SHOP DESERT WELT IN TAN LEATHER $380, clarksusa.com
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Clarks Originals desert boots are an institution. Comfortable, understatedly stylish, and affordable, the famous crepe-sole boots have become the go-to in many a man’s shoe arsenal. (For instance, Anthony Bourdain.) Originally worn by the British Army while stationed in Cairo, the desert boot came to be when Nathan Clark saw a need for a comfortable option that could survive the harsh desert. The rest is literally history. The first "dress casual" shoe would become a runaway success around the world. This past year, Clarks decided to up the game, introducing a desert boot with a Goodyear-welted leather sole aptly named the Desert Welt. It costs more than it's predecessor—but it's worth the investment.
They're Made to Last.
True to the brand's history, these Clarks Originals are made in England. And for the first time, the iconic silhouette of the suede or leather upper is complemented by a Goodyear-welted leather outsole. The process involves stitching the upper and outsole to a welt, and is generally regarded as the highest standard of long-lasting construction in dress shoes. Why long-lasting? Because you can replace it. While the crepe sole of the classic desert boot can be resoled by sending your shoes back to Clarks, with the Desert Welt, a trip to the cobbler is all that is required to keep these classics up and walking.
SHOP DESERT WELT IN SAND SUEDE $380, clarksusa.com
They're as Versatile as Ever.
Dress them up or down. The leather sole adds a refinement that allows you to wear them with jeans, chinos, corduroy trousers, or even tailoring. These things are elegant enough to be rocked with a casual suit, yet casual enough to be worn with your favorite pair of jeans on the weekend. Besides shorts, there aren’t many trouser options that cannot be paired with these new classics.
They Don't Skimp on Quality.
Crafted in England in collaboration with Charles F. Steed in Leeds, these boots are made from top-notch stuff. Using the same materials handpicked by Nathan Clark in 1950, they feature Cordova velour 2mm suede or (seriously beautiful) leather, and the Clarks team even goes so far as to replicate the original orange stitch-down detail. Recommended break in-time is about three weeks. You can rest assured that extra effort will pay dividends: Properly cared for, these boots will last for years to come.
