Looking to get the Clarks original desert boot in grey, discontinued? 👞
Howdy all,
I’ve been wanting to get the CDB in the grey color way that Steven McQueen and Anthony Bourdain wore. Clark’s don’t seem to make them anymore, they have one color called sand suede which looks kind of close, but is much paler and has orange stitching. Then there’s a color called wolf suede which looks closer, but has a pull tab and brown stitching. They also have a desert boot evo, which is somehow different. Really just looking for these below, any suggestions?


35 Replies
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Bourdain wore Sand Suede CDBs, you're probably just seeing photos of him wearing worn ones vs product shots of unworn ones on the website (though I would expect stitching colour etc could have changed over the years).
That said Astroflex also make a decent desert boot in different colours/makeup so give them a look
I have a pair of the newer ones with orange stitching and even after a few years, the color is pretty light. I thought they used to have a greyer colorway
They’re around https://www.ssense.com/en-ca/men/product/clarks-originals/taupe-suede-desert-boots/16038951
sizes seem limited everywhere i find em so as chopper suggested it might be fruitful to look at non clarks alternatives
eBay
NEW - CLARKS Desert Sandy Beige Suede Mens Shoes Chukka Boots - 10....
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW - CLARKS Desert Sandy Beige Suede Mens Shoes Chukka Boots - 10.5 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
Are these the same?
they’re certainly grey cdbs
Ive looked at so many over the last day despite all their minor variations theyre starting to look the same hah
they will mostly be the same dont put too much stock into whatever they name the colourway
No doubt
Just wanting to get as close to these as possible:

This is a black and white reference photo for boots that could be anything from off white to cream to grey...
Hell, even blue given how the denim has come out...
Thats fair enough
and honestly it's the attitude more than anything; if I learned anything from my tenure on r/mfa it's that CDBs don't automatically make you steve mcqueen or tony bourdain
whatever color gives you the same feeling as when you saw this is the right color, whether it's beige or gray or pink with rainbows.
astroflex, j.crew, drake's and morjas all have suede chukka boots worth taking a look at as well
I think I found them, taupe is what the color was called, it does look really similar to the sand suede
if you like em and fit a US 10 they’re on sale in the link i posted above
Cant squeeze that unfortunately
I think theyre actually mislabeled, on the side it says sand suede which are the newer ones
NYCMode
Clarks Originals Desert Boot Men's Casual Chukka Boots
FINAL SALE - No refunds, exchanges or cancellations The Clarks Originals Desert Boot, an unparalleled epitome of cultural prestige and artistic genetic code, stands singularly unmatched. Crafted in 1950 by the ingenious mind of Nathan Clark, deriving inspiration from the raw ardor of a boot discovered amidst Ca
This grey color kind of looks close
Found this old ad, sounds like oakwood is the actual color im looking for

Again, this is a black and white reference photo.
What makes you assume it's that specific colour based on these two photos?
These are the boots in the color Oakwood – now in full Technicolor

Looking at how Clarks use "Sand" and "Oakwood" in product pics I would actually say the Sand is closest to what you're wanting
https://thegoldenboot.co.uk/clarks-cla-desert-bt-evo-sand-suede
Clarks Desert Boots Evo in Sand Suede.
This style features a removable cushioned footbed designed to support every step, while the adjustable lace fastening ensures a secure fit.
In fairness ankle lining matches OP right hand photo in first post.
That‘s true
Only the Oakwood ones seem to have this from what I‘ve seen now
also worth noting suede will fade in the sun with wear so there may be some distinction between product pics and vintage (color) pics
Thats fair enough lol
The pictures you see of Bourdains also seem to have a slightly more tan hue. The sand ones Ive now had for about 3 years and theyre still fairly light in color
does it need to be exactly the same as bourdains
can we not allow a 10% difference in hue
No but I just prefer more of that color
i can respect wanting the exact article
These are mine, even after years they’re still light


but amongst other things visual color can be impacted by what you wear with it and the specific quality of suede
a shoe cobbler could probably stain them darker even for a nominal fee
Yea probably, would just like to get a new pair if possible
The color difference in this pic is more noticeable

https://item.rakuten.co.jp/coc/cks-desertboot/?variantId=145281
Found the full color list, taupe suede is the one I was looking for