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CB Footwear Clarks Sole & heel disintegration
Clarks

Clarks review: Sole & heel disintegration 48

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2:44 pm EDT
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I am a handicapped 74 year old woman. I put on my Clark's sandals this morning to drive to get some food. I noticed my sandals did not feel right but thought it might be my feet. When I got back in my car I noticed a large chunk of black "dirt" by the brake which turned out to be from my shoes. When I drove home I looked at my soles and found they were torn up and full of holes and large crevasses. I could have fallen very easily and shudder to think of injuries at my age!

I don't believe I had worn my shoes more than 6 or 10 times!

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The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

48 comments
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Geri313
Schaumburg, US
May 29, 2010 11:11 am EDT

My sister had the same thing happen while on vacation last weekend.

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Ronda Scott
US
Oct 13, 2020 6:05 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Geri313

I had this happen to a pair of Clark’s I wore one time. I slipped them on in the car and when I walked into the house the left heel was leaking black rubber dirt all over my nice carpet And the right heel had a big crack starting the same mess

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janjes
CA
Jun 01, 2010 1:58 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

this is my second pair of clark's that all of a sudden fell apart . these haven't been worn all that much . this morning something felt funny so i looked down and the whole soul had cracked in half. when i got home i looked at the other shoe and it was cracked in half also! i couldn't believe it.

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Carol V.
Rancho Santa Fe, US
Jun 29, 2011 9:35 pm EDT

All twelve pairs of Clarks I owned disintegrated within a year of eachother...so embarrassing! I called customer service and they accused me of improperly storing them in boxes. Whatever... I keep them in fabric hanging bags in a walk-in closet. They didn't even listen to my concerns. Pathetic.

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whitneyj
US
Aug 29, 2011 6:40 pm EDT

I just had a pair do the same thing. Thought it was a fluke; guess not. Certain companies re-sole shoes free; it doesn't appear Clarks does this. I guess if their shoes commonly fall apart, it would get too expensive. Too bad; I used to be a fan.

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AuntieWarhol
Orlando, US
Feb 11, 2012 4:11 pm EST

5 pairs of my Clarks disintegrated, one pair last night while I was at an event, had to leave as I was leaving rubber rubble all over the floor. Clarks is the only shoe that seems to fit my feet which are wide at the top, so I don't know where to get shoes now.

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AuntieWarhol
Orlando, US
Feb 11, 2012 4:12 pm EST

My Clarks shoes that I wore maybe 10 times.

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aislabyjim
Whitby, GB
Jan 01, 2014 3:42 am EST

I have suffered what will be my last failure of a Clarks shoe. My first experience was in June 2013 when on holiday in France the soles of my shoes literally disintegrated. The four year old shoes had hardly been worn but Clarks (non)customer service
dismissed my complaint on the grounds of the shoes age. Yesterday the heel fell off a Clarks shoe with a Goodyear welted sole. I do not intend wasting time obtaining another not our fault excuse. The future sourcing of shoes by my family will not be from Clarks and I would council anyone else to look elsewhere.

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gabndavsma
Dallas, US
May 13, 2014 2:35 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Heels disintegrated on my Indigo sandals after wearing a short time exactly like the picture of the Clarks. I cannot find a site to report Indigo but ran across this one. I suspect the shoes are made the same as the shoe heels look the same inside and out. Buyer beware..

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creaturefoot
IM
Sep 26, 2014 6:30 pm EDT

I too had two sets (Pairs) of Clarks shoes where both soles disintegrated spontaneously. It was very embarrassing and inconvenient.. Once at a meeting and the next at a funeral. It made a major mess and I had to immediately find some where to buy new shoes. I don't buy their (Clarks) shoes anymore.

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Rebeccarf
Orlando, US
Sep 27, 2014 4:48 pm EDT

The same thing just happened to me! I was wearing a pair of Clark's sandals in my kitchen. The heels felt mushy and funny. I looked down and huge chunks had fallen out of the heels that looked like chunks of chocolate cake on my floor It was such a singular thing to happen that I thought it could not be an isolated incident so I found these comments! I have had good luck with other pairs of this brand but then this...!

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Dave the shoe
Southampton, GB
Oct 14, 2014 4:52 am EDT

Like others, I had a pair of Clarks shoes which I hardly wore and the soles disintegrated. I took them back to the shop and was told that I had been storing them incorrectly - in a cupboard - and the Clarks head office had instructed them to offer a £10 "goodwill" payment in such cases. I declined. I shall now take it up with the MD, referring to this site, and ask Trading Standards to investigate. These shoes are obviously not fit for purpose. Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 customers are entitled to ask for a replacement or a refund for faulty goods.

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Rogerl
Harrogate, GB
Jan 20, 2015 4:32 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Same problem. Shoes disintegrated at a Cambridge College garden party; fortunately the porter's office came to the rescue & loaned me a pair of trainers from lost property. Talk about embarrassing. Same thing happened three years ago. I returned the shoes to Clarks. MD replied essentially saying 'tough' & sent a £15 goodwill voucher which I sent back as insulting. I've heard nothing since. I found this site because a third pair has developed 'sticky' soles which I suspect is a prelude to another collapse. I think the two latest pairs happened because they hadn't been worn for a while (black shoes not worn since I retired). Appalling service & I'm never going back to Clarks.

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Lavell Mooney
US
Jul 05, 2016 9:43 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I see about the same complaint that I have. Wore my shoes Saturday shopping, they have not been worn that much, I have seven other pair of Clark's besides other shoes. I am retired, just wear them to church and shopping. Well, the rubber on the right heel completely came apart disintergrated spontaneougly on both, leather pulled apart, the same on the left. I tried to send a e-mail, no response, tried calling, put on hold three different times for 30 minutes, who has the time to stand around waiting. I will not buy another pair of Clark's, so disappointed, was so angry, with my shoes falling apart while shopping, nearly barefoot. I went to the store where I had bought them they said that wasn't the first ones, to contact Clark's company. Well no such luck.

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Irene McLean
US
Jul 09, 2016 11:48 am EDT

the reason I purchased the clark shoes is the rounded toes and no seems on top of my foot, I lost a big chunk of my left shoe I would gladly pay for repairs, cannot discard a pair of perfectly good shoes, I just need the left shoe resoled, any suggestions ? I am poor and cannot afford to replace faulty shoes. I will not get in touch with Clark after reading the comments from customer dissatisfaction with the company, of course I will never buy clarks again, cannot afford their poor quality, I the mean time I am minus a pair of shoes, thanks a lot clarks !

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4joy
US
Nov 22, 2016 9:24 am EST

I have a pair of Clarks shoes that have had the same problem- the heel of one shoe is crumbling. The model is #38231. The shoes were purchased some time ago, but only worn once or twice (they weren't comfortable.) I was going to give them away, because they look brand new.

Has Clarks addressed this problem? I will spread the word.

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G. Stearns
US
May 31, 2018 3:47 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have worn Clarks shoes for many years. I have one pair of sandals that is brown. Since I don't have to much to match I seldom wear them. Today I wore them while shopping. While in a store, I noticed my balance was off. Looking down, I found large clumps on the floor. The heel had broken in many pieces. I had to cancel the rest of my shopping when the other one also started to come apart and my walking became difficult. I thought this was a one time incident until I Googled Clarks Shoes and found so many people having the same problem. Since I am 88 years old, I am lucky that I was able to get home without any further incident. I am so disappointed in a product I thought was the best.

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Veronique Peterson
US
Oct 21, 2018 5:25 am EDT

Same problem here... I have a pair of Clark mules, with about a 2 inch heel. Hardly ever worn them, and had them stored in a plastic sweater container under my bed. The leather is pristine, and the soles showed very little signs of wear. Pulled them out, just the other day, to run errands. First stop was to get my bloodwork done. As I was walking out of LabCorp, my footing felt strange on my left foot. I was too embarrassed to stop, as I walked out of the lobby, to inspect what was going on. I basically hobbled out to my car. As I returned to my car, and looked down at the shoe, I saw the whole heel had crumbled apart. All that was left was the hint of some sort of spring mechanism for heel support. I thought "WTH!"... Returned home because I surely wasn't getting anything else done with those shoes. Shameful too, because they are the cutest pair of shoes.

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Terri McCrary
US
Feb 09, 2019 1:57 pm EST

Well, I was hoping to find out how to get replacement for the two pairs that had the same thing happen. Guess from what I see here there's no hope that will happen. I love Clark's but can't buy anymore unless I hear they have solved the problem.

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Lisa Loftus
US
Apr 25, 2019 2:31 pm EDT

I have had a pair of Clark's leather mules for several years. I have worn them maybe 10 times (I have a lot of shoes). They were stored in a box. I wore them yesterday and the sole disintegrated as I was walking into work. Luckily I keep a spare pair of shoes at work! I called Clark's customer service and they said they were too old and it's a problem called hydrolysis that happens when shoes are stored in a box and rarely worn - so in other words "tough toenails" to me. I advised I saw a lot of complaints on-line regarding shoes that weren't "too old", but it didn't matter. I will not be buying any more Clark's shoes.

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Wittnitt
US
Apr 28, 2019 3:43 pm EDT

Pulled out a pair of the most comfortable Clark shoes I ever had. Hadn't worn them for several months. Picked them both up and on both shoes the top had completely separated from the bottom and the soles were all gooey and cracking in half. Couldn't help but laugh but disappointed after reading all these other complaints. Asked my sister if she had ever had anything like that happen to her ...and what do you know...a pair of Clark shoes! I dont store my shoes in boxes so that excuse is a bunch of marlarkey!

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jk##
US
Jul 24, 2019 4:16 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have been a fan of Clark sandals as they fit my feet so well and are quite attractive. I have six pairs as I like them in many colors. A year ago the oldest pair had the sole completely disintegrate on one shoe. I decided it could be age and threw them away. The top sandal portion was still perfect. Today I wore another pair which are much newer and I have worn about 6 times. I noticed black pieces on the carpet. Turns out this shoe sole is completely rotted. Such a shame to have such a fine sandal with such an inferior sole. Will not purchase again.

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Pandora518
US
Feb 20, 2020 12:48 pm EST

I had the exact same problem. My shoes were older so I wrote to Clark's explaining that I wasn't seeking compensation but I wanted to understand what had happened because I have other Clark's shoes and didn't feel confident that they, too, wouldn't fall apart while I was wearing them. They explained that they were aware of a problem with the material that was used in that and several other models of their shoes and that stopped using that material. They also insisted I select a pair from their website and they're sending them to me! I was quite impressed.

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Ronda Scott
US
Oct 13, 2020 6:16 pm EDT

My heel fell apart on a pair of nice leather clark clogs. Left heel broke and leaked black rubbery sponge all over before I noticed the problem. I inspected the right clog and noticed it had a huge crack and was broken as well. I believe it’s a manufacturing problem where China is using substandard material because a new pair of leather Born sandals did the same thing this summer. The heel components crack and then the sponge material starts leaking out and the shoes are shot. It’s sad because the leather uppers are brand new .

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huntnsail
US
Mar 18, 2021 4:31 pm EDT

I just got a pair of Clarks, perfect fit and so comfortable. I walked out to my car in the driveway, Went to an appointment, back to may car and to the driveway and into the house. The soles are crumbling, pieces falling off. I can see more cracks developing. What a huge disappointment! The leather is in perfect condition.

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Adante
La Crosse WI, US
Jun 23, 2021 9:07 pm EDT

I also have a pair of Clark sandals. the leather on top is fine, and the soles have totally disintegrated! black all over my house because I didn't notice what was happening. then when I walked out the door the sole just fell apart.

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Chris Lehman
US
Jun 28, 2021 12:02 am EDT

My gift to an elderly woman was a pair of Clark sandals. I had them shipped from Florida to New York. She wore both shoes that Sunday and immediately both heels disintegrated. She sent me a picture of the broken, fall apart heels. I was embarrassed by the whole thing. SHAME ON CLARK.

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Lulu christou
London, England, Greater London, GB
Aug 09, 2021 4:05 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Please help I’ve worn my New Clark’s sandals twice
They have fell Apart All black pieces In the Restaurant
In my car in my Home what on earth is going on
I’m so disappointed
Does Anybody have idea who to complain to please
Uk Thank you

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christinahh
CA
Nov 02, 2021 2:50 pm EDT

Same here, the soles of my Clark's sandals disintegrated - one pair after another leaving black blobs behind. I had worn the same style for years with no problem.

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christinahh
CA
Nov 02, 2021 2:53 pm EDT

Same here, also leaving a trail of black blobs behind - one pair after another as I had been purchasing the same 3-strap sandals for years. It was most embarrassing when my black trail was left behind at a luncheon. Need it be said that none of my senior group will be purchasing Clark's again for our weary feet.

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LynnerC
Naples, Florida, US
Nov 10, 2021 12:01 pm EST

Same here! Top leather straps perfect, bottom soles sticky black goo. And try to get that stuff off 🤨😩😩 this is horrible!

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Chaight
US
Dec 04, 2021 10:21 pm EST

My Clark's did the same thing. I've bought Clark's for years for the quality and comfort. I'm so disappointed. I'm out of town, was ready to attend an event, and I look down to see a trail of black. Both pair disintegrated as if I'd stepped in a bed of hot coals.

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Sharon Adams Converse
US
Jan 02, 2022 4:44 am EST

I too have a pair of mules that I've worn several times. I wore them out shopping and the heels just fell apart, leaving a metal shank exposed! Plus my ankle was turned in this experience.
I see others complaints here, but nothing resolved.
This seems to he a common problem?

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Linda Corpuz
US
Mar 06, 2022 3:12 pm EST

I bought 2 pairs of Clarks Shoes. Identical style, different color. I thought they would be perfect for work. I put on my brown pair. Drove to the bank, then to the Gas station. My shoes felt awkward, I looked down next to the gas pump and saw a whole chunk of my she soles had fallen off. Disintegrated. My fist time wearing them, only walking for about 15 minutes total. The entire soles of each shoe completely disintgrated! I'm shocked

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Mickey 2
Glendora, OM
Apr 14, 2022 10:00 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Same thing ,wore my Clark's to teach and kept seeing black on carpet ,then later shoe felt funny, half the sole had crumbled away the left is too disappointing.

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SecondTime
Newbern, US
May 07, 2022 6:44 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am disabled and have a knee and hip replacement with spinal issues. I put on my shoes this morning to attend a family funeral and took a step and the soles of my shoes (which had only been worn a very few times) completely disintegrated! It could have caused a bad fall but fortunately I grabbed onto the bed post. I have bought many pairs of Clarks and this is the second pair that has done this. Why?

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Sonia Da Costa
US
Aug 04, 2022 2:56 pm EDT

The very thing happened to me this morning. I normally wear my slides during the summertime they're kept in the closet (not in the box) so they should have plenty of circulation air. I was able to walk down a flight of stairs this morning, out the front door to the driveway in minutes I started to feel unbalanced. When I looked down the hills of my slide crumbled.

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Reliability
US
Aug 17, 2022 4:21 pm EDT

It isn't just Clarks. Hotters and Kays have done the same. I love my shoes and some that are 25 years old are still going strong. Luckily I haven't fallen. It is obviously cheap nasty materials.

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Shoe_less
Chicago, US
Nov 01, 2022 6:51 pm EDT

I wore these Clarks once in spring of 2022. I wore them again today November 1, 2022 to a doctor appointment. I noticed that the shoes felt very spongy. After I'd been home for a bit I wondered who had left a trail of dirt in every room!

Was greatly surprised to find my twice worn shoes were disintegrating under my feet.

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JyotiGB
US
Nov 02, 2022 3:26 pm EDT

Has Clarks provided resolution for this issue? My mules are hardly worn and otherwise look almost brand new. I only discovered what was happening because of the trail of rubber pieces on my carpet. Is there a way to fix this?

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Lena Heeney
Lake City, US
Nov 26, 2022 6:27 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Over the past 10 years I have had problems with the heels of my Clark shoes completely fall apart and not on just one pair, but probably a dozen pairs. I have never expected this problem with any other brand of shoe before. I have continued to purchase this brand because I love the styles, but unless the company changes how there product is made I will need to buy a brand that I can trust to not fall apart on me. At my age I can not afford to fall because of faulty shoes.

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