Best Clarks Shoes for Comfort and Style

Quick answer: The best Clarks shoe depends on the job: the Wallabee is the icon and the one to buy for style, the Desert Boot is the most versatile everyday classic, and the Cloudsteppers line is the most cushioned for all-day wear. Sizing is the catch — the Wallabee runs about a half size large while the Desert Boot fits true — so check the style-specific notes below before ordering.

Clarks is a British heritage brand known for crepe-sole classics, cushioned everyday styles, and clean dress shoes. As an authorized Clarks retailer — family-run since 2003, Feet Heart put together this round-up to help you pick the right style for comfort, the right one for style, and the right size for each. Below are the most iconic Clarks shoes, the most cushioned options, and how each one tends to fit.

What are the most iconic Clarks shoes?

The two icons are both crepe-sole moccasin-style classics. The Clarks Wallabee (Maple Suede) is the signature moccasin silhouette on a soft crepe sole, also available in the Clarks Wallabee (Beeswax Leather). The Clarks Desert Boot is the original ankle boot on the same crepe sole. If you are torn between the two, our Wallabee vs. Desert Boot guide breaks down the differences.

Which Clarks shoes are best for comfort and cushioning?

For all-day cushioning, look at the Clarks Cloudsteppers line. Cloudsteppers use a lightweight EVA sole and footbed, so they feel soft and flexible right out of the box. Many of Clarks' dress and casual styles also use cushioned OrthoLite footbeds for extra underfoot comfort. If you want the softest, lightest everyday feel, Cloudsteppers are the place to start; if you want classic looks with comfort built in, the OrthoLite-equipped oxfords and loafers are a great pick. If plantar fasciitis is a concern, see our guide to the best shoes for plantar fasciitis for extra-cushioned picks.

Do podiatrists recommend Clarks shoes?

Clarks comes up often in this conversation, and the honest version is the same one we give for every brand: clinicians recommend features, not logos. The features that matter — a cushioned, shock-absorbing footbed, a stable sole, and a roomy toe box — show up in much of the Clarks line, especially the OrthoLite-equipped styles and Cloudsteppers, which is why Clarks is a common "sensible dress shoe" suggestion for people who need comfort at work but cannot wear a clog. Where to be honest about the limits: a soft crepe-sole Wallabee is a flexible, flat-ish shoe, not an arch-support shoe, so if you have real arch or heel pain, a structured brand like Dansko or Birkenstock does more for you, and Clarks becomes the dressier second pair. Fit suggestions, not medical advice — for persistent pain, see a podiatrist.

What are the best Clarks dress shoes for men?

For men who want a polished look, the Clarks Men's Monahan Plain Oxford is a clean plain-toe oxford, and the Clarks Men's Dresslite Step Loafer is an easy slip-on for dressier days. For a more casual heritage look, the Clarks Men's Shepton Chukka pairs well with jeans or chinos. These dress and casual styles fit true to size, and many include cushioned footbeds for comfort over a long day.

What are good Clarks styles for women?

Women have classic and dressier options. The Clarks Women's Desert Boot in Taupe is the timeless crepe-sole ankle boot, while the Clarks Women's Zarey Court is a clean court shoe for work and occasions. The Wallabee styles are unisex, so the Clarks Wallabee (Maple Suede) and Clarks Wallabee (Beeswax Leather) work well for women too — just account for the sizing note below.

How do Clarks shoes fit, and what size should I order?

Sizing depends on the style. The Wallabee runs about a half size large, so most people size down a half size. The Desert Boot fits true to size. Cloudsteppers use EVA cushioning and tend to run slightly generous in the toe. Clarks dress oxfords and loafers, many with OrthoLite footbeds, fit true to size. For full details, see our Clarks sizing guide, the Wallabee sizing guide, and the Desert Boot sizing guide.

How do I keep my Clarks shoes looking good?

Care depends on the material. Suede styles like the Maple Suede Wallabee need a suede brush and protector spray, while leather styles like the Beeswax Wallabee and the dress oxfords clean up with a damp cloth and conditioner. Crepe soles should be brushed, not soaked. Our step-by-step guide to cleaning Clarks shoes walks through each material so your pair lasts.

Clarks lines compared: which one is right for you?

Clarks is really several different shoes under one name, and the comfort you get depends entirely on which line you pick. Here is how the main families stack up side by side so you can match the shoe to what your feet actually need.

Clarks line	Best for	Cushioning & support	Room for an orthotic?	Sizing note
Wallabee (Originals)	Style-first everyday wear	Soft crepe sole, flexible and flat; little built-in arch support	Limited — molded moccasin footbed	Runs about a half size large
Desert Boot (Originals)	The versatile do-everything classic	Same crepe sole; light, unstructured feel	Limited — snug moccasin last	Fits true to size
Cloudsteppers	All-day cushioning on your feet	Lightweight EVA sole and footbed; the softest, springiest option	Often yes — many have a removable cushioned footbed	Runs slightly generous in the toe
OrthoLite dress oxfords & loafers	Comfort under a dress shoe	Cushioned OrthoLite footbed over a structured sole; more support than the crepe classics	Often yes — many use a removable OrthoLite footbed	Fit true to size

Short version: pick a Wallabee or Desert Boot when you want the heritage look, reach for Cloudsteppers when all-day softness matters most, and choose an OrthoLite oxford or loafer when you need to look sharp without paying for it by five o'clock.

Are Clarks shoes good for plantar fasciitis?

Some are, some are not, and the difference is the footbed. If you deal with plantar fasciitis, the features that help are a cushioned, shock-absorbing footbed, a firm heel that does not collapse, and, ideally, a removable insole so you can drop in a custom orthotic. Among Clarks, that points you toward the OrthoLite-equipped dress styles and the Cloudsteppers line, not the soft flat crepe-sole Wallabee, which is a lovely shoe but gives your arch almost nothing to work with.

Be honest with yourself about how much support you need. Clarks is a great "comfortable enough for a full day" brand, and for milder cases the cushioned OrthoLite styles do the job, especially with your own orthotic dropped in. If your heel pain is real and constant, a purpose-built support brand like Dansko or Birkenstock does more, and Clarks becomes your dressier second pair. Either way, see our full best shoes for plantar fasciitis guide for the specific picks. These are fit suggestions, not medical advice; for ongoing pain, check with a podiatrist.

What we have learned fitting Clarks since 2003

We are a family-run shop, and we have been putting people in Clarks across our counters since 2003, so a few patterns come up again and again. The Wallabee sizing surprise is the big one: nearly everyone who tries their normal size in a Wallabee ends up a half size down, and the people who order online without checking that note are our most common Clarks exchange. The Desert Boot, by contrast, almost always fits the size you expect.

A couple of other things we see in person. Clarks tends to fit a medium, slightly narrow heel, so if you have a wide foot, look to the styles offered in wider widths rather than sizing up. Crepe soles feel a little firm the first day and soften as they warm to your foot, so give a new Wallabee or Desert Boot a few wears before you judge them. And the customers who come back happiest for standing-all-day work are almost always in Cloudsteppers or an OrthoLite oxford, not the crepe classics. If you want a second opinion, try a pair on at our Feet World stores in Culver City and Arcadia, or call us before you order online.

Want help choosing or trying Clarks on?

Not sure which Clarks style or size is right for you? We are happy to help. Call us at (310) 398-7497 or email info@feetheart.com, and we will point you to the right fit. You can also try Clarks on in person at our Feet World stores in Culver City and Arcadia (Westfield Santa Anita). Every online order ships with free U.S. shipping and free 30-day prepaid returns on full-price items (sale items are final), so it is easy to find your size at home. Browse the full lineup in our Clarks collection.