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Clarks is one of the most popular footwear brands in England, especially when it comes to school shoes and work shoes. One of the most popular styles is the Desert Boot that British officers wore in World War II. What you want to know is the answer to the question: Do Clarks run big, small, or true to size?
When I worked on my first Skechers store, Clarks was the store in front of mine, so I could see how busy they were most of the time. So, of curiosity, I ended up checking their shoes, and I bought one pair. I also recently went to a Clarks store to try a few different pairs of shoes to write this article.
Do Clarks Shoes Run Small, Big, Or True To Size?
If you want a quick answer, Clarks shoes can run true to size, too small or too big depending on the style you choose. Some styles can be all three.
Read: Are Clarks Shoes Good?
Do Clarks Run Small?
Clarks Sandals tend to run too small, and you often need a bigger size, but this style can also run true to size or too big for some people. The Cloudsteppers and Loafers can also run small, true to size, or bigger.
Do Clarks Run Big?
No Clarks shoes run predominantly bigger. However, some styles like the Desert Boots, Wallabees Boots, or Loafers can run big, but also small or true to size. When it comes to the Cloudsteppers or Sandals, they can run big but only for a few people.
Do Clarks Run True To Size?
The Clarks Wallabees shoes tend to run true to size, but the Boots can also be too big for some people. Loafers are another style that can run true to size, but also be too big or too small.
Read: Where Are Clarks Made?
Clarks Sizing Chart & Fit
You can check the Clarks sizing and fit chart to check the best size possible according to your measurements.
The best way to know what Clarks shoe size to get is to measure your feet and check the Clarks sizing chart. You can check men, women, and kid sizes.
Place a paper on the floor with one end of your foot against a wall. Mark the piece of paper where your toes end with a pen. Then measure the mark you created on the paper with the end and compare the measurement to the Clarks shoe size chart.
Read: How To Make Shoes Non Slip?
Clarks states that its shoe sizes are standard fit and should fit most people.
How Do Clarks Shoes Fit?
Most people believe that Clarks shoes tend to run big, no matter what style you choose. However, that’s not true. No shoe brand has a one-size-fits-all style.
Read: Do Suede Shoes Stretch?
To make your life easier, I have mixed my personal experience trying Clarks shoes and read reviews of specific Clarks shoe styles to back up my claims on why I say some shoe styles run too big and others too small. I also know someone who worked for me and then as a supervisor in a Clarks store, so I asked for their advice on the styles I mentioned in the article.
Do Clarks Desert Boots Run Big?
Clarks Desert boots can run big or small, and in some cases, true to size.
I have tried the Clarks Men’s Bushacre 2 Chukka Boot in-store, and they were half a size too big for me and very wide. I am a US 10,5, but the US 10 fits much better. I almost considered picking the US 9,5 since I still felt space inside the boot.
Most reviews I read said this style is too big or too small, with some customers complaining that the boots are too broad. However, some did say the opposite, stating the boots are too narrow. A minimal number of people said the boots are true to size.
Read: Do Timberland Boots Run Big?
It isn’t very easy to advise on these boots, but based on my own experience, I would say you should go true to size if you have wide feet and half a size down if you have narrow feet. Then you can understand better if you need a size up or down based on how the boots fit.
What Reviewers say about Clarks Desert Boots:
One customer said he usually wears a US 10, but he had to swap for the US 9,5 because the boots were slightly oversized. Another one said he had to go a full size down, from US 9 to US 8, because the boots were broad and big.
Do Clarks Wallabees Run Big?
The Clarks Wallabees can run true to size on the shoe version and too big or true to size on the boots version.
I have tried the Clarks Men’s Wallabee Oxford Shoe and Clarks Men’s Wallabee Boot Chukka in-store. The shoes were true to size, and fit-wise they were perfect (didn’t feel snug or wide, just perfect on US 10.5). However, the boots were slightly bigger and broader than the shoes, so a half size down did the job.
Read: What Is A Shoe Mitt?
The reviewers had the same experience as I did, but the boots also fit true to size for some customers, so if you have wide feet, I wouldn’t go down on size.
What Reviewers say about Clarks Wallabees:
Someone said the shoes are very comfortable, fit true to size, and look like the ones in the picture. One customer said he usually wears a US 12, but that size was too big, and he had to exchange it for the US 11, which fitted perfectly.
Do Clarks Cloudsteppers Run True To Size?
Clarks Cloudsteppers tend to run too small or true to size. It can also run too big for some people.
I have read reviews about the Clarks Women’s Breeze Sea Flip-Flop, the Clarks Women’s Arla Glison Flip Flop, and the Clarks Women’s Arla Jacory Wedge Sandal.
Something I have learned with any shoe brand is that the sizes are all over the place when it comes to sandals. The Clarks supervisor did say customers tend to run true to size on the Cloudsteppers or go a size bigger, and in some cases even two sizes bigger. She also said that people with narrow feet could go a size down because they had length space and needed more support.
I couldn’t try the Cloudsteppers myself because they didn’t have them in-store, and this style is more focused on women. However, the reviews confirm what I said above.
What Reviewers say about Clarks Cloudsteppers:
This style has split reviews since some customers stated the sandals were true to size and very comfortable, but others expressed how small the sandals were, and they had to swap for a bigger size. One customer said he had to exchange for two full sizes bigger.
Do Clarks Sandals Run Big Or Small?
Clarks sandals tend to run too small and sometimes true to size. It can also run too big for a small number of people.
I have read reviews about the Clarks Men’s Closed Toe Sandal, Clarks Women’s Annadel Ivory Wedge Sandal, and Clarks Women’s Leisa Vine.
Clarks didn’t have many sandals available in-store because it’s not the time of the year for them. However, I have tried the Clarks Men’s Closed Toe Sandal, and it was a bit tight and small, so half a size bigger was the perfect fit for me.
Read: Do New Balance Run Big Or Small?
Most reviewers said that Clarks sandals are tight, narrow, and too small. However, some customers stated that the sandals are true to size and a perfect fit. Only a very small number of consumers said Clarks sandals are too big or wide.
What Reviewers say about Clarks Sandals:
Some customers stated this style ran too big and they had to exchange for a smaller size, but others expressed how smaller the sandals were and had to return for a bigger size. You also had some reviewers stating the sandals fit true to size.
Do Clarks Loafers Run Big Or Small?
Clarks loafers can run too big, too small, or true to size in both men and women.
I have tried the Clarks Men’s Tilden Slip-On Loafer and Clarks Men’s Cotrell Slip-On Loafer. They were both true to size in my case and fit right.
When analyzing the two loafers I have tried, the Clarks Women’s Ashland Bubble Loafer, and the Clarks Women’s Ashland Lily Loafer, the reviews were all over the place. With four different loafer styles, you have people reviewing as too big, others as too small, and others true to size, making it difficult to know what to buy.
I advise you to buy true to size and check how they fit. For example, if you have wide feet, try half a size or a full size bigger.
Read: Difference Between Loafers and Dress Shoes
What Reviewers say about Clarks Loafers:
Some customers stated this style ran too small and they had to exchange for a bigger size, but others expressed how bigger the loafers were and had to return for a smaller size. You also had some reviewers stating the loafers fit true to size.
Tips When Buying Clarks Shoes
It doesn’t matter if you are buying a pair of Clarks for the first time or have purchased the British label before. You still need to consider your personal needs. The tips I provide below are based on my experience with the thousands of consumers I have served and sold shoes during the six years I have worked in the footwear industry.
Ask To Have Your Feet Measured
At Clarks, they always ask if you want your foot measured, and I always advise everyone to say yes, even if you had worn the same shoe size your entire life. Remember that different brands have different ways of making their shoes (different fits, materials) which can affect your shoe size.
Read: How To Tell If Shoes Are Too Big?
Most customers tend to refuse to have their feet measured, and that’s why many keep wearing the wrong size their entire life without knowing it. I have lost count of how many times this happened with customers in the shoe stores I have worked.
In case you are buying your Clarks online, measure your foot from the heel to toe, as I have explained above.
Try The Shoes
If you want to know how a Clarks shoe fits, you need to try it and find out. I always advised customers to try the shoes in-store, even if they have the same style and size, because sometimes some may have a manufacturing problem inside that you or the footwear specialist are unaware of.
Read: Do Skechers Run Big Or Small?
If you are buying your shoes online, do not worry and try them around the house for a couple of hours to ensure they are the right size, the correct fit, and comfortable. This is the perfect way to ensure you bought the best shoes for your feet, and you can also return them (ensure you check the refund policy) if they don’t fit like you want since you didn’t wear them outside.
If you purchased a pair of Clarks and they are too big, and for some reason, you can’t return them anymore, learn how to make them smaller.
Choose The Right Socks
When trying a new pair of shoes of any brand, always think about the type of socks you will wear since they influence how much room you will have left on your Clarks.
Usually, Summer socks ask for thin and soft socks, but Winter socks are thicker and leave less space inside the shoe. Always wear the type of socks you think you will wear with your new Clarks. The thicker the socks, the less room you have inside your shoe.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Your feet take a lot of abuse every day, carrying your weight in different activities like jumping, walking, running, or just staying all day on your feet. That’s why it’s essential to choose your Clarks according to your needs since all these activities can affect if your ankles and feet swell. If they do, you need a bigger shoe size.
Read: Do Fila Shoes Run True To Size?
Medical Conditions
Everyone has some medical conditions that can affect what size of shoe we need to buy. For example, assume you have blisters, bunions, plantar fasciitis, diabetes, high blood pressure, or claw toe. In that case, all these conditions can affect whether you need a bigger Clarks shoe size or not.
Common Questions About Do Clarks Run Big, Small, Or True To Size
These are the most common questions about do Clarks run big, small, or true to size.
How Are Clarks Supposed To Fit?
According to Clarks, its shoes are standard fit and should fit most people, but they always have wide options if you need them. Clarks can run too big, small, or true to size, depending on which style you buy.
Do Clarks Boots Run Big Or Small?
Clarks boots tend to run too big, too small, or true to size, depending on the style you choose.
How Do You Determine Sizing For Clarks Desert Boots?
Since Clarks Desert boots can run too big, too small, or even true to size, it would be best if you measure your feet in a Clarks store or at home.
Read: Do Doc Martens Run Big Or Small?
Conclusion On Do Clarks Run Big Or Small
Do Clarks run big or small? It all depends on the style of Clarks you pick since some of them run too big, some are too small, and others are true to size. The best way to ensure you have the right size is to try them in-store or at home if you buy them online.
Even if I provide my own experience, the Clarks supervisor experience, and hundreds of reviews analyzed, it’s always best for you to try the Clarks you want to purchase and check the size and fit.
