Clark’s Desert Boot Resole

[@ElConquistador24]

This is where my Wife and I are at. Limited Tools, and not a whole lot of experience; but, a burning desire an passion for the craft. Great Video!

[@brijnich]

From the UK & Been wearing Clark’s originals for over 20 years and for the life of me I can’t think why Clark’s don’t make this sole version of the boot. Looks amazing and great skills

[@damienmitchell90]

Thanks! I appreciate that

[@MartintheTinman]

You can buy "caterpillar" sole boots from Rossi boots in Australia

[@actontreadway1168]

They have a style that is built very similarly

[@theinvisibleman6147]

they have them nowadays, desert trooper and desert rock. Wish come true.

[@jesseparbhu6125]

This was strangely relaxing and calming

[@ankurjarora3697]

Art is relaxing.

[@jeffreygoss8109]

Except for when he was cutting towards himself. Done that before....ended in stitches.

[@alphabets0ng]

you should check out ASMR videos, you might be one of the many people enjoying them very much

[@damienmitchell90]

For those of you asking me to resole your shoes, I can’t offer this service to you. I just don’t have the proper tools and equipment to do so efficiently. This video was made just for fun. Thanks for watching 👍

[@mahmoudabdulraheem9298]

Phenomenal work Sir, I know that Clark’s Desert boot doesn’t come with a shank

[@razldazl8292]

Are you available now? o.o

[@FireflowerAce]

Thank you for making it, as an aspiring cobbler, videos like these are priceless to me.

[@larryjimbob]

I was wondering what glue would be best to use for skate shoe repairs? Specifically regluing the sole if it starts to come away? Thanks 😊👍

[@damienmitchell90]

@@larryjimbob Barge Super Stik cement works really well

[@stoneblue1795]

Mad, mad skills my friend. Most people would have thrown them away. You turned it into leather-art. Much respect ~ J.P.

[@bellezayverdad]

Congrats for the great craftsmanship! I think these boots have not only been repaired, but also improved. They are as they should have been from the factory. Thx!

[@cyrusbalanlayos]

Incredible!!!!! the new soles give it a more rugged look. great craftmanship!

[@dobman2011]

God I'm jealous, those few steps at the end looked mighty comfy!!

[@damienmitchell90]

They weren't too bad. Kinda heavy, but not bad. They could use a cork insole to be honest.

[@InGrindWeCrust2010]

Well that was different. How very cool! And killer job on the hand stitching!

[@TheeNiteOwl]

They came out amazing! Great craftsmanship. Makes me wanna try this on my Red Wing 3303s, their made with a similar stitch down construction.

[@davepelfrey3958]

Awesome job, inspires me to try this. They look super comfortable too.

[@damienmitchell90]

Thanks! Yeah give it a shot

[@phil_matic]

Those look great! I'd totally buy some of those if they were standard!

[@HankHillbwhaaa]

The sole of that boot is sick

[@KenpoMoogy]

Bro, you just unlocked my doubt, I’m 200% doing this. Thanks!

[@isaiahjohnbevier7814]

You’re a beast bro. Props.

[@damienmitchell90]

Isaiahjohn Bevier thanks I appreciate that

[@mattcribb9793]

Great video! Can you comment on the thickness of the leather you used for the midsole and where you purchased it? Thanks!

[@garekhurt1958]

I've been watching this over and over and just started my own Clark desert boot resole. Super excited about it as the original soles are toast. What is the tool called that you used to punch the stitching holes for sewing on the midsole? I just finished cutting out and truing up the leather midsoles. Very happy with getting locally sourced leather at a killer deal.

[@prunt23]

Don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure the tool is called an awl.

[@mikester6192]

Wow nice work, you make resoling look easy. I will try resoling my Red Wing Iron Rangers. Belt sander check, sewing needles and thread check, need some leather, Vibram soles. I think I am ready. I CAN DO IT.

[@damienmitchell90]

Go for it! Good luck

[@digital_0630]

Absolutely awesome! What would you charge to do this to my Clark’s?

[@likeadog7752]

Great job! What soles did you use? I think I would like to try the same thing.

[@pelleolivastra2161]

We are a small scale leather garments unit! You still lack skills? You kidding! Awesome work Man! You made soles better than clarks!

[@damienmitchell90]

PELLE OLIVASTRA thanks, I appreciate it!

[@kolinmartz]

Better than Clark’s? Maybe. But that’s not the point of the soles they make at all. If you want a boot of this type but with a heavy duty Vibram sole then that’s not a desert boot at that point.

[@prateshramjohn]

Thanks for making the video. I'm going to put a vibram sole when the original one wears out.

[@SCRiLLKLiNTON]

Very dope, great work! I like the black, much better than before.

[@damienmitchell90]

Thanks!

[@timotheusn.h.nakashona1001]

Damn, you're gifted keep GOING.

[@damienmitchell90]

Timotheus H. Nakashona thanks. I appreciate that, and I will

[@trdougherty]

Bravo. Terrific work here.

[@theNavyKid29]

came out very beautifully!

[@damienmitchell90]

Yshmael Baguio thank you!

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

damien mitchell how much would you charge for this resole?

[@damienmitchell90]

Aizen Sousuke I don’t know. A few hundred dollars maybe

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

@@damienmitchell90 the cost of the shoes lmao. These boots are overpriced as it is, mediocre leather, uncomfortable midsole, crepe turns black quickly and is destroyed the more you walk, is dangerous on any water condition, so basically is asking for an injury, i fell one time wearing these but quickly put my hands on the floor lol only way they would work is if you resole them but most cobblers dont want to deal with them cause only way to do it is to remove everything basically and they would charge $80 minimum. Most people got these shoes because of hype and hipsters online who turned it into a staple for fashion lol. If you want chukas, get leather ones, rubber soles WITH stitching that secure the rubber sole to a welt. If you get without stitching, they will peel off which exactly what happens to the busachre with lots of bad reviews on amazon. The crepe probably uses better glue but they can still peel off with continuous use.

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

@@damienmitchell90 Here is a good example of proper Chukka and only $30 more that Clark yet surpass them in all categories by far. It has dainite rubber soles with stitching and better leather, similar brown color, they make you look taller too thursdayboots.com/products/mens-brown-scout-chukka?collection=mens-boots-chukka

[@EthanJLongoria]

I think I've watched this video about twenty times trying to figure out how to do this for myself. Two questions, what was the thickness of the leather you attached to the upper (is that the correct material?) and what type of glue were you using to attach it? Thanks!

[@artieshell9205]

No answer?

[@williammarshall468]

The leather attached to the upper is called the midsole. It looks pretty thick, I'd guess 2.5 to 3 mm. You can use any strong adhesive. The can looked like Renia contact adhesive or masters glue, both are solid options. They smell terrible though.

[@nicholasbargione7524]

Awesome video, what is the technique called that you’re using to stitch the upper to the new midsole?

[@damienmitchell90]

its a saddle stitch

[@isaacmoscosa]

The boots look amazing. Where did you get the soles?

[@damienmitchell90]

I believe I found them on eBay

[@bonnetlid]

Fantastic. Boots well worth it

[@kentuckybeardsman]

Interesting. Might give this a try

[@clementine4567]

where did you get the ripple soles from? amazing video btw! I've seen a photo of a similar clarks desert boot with ripple soles quite some time ago and thought they were the coolest! would love to try this myself.

[@damienmitchell90]

Clementine I found them on eBay some time ago. I don’t remember the exact supplier. Vibrant does make a similar sole though

[@clementine4567]

@@damienmitchell90 thank you, man

[@UncommonS3nse]

really cool to see you can resole Clark's desert boots! Now I wish I had a decent cobbler in my city...

[@alphabets0ng]

@Becoming Godsize resoling is actually worth it IMO. The boot that you get after the new sole was added will be better than the original clarks. The rubber sole they add is quite slippery on wet surface, they don't insulate well and they're not much of a looker. The shoe itself is pretty cheap and after you've worn out the soles, adding a new one like that takes the entire shoe to a new level.

[@martinjaramillo2429]

Nice job they look good

[@nicolasmorillo5328]

Very good job. I'll use your methods to resole my Clarks too

[@thornwarbler]

Grand job mate. Well done

[@shempone]

immensely satisfying

[@vinnyholloway9609]

phenomenal work.

[@victorvallejo7563]

Me gustó mucho tu trabajo, simple y efectivo, como debe ser. I really like your work simple, but effective. As should to be

[@damienmitchell90]

victor vallejo thanks for your kind words 👍🏾

[@OGJay08]

Hey there, can you give an update on the shoes' longevity after you resoled them? Any particular issues? I'm asking as I'll be making a similar type of boots and I liked your method of sole making as it is not as comprehensive. Also, what were the issues with the resoling by the repair shop?

[@damienmitchell90]

As for as longevity goes, they’ve held up well. Though, that may be a bit misleading as I don’t wear them very often. The shoes are very stiff, but maybe that’s due to me not wearing them much. If I were to do it over again I’d reconsider making the wedge of the sole with leather I might use foam between the leather midsole and rubber outsole instead

[@OGJay08]

@@damienmitchell90 Thanks for the reply! And about the wedge, is that because it is too stiff and takes away from it being comfortable?

[@damienmitchell90]

@@OGJay08 yeah I think so

[@drakeorion94]

Not a fan of the heavy zig zag sole, but i enjoyed the process. I have a pair of Keen all leather boots that the sole cracked on one shoe and i was wondering how i would do it. Its a stitch down like these. It might work.

[@josephmpeele]

how long did the glue last before they started collapsing?

[@damienmitchell90]

Joseph Peele they haven’t collapsed. Most shoes (handmade or mass-produced) use contact cement glue for that reason.

[@LifeInAMinorKey]

Great job! I've got similar Clarks Desert Boots, and they have these really flat, slippery soles - besides that I love them. Could use some soles like these!

[@MartintheTinman]

Rossi boots in Australia make ripple soled boots. They can be sometimes found on ebay too

[@levig-man4103]

Great work !

[@julzmax956]

Man that old resole looked like shit. Good job on yours.

[@craigslistrro709]

For a guy who claims to not have the proper tools, you sure did a good job.

[@damienmitchell90]

craigslistrr O haha thanks

[@AE-SuperEggs]

Ingenious 🎉

[@borp6912]

Awesome! Do you still wear these? How did they hold up?

[@damienmitchell90]

they held up fine. Not very comfortable tho. I think the solid leather insole and midsole could have benefited from cork. And if I'm being honest, I don't really like the look them anymore.

[@borp6912]

@@damienmitchell90 Yeah I was wondering how you could've worked in a cork footbed. That's too bad, but it was a really cool exploration

[@agrelista]

Damien good job on your shoes resoles I wanted to know what are all the tools that you used to resole your shoes. I am also curious on what kind of thread that you used for the stitching I would like to try this on a pair of old Clark’s that I have at home. This info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[@damienmitchell90]

agrelista box cutter, pliers, belt sander, sand paper, contact cement, and bonded nylon thread.

[@agrelista]

Thank you Damian

[@treerat6959]

Excellent job looks very nice, what kind of thread did you use ?

[@damienmitchell90]

Tree Rat69 thanks. I used bonded nylon thread.

[@jaadt]

where did you get those soles from? they look cool :)

[@damienmitchell90]

I found them on eBay. Search rubber ripple sole

[@unclejoe7466]

Nice work! Especially using basic shop tools.

[@earthdaddy]

Those weren't original desert boot soles from the start though, correct? Original desert boots have a flat crepe sole with a heel...

[@damienmitchell90]

Correct. That old ripple sole was from a botched job by a shoe repair shop.

[@pelleolivastra2161]

Clarks has been my preferred brand for last 20 years, switching to Timberland or CAT because of sole problems!

[@knifesharpeningnorway]

Hi what will you say is the best boots for the price around the samme price red wings or doc martens or wolverine or any similar priced brands?

[@damienmitchell90]

knife sharpening norway Thorogood boots are nice and similar to redwings. Thursday boots are nice too-more classy.

[@RogerLoera]

Those are some mighty fine shoes.

[@iansoutryer3189]

But Clark's are no longer made in England - but in Vietnam. If you want English made ones google JADD SHOES. They will be happy to repair any one of their own shoes for a cost of 55 GBP plus postage.

[@mvojvodic93]

Thanks for documenting your process - love how these turned out! What material did you use for the midsole?

[@damienmitchell90]

mvojvodic93 the mid soles are leather sole bends

[@pelleolivastra2161]

6-8 oz temper leather!

[@terencegillespie6675]

Nice work. Better than new.

[@ginoponis3231]

Il suo lavoro mi è piaciuto Saluti dalla Sardegna (Italia)

[@gaylecheung3087]

Wow, amazing

[@HorrorFun23]

I want the same done to my Clark’s , how much???

[@mbernardo123]

This was unintentional ASMR except the grinder part. Very relaxing with lots of tingles. Good job on the resole.

[@blu6646]

Great job

[@RalphYapMD]

Looks good

[@johnbradley5236]

Amazing! Look really cool too.

[@nevergiveup66675]

Gooood job

[@rijavia]

Man you are a magician. Keep up the good work ! ! !

[@damienmitchell90]

rijavia thanks! You’re far too kind

[@hossamelgazar5166]

In the minute 7:02 What you putting on the boot leather to make it shine????? And the Alternatives please if I didn’t found this oil

[@damienmitchell90]

hossam elgazar Burts Bees Hans Salve

[@hossamelgazar5166]

@@damienmitchell90 this is as Snow seal ???

[@hossamelgazar5166]

@@damienmitchell90 ?

[@hossamelgazar5166]

؟؟؟

[@damienmitchell90]

hossam elgazar i don’t know. It’s hand salve%

[@peachmelba1000]

Over time, you'll probably find that these boots will become less and less comfortable. That thick leather won't compress very much, and as such, it's not ideal for use as thick wedge Kleiterlift style midsole. You got the concept right, but something a bit softer, like Poron foam for the wedge, with a flexible fiberboard, stitched on midsole would work a lot better with the waffle tread outer sole.

[@damienmitchell90]

peachmelba1000 after a year of wear the midsole isn’t so. I did eventually add an cushy insole, though.

[@peachmelba1000]

@@damienmitchell90 Cool! I did cobblery for several years, so I was calling on my own experience in my comment. One thing I know for sure, is that major boot and shoe manufacturers ALWAYS skimp on the soles of their shoes. Most uppers are made well, with decent materials, but the soles are designed to wear out, or become so uncomfortable that the average person will just toss them. The shoe repair industry took a real dive about 15 years ago. I hope it comes back.

[@pattgsm]

Great job! Which wax are you using here? I love the that rich brown look as opposed to turning the leather almost black.

[@damienmitchell90]

Its my top secret wax! J/K its actually Burt's Bees Hand Savle

[@pattgsm]

damien mitchell thanks.

[@TheBRad704]

@@damienmitchell90 I was going to ask the same question, but good to see it was already answered. As said above, keeping them brown is a very good look. And nice work on the resole. Not my style sole, but you did it very nicely.

[@yutaadi]

You removed the toe cap layer without replacing it?

[@damienmitchell90]

Yudistiro Adi yes. I broke the rules.

[@ANTSS7936]

Where can I buy a sole for mine?

[@henrybeggs6272]

Where did you get the tool that you were using to punch holes around the 4-minute mark?

[@damienmitchell90]

It’s called hand-chisel pliers. I don’t remember where I bought it from. eBay maybe.

[@rayvortines]

Can a cobbler resole any Clark's shoes with crepe soles?

[@damienmitchell90]

yeah probably. it could be difficult as the midsole may fall apart. But if I can do it, a professional definitely can.

[@jessdavis1815]

"So with my limited tools...." *Whips out belt sander*

[@Arvydas_M]

What type of glues you have used for the sole?

[@na-donu]

What kind of adshive you use?

[@mrantone916]

Man you will be the last dude making shoes after the apocalypse. 😎

[@thomasbeckett1245]

Ok, but will the different sole create a boot with not a desert 🐫 theme? May as well add a proper welt around the outside! And make them real boots.

[@damienmitchell90]

Nah.

[@Drownedinblood]

This is really well done. You learn this by yourself or apprenticed someone?

[@damienmitchell90]

Cafelogis thanks-a bit of both.

[@quickXkid]

Sick

[@jp3576]

Nice job! Was there a shank hidden in there somewhere? Enjoyed watching you work.

[@damienmitchell90]

J P no shank. Didnt need it, as the sole is wedged 👍

[@jonathonbowman9957]

Where can I buy these soles?

[@damienmitchell90]

I found them from a random seller on eBay, but Vibram makes a similar pair%

[@jjhernandez5244]

How much does it cost?

[@damienmitchell90]

it cost me nothing but time.

[@Mahasattva27]

Nice job.

[@jeremiahshine]

My 3 month-old casually worn Clarke Chucka's sole just broke at the high-point of my arch. 🤨

[@damienmitchell90]

Damn! That sucks

[@jeremiahshine]

@@damienmitchell90 I'll do a sole upgrade, for sure.

[@OmerAbdulahChowdhary]

They look beautiful but must be very uncomfortable to wear tbh unless they get a comfortable foamy insole.

[@damienmitchell90]

You’re right. They are very uncomfortable

[@dang2443]

pulling a knife towards you like that makes me very nervous

[@lightfoot413]

dont care for that type sole but a darn nice resole job thanks

[@luisnguyen5455]

So much take a time ,easy to buy a new pair shoes 👞.thanks .(soluu huong)🇺🇸🇫🇷🇨🇦🇬🇧🇧🇪

[@leath25]

Takes an artist to bring those shoes back to life.

[@damienmitchell90]

Leath25 thanks!

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

you need to make this a service my man

[@damienmitchell90]

Aizen Sousuke yeah probably, but not until I get the proper tools

[@jesussalvador8495]

Is there any chance I can hire you for my boot repairs

[@damienmitchell90]

jesus salvador unfortunately not at the moment. Maybe in the future.

[@jesussalvador8495]

damien mitchell please let me know when I have a pair of wolverine 1000 mile boots that need a restoration

[@nazar3308]

👍👍👍👍

[@stevewhite2245]

Personally? No, I don't like them with that sole. I like the original Clarks Desert Boot. I do have other Clarks boots I use for "work" which are just as comfortable.

[@damienmitchell90]

thanks for sharing

[@tonybarrett9662]

I didn't see you replace the toe puff. That extra piece you removed from inside the toe. This may cause the toe area to collapse over time. But overall a very decent job for such a project.

[@damienmitchell90]

Tony Barrett you’re right. Thanks.

[@bigmighty2997]

@@damienmitchell90 ..Did you go back and add it?

[@damienmitchell90]

Big Mighty nah. I figured the shoe would be fine without it since the glue from the original toe puff helped to maintain the toe shape. Let’s consider it an experiment.

[@bigmighty2997]

@@damienmitchell90 3:31, I see what you mean, keep up the good work bro. The shoes look great

[@Jesus-mc2do]

Great video, really like that sole.

[@Bsholder]

I like it

[@Сергей-э4с6ф]

👏