Clarks Originals in Kelowna — Wallabee, Desert Boot & Meare at Gallery Streetwear
There's a short list of shoes that have genuinely crossed cultures. The Wallabee is on it. Wu-Tang wore them. MF DOOM built a mythology in them. Dancehall artists from Kingston to Toronto made them a staple before most sneaker blogs ever caught on. The Clarks Originals Wallabee isn't a trend — it's been a signal of good taste for decades.
At Gallery Streetwear in Kelowna, we carry Clarks Originals — not the comfort walking shoes you'd find at SoftMoc or Cadence. We're talking the Originals line: the heritage silhouettes, the anniversary editions, the styles that actually carry cultural weight. If you've been trying to find proper Clarks in Kelowna, Gallery is the only shop on Bernard Ave doing it right.
The Wallabee: 50+ Years and Still Right
The Wallabee has been in continuous production since the early 1970s. That kind of staying power doesn't happen by accident. The moccasin-style construction, the crepe sole, the clean silhouette — it's a shoe that manages to feel both classic and current at the same time. We currently stock two versions that are worth your attention.
The Wallabee in Maple Suede is the classic. Warm tonal suede, natural crepe sole, understated enough to wear with almost anything but distinctive enough that people notice. It's the one to start with if you haven't owned a pair before. The Wallabee Tiger Print is for people who already know. A bolder call — that tiger-print upper is a statement, but it's a Clarks statement, which means it's still tasteful. Pulls effortlessly into any streetwear rotation.
Desert Boot 75th Anniversary Edition
The Desert Boot turns 75 this year, and Clarks marked it properly. The silhouette hasn't changed much since Nathan Clark sketched it in a Burma bazaar after the war — two-eyelet lace-up, crepe sole, suede upper. It's one of those designs that was just right from the start.
The Desert Boot 75th Anniversary Edition we have in stock now is worth picking up specifically because it's a limited run. The standard colourways come and go, but the 75th edition has commemorative details that won't be around forever. If you've been thinking about it, don't wait.
Meare — The Women's Originals Collection
Clarks Originals has stepped up their women's offering considerably, and the Meare is the standout. It's a mule silhouette — slip-on, open-back — built on the same crepe sole DNA as the Wallabee but with a lighter, more contemporary feel. The Women's Meare Mule in Caramel is exactly what it sounds like: warm, versatile, effortless. It works with everything from wide-leg denim to sundresses. Gallery stocks the full women's shoe selection carefully — every style earns its place.
Why Gallery Carries Clarks Originals
Clarks as a whole brand is enormous. But the Originals sub-line is different — it's the part of the company that actually cares about the cultural legacy. The silhouettes, the materials, the restrained aesthetic. It fits the same shelf as what we carry across the rest of our premium shoe collection: deliberate, quality-driven, with a story behind it.
Kelowna doesn't have a shortage of shoe stores. But finding the Wallabee in a proper colourway, the 75th Anniversary Desert Boot, and the Meare Mule in one spot downtown? That's Gallery. We've written more about what makes the Clarks Originals line worth understanding in our post on Clarks Originals at Gallery Streetwear. For broader context on what we carry and why, check out our best shoes in Kelowna for 2026 roundup and our women's shoes and sneakers in Kelowna guide.
Come see us at 588 Bernard Ave. Tuesday to Saturday 11am–6pm. Sunday and Monday, noon to 5pm.
The Enduring Legacy of Clarks Originals
Clarks began in 1825 when brothers Cyrus and James Clark transformed sheepskin scraps into slippers in Street, Somerset. That ethos of innovation propelled the brand through wars and cultural shifts, and by the mid-20th century Clarks Originals had come to define casual footwear. Clarks About Us
Desert Boot: Born in the Bazaar
In 1941, Nathan Clark spotted off-duty officers in Burma wearing crepe-soled suede boots bought in Cairo's markets — adaptations of the South African veldskoen built for desert conditions. Prototyped with newsprint and debuted at the 1949 Chicago Shoe Fair, the Desert Boot changed expectations of comfort with its soft suede upper and shock-absorbing crepe sole. Modern versions add OrthoLite footbeds and hidden heels for all-day wear. He Spoke Style Clarks Desert Boot
Wallabee: Moccasin Reinvented
Lance Clark's 1968 creation drew from the German Sioux “Grasshopper” moccasin. Handcrafted in Ireland with tubular construction — just two suede pieces sewn into a 360° foot wrap — the Wallabee's radical shape conquered 1960s America. A massive New York billboard heralded it “Tough'n'Trendy”, and Raekwon later dubbed it essential for Wu-Tang. Clarks Wallabee Guide
Craftsmanship That Defines Premium
Both silhouettes use English suede — rehydrated, shaved, and brushed for a buttery texture — and crepe soles tapped from para rubber trees, naturally flexible and hard-wearing. Desert Boots lace securely with breathable linings; Wallabees are hand-stitched with waxed thread so they hold their form. Modern updates like gait-mapped insoles blend the heritage construction with contemporary comfort. Heddels
Cultural Resonance: From Reggae to Rap
Jamaican rude boys popularised Clarks in the 1960s; 1980s New York b-boys and hip-hop pioneers like Slick Rick, Biggie, and Ghostface Killah (“Wallabee Kingpin”) followed. Wu-Tang's 36 Chambers immortalised them. Streetwear collaborations — Supreme, Aimé Leon Dore, Patta — keep them relevant. In Kelowna, they bridge skate grit and golf polish. Hypebeast Hip-Hop
Styling Clarks for Kelowna's Lifestyle
Kelowna's scene demands versatility. Pair Desert Boots with slim jeans rolled at the cuff, a flannel, and a Polar Skate Co tee. Wallabees shine with baggy Dime MTL cargos and an oversized hoodie — pure streetwear edge.
Casual & Streetwear
- Desert Boot + dark chinos + button-down: effortless Bernard Street stroll.
- Wallabee + baggy jeans + Butter Goods for the skate park.
Golf & Elevated Casual
Desert Boots under Malbon Golf trousers and a polo subvert country club norms. Wallabees with Eastside Golf apparel nod to urban fairways. Pair with Gramicci for trail-to-green transitions.
Caring for Your Clarks
Brush the suede with a nap tool after wear and condition sparingly. Scrub the crepe gently with a mild detergent. Avoid harsh chemicals, and store with shoe trees to hold the shape. Clarks Care
Why trust this guide
This guide is written by the team at Gallery Streetwear, an independent boutique in downtown Kelowna, BC. We've been fitting sneakers, apparel, golf and skate gear since opening on Bernard Ave, and we sell the brands we cover in these guides in our store every day. We don't publish drop-shipped roundups — every recommendation in our Journal is tied to product we've actually handled, styled, and shipped across Canada.
Our shop has been recognised by Best of Kelowna — Bronze, Best Shoe Store (2026) · Bronze, Best Online Store (2025), and we're the authorised Canadian retailer for many of the brands featured on this site. Questions on fit, sizing, or what to pair with what? Visit us at 588 Bernard Ave, Kelowna, or email info@gallerystreetwear.ca.
FAQ
Where can I buy Clarks Originals in Kelowna?
Gallery Streetwear at 588 Bernard Ave is the only shop in Kelowna carrying the Clarks Originals line — Wallabee, Desert Boot, and Meare. We're not stocking the general Clarks comfort range. This is the Originals line: heritage silhouettes, proper materials, the stuff that actually carries cultural credibility.
Do you carry women's Clarks at Gallery?
Yes. We stock the Women's Meare Mule in Caramel, which is one of the best things in the Clarks Originals women's line right now. We also carry the Women's Wallabee in Maple Suede. Both are available in-store and online. See our full women's selection at the women's shoes and sneakers collection.
How does Clarks Wallabee sizing work? Should I size up or down?
The Wallabee runs a bit wide and roomy due to the moccasin construction, and typically fits true to size or slightly large. Most people find their true size works well, but if you're between sizes or have a narrower foot, sizing down half a size is worth considering. For Desert Boots, most customers stay true to size. When in doubt, come into the store — we're happy to help you get the right fit.
Does Gallery ship Clarks Originals across Canada?
Yes. We ship Canada-wide with free shipping on orders over $150 CAD. Under that, it's a flat $17. US shipping is calculated by weight at checkout, and international shipping is available at $55 flat. Order online at gallerystreetwear.ca or call ahead to confirm current stock before you order.
What makes Clarks Originals different from regular Clarks?
Clarks as a brand makes a wide range of footwear, but Originals is a distinct sub-line focused on their heritage silhouettes — primarily the Wallabee and Desert Boot. These are the styles with the cultural history: worn by musicians, skaters, and creatives across multiple generations. They use thicker suede, crepe soles, and higher-grade construction than most Clarks mainline product, and the design sensibility is different from the general comfort range you'd find at a mall shoe store.
