Objects of Affection: Clarks Desert Mali

Clarks Originals is re-releasing the Desert Mali boot in their FW 2010 run, and it’s a very welcome return.  The Mali is essentially a 6-eyelet take on the desert boot, with a slightly more structured, combat/work boot feel to it. It’s still unmistakeably of the “Desert” family, just tweaked a little.

The Desert Mali debuted in 1967, but it hasn’t been around for a good long while. Which is really a pity, as these things are damn good looking. They’re also pretty well-suited to the colder months, as the higher shaft will keep you just a little bit warmer around the ankles than the (relatively short) traditional desert boot. So kudos to Clarks on the timing on this.

The re-release will include five versions: black and mahogany leather for the first two; brown, cola, and wolf suede for the last three. Just to get everyone on the same page, apparently wolves are beige (aka, the color pictured above).

The packaging is appropriately historical-y:

Not sure of the price yet, but my personal guess is around $120 (based on the $95 price tag on the Clarks desert boot).

—Jonathan

(Images/info courtesy of Contemporary Standard)

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Objects of Affection: Pointer Crago in Dark Brown

Yesterday’s insanely warm weather in NYC reminded me that having your ankles covered on a hot day is not always pleasant. So, though I love me my desert boots, I’ve been trolling around for a similar look in a shoe.

Since the Desert Trek from Clarks is out (I hate that seam running down the center), I’m really digging this offering from Pointer footwear: The Crago. You can click the shoe name to see a ton of colorways over at Pointer’s site, but my favorite doesn’t seem to be on there.

It’s that dark, dark brown offering shown above, and it’s available at Penelope’s. I’m particularly fond of it because it’s a little bit different from the norm, while maintaining a look that is distinctly “desert boot” in inspiration.

Different how? Well, the combination of full grain leather and suede adds some nice textural play and breaks from the traditional all-suede or all-leather executions. And because the two materials don’t exactly match one another in color or in the way they react to light (sheen vs. matte), there’s some bonus visual interest there as well.  The use of a relatively low profile wedge sole in white rubber (of the non-crepe variety) is the icing on the cake for me.

A few more looks at the Pointer Crago in Dark Brown:

It’s also on sale! Marked down from $164 to $114. Click on over before they’re gone.

—Jonathan

PS – There’s a tan version as well, if you’re feeling more traditional today.

Pick it up at Penelope’s or Asos.

(Images courtesy of Penelope’s and Asos)

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Objects of Affection: Clarks Beeswax Desert Boot – The Main Event

Despite technical difficulties, the lack of a truly visually appealing space in which to take my photos, and general mayhem today…I bring you the main event!

Inspired by Andrew of AJChen.com’s post on his own desert boots, I decided to show off my own. They’ve gotten 2-7 wears/week over the course of the last 10 months. Temperature, precipitation, location, or event were not a concern. I wore them to dive bars and client meetings alike. And I love them all the more for it. They’re holding up very well, and I anticipate a lot more life from these guys.

For comparison’s sake, I tried my best to mimic the shots of the unworn ones that I posted earlier.

So: the pictures!

As you can see, the biggest difference is the sole. But that’s just crepe rubber for you. It gets dirty quick. They were nearly black after the first day.

The most fun though, is looking at the leather itself. You can see the various colors and textures all around. In the creases around the instep and ankle, the scuffing on the toe box, and the almost burnished look where my jeans have rubbed and stained the leather to a dark sheen.

With more time, I think they’ll develop even more character. I can’t wait.

—Jonathan

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Objects of Affection: Clarks Beeswax Desert Boot – Teaser

Inspired by this post over at AJChen.com, I decided it’d be cool to show how beautifully my own set of Clarks Beeswax Desert Boots have aged. And I think I’m finally going to have the time to take a few half decent shots a bit later today. Hurrah! For now, though, a teaser. And a bit of context. Here’s what they look like brand new:

Oh so clean. Uniform color on the waxed leather uppers. Natural/cream color on the crepe soles. The leather is even a little bit stiff, standing at rigid attention at the back there.

They look downright great right out of the box, to be honest. But it’s the way they age and become your own that’s made me love these boots. Come back over in a few hours, and I’ll show you why.

If you’re looking to nab a pair right now, just based on how good they look new (and that would be understandable), you can get ‘em at Amazon.

—Jonathan

(All images courtesy of Amazon)

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