kinghong1970
Xtreme Addict

Thanks mate that was a number one answer I'l gather the different prices around town : clarks desert boots + moisturewick socks + organic fiber socks VS leather insulated hiking boots with some class!

I'll get back to you on that!!

they offer very nice protection... so does some of timberland construction boots that are waterproof.

you can also consider layering your footwear...
a pair of moisturewick socks, then an insulating layer such as wool or cotton, then your boots...

there are also waterproof socks that are sold aftermarket if you're really sold on the clarks.

as for clarks, yes, i'd buy them... but more for spring/summer/fall, not quite winter.

regards,

Ape

waterproofness:
this will be an issue... unless the model has a waterproof membrane or treatment on leather, they will get wet... water will soak up and wet your socks.
to really stay warm in winter, the key is to stay dry.
you can, don't know if you will, but, try this... take a layer of synthetic fabric such as polyester or nylon or a blend, then put a layer of cotton socks, then wrap your feet in plastic, then you'll note your feet will stay very dry and warm... well, wet because of the moisture between your toes.

on a cold winter or fall day, take your feet and put them against your window and you'll see how much perspiration comes out between your toes... this is what is going to get your feet cold... moisture.

now you mentioned that you're on your feet not too long... and just walk around in campus... hence i will not suggest anything like professional mountainclimbing boots but you may actually consider hiking boots.

metalop1g,

not a master, still a grasshopper...

about the clarks desert boots...


i take it that is the one you're looking at?

it is a very nice shoe... but it is not quite the winter shoe as you intend to use it for.

firstly, the upper: suede, nubuck, or leather, pending your taste.... all good... but nubuck and suede are harder to keep clean...

construction:
i've sold some clarks in the past and never found them to be faulty... they are well made shoes... a bit soft on the leather but that is part of the comfort.

sole:
crepe rubber sole (gummy rubber sole) classic used by their wallabees, are nice in that on dry surfaces, they offer good traction and comfort... but on wet surfaces, they tend to be slippery.

especially once the sole is worn out a bit...

Hello, I see you are the leather shoe Master.

I am about to pull the trigger on Clarks Desert Boot (the beeswax ones). Can you comment on the quality? Are they appropriate for short walks (5 minutes) in water/slush/snow? We in Quebec have temps down to about -35 celcius, but I am in college most of the time when I'm not home. I already have a pair of Irish settler that served me very well on my summer botanical expeditions but they are hunting boots and frankly they are too bulky to wear inside the college. I want something a bit more stylish and I have max 150$ to spend. I like the desert boots because they are very flat (the distance from the sole to the tip of the toecap is short), which differs from my irish setter (they have a lot of room for my toes)...

I want boots that are not necessarely iconic but I do want them to exist since a couple of years, and I want them to stick around for a couple more years!