Toppa Top 10: Walla-be’s, Clark-offs and Other Clarks-inspired Footwear

Words by Jason “J-Rockaz” Orford and Eddie STATS Houghton

You may have noticed that we can’t seem to stop talking about Clarks–real badman shoes reserved for those who know how fi really rock! Addicted? OK, that’s fair. We admit we have a Clarks-infused jones in our bones-es. But it is fashion week, so we decided to keep the fire burning. This time out we gathered a list of some admirable Clarks-inspired footwear fit for the streets and elsewhere. Some even outshine the original creators–if such a thing is possible!

10. J Crew MacAlister Wedge Boot

Shoes that make you say, Hmmm. J-you and the crew are cutting pretty close–aside from the good quality and brand name of the shoe, the similarity is enough to fool the eye.

9. Common Projects

This hip company also took a noteworthy stab at the desert boot.

8. Dolomites

I had to track these down. Italian outdoor and adventure shoemaker Dolomite rendered an awesome–and now hard to find–shoe named the Dolocom. The perfect boot to rock when commanding your all-girl army of kung fu killers. Perhaps Prada will give dem a run?

7. Wu Wear Shoes

The Wally Champs in the Wu-Tang clan were the first to start flippin Clarks custom-style by dying suede Wallebees in all kinds of colors–or at least the first to make it famous by putting it on their album covers. They also led the walla-be pack with their Wu-branded, Wally-shaped walker. Tru (sic) trendsetters.

6. Rachel Comey

Rachel Comey has given us the Comey Thompson, clearly inspired by the Wallabee. Combining a warm brown leather with the fresh and clean green and white of a Stan Smith, it’s an instant classic. Most Clarks loyalists won’t think twice about jumping ship.

5. aLife Kennedy

If you’re not familiar with the aLife brand, it’s one of the few 2000’s streetwear champs that maintains fresh vital signs. the Kennedy is a bit frankenstein but offers a broad palette (we like the structured leather version in a rich brown tone) for the Wally connoissieur.

4. Pierre Hardy Desert Boot

Clarks gone jiggy. A sleek, high-priced version of the desert boot in black or grey suede.

3. Native Shoes’ Corrado

Crocs used to be the anti-gators but lately all-EVA shoes have been getting a big forward from the hipster set. The most promising spin on this trend we’ve seen so far is the Wallabee-shaped Corrado. Not only does the classic outline save the breathable shoe from total crunchiness, it is subtly reminiscent of the white perforated leather Clarks released for women a few years back–and in the summertime (or tropical climes) will match with a mesh shirt or string vest in classic raggamufin style.

2.  Mr Hare’s King Tubby AKA Wally Don

Named after the legendary Jamaican reggae dub music pioneer, engineer and producer King Tubby, these  lace-ups in black suede or structured leather and a light EVA sole are fit for any smooth operator.  And in case there was any doubt about the inspiration, they also come in a red suede called the Wally Don (see topline image).

1. Opening Ceremony’s Exotic Desert Boot.

Our opinon: these M1 supergators are the don dada of top shotta, one part Supercat “Boops” and one part Hemingway hunter. They also come in “hairy” and a dappled “pony white” not to mention a more Wally-ish M6 in “deerskin black.”

Honorebel mentions:  Nike’s Macropus, Airwalk’s desert boot, Max Azria’s Wallaby wedge for the ladies.