What are Wallabees Shoes? - A Guide to Clarks Wallabees
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Wallabees, the moccasin-inspired shoes from Clarks, have become a symbol of style that’s been embraced by Hollywood stars, hip-hop royalty, and Britpop icons. This guide will explore the history of the iconic shoe, the materials that make them special, and the different styles available.
The History of Wallabees
In 1968, Lance Clark, inspired by a moccasin called “Grasshopper” made by the German shoe company Sioux, created the Wallabee. The original shoe was manufactured in Kilkenny, Ireland. At the time, the British found the shoe to be too radical, as the crepe-soled, lace-up moccasin was vastly different from the pointed or rounded shoes that dominated the market in England.
However, the alternative foot-shaped Wallabee became successful quite quickly in the free-thinking America of the 1960s. To celebrate the launch of this future icon, Clarks erected the largest billboard North America had ever seen. Measuring an enormous 185 by 45 feet, the billboard declared Clarks Wallabees as “Tough’n’Trendy” alongside a large image of the new shoe.
The arrival and promotion of the Wallabee in North America came at the perfect time, as the shoe’s comfortable and uncluttered design became the shoe of choice for the era’s revolutionaries, free thinkers and counterculture icons. The Wallabee was immensely successful, and ultimately led to Clarks being presented an Outstanding Export Achievement award by the Irish government in 1968.
Crafting the Wallabee
What makes the Wallabee so special isn’t just its iconic silhouette, but also its soft, yet durable construction. Clarks has constructed a shoe with a unique technique and high-quality materials for next-level comfort, premium quality, and casual styling.
Tubular Construction
The Wallabee is made from just two pieces of suede using a tubular construction technique. The upper is assembled with the vamp (the top portion of the shoe) and side panel, creating a distinctive tube shape which gives the Wallabee its unique silhouette.
Hand-Stitching
The vamp is carefully hand-sewn with an extra thick waxed thread. This ensures that the shoe maintains its form, preventing any unfolding from the side panel. The tubular construction's main characteristic is the 360° wrap of leather around the foot, bypassing traditional lasting board components and extra glue.
Crepe Soles
The Wallabee's hard-wearing crepe sole offers bounce, flexibility, and grip. Derived from latex tapped from the para rubber tree, crepe is a natural shock absorber and water-repellent. The latex is mixed, mashed, and dried before being rolled into sheets, with any off-cuts recycled. This natural and eco-friendly material provides both comfort and sustainability.
Premium Suede
The suede used to construct a Wallabee undergoes a unique technique, which involves rehydration, sanding, shaving (both the flesh and nap sides), dyeing, buffing, and brushing the hide to create the perfect English suede specifically tailored for Clarks.
Styles of Wallabees
Today, there are countless styles and colors of the Wallabee, so there's a perfect match for anyone’s unique taste and preference. Whether you're looking for a timeless classic or a contemporary twist, there’s sure to be a Wallabee to complement your personal style.
Unisex Wallabee Styles
Original Wallabees
At the heart of the Wallabee collection lies the original design. Loved by fashion enthusiasts both in the 1960s and today, this style’s iconic silhouette has stood the test of time.
Wallabee Boot
For those looking for more coverage without compromising on style, the Wallabee Boot offers a higher cut while maintaining the essence of the classic design.
Wallabee Cup
Embracing a street-inspired aesthetic, the Wallabee Cup features a distinctive cupsole silhouette. For a more laid-back style, the Wallabee Cup Lo offers a slip-on open-back design.
Wallabee Loafer
The Wallabee Loafer has a moccasin silhouette with a clean, refined look. Crafted from smooth mid tan leather, the saddle loafer strap and crafted stitching combines with a tassel trim and the pebble crepe soles. The Wallabee Loafer Weave features detail inspired by traditional Huarache sandals.
Mens’ Wallabees
Wallabee Boat
For those looking for a more nautical silhouette, this shoe combines everything you love about the traditional Wallabee, in a modern-retro aesthetic.
Walla Eden Lo
This newest addition to the Wallabee family replaces the crepe sole with a chunky Vibram sole that is perfect walks.
Womens’ Wallabees
Wallacraft Bee
The Wallacraft Bee stands out with a chunky soled moccasin design, featuring soft unlined uppers and airy EVA inserts. This statement shoe combines style with comfort.
Wallabee T Bar
The Wallabee T Bar combines a preppy profile with Wallabee heritage design details. These suede shoes have the natural crepe soles with tonal fobs and a classic T-bar closure.
Happy Wallabee Day: April 26
With its unprecedented foot shaped toe, true moccasin construction and spongy natural crepe sole, the Wallabee, as with all Clarks shoes, was created with ultimate comfort in mind. But what has taken this shoe from its humble Somerset beginnings to its iconic status on the world stage are the communities that have adopted, adapted, and embraced the shoe.
“We need to have a Wallabee Day. We need to be able to say ‘Today is the day everybody throws their joints on’ “ - Raekwon
Legend has it that on 26th April 1971, an alarm was raised at New York’s John F Kennedy Airport, with customs teams rapidly assembling cages to accept the 4,176 Wallabees that were expected to arrive that day from Clarks. Customs called Clarks to check the animals were safe to handle and to discuss the lack of paperwork supplied to transport this number of live animals. There was a sense of relief (but also fury) when airport staff were informed that the crates did not, in fact, contain live animals, but the new Wallabee shoe silhouette.
To celebrate a style that has shaken things up from day one, Clarks has declared that Wallabee Day which will take place every year on 26th April, encouraging it’s global community of wearers to share their love of the iconic shoe.
Wallabees: Forever an Icon
Worn by the world, the Wallabee is a shoe that changed the shape of footwear. Few footwear brands have achieved the iconic status that Wallabees have; From the hip-hop stage to the streets of London, Wallabees have left a mark on fashion and culture. When you try your own pair of Wallabees, you'll understand why they continue to be a symbol of timeless style and comfort.