Clark's boots not waterproof

[MrsShaff]

I bought Clark's Riona Evie boots back in Jan and just started wearing them as I had a foot injury recently. 5 minutes in the rain my feet are soaking wet. I have complained it to the Clark's customer care they simply ask me to return them to the store. There is no mention of refund. What can I do. I'm fuming really I had to spend a whole day at work with wet feet!

Exchange them? I’ve got the Taylor spring flat boots - had them for two years + now — and they still don’t leak.

Didn't CS mean return to store for a refund? I don't think they are advertised as waterproof though.

I just looked them up but it doesn't say they are waterproof on the description. You need to get Goretex lined boots to be properly waterproof, or you could try spraying the boots with a waterproofing treatment if you keep them.

High Street boots really aren't what they used to be

I’m not familiar with the style, are they sold as waterproof? If you’re having the kind of wet weather that I am, nothing short of wellies or Goretex are going to withstand the wet. It’s not great for today, but wear wellies and take shoes to change into? That’s what I do in bad weather, nothing worse than cold wet clammy feet

That style isn’t advertised as being waterproof.

Only the boots with the Gore-tex liner are supposed to be waterproof.

I just looked them up. I really like the style but in no way would think they’d be waterproof

Most of Clark’s shoes and boots aren’t waterproof. You need to keep them for dry weather and look at Timberland or similar for Gortex boots.

Leather shoes and boots are generally not waterproof unless specifically sold as such.

I can only find them on the Clarks outlet site and the description is brief but unless Clarks sold them to be waterproof - and they can only say that if they have been constructed to be technically waterproof with protective materials and stitching - then I don't think you have much argument, sorry.

Although, reading your OP, if they asked you to return them to store, as you've stated then they probably are going to refund you, because their customer service is generally above the statutory requirements, so why don't you wait and see before getting so riled up?

I'd expect a high street boot to withstand light showers covering a short time period in an urban environment. If I want actual protection, I'd go to an outdoor shop and buy a technical brand.

But they are no advertised as waterproof? Their description on Clark’s website is mostly about them being warm. I’d expect to have to wax a pair of boots which don’t have a Goretex liner if I wanted them to be waterproof.

grr, slow writer, PP already said it!

No it wasn't advertised as waterproof. But i would expect Clark's boots to withstand some rain surely? I'm not talking huge puddles or crossing rivers. Just a walk from home to station? I've had leather boots before and this never happened.

Then I'm afraid you need to adjust your expectations. Also, are you'r nubuck like the ones on the outlet site? No way would I expect nubuck or suede to withstand the rain, even if they are a leather derivation, they are much softer.

They have been sold as cold weather boots, not wet.

They should at least mention it's not suitable for wet weather.

The email says to bring in the shoes for an assessment. Not a refund really

I'd honestly save up for something decent. High Street shoes are crap these days. My last pair of MS boots just fell to bits after being worn for several weeks to work.

You should always put a coat of polish on new leather, then spray them with a leather protector spray. No leather is waterproof unless it is goretex lined

The rain has been exceptionally heavy the last few days, everyone has got wet!

Did you polish and spray them first?

I've just googled them,they don't strike me as waterproof boots,more 'warm' boots.

Did you spray them with water protection spray beforehand?

They won’t be waterproof unless advertised as such (waterproof means something specific in terms of clothing/footwear).

If they’re nubuck or suede they won’t be water tight at all...and as pp have said, boots sold for warmth can’t just be assumed to be constructed for keeping rain out. Most high street boots are mostly made for fashion, not necessarily function.

If you want something that you can comfortably wear in heavy rain you would be better off with something like Timberland waterproof boots or proper technical gear with goretex.

Given the structure of the tongue it would not be possible for them to be waterproof. Presumably they are water resistant and need protective coating from time to time.

Leather isn't waterproof unless it's treated. If they aren't advertised as waterproof then they won't be. They will likely refund as a goodwill gesture but make sure you replace them with something that's stated waterproof if that's what you require

It shouldn't matter if they are described as waterproof or not,the least you want from a pair of shoes,especially boots is to keep your feet dry,more so when paying Clarks prices. I bought my daughter some.last year little bunny boots and sent them back as they let water in,they were happy to refund but did say they weren't the gore tex ones but I stated as I have above,you expect shoes to.keep your feet dry! Get them sent back and get your money back!

You can complain that you don’t think they are fit for purpose, but you can’t complain that they’re not waterproof as they are not marketed as such - as pp have said, waterproof is a specific term with specific manufacturing processes that have to be met.

You can buy leather and/or fabric waterproofing treatments that should sort this out very effectively.