Customer Reviews Clarks Desert Mali Boot

I like the shape and style of these shoes, except for the color of outsole. My biggest issue is that these boots are very noisy. They creak with every step--the kind of sound you hear with a leather jacket. These are the noisiest boots I've ever had, hence the two stars.

Awesome looking boot. Runs a little large. I usually wear a 9.5/10 and I had to get a 9 in these.

These are great. I have tried Clarks desert boots, they fit funny (too narrow) and rubbed my ankles. These boots fit true to size, cover the ankles and are lightweight. Great for warmer weather. I cannot speak to durability as I have had one month.

After looking for months for a sleek, modern take on a traditional boot, Clarks suddenly came out with this one! Entering at under the price point I had given myself, it seemed made just for me! I've worn their suede desert boot before and knew how lasting the sole and overall construction was. The benefit of having that same sole on this means almost no time breaking them in! For the price, this is a well-constructed sleek take on a traditional boot, and I love it!

First off, I will say that Zappos have awesome shipping. Bottom line. Next, I will say that these shoes are quality. As soon as you open the box, you can see that they aren't your run-of-the-mill high top shoe. Clarks are made to last, and these shoes reflect that. The fit is nice. And they are pretty comfortable. I will say however, the color in the picture looks very different than the shoes I received. Mine are a lot more tan, which is fine. So far, (1 week), they have been a great purchase! Thanks Zappos!

These are great boots, but definitely sized large. I normally wear an 11.5, but only the 10.5 Clarks fit me -- a little tight across the top of my foot, but the toes/heel are where they should be. They broke in fast -- are light and comfy for walking, though not for standing around all day. Style-wise, they are classics: Clarks desert boots were great in the 60's, and still great now.

really love the crepe soles and the style of these boots. Especially at a really good price. However, the taupe distressed looks brown in the pictures, but in reality it is more of a greyish color. With time they may wear more and change in color but out of the box they are a different color than what I expected.

I love these boots. They are comfortable and great looking. I wonder how they will stand up to nasty weather, though. Time will tell. Definitely go half a size down.

Cool, comfortable boot once you break it in. The first week or so of wear get ready for a couple blisters, but once it's broken in it's the most comfortable boot you'll wear. It also only looks better with age.

Finally got the size right! I own 2 other desert trek classics from Clark ranging from size 9.5 to 10.5. These boots run half-size long for my foot. When it comes to comfort, the high ankle and stiff leather on the upper tends to make my ankles sore by the end of a day. Not sure if the cause is the constant light pressure or moderate atrophy because it's as if my foot is in a cast. (This has consistently been my experience with other high ankle leather footwear). Having said this, the beeswax leather is breaking in nicely; it was quite stiff out of the box but take 1 step and immediately the lighter color and creases begin to develop. Lastly, these boots look great in chinos and denim.

I bought the black leather with black sole Mali Desert Boots over two years ago, and they felt amazing from the time I wore them out of the store. The extra lace holes make it fit better than regular desert boots where my feet feel like they are falling out. They are light and keep your feet warm. The biggest drawback is gum soles are definitely not meant for city streets. They lasted maybe 6 months before there were noticeable problems. Though I can no longer wear them when it rains (water through the sole), I wear them weekly as they fit with most social situations, look stylish and are still amazingly comfortable.

Basically, I love this boot. I wear a lot of crepe sole Clarks and this one goes with just about anything, from jeans to winter work wear. Only complaint: long break in period. For about a month, the top of the shoe would really jab into the base of my toes/top of my foot every time the shoe creased in my stride.

I really wanted to like these boots but unfortunately I can't recommend them without any reservations. I do not think as others have said that you need to go a half size down. For me, if I did that I couldn't even fit them on. I actually find they are narrowed than the typical Clarks desert boots. The narrowness I also felt in terms of overall height at top of the foot. Very little room there and with each step i felt it digging in. Not a matter of breaking in because the leather is supple, but it's just super narrow and little space -- must have skinny feet. The other thing I did not like is how they forced you to step. No heel cup to speak of so I felt my heel always slipping and putting my feet in awkward angles when walking. End of the day not only feet were in discomfort but legs as well. Overall, they look damn good and I actually got a couple compliments. But in terms of being a practical shoe, for me they won't cut it.

I absolutely love this boot. As a long time wearer of Clarks I had to try these taller boots. A little stiff out of the box and have the same insole/ cushioning as regular desert boots. Sizing is the same with DBs, which for me is one full size down. They look great, so much so that I wore them to my wedding.

Great fit and comfy

The leather(beeswax2)on these boots were as hard as the box it came in. The boots had a oily residue that coated the boots, which is used to preserve the leather in storage, I think. So with that being the case, I had to wipe the boots down using a clean damp rag. There was a lot of color transfer. I then applied Red Wing Boot/Leather Cream which finally brought the leather to life. Wonderful color variation. The stock laces were garbage so I switched them out for some flat black laces. I ordered the shoes a full size smaller based on previous reviews and I’m glad I did. Because these boots aren’t lined, I have to use newer/smooth socks rather than old/pilly socks, to effortlessly slide my feet in. Great boots!

If you’ve bought desert boots before then you know what you’re getting into. Great looking boot with a nice low profile so you don’t look like you’re on a construction site. I wear a 12 in converse and a 12 in these boots as a comparison.

Yes. Order and love. Get better with age.

If ninjas had to wear boots to sneak up on people in, these would be the pair. Ultra-quiet, super flexible and cushiony outsole is unlike anything I've ever seen on any shoe before and I love it. The Beeswax color is incredible and only gets better with every crease and fold from wearing them. I am a size 11 and ordered a half size down because of what others said in their review and the 10.5 was perfect. The heel area inside the boot is very hard, like lots of other boots, and will take time to break in for maximum comfort. I wore hiking liners and thick smart wool hiking socks with these on my first outing to prevent blistering but after walking around for about a mile i could feel the back of my heel beginning to become irritated/raw. This is because my heel wasn't as secure as it should have been but I feel like if I can get the lacing tight in the right spots and breaking these in over time that I will be a happy camper.

I have being wearing Clarks Originals my entire adult life and their my standards for cool casual shoes and boots. But I always have to order a full size down. I am size 10, so all of my Clarks Originals are size 9. They are a little tight at first but they stretch out after a few wears. This pair is great, I have them in black leather also and will buy another pair because this style is limited. Clarks Original the standard for timeless cool causal, for me at least.

I first bought size 13 since that is my usual shoe size but I found them to be really big in the toe. It could be because they are UK made. I returned them for the 12's and at first they seemed kind of tight but after a week of wear the leather began to shape to my feet, and are now super comfortable. The leather is high quality. The crepe sole is thick and meant to last for a long time. I am a big fan of the Clark's Desert Mali boots. I chose the boots over the chukkas because they feel more snug and secure on my feet than the chukkas do (due to the less eyelets for the shoe laces I guess). These are now my number one shoe in my wardrobe. They go well with almost everything, but I especially like wearing them with jeans and a casual button up.

Get these boots. Awesome. Go a full size down. All Clarks run big.

I will caveat this review with the fact that I have never owned high ankle boots before. At first they were most uncomfortable. The shoes are inflexible, hurt more than any other shoe I've used before and and I've never looked more ridiculous going up and downstairs trying to not hurt my chins every step. But dammit if they are not beautiful shoes. I hope they break in well and I learn how to clean/maintain the beeswax... I am not finding great help online.

I really love these boots in black leather. They're more comfortable and supportive than the regular/classic Clarks desert boots. I use an insole for added comfort, but have worn these often and for over a year. They're still one of my favorites, and I've gotten more than a few compliments. The laces wore out but are easily replaced.