Clarks review: Soles fall apart! 169

Just wanted everyone to know - I called the 800 number [protected]) last year and they sent out a replacement since the sole cracked. The replacement's sole is cracking a year later, so I called them again... new replacements en route. :)

I purchased my first pair of Clarks about 5 years ago. I have only worn this show 3-4 times per year since they were purchased. I keep them in the original packaging and have just experienced the very same issue as mentioned above. The "rubber" material connecting the upper leather and synthetic sole has cracked and broken off in the middle of my work day, leaving me with only a few bits of stitching still holding my shoe together! This is totally unacceptable as far as quality, especially for the price these shoes sell for! I also see that the other show has split completely across the bottom as if the synthetic material is drying out. I won't be buying another pair from this brand!

Even though Clark shoes had that bad batch of glue, I STAND BEHIND THE CLARK CUSTOMER SERVICE. I called [protected] and they were very nice and are sending me another pair of shoes.
STILL A CLARK SHOE LOVER!

I have a pair of Clarks mules that are in almost new condition. All of a sudden the whole outer side of one shoe came apart. It wasn't just the stitching. The part of the sole that the stitching is stitched to came off like a piece of spaghetti. I was going to lunch from work and I had to immediately go and buy replacement shoes.

I am still at a loss to figure out how shoes that I have never worn before could fall apart from sitting in a box, so I called your customer service department. The gentleman who answered the phone said it was humidity. I have other shoes in my closet that I have not worn for the very same reason, and upon examination of the other pairs shoes, (not your brand), there is no problem with the soles or rubber components due to lack of use which leads me to believe that inferior products are being used.
You are a well know maker of shoes, and come highly recommended, so for your product to be made so poorly is shocking. After my experience, and because you don’t stand behind your product I will never buy another pair of Clark shoes. Furthermore I really feel I should warn the people about these shoes that sat in the box and self destructed without wearing them.

I have owned my Clarks for approx. 2 years.. I was shocked at how the stitching has come apart literally.For the cost of the product in my opinion this should have not happened.This is one of my many pairs of Clarks- it time to start shopping around

I have worn Clark Shoes for years because of their comfort and fit. Sadly...the last two pairs of Springers have fallen apart. Chunks fell out of the sole and cracked. I'm going to call the telephone number and request a RMA label to return the shoes. They look brand new on the top. Hoping to get some help.

I had on a pair today and the soles came loose from the uppoer leather parts of the shoes. I'm at work and lucky I had a pair of gym shoes under my desk. if you saw the top part of the shoes you say how can a brand new pair of shoes just fall apart?

I have had several pairs of Clarks fall apart, they were all several years old and of course I don't have the receipts. They were all clogs, I have not have a problem (yet) with loafers. I contacted Clarks with the last pair and sent pictures. The shoes were several years old, but I had only worn them less than 10 times. They basically disintegrated within minutes. Clarks offered me $10 as a goodwill gesture. I told them that was not adequate and that in the future I would buy Merrell shoes. Clarks used to be my favorite shoe and I had spent a lot of money on them, no more. Goodbye Clarks, Hello Merrell!

Another dissatisfied customer second pair arch and sole detached from shoe.
B Benardello Cullowhee NC

I had the same problem with shoes not quite a year old and hardly worn. Terrible quality. I'm very disappointed as I have had Clarks for years that did not do this.

soles on my shoes fell apart on my Clark's shoes...bad quality !

I had a pair of Clarks heel sandal, hardly worn. The heels and the platform disintegrated fell apart. I wonder why we should be paying so much for a pair shoes that does not deserve its value. I think Clarks should look into these complaints and step up its quality. Is there any quality control here?

I have run into the exact problem: not that long after wearing the shoes, the soles from the exterior fell apart! I liked the Clarks shoes, too. But I won't buy them unless the manufacturer improve the material they use for the soles. They are men's shoes - not cheap for sure. The top part of the shoes are still in very new condition but the sole cracked and split across. They are about 1.5 year used at about 10 days a month. Too bad -I liked them.

I buy lots of shoes and rarely wear-out any of them. Out of four pairs of Clark shoes, all of which look almost new, the soles have split or separated from the tops. The first time it happened, I just threw them away...but the same thing has happened to all of them. Aside from the aggravation, they have the potential to cause a fall which could alter my life; I'm afraid of your shoes! I would like to return my defective shoes to your company for a refund.

For the past 10 years I have only let Clarks shoes touch my feet (from sandales to business shoes). Although they tend to a bit more expensive than most other shoes, I like that they have leather uppers and are the most comfortable. They have been worth the price...until about 2 years ago, that is. I don't know why it has started happening, but the soles of hardly worn shoes just separate at the seams to the upper. It just happened again today which is what prompted me to search for a site like this. I had gone to lunch with a group of colleagues and noticed it when I returned. I hope no one noticed. As I bought them while overseas, I will contact the nearest dealer and hope to get a refund or replacement. Since it is the third pair that has happened to, I am having second thoughts as to whether to buy Clarks next time. The trust in the top quality has been shaken. I will see how the return/replacement is handled and see how my other 2 pairs fair over the next couple months. Please, Clarks, get this one quality issue under control...and I shall remain a loyal customer.

I will never buy these shoes again...it was the first and will be the last.! I am pregnant with twins and fell as the sole of the shoes split apart. I have never, never had that happen to me before...even some of the cheap shoes I buy, dont do this and clarks are not cheap. Worst worst worst shoes ever..shame on you!

I have had 4 pairs of Clark shoes that fell apart. While I was walking bits of the bottom came off. This is not what I pay for when I go and buy a pair of shoes Make that 4 pairs of shoes I cannot be walking around at work to have my shoes come apart.

I have 3 pairs of Clark's shoes that the sole have come apart. I enjoy wearing my Clark shoes very much and would like to know how these shoes can be fixed. Thank you

I purchased a pair of sandals a year and a half ago. I seldom wore them due to color issues. When I went to wear them this past week, I noticed the heel seemed to be shredding. When I went to look closer, and bent the sole a bit, every where I bent them, they just broke right across the sole. Is this a problem you have often? I have 2 other pairs, 1 pair I wear frequently (3 yrs) and 1 infrequently, but they are fine.
Please advise before I purchase any more.

I have six pair of Clarks...used to love them. Now I am afraid of them. Two pair of them had the sole separate from the top at the seam. I spent a lot of money on them, and should have been able to expect quality. The tops are like new, but I've had them for a couple of years so of course the receipts are gone. I am going to call the [protected] number and see what they can do. If there is no recourse I will never buy another Clarks, but will also make sure all my friends know!

I just spent some time glueing the soles on my Clarks back together after only a few months of use...Not even broken in yet...still quite stiff. These cost me $150.00 from Zappos. Maybe I will call the customer service or hope the glue works.Disgraceful quality.

I was shocked today that while I was wearing a pair of Clarks shoes that were rarely worn, they began falling
apart at the seam. The rubber came out to expose the stitching underneath. Then the whole bottom of the
shoe split in half and the leather strap began to crack. This is actually the second pair that has fallen apart.
What a surprise. I thought Clarks were quality shoes.

I am also disappointed with the quality of Clark's shoes. I also experience the leather upper portion of the shoes separating from the rubber soles. I have even experienced the heel of a pair of Clark's that completely deteriorated. This is very frustrating especially when you pay between $70.00 and $100.00 a pair.

I just came in from the rain and my feet were soaked. Both soles on my 1 year old Clarks were split in the same place. The upper part of the shoes look fine. No more Clarks Shoes for me, unless the company provides them for free.

Clarks customer care unit has to be one of the worst decriptions used . In less than 2 months my shoes had lost most of the polished leather associated with the tongue and top trim part of the shoes and what topped it was the rubber sole just breaking away from the body of the shoe despite very light wear over a 6-8 week period. Customer care told me to take the shoes to the Cannock shop so that they could be sent back to somerset for detailed examination. The shop manageress agreed the shoes should be properly checked but said it wasn't shop policy to return shoes, I should pay for the shoes to be returned even though I acted according to the instructions from head office. When I brought this to the attention of head office I just got another person ignoring what had gone on and just giving me instructions to try another shop. If thsi is typical of Clarks organisation, it is hardly surprising shoe quality is being sacrificed but one thing Clarks most surely are clear on, they couldn't care a dam about their customers

Bought a pair of Clarks Desert Boots with the crepe sole, wore them for work every day for 7 months. I looked after them, never exposed them to the rain, brushed them with a Clarks brush and sprayed them with the recommended protection spray. I liked them that much I bought another 2 pairs, however, I have noticed that the sole has started to split away from the top part of the latter 2 pairs and they have hardly been worn. Contacted Clarks today via Twitter and they have forwarded my complaint to their customer care team. I will keep you posted.

I had the same problem the shoe splitting on the side and found that Clark shoes can not be repaired at local shoe shops. I, also, have problems with the shoes squeaking. The last pair I bought squeak so loud that everyone at work can hear me coming and going. The store were I purchased them will not take the shoes back. I was a big fan of Clark shoes but no more. I can't afford shoes that split and squeak. So, so long Clark! WISue

The separation of sole, didn't happen when Clark shoes were made in England,
If your product is now cheap, maybe you should lower the price to match.
I didn't think it was necessary to save shoe receipts on purchases, so I will just
throw away another pair of Clarks. My-O-My.

2 pair of expensive clark shoes have come apart where the sole attaches tothe upper leather

So today I was completely "embarrassed" at work to only find a trail of my inner sole from my Clark shoes that lead straight to my desk. People had thought someone had stepped in dog poo. I notice that it was feeling funny as I was walking, but never to have imagine that the heel(sole) of my shoe would have completely fallen apart into a million pieces. This was the craziest thing ever... so I decided to google it and came across this page. I plan to try and take it up with Clark's manufacturer tomorrow, but let's see what happens. So sad that such a comfortable shoe turned into such an uncomfortable situation. I had no choice, but to stay with these shoes on and basically not move from my desk until the day was over... new job :(

Not long ago I was wearing a pair of Clarks and they fell apart--on my feet. I thought it was very odd since they had only been worn a few times then a few days ago another pair fell apart. Both pair of shoes fell apart at the stitching, the soles fell apart in larges chunks. I am over 70 yrs. of age, any older and this could have been a real problem! As old as I am, I have never had a pair of shoes fall apart while walking down the street, I could have broke a hip! :>) Thank you, everyone, for the Clark phone number-[protected], plan to call in the am.

I bought a pair of Clarks Shoes a moth ago and they are terring apart..i only wear them 16 times..went back and the manager from Grwfton street shop told me that is to much 16 times for Clarks quality..no refund...costumer service..."extrodinary"...you are the best guys...I will never buy shoes from u...and for shure Clarks are the best in the world...I would reccomend evryone who has 65 euro to trow away just go to Clarks guys

I have a similar experience with sandals-hardly worn but soles are disintegrating. Where can I get some advice from Clarks as to whether this fault has been addressed? Will not be buying replacements from Clarks unless some assurance is forthcoming. Can find no place on the website which shows that these complaints are being dealt with.
James B. 16.7.13

I am like many of the other folks that have commented. I have worn many pairs of Clark shoes over the years; purchased both here in the US and also in England. I found the comfortable and long lasting.

But something bad has happened to their sole material selection or quality control. I have had three pairs of my shoes where the soles both spit across the bottom and separated from the uppers. None of the three pairs were heavily worn. They were shoes I kept for going on business trips or for customer meeting (so they wouldn't be scuffed up). The uppers looked fine (and the soles were very lightly worn). But the material of the sole had obviously degraded just sitting in the closet. I gather that Clark's only remedy is to send one a new pair of Clark shoes... Forget it. The hassle of suddenly having your shoes fall apart on a business trip just is not an experience I want to repeat.

And just this week, my Father was at the doctor's for an appointment and *his* pair of Clark shoes had the same problem with the soles both splitting and separating from the uppers. I had to take time out from work to go buy him a pair of Rockports and deliver them to him at the hospital so he would have something to wear home.

A sad end to a great brand.

I also had a pair of clarks that were hardly worn, that i had for awhile, sole looked the new, when i wore them the soles started falling off, rubber every where, i was at work and had to gorilla tape the soles up 3 different times during the day, as what had not been taped would fall apart making a big mess. very disappointed in the pricey shoe. no more clarks for me.

i also had a pair of clarks that the sole crumbled as i was at work, i had to gorilla tape them 3 different times during that day, as i walked I left rubber everywhere what a mess, these shoes were barely wore, i had them for a few years, i have never had a pair of shoes rot. clarks are to costly to rot. i will never buy clarks again, how is still company still in business .

I have had the same experience. Three pairs of Clarke's shoe split at the seems when I put my hand inside to clean them. .I sent Clarke's photos of the faulty shoes. Clarke's say because the shoes are over six years old this is to be expected. Not in my book! Clarke's also said the materials used and the method employed were OK - They have got to be kidding.Clarke's offered a £10:00 voucher considering what I paid for the shoes this is insulting. I told them I wanted TWO new pars and they could keep their voucher. It has all gone quiet at Clarke's. Having bought Clarke's shoes all my adult life - for me - my wife and kids - I will never buy another pair!

I've had surgery and was unable to wear shoes other than Clarks for about 15 years and own a serious inventory. I am experiencing sole separation and sole disintegration issues, and this season lost 6 pairs...most were hardly worn...the heavily worn styles seemed to hold up better. Now needing to replace shoes, I'm finding that Clarks has quality and sizing issue, and the original resilient comfortable last is gone. They really don't feel the same, and there are few of the original slides styles to buy. The ones from China are inconsistent compared to Brazil and the quality of the leather is now stiff and unforgiving. Believe me I've shopped around and tried them all. I'm exploring other brands now. I can't understand why they would throw away their corporate reputation on an inferior product.

I just threw out my 2nd pair of Clarks that separated at the sole. I was at the doctor and looked like a waif! My 2 pair of clogs were 10 years old, but hardly worn. The rubber must turn old and brittle at some point. I will never buy Clarks again.