CLARKS

In 1949, a family member named Nathan Clark was serving in the army and spotted soldiers in Cairo wearing simple suede boots with a crepe rubber sole. The Desert Boot became iconic, worn across decades and subcultures, remaining one of Clarks' most recognizable designs and a reminder that the brand's biggest hits have often come from solving a real, practical problem rather than chasing a trend.

200 Years of Shoemaking From a Quaker Family in England

Clarks was founded in 1825 in Street, Somerset, England, by brothers Cyrus and James Clark, and the company's Quaker roots shaped much of its early identity, funding schools, a library, and social initiatives for factory workers well before that kind of corporate responsibility was common. Clarks remains partly family owned today, with the Clark family still holding a meaningful stake alongside its current majority investor. That two-century foundation is part of why Clarks continues to be one of the most recognized names in comfort and casual footwear, still reflected in the current Clarks collection here.

Every Shoe Starts From a Hand-Carved Wooden Mold

Each design begins with a hand-carved wooden last shaped around actual foot contours rather than flat patterns, contributing to the shoes' natural fit and less boxy appearance compared to mass-produced footwear. It's a slower, more deliberate process than injection-molded construction, and it's part of the same design philosophy that shaped the original Desert Boot decades ago.

Casual Slip-Ons for Everyday Wear

Styles like Orlene Slip and Men's Easeway Sport are easy, no-fuss shoes for daily wear, comfortable enough for errands while still looking put together. Both pair well with the rest of our women's slip-ons collection if you want more no-lace options to compare.

Sandals for Warmer Days

The Breezey and Cecily styles bring that same comfort-first approach into sandals, good options if you want Clarks' fit without a closed shoe. They sit comfortably alongside our broader women's sandals collection for anyone building out a full warm-weather rotation.

A Lighter Everyday Flat

Drift Twist is a simpler, lighter flat for anyone who wants comfort without a lot of structure, a good option for travel days or anyone who prefers a minimal, low-profile shoe over a more built-up sneaker.

A Few Things Worth Knowing

  • Several current styles are marked down; sizing should be checked carefully since sale inventory doesn't always restock

  • Leather styles soften with wear; synthetic sandals feel comfortable from first wear

  • Clarks was founded in 1825 by a Quaker family in Street, Somerset, England, and remains partly family owned today

  • Free 2-3 day priority shipping applies across our full women's footwear collection

Related Collections: Women's Sandals · Women's Slip-Ons · Men's Footwear · Women's Footwear

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clarks a good shoe brand?
Yes. Clarks has been making shoes since 1825, and its reputation is built on genuine craftsmanship, including hand-carved wooden lasts and category-defining designs like the Desert Boot, rather than trend-driven styling alone. Shop the full range in our Clarks collection.
Where is Clarks from?
Clarks is an English brand, founded in 1825 in Street, Somerset, by brothers Cyrus and James Clark, whose Quaker values shaped the company's early approach to both shoemaking and its workers.
Who owns Clarks?
Clarks is majority owned by Viva Goods Company Limited, with the founding Clark family retaining a meaningful minority stake nearly 200 years after the company was founded.
What is the Clarks Desert Boot?
The Desert Boot is Clarks' most iconic design, inspired by simple suede boots with a crepe rubber sole that Nathan Clark saw soldiers wearing in Cairo in 1949. It's remained in the lineup for decades and is still one of the brand's most recognizable silhouettes.
Are Clarks shoes true to size?
Clarks shoes generally run true to size, and because each design starts from a hand-carved wooden last shaped around real foot contours, many shoppers find the fit feels more natural than a flat, mass-produced pattern. Leather styles will also soften and mold slightly with wear.