Podiatrist-Approved Clarks Shoes *Are* Cute (and These 6 Styles Are Here To Prove It)

You know what we don’t talk about enough? Foot health. Sure, it’s not the sexiest topic, but it’s definitely important and something you should be considering while shoe shopping. After all, our feet carry us around all day, whether we’re running, standing, hiking, or commuting to work. What you put on your precious tootsies matters—and not just in terms of cushion and comfort. Stability, arch support, and traction are all key, and brands like Clarks—which prioritize all of those qualities—don’t get always get the attention they deserve. ICYMI, the brand has actually cute styles that don’t compromise on comfort. And, best of all, you can almost always find Clarks on sale, which is just yet another reason to jump on the supportive-shoe bandwagon.

The brand is frequently recommended by foot specialists across the country, including Austin-based podiatrist, Anne Sharkey, DPM. “Clarks are great for anyone with foot pain and a great option for those with low or flat arches,” Dr. Sharkey tells us. “It’s a brand that covers everything from slippers to dress shoes. [It’s also] a brand that has been around for many years and is a reliable choice for both comfort and stability, and wearability.”

Sold yet? Check out our picks of the best Clarks on sale below, and find your new favorite pair of comfortable, supportive kicks.

The Best Clarks on Sale, at a Glance:

• Best loafers: Clarks, Sarafyna Rae, $110
• Best over-the-knee boots: Clarks, Maye Aster, $160
• Best ankle boots: Clarks, Maye Palm, $118
• Best sling-backs: Clarks, Katalenya Step, $74
• Best casual sneakers: Clarks, Mayhill Walk, $110
• Best breathable shoe: Clarks, Cloudsteppers Breeze Sky Lace, $45

Shop a Few of the Best Clarks on Sale

Best loafers: Clarks, Sarafyna Rae — $110.00

Made with soft leather and a gorgeous gold chain detail, the Sarafyna Rae loafers are a closet staple waiting to happen. They feature Clarks’ Contour Cushion footbed, which provides cloud-like cushion and gentle arch support for all-day wear. Whether you plan to wear them for work or play, the grippy outsole means they’ll be able to keep up.

Sizes: Women’s 6-11, half sizes and wide sizes available

Heel height: .75 inches

Colors: 2

Pros: 

• Durable real leather upper
• Great arch support and grippy outsole for traction
• Classy gold chain detail

Cons: 

• Only two colors available

Best over-the-knee boots: Clarks, Mae Aster — $160.00

These 15-inch, over-the-knee boots are easy to dress up or down. The Maye Aster boot features a suede upper, a flexible and grippy sole, and Clarks’ extra-soft 5mm Ultimate Comfort footbed. Plus, the long interior zipper means no more wrestling your boots on and off. Note: if you’re someone with bigger calves, the standard, 14-inch circumference on these boots may seem too narrow for you, but there are also elastic panels to provide more give.

Sizes: Women’s 5-9, half sizes and wide sizes available

Heel height: 1.63 inches

Colors: 2

Pros: 

• Well-cushioned insole with generous arch support
• Subtle elastic side panels provide a comfortable fit

Cons: 

• Sizes over women’s 9 aren’t always available

Best ankle boots: Clarks, Maye Palm — $118.00

Tall boots not your jam? The Maye Palm style is a versatile and supportive ankle boot that transitions from work to play with ease. They feature a soft leather upper and a stretchy knit ankle that makes new-boot-break-in-woes a thing of the past. Plus, these boots have the same plush Ultra Comfort footbed as the knee-height option above.

Sizes: Women’s 5-11, half sizes and wide sizes available

Heel height: 1.63 inches

Colors: 2

Pros: 

• Soft leather upper and knit ankle make for a seamless break-in period
• Grippy sole for long days on your feet
• Wide size range

Cons: 

• Only two colors available

Best sling-backs: Clarks, Katalenya Step — $74.00

Bet you didn’t expect to see a cute sling-back silhouette on this list, did you? Clarks has a variety of stylish-yet-supportive heels, and the Katalenya Step is one of their best sellers. The style features a moderate heel (2.75 inches), a gentle pointed toe (more wiggle room) and generous padding (thank you,Clarks!). Plus, the soft suede is available in a variety of pretty colors—just note that some sell out more quickly than others.

Sizes: Women’s 5-11, half sizes and wide sizes available

Heel height: 2.75 inches

Colors: 4

Pros: 

• Well-cushioned for a heel
• Soft pointed toe allows for more wiggle room

Cons: 

• Limited availability in some colors

Best casual sneakers: Clarks, Mayhill Walk — $110.00

The chunky sole! The scalloped lace detail! We honestly can’t believe more people aren’t wearing these Clarks cuties. The Mayhill Walk sneaker features a soft leather upper and a flexible, yet secure rubber sole. And, while they look chunky, they’re rather lightweight and designed to keep you feeling fresh on your feet. There’s also a pillowy cushioned footbed, but you can remove those and swap with custom orthotics if need be.

Sizes: Women’s 5-11, half sizes and wide sizes available

Heel height: 1.4 inches

Colors: 3

Pros: 

• Chunky style with lightweight design
• Removable cushioned insole (if you have custom orthotics)
• Three versatile color options

Cons: 

• Leather design may be hot for some

Best breathable: Clarks, Cloudsteppers Breeze Sky Lace — $45.00

If you tend to run hot, a leather sneaker might not be right for you. Luckily, Clarks also makes a few more breathable styles, like these Cloudsteppers. With a ventilated, crochet-style mesh upper, these lightweight kicks will keep your feet feeling breezy—it’s in the name, after all! They’re also machine washable and have an easy slip-on design.

Sizes: Women’s 5-9, half sizes and wide sizes available

Heel height: 1 inch

Colors: 2

Pros: 

• Breathable mesh design
• Cushioned insole (removable)
• Machine washable

Cons: 

• Limited color options
• Larger sizing is limited

Things to Consider While Shopping

Insoles

Each pair of Clarks is designed with a cushioned insole, but the thickness and arch support varies by design. If you’re someone who has specific foot needs (or was prescribed a custom orthotic from a podiatrist), you’ll want to prioritize a style with a removable insole so you can swap in the added support you need.

Temperature

Whether your feet run hot or cold, you’ll want to take stock of each style’s materials so you know how breathable or insulated your shoes will be. Those who have always-cold feet will appreciate knee-high suede boots, while serious foot-sweaters might find them too warm. The reverse may be true with the mesh Cloudstepper sneakers above.

Widths and Half Sizes

One thing we like about Clarks is that they do a really good job of offering wide and half sizes. However, during our search we found that some styles had a limited size run, particularly with sizes over women’s 9. Just something to keep in mind!

Looking for more comfortable and supportive kicks? Check out our lists of the best boots for arch support and the best shoes for walking and standing all day.