Here we go..Desert Boots (Brogue's Part 2)

[Pitch3110]

Gents,

With summer drawing to an end last year my preferred footwear of choice for the winter was some spanking new brogues hence me starting the awesome... threadhttp://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?272656-What-Brogues-are-you-wearing-then-These-anyone

The information and experience shared by many was fantastic, a testament to the knowledge pool available in this great place..

Right....... The summer months are on there way and footwear of choice over resent years has been some faithful ole Clacks Original desert boots. They are great with jeans and shorts alike and dress up or down like nothing else. There is a cracking article here http://www.fashionbeans.com/2013/wea...ots-in-summer/ and for those who are style victims like me and have not checked this site out it is well worth keeping an eye on.

So... with my some replacements imminent and with the buy British 2014 campaign well under way, what are those desert wearing folk sporting and what are you on the look out for.

Me, its getting down to these http://www.sanders-uk.com/shop/product/bertie-8763ls or http://www.sanders-uk.com/shop/produ...s-harry-8760ls or http://www.loake.co.uk/loake-1880/haydock.html

Thanks chaps

Paul

[ac82]

Gents,

With summer drawing to an end last year my preferred footwear of choice for the winter was some spanking new brogues hence me starting the awesome... threadhttp://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?272656-What-Brogues-are-you-wearing-then-These-anyone

The information and experience shared by many was fantastic, a testament to the knowledge pool available in this great place..

Right....... The summer months are on there way and footwear of choice over resent years has been some faithful ole Clacks Original desert boots. They are great with jeans and shorts alike and dress up or down like nothing else. There is a cracking article here http://www.fashionbeans.com/2013/wea...ots-in-summer/ and for those who are style victims like me and have not checked this site out it is well worth keeping an eye on.

So... with my some replacements imminent and with the buy British 2014 campaign well under way, what are those desert wearing folk sporting and what are you on the look out for.

Me, its getting down to these http://www.sanders-uk.com/shop/product/bertie-8763ls or http://www.sanders-uk.com/shop/produ...s-harry-8760ls or http://www.loake.co.uk/loake-1880/haydock.html

Thanks chaps

Paul

The originals and up to uk 11

http://www.padmore-barnes.com/

[bonzo697]

I wear Clarks Bushacre, which is the US version of the Original. They have composite rather than crepe soles, which are less prone to put you on your arse in the rain.

[Qatar-wol]

I wear Clarks Bushacre, which is the US version of the Original. They have composite rather than crepe soles, which are less prone to put you on your arse in the rain.

Ooh, that's interesting - I'll have to look those up. I love Clarks Originals Desert Boots - I've got five different pairs. I'll pull them out tomorrow and post some pics. But they are by far and away my favorite shoes.

[j0hnbarker]

I swapped from Adidas trainers to Desert boots when I hit 33, and have never looked back. Fantastic value shoes and look the part with jeans + any top combination. I'd like to wear them somewhere warmer and drier than Sheffield at the moment though.

[RobDad]

I finally bought a pair of Clarks desert boots (suede cola ) last summer - I'm normally a 10 but the size 11 are perfect - and what a revelation! Go with anything, like wearing slippers, a little bit retro and very 'British'. Even bought a leather pair for this winter and they've been great too (although the sued just look a bit better). I noticed the soles were slippery in the wet when new but now they are worn in not really a problem. They also seemed to wear thin very fast but now that seems to have stopped (maybe they kind of compact?). I aim to buy another suede pair when the rain stops this year - and basically wear them in rotation with last years pair. The cheaper alternatives aren't really much cheaper (and the clarks website has the odd 20% discount weekend) - I can't imagine ever not wearing desert boots now, my new wardrobe staple!!

[KurtKlaus]

I love desert boots.

While I love the various suede versions, especially for the summer, I generally go for leather. I've got two young kids and tend to wear desert when I feel brogues are too nice. Suede can be ruined quite easily in my experience (spilled drink at the pub, hot chocolate, pink glitter glue, that sort of stuff).

[cbh]

Hard to beat Clarks Originals.

[Red Steve]

Pardon the pun, but fill your boots

http://www.oipolloi.com/shop/brand/clarks-originals

[Pitch3110]

Clarks are cracking and mine are wolf colour which is just light enough and not too heavy with shorts.

These however look cracking boots, made in Britain and leather lined.



Paul

[sweeney]

Recently got a pair of Clarks Desert Earls which are nice. Sanders do a version too but are a bit too pointy for my liking. I wear my Clarks far more and they're half the price.

http://www.oipolloi.com/clarks-origi...arl-cola-suede

[mindforge]

It's funny, I had a sand pair and a blue suede pair of desert boots when I was about twelve and so I have always had a soft spot but never bought another pair. Would quite like another blue pair now but I think I'll wait for one of these fabled 20% off clarks offers.

[Bozza]

A boot with shorts? Really? I'm not sure I can pull that off.

On the subject of Clarks Originals though - check out these beautiful Wallabee DOOMs they are putting out - http://clarksoriginals.com/featured-.../wallabee-doom



They might prove VERY difficult to get hold of however - sold out at Lex and they've not even been released yet - http://shop.lexrecords.com/products/...4-wallabee-low

[vRSG60]

Cheaper option at Matalan and a variety of colours.

[Bristolian]

In tribute to the late great Sid Snot (c/o Kenny Everett) :

"... Some people say these shoes are crepe.

I don't think they're that bad..."

[thorpey69]

Bought a nice dark brown pair from Next last week for work,have been wearing them out of work all week as they're that comfy,price wise think they were either £42-8 quid which isn't bad as they seem pretty well made so far.

[chafer]

Picked up a pair from Cheaney in their sale (thanks to your "Brogues" thread!), top quality

[Jeremy67]

I bought two pairs last year from (outfitters to the middle aged) Cotton Traders, cheap and comfy and they'll probably last 2-3 years I expect.

[soapy]

all you need is a pair of straight jeans and a maroon sweatshirt and you have the off duty Para uniform of the 70/80s.

I tried some on last week these beeswax where nice and will take on character.


http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20356344

[GOAT]

I have a pair of herring Goodwood- great vfm in their sale take a lookee here...
http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/produc...itid=2&stype=1
Goat

[Broussard]

Hmm. Does everyone use desert boots and chukka boots interchangeably nowadays?

[soapy]

Steve can make anything look cool

[magirus]

When worn with shorts do you chaps go for the authentic WW2 look?

[Cleisthenes]

When worn with shorts do you chaps go for the authentic WW2 look?

[IMG]snip[/IMG]


[IMG]snip[/IMG]

What else!?!?

[vRSG60]

Bought a nice dark brown pair from Next last week for work,have been wearing them out of work all week as they're that comfy,price wise think they were either £42-8 quid which isn't bad as they seem pretty well made so far.

I got a pair of these in the sale £15 and very good they are too.

[Jim M]

I need those Berties.

Does a US size 9.5 E(wide) equate to a UK 9 F+?

I think it does from the various chart translating floating around the www.

Thanks in advance for any clues to this clueless Yank.

[Pitch3110]

I need those Berties.

Does a US size 9.5 E(wide) equate to a UK 9 F+?

I think it does from the various chart translating floating around the www.

Thanks in advance for any clues to this clueless Yank.

I generally am an 8 but with an F last I size up a half.

Paul

[b11ocx]

There is a stockist of Clarks Originals in Manchester and I think I may visit tomorrow as I am in town.

[anton863]

I'm a big fan of the Clarks originals desert boots, if you keep your eyes open you can often pick them up for around £55. In fact debenhams have a bunch of styles around 30% off atm, and you can use a code for a further 10% off that, so ~£50 delivered.

http://www.debenhams.com/men/shoes-boots

I'm looking at a pair of the Clarks 'Darby Top' brogue boots, anyone got an idea of the quality? For £60 I don't think I can go too wrong.

[oldandgrumpy]

How do crepe soles wear ? Are they re-soleable ? I like the look of some of the boots mentioned but not at £150 + if they can't be repaired.

[mindforge]

I'm a big fan of the Clarks originals desert boots, if you keep your eyes open you can often pick them up for around £55. In fact debenhams have a bunch of styles around 30% off atm, and you can use a code for a further 10% off that, so ~£50 delivered.

http://www.debenhams.com/men/shoes-boots

I'm looking at a pair of the Clarks 'Darby Top' brogue boots, anyone got an idea of the quality? For £60 I don't think I can go too wrong.

Good tip, what's the code?

[mindforge]

I'm a big fan of the Clarks originals desert boots, if you keep your eyes open you can often pick them up for around £55. In fact debenhams have a bunch of styles around 30% off atm, and you can use a code for a further 10% off that, so ~£50 delivered.

http://www.debenhams.com/men/shoes-boots

I'm looking at a pair of the Clarks 'Darby Top' brogue boots, anyone got an idea of the quality? For £60 I don't think I can go too wrong.

Only problem is the Clarks website says you should go half a size up and Debenham only do whole sizes...

[Scottie]

Good tip, what's the code?

LT39 gives you 10% off at Debehams

[mindforge]

LT39 gives you 10% off at Debehams

Thanks!

[anton863]

Apologies, meant to post the code, that is indeed it.

About sizing up, I find the desert boots big if anything and think I could happily size down a half from my regular shoe size. Obviously try them on if you can first but I wouldn't hesitate to buy at your true size, can always return them if they don't fit.

[mindforge]

Apologies, meant to post the code, that is indeed it.

About sizing up, I find the desert boots big if anything and think I could happily size down a half from my regular shoe size. Obviously try them on if you can first but I wouldn't hesitate to buy at your true size, can always return them if they don't fit.

Thanks for the code, I just received some Clarks Originals in a smart dark grey, thought it would show up stains less than the classic sand. You're right they are a bit big so glad I didn't size up! Otherwise pleased with them, looking forward to wearing them when the weather warns up.

[Jorrocks]

Hmm. Does everyone use desert boots and chukka boots interchangeably nowadays?

It looks rather like it! Prefer the chukka myself, have a couple of pairs of these:

http://www.duckerandson.co.uk//shoes/casual/casual4.php

[Atlantic]

How do crepe soles wear ? Are they re-soleable ? I like the look of some of the boots mentioned but not at £150 + if they can't be repaired.

I've always treated desert boots as disposable after a season, and buy to a price accordingly.

[Wolfie]

Heads up...

Just brought some Clarks Jink desert shoes in cola suede from an online outfit called isme (littlewoods?)

If you spend over £60 create a credit account then they'll give £30 off your first order. The credit account is interest free for for the first 3 months

So, have new rather lovely clarks boots @ £13 a month for 3 months

Shipping is free if you use collect plus...

Here's the code I used 4CHNY (can be checked out with a quick google too!!!)

Ta
Ben

[Huertecilla]

I went to Granada combining holding hands of a brave dame and visting a hat maker.
I ended up buying two pairs of boots.

From architecture





and VERY affordabel and tasty lunch


to the hatter





but my company drew my attention to the shoe shop around the corner where she had spotted neat handmade ones at half price.
I ended up with two pairs of boots:



The brogue boots. VERY well made and fitting like wet shrunk on gloves.



The zippers are ever so practical. I put these on and wore them for the rest of the night for the tapas tour.
That pair made me think of the first practical application of the zipper:

"From the foregoing statements it must be obvious that a shoe equipped with my device has all the advantages peculiar to a lace-shoe, while at the same time it is free from the annoyances hitherto incidental to lace-shoes on account of the lacing and unlacing required every time the shoes were put on of taken off the feet and on account of the lacing-strings coming untied. With my device the lacing-strings may be adjusted from time to time to take up the slack in the shoes, and the shoes may be fastened or loosened more quickly than any other form of shoe hitherto devised, so far as I am aware." - Whitcomb L. Judson 1893





The sizes btw were a perfect examply of why to ONLY buy shoes you can fit/ cheaply return: one pair was 39.5 to fit and the other 41.5

I am slowly coming around to the idea that I might like/wear a set of spectators too. An idea to hold on standby for a shopping date. Perhaps Cordoba or Sevilla.

[Jon Kenney]

Picked up a pair of Ralph Lauren DB's whilst in the US. Very comfy indeed.





Because of the versatility, I think I'll be getting some Clarks originals in a different colour for the Spring/Summer.

[chaplad]

When worn with shorts do you chaps go for the authentic WW2 look?

Its getting harder to pull off the tin hat and goggles ensemble around Sheffield these days I would imagine.

[Huertecilla]

How do crepe soles wear ? Are they re-soleable ? I like the look of some of the boots mentioned but not at £150 + if they can't be repaired.

The ' desert boot' is a size tolerant cheap unlined split leather shoe with cheap rubber sole. It was meant as a consumable. As mentioned best seen as a one hot season shoe. As such the price should reflect that.

The matter gets complicated when longer lasting variants are made in the same style and even more when fashionable, desirable brands get involved. The former adds durability to the price and the latter unhooks the price from the shoe.

When one gets nearer to or past one's sell-by-date, a bit more supporting, better fitting shoes get more important to you feet.
That means that unlined split on crepe is not much of a possibility.
Whether one opt to pay for the ' added value' of a brand applies to cheap unlined as well as to lined proper leather.

When you pause to think about it, bright blue colored or 'polo' branded totally detaches the shoe from the 'desert boot' tag as well as proper build.
The desert boot is totally interwoven with fashion attire and gents dress boots.

As this is a watch forum the analogy is the dive watch and chronograph we see in the fashion boutiques. WR or even functional sub dials are not important as long as they match with the color and brand of the desert boots.
Mind: I do not scorn this in the least as it is no different than WR1000 and 1000 miles shoes for someone who never gets wet on the only daily walk between the desk and the car parking.

Long story short:
Imo unlined crepey (bb) shoes should be priced as such and are fit for younger feet, as are fashion(able) brands.
For mature feet better made, more durable ones make healthier sense. The nice thing of better quality suede is that it, unlike cheap split, wears very ok acquiring patina rather than cracks and tears. The watch analogy would be the bronze watch.

[Jon Kenney]

'Interesting' analogies, Petrus.

Having been a shoe maker for ten years I wouldn't buy anything that I didn't believe was well constructed.

The Polo boots are a fashion brand but they are also extremely well made. Overpriced? More than likely yes (if you pay RRP), but lets not go down that route.

[Huertecilla]

Steve can make anything look cool

Following the definition of cool that would indeed be logical but I am affraid it does not: Not his dorky socks he doesn't (and his smoking never ever was cool either).

In dutch his would be on the dork side of 'geitenwollen sokken' which are as uncool as white sports socks.

[Huertecilla]

The Polo boots are a fashion brand but they are also extremely well made. Overpriced? More than likely yes (if you pay RRP), but lets not go down that route.

The point being that 'polo' fashion brand on a 'desert boot' illustrates the absorbtion as fashionable accessory.

The other point is that 'desert boot' never was meant as well made durable footwear. Aagin the look gets absorbed into something else.

As a experienced shoe maker you are aware of the 'qualities' of split leather and cheap 'comfie' suedes. Same thing my point about aging feet.

If someone likes the desert war association than good fun with sky blue boutique desert boots matching the strap on the 41 mm. Panerai

Right, where did I see those walnut/lime spectator brogue 'dress boots'.....

[Jon Kenney]

As a experienced shoe maker you are aware of the 'qualities' of split leather and cheap 'comfie' suedes.

I'm guessing you are not overly familiar with the layers of leather?

Split leather is the layer (flesh layer and sometimes corium), which does not include the grain layer (outer skin or epidermis). The split is generally abraded
to produce a napped leather known as suede.

[Huertecilla]

I'm guessing you are not overly familiar with the layers of leather?

I am.
I make quite a bit of leatherwork for saddlery and fun stuff.

From home slaughtered to leather or fur I have processed myself too. From iberian pata negra pig to lamb and goat. Wonderfully souple kid skin!! I have tanned myself.
The easier way out is o source whole hides or specific pieces from the shoe maker/saddlerly wholesaler I have nearby.
For the odd specialist stuff I go to Campillos which is only half an hour.

'Suede' is basically inside out. It can be made of whole skin and cheap out of split.
The suede I used to cover motorcycle seat was good quality souple leather with the sanded inside out. Hard wearing suede.
The 'generally' does not make durable suede out of split, just a lot of cheap suede...and nappa from split???? By all means if that rocks you boat but I suggest nappa from the skin side bit. Thin, souple and strong unlike the cheaper course fibre side.

As to desert boots, cheap is the oparative word to use split'suede'.

[Jon Kenney]

It makes sense now as this is all from your point of view and how you personally like to use the hide, which is fine.
I'm giving the view from a footwear manufacturers standpoint.

[Huertecilla]

but still a good combination; chocolate and vanilla:



Leather and (proper) suede.