Last edited by sonofstan (2012-11-06 17:00:44)

An article in The Sunday Telegraph ST Men spring/summer magazine informs me that 'this spring they are just about the most fashionable boots a man can wear' (desert Boots).
Apparently, to date, Clark's have sold 10 million pairs in 200 countries (I thought it would be more sales than that, but anyhoo).

Why buy a pair of Clark's £79 (I usually get them for £50) when for £610 I can buy a pair of John Lobb (£680 for the JL Romsey11) !
Who pays nearly £700 quid for a pair of Desert Boots?

Saw a rather nice pair of Clarks' in their Nottingham store, just near one of those lugubrious stone lions (AUS will know what I'm talking about): the colour of snuff?  Cinnamon?  One pair were down to £77 but were a size too big for me.  The female assistant was as dim as a Toc H lamp.  But I could fancy a pair in a 7.5-8.

I bought my last pair of made in England desert boots (chocolate brown) from the Nottingham store in Long Row. I was doing a store refurbishment just around the corner. Must have been about 27 years ago.

Last edited by RobbieB (2021-10-23 13:20:04)

Anyone tried the Clarks Weaver Boot or Clarks Caravan? I have a 1971 TV Guide with a feature on Hal Holbrook promoting his then-current show "The Senator". One of the photos shows him in highwater, tapered stone levi's, sockless, in a pair of shoes very similar to the Weavers. (Also in a striped shirt, can't tell what type of collar it has as he is turned sideways.)

Last edited by slimmm67 (2021-11-13 22:52:48)

Any thoughts on the Astorflex 'Strollflex' boots new on the JS website ?, I'm attracted to them as they have dainite soles and importantly dainite heels which are more easily repairable than crepe heels, I can't really tell from the photos whether they are dark brown or black, do leather boots cross the line and are non-ivy ? dunno,

I rate those Astorflex. I’m a big fan of boots anyway.
I’ve got a pair of brown leather Clarks DBs that in truth see a lot more action than the suede ones, which I went a bit mad on and snapped up sale pairs of sand, chocolate and black in one go (made in England). I would rave about the MIE’s lasting long but suspect it’s because they’ve rarely seen the outdoors.

Jdemy, they're Italian and superb.  Take a look at John Simons' website for photographs.  I've got two pairs and swear by them.  I'm sixty two next weekend and have quite sensitive (diabetic) feet.

I would not want to deter Jdemy - or anyone else for that matter - visiting the aforesaid website.  I do so myself more or less every day, if only to see if those very nice Japanese socks are being knocked down in the sale.  Oh, yes, they have some excellent coats and jackets.  They really do.  But everything is becoming 'iconic' nowadays.  How long before they're 'curating' the stuff rather than attempting to put food on the table? 

Only saying.

Desert boots are my favourite knock about footwear that I find versatile and suitable for almost all occasions. Worn them for over 55 years and fortunately my feet are still up to wearing them. I've recently been walking long distances on pavements and then I've had to wear NB trainers. My wife worked for Scholl footwear 30 years ago and they were all on commission to sell orthotics. She even tried to get me in them arch supports. I wear Scholl insoles which are good. I did a lot of running in my 40/50s but serious injuries have been rare. Having said all that I can't walk far in boat shoes or loafers.

They are for me. I like that they still make some pairs in UK/USA.
They are my running shoe of choice and I've tried plenty of different brands.Been wearing them for over 40 years.

NB do  width fittings AFS, or they used to.

Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated. I’ll also check out Driftflex. Just for the name, if nothing else. I recall a shoe store in Manhattan named “Enna Jeticks?? . For years I bought stuff from them for movies (especially if the character needed orthopedic looking clunkers) without ever putting together what the name meant.