I'm looking for a pair of desert boots. I've found that the Clark's model doesn't fit me very well across the arch of my foot so it's right out. Any suggestions for other desert boots, or suede chukkas in general? The Talk Ivy archives yield a few discussions on this very topic but I thought, why not enliven these gray October days with the brightness and music of a semi-inane request about shoes?
Last edited by Liam Mac (2011-10-17 15:40:53)
These I like a lot:
http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n520/snogel/ecoflexcamoscio_whiskey.jpg
Where are they from?
Sanders seems like a good option as well, I like their snuff suede.
Last edited by nouvelle vague (2011-10-17 16:08:10)
Thanks NV. This thread on the purchasing experience was not totally encouraging:
http://forums.filmnoirbuff.com/viewtopic.php?id=6369
It seems that many are called but few are chosen. Part of the allure of desert boots is their cheapness, so it would be nice to go with these fine Italians instead of the much more expensive UK-made versions.
EDIT - Has anyone outside Italy actually managed to buy these online? The PayPal options spoken of in the thread I linked seem to be gone.
Last edited by Gilgamesh2003 (2011-10-17 18:27:33)
sorry for not listing
1) Office
2) Arthur knight
3) Astorflex
4) Loake
I have a pair of Astorflex in that colour never worn in size 44
I just received last week my 3 pairs of Roamers Desert boots. Online.
Light brown not quite Cola, a very dark brown and a black. Around aud$30 each. (Given the current usa economy thats about usa$ 200 each - small joke).
Cheap and Cheerful. Fit is slightly narrow and slightly short for size. Not a big problem as its unlined thinish suede and stretches easily. Not a great heel grip and also finishes a bit low - right on the ankle. Not a genuine crepe sole but a good enough facsimile.
Anyone who has commented so far (here I should add the usual iGentt report that "I have received many unsolicited compliments from women") seems to think they are Clarks insofar as they are aware at all. If I squint my eyes the brown looks a bit like Playboys as worn by.......
Would pass muster to all but the dedicated Talk Ivy Mods here. I just pray each time I walk out that no superannuated UK mod from Staines or Tooting or, my favourite, Scunthorpe, has flown over to Oz and is inspecting my footwear for authenticity, less is more and Made in UK.
I have another pair of RM Williams in a 3 up near cola colour with a higher top and slight tread sole. Somewhere between a DB, chukka and boot. I think they are a one off sales sample as I've never seen them elsewhere.
To further add to the iGentiness - I have spilled some food grease on the dark brown and am now fretting about cleaning them without spoiling the nap and colour. I hesitate to ask how to clean them on forums for fear of ending up on Inane Posts.
Last edited by fxh (2011-10-18 19:34:04)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALFRED-SARGENT-RARE-SUEDE-ANKLE-BOOTS-UK-9-5-MOD-/260848545178?pt=UK_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item3cbbc8ed9a
Very nice!
In lieu of a real desert boot or chukka I'm going to try the Clark's version of the Playboy, the Ashcott. They make them in brown suede and they're extremely cheap so I thought, why not? I wish they had a heel, and I'm afraid that they might be too sneaker-y; oh, these latter-day terrors with their biting teeth! I'll report back when they get here.
It seems that a shoe like this used to be made by the same Irish firm that did the Wallabees - so were they really Playboy knockoffs, or something else?
Last edited by Gilgamesh2003 (2011-10-18 21:59:32)
Silvermans has some very cost attractive alternatives, in classic suede and the Ghillies look interesting:
http://www.silvermans.co.uk/ProductDetails/tabid/89/Department/Military/Category/FOOTWEAR/Description/CLASSIC+SUEDE+DESERT+BOOTS/ItemId/2023/CurrentPage/0/Default.aspx
Roamers, the ugliest desert boot on the market?
If there is an uglier DB I'd really like to see it.
Roamers change everytime I see them. For the price to quality ratio I doubt they can be beaten. Just make sure you get their good stuff !
Disposable Ivy.
Nice looking DB going on the Brooks webshop. I really like the look of those Astorflex.
Last edited by fxh (2011-10-20 18:31:03)