Reddit reviews Clarks mens Desert Chukka Boot, Oakwood, 11 US

Muthafuckin Clarks, son

I tend to see everyone suggesting beeswax, which they unfortunately don't have. :( What are MFA's thoughts on this type?

Hold the phone: The sale carries over to Amazon as well. Is it worth the extra $8 for me to get Beeswax?

Thanks, I looked at the boot guide, I know I need something different. Yes I am more of a rugged dressing person. I do wear clothes that fit, I wear straight leg jeans and athletic or trim fit shirts. I cannot spend 300 on boots right now, I am hoping to spend less than $100.
What do you think about some of these?
http://www.6pm.com/product/7743791/color/216
http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-Originals-Mens-Desert-Oakwood/dp/B0031Y6UXI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314947190&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/FRYE-Mens-Hudson-Chukka-Slate/dp/B002U83KI4/ref=sr_1_107?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1347988689&sr=1-107
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/clarks+men%27s+bushacre+chukka+boot?prodId=dsw12prod4010277&category=cat20303&activeCats=cat20192,cat20303

I found Desert Boots on Amazon for 78 CDN being sold from a just launched vendor. Does this seem legit?

Clarks Originals Men's Desert Boot,Oakwood,11 M US https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0031Y6UXI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_J9xsybFG3NP25

That's the women's boot though, but it says the same thing on the men's one.

http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-Originals-Mens-Desert-Oakwood/dp/B0031Y6UXI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405515603&sr=8-1&keywords=clarks+desert+boot

I got mine from Amazon, from the Originals series too. Most comment on there, MFA, and everywhere else say that you should order at least a size down (in American sizes). I'm a 13 and I ordered a 12. I had to put a heel cup in mine so they'd be perfect, so I think I might even fit in 11s.

So, yeah, it's weird, I don't know what's up with their website, or if the model's just changed.

> If not these, then what? You provided EXCELLENT explanations of everything that you don't like, but you've failed to suggest any non-sneaker alternatives.

I suggested sneaker alternatives because they fall in the same price range and are the same level of formality that the Skechers are meant to be. If you're looking for sharper leather shoes Clarks Desert Boots, Bucks, or a thrifted pair of Allen Edmonds McAllisters all fit the bill.

> While "you get what you pay for," you must understand that a single pair of shoes that runs $100 or more is just not something that everyone can afford.

None of these are currently $100 or more. If you can swing $60 for Skechers, you have $60-$70 for a different shoe. I'm a college student who pays my own tuition, and volunteers at the lab in my free time. The occasional odd job between those provide my entire entertainment/clothing budget. My 3 pairs of shoes are $3 thrifted black cap-toe oxfords, $19 nordstrom brand bucks, and $160 work boots I saved six months for. If $60 is too much for you your options are to wait for sales (end of a season is best for clothing), hits the thrift store, or stop worrying about fashion because you have bigger things to deal with.

> The shoes you suggested as alternatives are either skateboard shoes or a little childish.

Vans is a skate shoe company, but the authentic and authentic lo pro are clean, canvas, and unobtrusive. They have none of the faults that the problems of the Skechers. Keds are known for women's shoes, but the Champions are also sleek and unobtrusive. Same with the frequently-teenage-associated Jack Purcells, especially if you get the low top without the rubber toe cap. Again, sneakers were suggested because that was the design of the shoes in the original post. They're not the only shoes out there if you don't like them.

> Explain cheap leather to the unwashed.

In ascending order of quality

• Bonded Leather: Most super cheap leather is bonded leather. Bonded leather is leather fibers caked in glue then pressed into shape. That's what the Skechers were, and that's what you should really try to avoid for all the reasons listed in my last post.
  
  
• Suede: Suede is the bottom fibrous layer of the hide. While it looks nice and holds up better than bonded leather, it's thin and gets damaged by rain and salt. Sometimes one side is painted over to give it the appearance of top grain leather. The product is often called "genuine leather".
  
  
• Top Grain Leather: Top grain is the uppermost portion of the hide. It looks like high quality leather, as evidenced by the epidermis. It is, however, still thin and will not age well.
  
  
• Full Grain Leather: This is the full hide. It contains both the top and bottom layers unsplit. It's thick, develops a patina (wear pattern particular to leather), and if treated it will last decades.
  
  Boots and shoes with full grain leather generally start at about $150 and go up from there. Considering the cost of replacing lower quality leathers though you can often save money on the long term by buying better leather shoes first. If a $60 bonded leather shoe lasts you a year, a $300 full grain shoe need only last 5 years to cost the same and will often last far longer than that. If you need shoes right now for a job interview or to wear to work, go ahead and get some cheap oxfords or derbies. Otherwise I urge anyone to save their money for a while and get better leather.
  
  > I'd apologize for the snarkiness, but I mean it in earnest, so I won't. If you're going to attack something, fine. But try to take it a step further and recommend meaningful alternatives
  
  I understand that you feel like I attacked shoes you like and possibly own, so you feel I've attacked you or your decisions. I'd like to urge that that is not the case. The previous post was not aimed at you. It was a reply to a college kid asking what was wrong with that pair of Skechers. That's exactly what I addressed in only the detail relevant to the context. If the advice wasn't perfectly suited to fit your lifestyle as well, I'm sorry but that's what happens when you weren't the one who asked in the first place.
  
  Also, read the guides. A lot of us put a lot of work into centralizing and writing that information for everyone.