Clarks
Black Shiny Leather Desert Trek Shoe Men
This men's Clarks Desert Trek shoe features a polished genuine leather upper, a cushioned leather footbed, and a responsibly sourced rubber outsole with an EVA midsole. It is a casual lace-up shoe with a two-eyelet closure, suitable for everyday wear and city walking. Reddit users generally view Clarks desert-style shoes as comfortable and stylish, though quality can vary; this model's rubber sole is a practical alternative to the often-criticized crepe sole.
- Color
- Black
- Material
- Genuine leather upper, cushioned footbed in genuine leather, responsibly sourced rubber outsole, EVA midsole
- Gender
- male
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Shoes
Color
Size
Specifications
Men's black shiny leather desert trek shoe with embossed centre seam.
Genuine leather upper, cushioned leather footbed, rubber outsole, EVA midsole.
- Color
- Black · black
- Material
- Genuine leather upper, cushioned footbed in genuine leather, responsibly sourced rubber outsole, EVA midsole
- Gender
- male
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Shoes
Additional Attributes
- embossed centre seam
- genuine leather upper
- cushioned footbed in genuine leather
- responsibly sourced rubber outsole
- EVA midsole
Product Insights
The Clarks Desert Trek, with a silhouette unchanged since 1972 and a central forefoot seam, carries a subcultural heritage from mods and rude boys to dancehall, where it was nicknamed 'Bank Robber'. Its genuine leather upper (not full-grain) and crepe sole develop character through scuffs and darkening, molding to the foot for a grounded feel with EVA cushioning. The tradeoff: a break-in period that tightens fit over weeks, poor wet traction due to the crepe sole, and a sole that wears quickly but can be replaced with a Vibram sole for $60–80. Priced at 99.95 CAD (47% off MSRP), it offers unmatched cultural history for office-casual and evening wear, though half-size-down sizing is less critical for wide feet.
Verified claims
- Design Lineage
- Silhouette unchanged since 1972 launch, with the signature central forefoot seam.
- Cultural Significance
- Adopted by 70s mods and rude boys, nicknamed 'Bank Robber', dancehall name-dropped.
- Aging Character
- Leather upper ages nicely scuffed; crepe sole darkens and wears with age.
- Leather
- Genuine leather upper (not full-grain) develops patina with wear; crepe sole darkens.
- Fit
- Leather upper and footbed mold to your feet; EVA midsole adds cushioning.
- Style versatility
- Polished leather elevates Desert Trek for office-casual and evening wear.
- Sizing
- Half-size-down recommendation is less critical for wide-footed wearers.
- Break-in
- Fit tightens over several weeks as leather footbed and upper mold to the foot.
- Wet traction
- The crepe sole is slippery on wet and icy surfaces.
- Sole
- The crepe sole wears quickly but can be replaced with a $60–80 Vibram sole.
- Underfoot feel
- Grounded underfoot feel with crepe compression and EVA midsole cushioning.
- Value
- Priced at 99.95 CAD (47% off MSRP), below market average, indicative of a clearance offer.
- Heritage
- The Desert Trek has a subcultural history unmatched by competitors, rooted in mod, rude boy, and dancehall culture.
Product record
- Title
- Black Shiny Leather Desert Trek Shoe Men
- Brand
- Clarks
- Price
- 190 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Right-side profile of a low-cut black leather shoe with smooth polished upper, triangular leather tassel tag at the instep, visible moccasin-style front seam and textured black crepe sole.
- Overall silhouetteLow-cut lace-less shoe shown in right-side profile with rounded toe, low heel and a single-piece smooth leather upper extending from toe to heel.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.52 · w 0.74 · h 0.22 (high) - Upper material and finishSmooth shiny black leather upper with subtle creasing and a polished finish visible on toe and quarter panels.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.54 · w 0.56 · h 0.18 (high) - Toe seamRaised moccasin-style seam running around the front of the toe along the upper edge of the vamp.
1 region
x 0.52 · y 0.56 · w 0.38 · h 0.10 (high) - Sole constructionThick textured black crepe-like sole with rough granular surface and visible welt stitching attaching upper to sole.
1 region
x 0.04 · y 0.74 · w 0.92 · h 0.12 (high) - Heel seamVertical stitched seam at the rear quarter connecting heel panel to side panel.
1 region
x 0.07 · y 0.53 · w 0.12 · h 0.16 (high) - Tassel tagTriangular double-layer leather tassel attached at the instep with scalloped lower edge on one layer and a debossed pictorial mark on the front layer.
1 region
x 0.44 · y 0.46 · w 0.12 · h 0.12 (high) - Printed tag text“Clarks ORIGINALS”
1 region
x 0.50 · y 0.53 · w 0.09 · h 0.05 (high) - Embossed logo on tagSmall debossed figure or mark on the triangular tag above the printed text.
1 region
x 0.45 · y 0.48 · w 0.06 · h 0.08 (medium)
Other
Studio product shot on a light neutral background with even front lighting and a soft shadow beneath the sole. Shoe is centered horizontally and cropped with ample empty space above.
- Background and lightingEven soft studio lighting on a pale grey background producing a subtle shadow directly under the shoe.
- Shot compositionRight-side profile shot with the shoe centered horizontally and positioned in the lower third of the frame.
Colors
shiny black· upper#0E0E0Dcharcoal black· sole#1C1C1Cwhite· tag text- Overall silhouetteLow-cut lace-less shoe shown in right-side profile with rounded toe, low heel and a single-piece smooth leather upper extending from toe to heel.
- 02
Product
Rear view of a pair of black leather desert-trek style shoes showing heel counters, stitching, embossed logo, crepe-textured soles and a narrow colored welt between upper and sole.
- View and compositionRear-facing view showing the heels and back quarters of both shoes; right shoe is slightly closer to camera and centered-right, left shoe sits behind and left.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.38 · w 0.76 · h 0.44 (high) - Upper material and finishSmooth black leather upper with a low sheen (reflective highlights visible on curved surfaces); leather appears continuous with visible stitch lines joining panels at rear.
2 regions
x 0.45 · y 0.28 · w 0.46 · h 0.44 (high); x 0.10 · y 0.30 · w 0.32 · h 0.44 (medium) - Rear seam and topstitchingVertical rear seam on each heel with double rows of visible topstitching forming a triangular stitch pattern at the top of the heel counter.
2 regions
x 0.50 · y 0.28 · w 0.22 · h 0.34 (high); x 0.14 · y 0.30 · w 0.17 · h 0.33 (high) - Embossed heel motifEmbossed small graphic on each heel counter showing a stylized figure carrying a pack or bag; embossing is same leather color and recessed.
2 regions
x 0.57 · y 0.44 · w 0.10 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.19 · y 0.47 · w 0.10 · h 0.12 (high) - Lacing/eyelet area visiblePartial view of the right shoe's lateral quarter showing a single lace and an open facing toward the right edge of frame.
1 region
x 0.78 · y 0.31 · w 0.12 · h 0.22 (medium) - Sole construction and textureThick, dark crepe-textured sole with rough granular surface and slightly beveled front edge; sole appears attached with visible narrow stitch or welt line at join.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.61 · w 0.76 · h 0.24 (high) - Welt or midsole stripThin colored welt or strip between upper and sole with a dark green-teal tint visible along the shoe perimeter.
1 region
x 0.16 · y 0.60 · w 0.70 · h 0.06 (high) - Toe/forefoot occlusionForefoot and toe areas are outside the frame or cropped; only rears and part of quarters are visible.
Other
Studio shot on a light neutral background with soft diffuse lighting, short shadow under shoes and shallow depth of field.
- BackgroundSmooth uniform light gray background filling the frame.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 0.90 (high) - Lighting and shadowsSoft diffuse frontal lighting producing mild highlights on leather and short soft shadows under the soles toward the bottom edge.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.70 · w 0.60 · h 0.25 (high) - Image crop and focusImage is tightly cropped around the heels with the right shoe in sharper focus and the left shoe slightly softer and more distant.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.30 · w 0.50 · h 0.50 (high)
Colors
black· leather upper#0D0E0Bdark charcoal· sole#191A16dark teal· welt / midsole strip- View and compositionRear-facing view showing the heels and back quarters of both shoes; right shoe is slightly closer to camera and centered-right, left shoe sits behind and left.
- 03
Product
Pair of black shiny leather lace-up shoes shown from a top-down view; visible stitched apron toe seam, round toe shape, short two-eyelet lacing, brown insoles with gold 'Clarks ORIGINALS' text, and a small black hang tag attached to the right shoe.
- Overall viewTwo shoes shown side-by-side in a top-down studio view, both oriented toe-up toward the top of the image; full uppers, laces, and insoles are visible.
- Upper material and finishSmooth shiny black leather uppers with visible light reflections indicating a polished finish.
2 regions
x 0.03 · y 0.05 · w 0.44 · h 0.90 (high); x 0.53 · y 0.05 · w 0.44 · h 0.90 (high) - Apron toe seamRaised central vertical seam running from the toe toward the lacing on each shoe, with visible topstitching along the welt.
2 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.06 · w 0.30 · h 0.45 (high); x 0.58 · y 0.06 · w 0.28 · h 0.45 (high) - LacingShort two-eyelet lacing with round black fabric laces tied in simple knots on each shoe.
2 regions
x 0.20 · y 0.42 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.62 · y 0.42 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (high) - Insole material and colorBrown leather insoles visible inside each shoe, contrasting with the black upper.
2 regions
x 0.17 · y 0.62 · w 0.18 · h 0.26 (high); x 0.67 · y 0.62 · w 0.18 · h 0.26 (high) - Right shoe hang tagSmall black triangular hang tag attached near the right shoe laces, partially covering the upper.
1 region
x 0.72 · y 0.36 · w 0.12 · h 0.12 (high) - Insole branding left“Clarks ORIGINALS”
1 region
x 0.17 · y 0.62 · w 0.18 · h 0.26 (high) - Insole branding right“Clarks ORIGINALS”
1 region
x 0.67 · y 0.62 · w 0.18 · h 0.26 (high) - Hang tag text“Clarks ORIGINALS”Partial
1 region
x 0.72 · y 0.36 · w 0.12 · h 0.12 (medium)
Other
Studio top-down shot on a light gray background with even lighting and faint drop shadows; image is centered and cropped to include both shoes fully.
- Shot compositionTop-down centered composition showing both shoes fully within the frame with even spacing between them.
- Background and lightingNeutral light gray seamless background with soft diffuse lighting producing mild reflections on leather and faint soft shadows beneath the shoes.
- Image qualitySharp focus with clear details and readable insole text; no visible compression artifacts.
Colors
shiny black· upper leather#0E0D0Bmatte black· laces#0E0D0Adark brown· insole#3B2C2Ametallic gold· insole text#C4BAA4black with white print· hang tag and text#545353
Documents & Data
Reddit Insights
5 threads · r/BuyItForLife, r/femalefashionadvice, r/goodyearwelt, r/mensfashionadviceReddit users have mixed feelings about Clarks desert boots, praising their classic style and comfort but frequently warning about declining quality and the delicate crepe sole.
While many appreciate the timeless design and immediate comfort, widespread reports of sole delamination, thinner leather in recent years, and availability of better alternatives contribute to a slightly negative overall sentiment.
Themes
Use Cases
- Everyday casual footwear
- Daily commuting and city walking
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Astorflex
Frequently recommended as a higher-quality alternative with a more durable natural rubber sole, similar price.
vs Red Wing
More durable and long-lasting, but more expensive and less flexible.
vs Thursday Boots
Similar price point with potentially better sole construction.
vs Solovair
Comparable price, known for quality construction.
vs Sanders and Sanders
Higher price but better quality.
Source Threads
Crepe sole weaknesses and resoling advice for vintage Clarks desert boots
the crepe sole is actually the weak point on these. upper ages beautifully like yours but the sole compresses and eventually delaminates — your church friend above found that out lol. good news is any cobbler can resole them with a vibram christy or a leather sole for like $60-80 and then they're genuinely a lifetime boot current production clarks are hit or miss unfortunately. they moved a lot of manufacturing to vietnam and cambodia a few years back and the leather is noticeably thinner on the newer ones. the suede versions hold up better than the smooth leather imo. originals line is still decent, its the outlet/diffusion stuff where quality really dropped if the crepe sole bothers you astorflex makes a desert boot with the same silhouette but a natural rubber sole thats way more durable. similar price range too
u/RichardDrr/BuyItForLifeView thread →
Three-year review of Clarks Originals desert boots highlighting pros and cons
TL:DR Great leather Crappy sole Good “Starter” boot I have had my Clark’s originals (supposedly the better ones) for three years. I wear them almost every day. As some said, the crepe sole is very slick. I wouldn’t wear them in wet or icy conditions. The leather is still in great shape. Looks better with age. I do clean and treat them every month or so. Additionally I developed a gash is the crepe due to the way I position my feet in my car. The layer between the sole and boot is pretty much just felt, so it let water in. The sole also turns a nasty black color over time and it’s a bitch to clean with little reward for trying. I have a quote from a cobbler to get them resoled with a vibram sole for 75$. I feel like the redwing or Thursday chukkas would have a better sole but the desert boot leather is so flexible and not as rigid as either of those.
u/juggernaut00r/BuyItForLifeView thread →
General assessment of Clarks build quality and UK manufacturing standards
Clark's are, in general, well made and well designed shoes. They sell hundreds do styles, and have never been all about the frump, it's just that that's what you'll mostly see in the stores that carry them. They make several different lines, and your foot isn't going to like all of them, but that very characteristic makes them good choices for people with problem feet. Most of their basic shoes come in a wide length and width range. Finding what suits you best can be a challenge, though. Personally I don't own a pair, but I used to fit and sell a lot of them. One thing to note - Clark's are manufactured to UK standards, so if they say they're waterproof, then they are going to be a lot more waterproof than your average North American shoe that describes itself the same way.
u/P_Grammicusr/femalefashionadviceView thread →
Comparison of standard Vietnam-made Clarks desert boots vs Made in Italy line and Astorflex alternative
Had two pairs, one of the "standard" ones (I think they were made in Vietnam) and one pair of the Made in Italy series that I bought used but basically new. The first ones were comfy but not good quality. They had a hole in the sole and another one in the upper after two summers (didn't wear them in the winter). Bought the Italian ones to replace them. The uppers on them are amazing and still look like new. Unfortunately, I again wore through the sole (took two summers again) and the repair made the shoes too tight for my feet, so I can't wear them anymore. I then bought two pairs of Astorflex to replace them and I'm not looking back. The quality is way better than the standard Clarks. Granted, they are also more expensive, but not by a considerable factor. The Italian Clarks still hold a place in my heart and I'm not able to let them go yet. Maybe my feet will shrink with age, who knows... If only they made them again...
u/strat-fan89r/goodyearweltView thread →