I know, you'd probably say Clarks. I have a pair, and I just feel they're too flimsy to be any form of formal. I need something with a little more firmness.
Slim toe, and rather basic/small looking. I've seen a few people recently wearing desert boots that were clearly not made by Clarks.
So, what are your favorite desert boot-like shoes?
BrownCow
Member
I have a pair of Wolverine desert boots I recently purchased and really enjoyed, but they have a soft top like a Clarks - they're just a bit firmer through the toe and sides. Maybe you're looking for something like a chukka boot - as far as I can tell (don't quote me on this), the only difference between a chukka and a desert boot is that the chukka is firm all the way up and isn't made of that soft material.
OnlyShawn
Member
In that vein, my favorite is Alden's chukka...but it ain't cheap.
http://www.epauletshop.com/servlet/the-943/Sand-Suede-Flex-dsh-Welt-Chukka/Detail
Seeing Clark's DBs in thrift stores made me stay away from them... I hate how the crepe soles look after some wear. I'd go with a different sole for sure.
Here ya go:
@dev: Allen Edmonds makes one called the Amok. It's like a desert boot from the top and dress shoe from the bottom. They're not cheap, but they're not as expensive as full-on AE dress shoes, either. Certain colors have been on sale since the beginning of the year.
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF3034_1_40000000001_-1
I haven't personally tried them on so I can't speak for them, but if you're avoiding chunky boots and what somethnig just slightly more formal, this might be an option. They're just shy of the height of a typical desert boot so that's something to consider.
Yes, I think maybe a chukka is what I should be looking at.
@Jason — That is far too dressy for school, although very handsome.
@OnlyShawn — Yup. Something like that for less than an iPad.
Juan
Member
The AE Amok looks nice in this color: http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF1134_1_40000000001_-1
Pitt_10
Member
Hey what's going on everyone, I'm a daily reader and infrequent poster on the normal site, and I figured I'd finally join in the forum too..lots of great ideas and suggestions in here.
But anyways, I happen to be a fan of the crepe sole on the Clark's but have you guys ever tried the bushacres?: http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-Mens-Bushacre-2-Boot/dp/B0045H7XKY The main difference is the sole, and it's probably a lot easier to keep clean than the regular crepe one, plus I've heard they're even more comfortable
Weng
Member
Just got Clark's Bushacres online for $85 in beeswax leather. Pretty standard darker brown, which gets a smidge darker once I worked in the waterproofing conditioner the Clarks store rep recommended. Basically they said it was the desert boot with a more durable sole. Pretty comfortable, never owned a desert boot but seem like a good go-to shoe.
jemonic
Member
Was also looking for an alternative to clark's recently. Came across these but didn't end up making a purchase:
http://www.sebago.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/22087M/48180/Mens/Tremont
http://www.aldoshoes.com/us/men/shoes/casual/85532304-jadon/40
http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?catId=100&productId=528676&productGroup=528675
I like those Sebagos.
mixto
Member
Thread Revival!
Just wondering what do you guys think about the Stacy Adams Tamarack Boots http://www.amazon.com/Stacy-Adams-Mens-Tamarack-Boot/dp/B004OQ0GI2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/180-1263363-4226028 as a cheap chukka.
I don't like the toe shape of clarks, too rounded to me. In dreamland, I'd have some APC or Alden suede chukka, but reality kicks back and I am not looking at spending that much. I've seen the Amok as well, but the lack of widths (on the older model) would not work for me.
I wish Banana Republic still made those chukka
http://www.styleforum.net/t/84269/fs-banana-republic-suede-chukka-boots-sz-11-5-new
but it's discontinued.
All in, I'm really looking at a apc/alden shape for less than $100 and while the Stacy Adams seems a bit more squarish than the aforementioned, I haven't found much else. So any other recommendations for apc/alden shaped chukka w/ much lower quality, non-crepe for under $100?
TIA
justin t
Member
I don't know anything about JD Fisk but I ordered these a couple days ago for $69 from MyHabit. They'll be here on monday. They're also on Amazon I think
edit: MyHabit link wasnt working
JD Fisk Franklin Desert Boot
http://www.amazon.com/JD-Fisk-Mens-Franklin-Desert/dp/B004KOQSQW
I bought them in Tobacco from MyHabit for $69. The color is MUCH MUCH lighter than the Amazon picture looks.
These are a few of the pics from MyHabit:
http://i46.tinypic.com/2udwznc.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/99mjko.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/2b7h39.jpg
zerostyle
Member
These Loake Pimlico's look very nice:
They can be had for around $220 USD shipped at ShoeHealer. I'm deciding if I want to splurge on them or not.
Warning: Loake sizing tens to run very large. I wear a 9D in Allen Edmonds, and the 8F seemed to fit me best. (Rather than the usual -0.5 sizing from USD->UK)
mixto
Member
@zerostyle: The loake pimlico is a nice one too. I like the kempton as well, way out of my budget since i'm looking at gettting two chukka.
The Amok"1" does get bad reviews (no width, thin upper, color not as pictured) and run smaller/narrower than the park ave (i'd be 9.5E in that last, so not sure what to make out of it). Anyone here has experience with the amok?
