Clarks review: Soles fall apart! 169

I have been trying to contact Clark Shoes for this very problem!

We purchased some beautiful 'first steps' Clark shoes for our first son, who never
wore them. 20 months later, I put them on our second son. I found the rubber
soles quite sticky. Then, to my horror, I found my 10 mth old son choking on a
huge piece of sole that had just broken off! As he rubbed his feet on our carpet
the soles left big blue stains on the carpet, and the soles have cracked completely
from side to side.

THESE ARE AN INFERIOR AND DANGEROUS PRODUCT.

I love my Clarks. I own 9 pair. I have never had a single problem with any of them. They are so comfortable and support my high arches well. I have not found a better shoe.

I have owned several pair of Clark shoes. After a few years of use the sole splits. The upper areas of the shoe are in good condition and would give a lot of additional wear. I also buy Rockport shoes and have never had any similar problem with them.

I am a teacher and, when new and for several months following, Clark's shoes are great.Other teaches wear these shoes and have identical complaints. I have bought many pairs of Clark's shoes and have experienced 4 pairs that have prematurely fallen apart. The material to which the uppers are sewn pulls apart and is irreparable. Clark's has replaced one pair, but it seems the shoes they have that I prefer, are all destined to fail much too prematurely. Clark's products have appreciably deteriorated in quality.

I just now experienced the same problem. The sole just disintegrated on my way to work. For me it seems at it does not depend on how often you wear them, but just on the age of the shoes.

I have six(6) pairs of clark shoes that have come detached from the soles and are unable to be worn. Also, I have other pairs of clark's that I am sure will follow suit. I "expect" clark shoes to remedy this situation ASAP; and, hope I won't be disappointed.

I prefer clark shoes for their comfort; but, will refrain from purchasing additional pairs and will discourage others from purchasing your shoes too unless my complaint is handled swiftly and to my satisfaction.

Clark used to be my favorite shoe . The one purchased several years back are still together, however, the three pair that have been purchased in the last three years are falling apart.The soles have separated.
Will the company do anything about this lesser quality of workmanship?
They have lost an "old customer" .

L.J O. in San Antonio

I agree. I've have worn clarks since my childhood and they are poorly made compared with the 'old days'.

Today I attended an event and my soles started coming apart and trialing behind me were bits and pieces of the sole material - now that was embarrassing! At one time I thought Clark shoes were the best...not anymore. I have several more pairs of Clark shoes and I know the same thing will happen. Now this is the third pair that has come apart at the soles. Why are you not correcting this problem! I will start buying Rockport in the future. Do something about this problem or get it off the market! Another customer lost...

Sadly - I agree - my Clarks Originals sole disintegrated too.

I agree as well - stitching came apart, totally unwearable. Has anyone had any luck in contacting the Clark Company customer service for assistance?

Clark's shoes used to be my favorite. I have bought several pairs, some from the UK and some from outside the UK. Unfortunately, all of the shoe soles disintegrated, the brand-new and the used ones. Calling Clark's international in the USA, they informed they do not warranty their shoes even the unused models. Only, they can offer a 30% coupon. Calling Clark's international in UK they asked to send them the shoes for inspection and then they will decide. However, it is unrealistic to send it back, it will be only academic to send it back since it will be very expensive since Clark's is not willing to pay for shipping. Sorry, to hear that this is how business has evolved over time specially for quality products!

I guess just absorb the cost and NEVER BUY Clark's again.

CLARKS PROBLEMS SOLVED! FYI - I, too, have worn Clarks for years - sudddenly several pairs started falling apart just below the stitching on the rubbery material. I've also had some crack open on the bottom. Clearly a manufacturing defect. HOWEVER, I called Clarks [protected] and requested an RMA. They are sending me a label to return the 4 defective pairs I know of and will replace them with the shoes of my choice! They told me to go online and pick them out and send a note in the box. I'm going home tonight to inspect all the remaining pairs in my closet and so are my friends. The Clarks rep told me they had some defective material in these older shoes and that the problem doesn't exist in the new ones. We'll find out!

I was very disappointed how mine disintegrated in a matter of hours yesterday, albeit I have owned them for over ten years. This forum allowed me the information to call Clarks USA, pick out another pair of mules (mine was no longer available) and promised delivery by next Friday. All I can say is there few other companies that would honor their product like that, forget Nike or some other big name. I am impressed with their attitude and plan to shop online for another pair just because I know they stand behind their product.

Follow up from Clarks' Lover - when i called 12/1 and they promised to send the a return label, etc, HOWEVER, never received anything. Called again today, and mysteriously they had no record of my previous call. They took down all the information (up to 6 pairs now all falling apart in the same manner - stiching attached to rubbery soles detached). This time, the cust. service agent was much less agreeable about the returns. Although he is promising to send me a label to arrive within 10 days, tried to blame it on the age of the shoe. Since they all have the same exact problem, (and so many other people have experienced the same thing) it seems to clearly be a defect in the materials or manufacturing. We'll see what happens.

I have been writing Clarks for several months to obtain replacement shoes for two expensive pairs that fell apart. Inside the sole, the structure had completely disintegrated. I have probably owned 20 pairs of Clarks over the years, and presently have five pairs in my wardrobe. Clarks ' inappropriately named 'Customer Service', couldn't care less. I am extremely disappointed and believe that they should stand behind their products.

I just made a comment about my sole splitting. I called customer service, and they asked me for a number inside the shoe. I gave it to them, and they are sending me a new pair! The call only took 5 minutes.

Final Followup from ClarksLover
Hooray! Today I found a BIG box from Clarks on my front porch. Inside were SIX pairs of shoes, including 2 pairs of boots. I had sent in the 6 defective pairs of clogs and filled out the RGA form I received with my top list of replacements - size, color, style. I am THRILLED with the replacements. Thank you Clarks - only wish I had called sooner and could have included the pairs I threw in the trash, too!

I too love Clark shoes but two of my many pairs have the same sole problem where the stitching came away from the sole. I am going to call the number that "Clarks Lover" called and see if I can get replacement shoes.
I will get back with this forum.

I called and gave them my style number and size. They said they didn't need the shoes back and are sending me a new pair, same style, but the sole problem has been addressed. It was fast, easy and pleasant. I will continue to be a Clark's customer. Way to stand behind your product, Clark's. Sorry others seem to have had negative experiences-but they seem to have addressed that too!

I was at church and noticed that my right Clarks shoe had fallen apart. The sole detached from the top of the shoe as I was ushering. These were my Sunday shoes and occasionally worn.

Checked this site and called [protected] to discuss with the company. They were very helpful and had me choose a replacement pair to ship out free. I offered to send back the defective pair but they declined.

Quite remarkable! Will follow up if there are any additional replacement issues. But so far happy with their resolution.

My 3rd pair of Clarke Shoes has this split sole problem under the ball of the foot. The uppers still look great but the sole of the shoe, under the ball of my foot, just cracked and split all the way across. They are about 2 years old and I wear them 9 or 10 times per month.

Just received my replacement shoes from Clarks as promised last week. Very happy with their resolution process.

I have at least 15 pairs of Clarks in my closet now from sandals to clogs. I was walking in my favorite pair - Susan - when i thought this is the most comfortable like walking on a pillow... the bottom was Disintegrating from the top... then a week later the same with the black pair. The sole where it is stitched to rubber came apart and it is not repairable. I called the number as listed here and lets see what happens. I love my clarks...i even go to the outlet store and get the shoes...love love love

I have a brand new pr. of Clark shoes, adorable and very comfortable sandal. I wore them today for the first time and 2 1/2 hours into my shopping, they felt funny. I looked at them and the sides had all come loose from the sole. I took one off and the whole sole had disintegrated and cracked all the way across. Isn't there anything we can do about this company. I had heard and believed they were wonderful shoes but I certainly won't be buying anymore Clark Shoes!

This is my second pair of Clark shoes, and my last. I am a waitress, and am on my feet for several hours at a time. While I find the shoes comfortable, they do not last at all! After several months of normal wear, the soles wear out. By wear out, I mean, holes on the bottom of the shoes. My first pair, I thought it was a fluke, but the second pair, wore out even faster. The top leather looks almost brand new. I am extremely disappointed they do not have any kind of warranty. They have seen the last of me.

I have been wearing Clarks shoes for many years and have many pairs of Clarks shoes, just recently four pairs of them within four weeks have fallen apart. The soles have split from the shoes. The shoes are not very old and have not been worn much. I have been unable to get a phone number or customer service information to discuss this with someone.

I have a pair of modrl 3627 where stitching has pulled apart/separated from the sole material. I love the shoe as it is very comfortable. This seems unlike the Clark shoes of past.

Lew Anderson at lewand2021@yahoo.com

Mine just did the same thing today at work..how embarassing! Luckily I had a pair of tennis shoes at the office so I could finish the day and run my errands without my shoe falling apart. What does Clark's have to say? Are they willing to replace?

i bought a pair of shoes from clarks shop at city stars center at egypt from a year ago i left them with my italian & germany shoes, from a week ago i like to wear my pair of shoes i wear them and ride my car i found them Separated the upper part of the bottom without any use before
when i goto the shop they told me you can carry them to a Shop to repair clarks shoes and you must pay money to reform your pair of shoes
i think clarks company is very big company to To maintain the reputation, please contact me to what can i do
my mail is :
walaamahmoud@hotmail.com
my telephone no. +202-[protected] ( eng. mahmoud elshayeb)

The sole detatched from the shoe This has happen with 3 pairs.

I recently received a pair of Clark closed toe slides and upon wearing them a short time, they litterly started falling apart! I was away from home and had to walk ever so carefully to my car. I have arthritis in my feet and Clarks are one of the few sh0es I can wear comfortly, but I will no longer buy them as this is the second pair with problems. Can we get replacement pairs as the money lost is not trivial! LCW in Texas

I'm quite confused by all of this. I have worn Clarks, and nothing but clarks for nearly 10 years. I have purchased from Clarks stores, from Big box stores, from outlet stores. I wear them till I literally wear them out. Not fall apart wear out, but wear in every kind of weather on any kind of surface, 365 days a year... wear out. I have never had a sole fall apart or a thread come undone prematurely. I am a bit of a shoe horse...I probably have 18-20 pairs in my closet at any given time. I may not have the first pair I ever bought, but I've never been disappointed in the quality. I'm not dis-believing or discounting any of what has been posted, but clearly Clark's is standing behind their product, as indicated by those who made a simple phone call, and arranged for the return and replacement. And did I mention how nice the people in their stores are? VR @ ORD

Just spoke to Clarks on the phone. Told to pick out shoe style # from store and get back to them. The problem is that the welting came partially off the shoe causing the upper and sole to separate. This is an older style no longer manufactured. The shoes were seldom worn and the soles are like new.

I just had my third pair of Clark Shoes soles come apart, with all showing little wear. Why would a pair of
shoes I love, fall apart like these did? I have three more pair and I am wondering if I should wear them or not
now. Plus seeing all the others who have had the same problem with Clark shoes, who makes the shoe?
How come a shoe that feels so good become so cheap all of a sudden?

My expensive Clark's shoes fell apart. Shoe repair man told me to throw shoes out, because the soles are rubber and you can't repair rubber. What a rip off !

Barbara Abbott
1775 s. Park Rd.
B. H. MI 49022

I haven't had my shoes 3 months and the soles are cracking. I called the # listed on a previous comment and they say they are sending me a replacement pair. I should see the replacement with in 7-10 days. We shall see

I had the same problem with my Clarks, the stitching detached from the sole of the shoe causing me to fall onto my car. Thank heavens I had something to fall on besides the ground. I did however call Clarks Co. using the phone number provided by Mingdoi and Clarks is replacing my shoes at no cost to me. I am surely hoping that what ever the problem is/was they have found a solution. I really like my Clarks especially my feet love them. I think lesser company's might not have replaced the product, but Clark's is trying so I am thinking I will give the new one's a try and hope they are ok. I have other clarks and have had no problem, just seems this style did not hold up at all. I'll keep you posted and thanks to Mingdoi for the phone number your information led me to the person I needed to speak with and with in 10 minutes via phone and computer I picked a pair of shoes that similar to the style I had problems with, order placed and shoes on their way. So I will let you know. If anyone else has had their shoes replaced I would interested in knowing if this shoe held up better as promised. Thank you
Diane B. 5/20/11