Clarks run larger than shoe brands like Nike or Vans. Most American brands go by standard sneaker or dress shoe sizing, which tends to fit smaller and more snug. Clarks boots have more room in the toe and ankle, plus the leather stretches, so you should get a half size smaller than you normally would compared to your other sneakers and dress shoes.
Online shopping is tricky, and a quick search into finding the perfect fit for you new Clarks Desert Boots or Wallabees shows a lot of confusion about what size to get.
I’ve owned three pairs of Desert Boots, a pair of Wallabees, and the Bushacre from Clarks, and through buying those boots, I’ve learned the secret to getting the perfect fit for your Clarks shoes.
You won’t need to go through the pesky process of returning your new shoes the moment you get them—read this Clarks sizing guide and you’ll get the perfect fit the first time.
Do Clarks Run Big or Small?
Clarks run larger than shoe brands like Nike or Vans, so getting the right fit for your usual size is crucial.
My main focus for this sizing guide is on Clarks men’s boots and shoes. For women’s sizing, scroll down below and you’ll find a sizing chart and some information there to help you get a comfortable fit.
Luckily, Clarks size their shoes and boots the same, so any sizing information that applies to their boots also applies to their loafers and sneakers.
The most important thing to note about Clarks’ most popular boots (Desert Boots and Wallabees) is that they don’t offer a lot of ankle support because the laces don’t cinch down much, and that the leather stretches significantly over their lifetime.
The highlight of the Clarks Desert boot is the richly oiled pull up leather and the simplicity of its construction. While the crepe sole is delicate, it provides a lot of cushion, though you’ll need to give these boots a rest every so often.
So if they fit a little loose when you first try them on, they’re only going to get looser. If you’ve walked around all day with a floppy shoe, you know how uncomfortable that can get.
Clarks Wallabees Sizing
Clarks Wallabees are some of the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn—what’s not to like? Soft leather, spongy crepe sole, and an easy-going fit that you can slide on and off.
When you’re buying your Wallabees, make sure you order at least a half size smaller than your regular sneaker or dress shoe size.
The Clarks Wallabee is an iconic style. Like the Clarks Desert Boot, it's a very simple construction---and in this case, comfortable, too.
Wallabees only have two eyelets and the laces don’t offer much support. They barely keep your feet in the boot, so if you buy Wallabees that are too big to begin with, you’ll be doing that walk where you curl your toes to keep your foot in the shoe.
Most Wallabees come in suede leather, and a half size smaller than your regular sneakers should do you fine. But if you’re getting a smooth leather upper (including the Beeswax leather), you might even consider going a full size down.
In my experience, Clarks’ smooth leathers stretch over time, which can make your boots look flattened and oversized.
If you have wider feet, then just stick with the half size smaller. If you’re “in between” sizes and, for example, sometimes get a 9.5 and other times get a 10 in sneakers, then I recommend going a full size smaller for Wallabees in smooth leather (non-suede).
The suede leather stretches some, but not as much as Clarks’ smooth leathers.
The Clarks Wallabee is an iconic style. Like the Clarks Desert Boot, it's a very simple construction---and in this case, comfortable, too.
Clarks Desert Boots Sizing
Like the Wallabees, Clarks Desert Boots also fit a half size larger than most sneakers and dress shoes.
My advice for finding the right fit for your Clarks Desert Boots is similar: order a half size smaller if you’re getting a suede Desert Boot, and order a full size smaller if you’re getting a smooth leather.
The highlight of the Clarks Desert boot is the richly oiled pull up leather and the simplicity of its construction. While the crepe sole is delicate, it provides a lot of cushion, though you’ll need to give these boots a rest every so often.
There are a few reasons why you’ll probably like the full size down in smooth leather. First, the smooth leather stretches a fair amount and quickly. If they feel snug in the sides, you’ll have the leather stretched out in a few days.
Second, because the Clarks Desert Boot features a stitchdown construction, there’s a little more room in the “waist” of the boot compared to Goodyear welted boots. The leather around your arch isn’t “tucked in” to a midsole or anything, so it has more room to stretch around the shape of your foot.
If you have particularly wide feet, then just stick with a half size smaller.
And again, if you’re choosing a suede Clarks Desert Boot, just get a half size smaller. Suede doesn’t stretch as much as smooth leathers. The most popular smooth leather for Clarks Desert Boots is the Beeswax. Most others are a type of suede, and any nubuck leather will stretch like a suede.
The highlight of the Clarks Desert boot is the richly oiled pull up leather and the simplicity of its construction. While the crepe sole is delicate, it provides a lot of cushion, though you’ll need to give these boots a rest every so often.
Clarks Widths
Clarks uses UK width standards for their boots and shoes, and on their sizing charts, you’ll notice that “standard width” is a G. Wide widths are an H. And extra wide widths are XW (which isn’t a UK sizing term, but something Clarks made up to make finding the correct fit easier).
If you’re more used to US sizing, then a G width translates to standard D. This is the most common width for a shoe or boot. If you’ve never had to buy a wide boot, then you’re probably a D width. Most people are.
Clarks’ H width is equivalent to a US E width, which is slightly wider than standard shoes and boots.
Clark’s XW or extra wide width is equivalent to US EE (not EEE). However, if you’re a EEE size in US boots, try the Clarks XW. The leather tends to stretch and the stitchdown construction gives you a little more room as the leather expands, so an XW Clarks boot would fit a EEE person with a little break in.
Breaking in Clarks
Clarks boots and shoes have a really easy break in. With crepe rubber soles and soft and supple leathers, you shouldn’t be experiencing any blisters or extreme discomfort.
For my Clarks, the biggest issue I had with the break in was with heel slip. Ordering a half size smaller than your usual sneaker size should help with this, but you may still experience a loose feeling in the heel, while the toes and arch are snug.
Clarks leather takes a few days to stretch out, so you may have some looseness during the first three or four wears. After that, the leather will be almost fully stretched and your Clarks will stay snug on your foot.
If you’re feeling any tingling in your foot or you’re getting blisters, you likely have the wrong size. I recommend wearing your Clarks inside for a few hours. Because most Clarks boots have a crepe sole, you have no chance of returning them once you’ve worn them outside—the sole will pick up dirt immediately.
Stick to carpet when trying your Clarks on for the first time so you have the chance to send them back if they’re too loose or too tight.
Clarks Size Chart
Check out the Clarks size chart below to see how Clarks measures against standard US sneaker sizing. You can also use the chart to check the CM length of your foot and find the correct Clarks fit that way.
Note that in the chart above, the UK sizing is different than on the Clarks site. Clarks UK sizes run a half size larger than standard UK sneaker sizes (just like their US sizes run a half size larger than US sneaker sizes).
My size chart uses the most popular sizing conventions for UK and EU sneakers.
Clarks has been around nearly a century and their boots are both stylish and comfortable. My personal favorite Clarks are the Wallabees, but the Desert Boot also has a ton of respect.
Clarks Sizing Vs Other Brands
The most common comparison people make between Clarks and another brand is with Rockport.
Rockport shoes are in line with the most common US sneaker sizing conventions. In comparison, Clarks run a half size larger than Rockports. So if you wear a size 10 in Rockports, you should pick up a 9.5 in Clarks.
Many people have Nike or Vans in their closet. Those also go by standard US sneaker sizes, so if you’re a size 11 in Vans or Nike shoes, you should get a size 10.5 in Clarks.
Clarks has been around nearly a century and their boots are both stylish and comfortable. My personal favorite Clarks are the Wallabees, but the Desert Boot also has a ton of respect.
Conclusion
Clarks have an old-school build, with their Desert Boots being stitchdown construction with classic crepe soles. For this reason, their boots and shoes feel larger when you’re wearing them.
For all Clarks boots, I recommend going a half size smaller. If you’re getting a smooth leather like Beeswax, you might consider getting a full size smaller than you would compared to other US sneaker brands like Nike or Vans. The smooth leather stretches a lot, so even if it fits snug at first, you’ll have more room after wearing them three or four times.
The highlight of the Clarks Desert boot is the richly oiled pull up leather and the simplicity of its construction. While the crepe sole is delicate, it provides a lot of cushion, though you’ll need to give these boots a rest every so often.
Suede will stretch, but not as much as smooth leathers. And the Desert Boot will stretch more than the Wallabees because of the stitchdown build.
If you’ve read through this guide, you’ve got everything you need to get the right fit for your Clarks the first time. Expect to open that new box, slip on those crepe-soled beauties, and hit the town.
The Clarks Wallabee is an iconic style. Like the Clarks Desert Boot, it's a very simple construction---and in this case, comfortable, too.
FAQs
Are Clarks shoes true to size?
Clarks shoes run a half size larger than most US sneakers. The leather also stretches as you wear them, so I recommend getting a half size smaller than you would with standard US sneakers or dress shoes.
What is G in Clarks?
Size G in Clarks is a standard width. It’s equivalent to a size D in US boot sizing. If you’ve never bought a wide-width boot, then you’re probably a size D width (or size G in Clarks). Because Clarks is a UK company, they use the UK width sizing conventions (G, H, etc).
Is Clarks UK sizing?
If you’re shopping through Clarks’ site in the US, they’ll show you US sizes so you don’t need to worry about converting UK sizes to US sizes.
