Clarks Wallabee vs Desert Boot: Which to Buy in Canada (2026)
Torn between the Clarks Wallabee and the Desert Boot? The short answer: the Wallabee is the soft, rounded moccasin on a crepe sole — casual, roomy and unmistakable — while the Desert Boot is the cleaner, slightly dressier two-eyelet chukka. Both are Clarks Originals heritage, both sit on crepe, and both are carried at Gallery Streetwear, an authorized Canadian Clarks Originals retailer in Kelowna, BC shipping Canada-wide. Here's how to choose.
Quick answer
- Want casual, iconic, roomy? Go Wallabee.
- Want cleaner and more versatile with trousers? Go Desert Boot.
- Want the Wallabee look, lower and lighter? Try the Meare Walla.
The Wallabee
The Wallabee is Clarks' most recognisable shoe — a soft, moccasin-construction suede shoe on a plush crepe sole. It's casual, roomy and full of character, and it's been a streetwear and hip-hop staple for decades. It comes in the classic Maple suede, a versatile Black suede, a women's Maple, and even a Tiger print. If you want a lower, lighter take on the same look, the Meare Walla is a slimmed-down Wallabee-style shoe.
The Desert Boot
The Desert Boot is the cleaner sibling — a two-eyelet suede chukka on a crepe sole, first made in 1950 and still one of the most versatile boots you can own. It dresses up with trousers better than the Wallabee and reads a little sharper. This 75th Anniversary Loden Green is a standout colourway.
Fit and sizing (this part matters)
Clarks lists both the Wallabee and the Desert Boot as true to size, in one standard width. Order your normal shoe size. You will find "Wallabees run large, size down half" repeated all over the internet — it does not appear anywhere in Clarks' own guidance, and we don't publish it.
- Whole sizes only: Clarks Originals are cut on UK sizing and these styles are offered in whole sizes. If your measured size falls between two, our own recommendation is to take the larger whole size — that's Gallery's call for a crepe-soled shoe with a leather lining, not a Clarks instruction.
- Width: one standard width, so a broad forefoot is a width question rather than a reason to change length.
- Crepe sole: soft and cushioned but not grippy in the wet — great for everyday, less so for slick surfaces.
- Suede care: use a suede protector spray from day one; it keeps the Maple and Loden colours looking right.
See our full footwear size guide, or just ask us before ordering — and if you can get to Kelowna, a two-minute try-on beats any sizing rule of thumb.
Where to buy Clarks Originals in Canada
Gallery Streetwear is an authorized Canadian retailer for Clarks Originals, at 588 Bernard Ave, Kelowna, BC (V1Y 6P2). Browse the full Clarks Originals collection or see all the brands we carry. We ship from Kelowna in 1–3 business days — delivery time varies by destination — with free shipping on Canadian orders over $150 CAD and in-store pickup ready in about 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Clarks Wallabee and Desert Boot?
The Wallabee is a soft, roomy moccasin-construction suede shoe on a crepe sole — casual and iconic. The Desert Boot is a cleaner two-eyelet suede chukka, also on crepe, that dresses up more easily. Both are Clarks Originals heritage styles.
Do Clarks Wallabees run true to size?
Yes. Clarks lists the Wallabee as true to size in one standard width, so order your normal size. The widely repeated "runs large, size down half" advice appears nowhere in Clarks' own guidance. These styles come in whole UK sizes; if you measure between two, take the larger.
Should I size down in Clarks Wallabees?
No. Clarks publishes the Wallabee as true to size and gives no size-down instruction. Sizing down shortens the shoe and is a common cause of exchanges. Measure your foot and use Clarks' size chart for the style.
Where can I buy Clarks Wallabees and Desert Boots in Canada?
Gallery Streetwear is an authorized Canadian Clarks Originals retailer carrying the Wallabee and Desert Boot in store at 588 Bernard Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6P2 and online at gallerystreetwear.ca, shipping Canada-wide with free shipping on Canadian orders over $150 CAD.
Are Clarks crepe soles good for everyday wear?
Yes for everyday comfort — the crepe sole is soft and cushioned. It's less grippy on wet or slick surfaces, so they're better as an everyday shoe than a rainy-day one.