strongly recommend to order a size smaller, at least 0.5 smaller maybe a whole size. I initially ordered a US 8, but exchanged it for a 7.5 and it feels good. Since it's leather I could have ordered a size 7 and worn them in.

Thomas C

from New York

The red desert boots are very red! Working for Target...this is okay, but I can't see too many places I'd wear these. Toy soldier boots are something they've been compared with, however, many guests in my store as well as employees have commented on their unique design. I only gave an overall of 4/5 though because of the stability. Some of the Clarks Desert Boots will have leather uppers, or a sturdier feel. These feel like they are made of felt, and I'm not quite certain how sturdy the buttons are!

Brian H

Great shoe. Took a few days for the minor irritation on the achillies tendon to go away, but after that, it was very comfortable.

Anonymous

from nyc

Heed the advice; these shoes are larger than advertised. Be sure to order a smaller size. While these are the exact shoes I had in mind to buy, even with an insert I still have to wear thick socks, and I bought half a size smaller than my usual shoe size. Also, I find this generally true with classic Clark's shoes--be prepared to break in the shoe around the ankles and instep; wear thicker socks than you normally do in the beginning.

Brands I'd also recommend: rockport