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!

OP I'm not sure why it is that you think that just because they are from 'Clarks' that they are guaranteed waterproof or even that high quality. They're a mid price range retailer at the end of the day, not a specialist outdoor footwear shop. The style you purchased are not advertised as waterproof so you shouldn't expect them to be, why would you? If they are not made from a waterproof fabric or labelled as such for outdoor use then of course they will soak through in the wet as will all shoes. You could have purchased waterproofing/waterproofing spray, or taken them into a cobbler to have them coated- you still could.

I expect they'll give you a refund out of goodwill so if you're after one you may as well take them in but I don't think that result will be evidence that you are in the right to expect one tbh. They don't seem to be culpable for this. The shoes are a soft non patent or coated leather - it can't be expected to stand up to much.

Yes but you wouldn't buy a winter boot and expect to get wet feet from Clarks would you,Primark maybe but it's ridiculous to think a winter boot that wasn't cheap would give you wet feet

Leather footwear will let water in at the seams if you wear them in a downpour. Waterproof footwear has a specific lining and seams, much like a jacket.

I’ve bought much more expensive footwear than that, in full knowledge that they won’t be watertight. It’s not about the brand, it’s to do with the specific materials and construction of the shoe.

A very expensive down jacket would keep you toasty and warm in cold and snow but would still get soaking wet in driving rain.

See what the shop says and take it from there. I wouldn't expect boots to be waterproof necessarily and always use a waterproofing spray ( like they sell in Clark's) on all my new leather footwear. It really makes a difference

Tbh If I were to walk any substantial distance to work I’d probably wear one pair for the commute and another pair once I got to work.

Using polish also helps..... I’ve got a new pair of Ecco leather boots ( charity shop find) that are probably expensive and I got wet feet too when I went out this week. Hopefully will resolve that before the next downpour.

I've worked at Clarks, you can ask for them to do a test on the boots in the shop where they will check to see if the boots let water in, if the boots aren't guaranteed waterproof and they don't let water in after a few mins then they may not do anything, if its a case that the day you've worn them that it was torrential rain then its a case of more suitable footwear would be best to be worn, ie guaranteed waterproof boots/shoes or wellies. Some footwear will say its splash proof but that again is not waterproof so if in contant heavy rain or walking through puddles you will get wet feet. Some shoes may not let water in if they have synthetic/plastic linings but if there is any stitching there is a good chance water will get in. If its not decribed as waterproof then the footwear is more a fashion thing than a practical thing.
If it is promoted as waterproof & lets in water then there is a fault, but in short if it don't then they may just offer you an exchange as goodwill than a refund.

If they offer you an exchange go for a good, thick leather boot instead (if yours are suede, nubuck or fabric) as they are much easier to make as water resistant as possible - as other have said, polish them and then give them a good, thorough spray with the protection spray. Re-spray regularly.

I absolutely wouldn't expect a fashion shoe to keep my feet dry in heavy or persistent wherever I'd purchased them from or however much they cost. That's why there's a market for goretex and why wellies exist.

Clarks do do a leather boot with goretex lining - they are amazing, I've had 2 pairs and both lasted years. If they offer you an exchange, I'd look at those.

I'm shocked at the amount of people saying "well if they don't claim to be waterproof why should they be?" or words to that effect. Unless they are suede which would obviously soak through in a terrential downpour..... Ummm you should never have wet feet from boots that were purchased a few months ago!!! I mean I wouldn't expect them to be waterproof if wading through a river or something (!), but as far as walking in the rain they should defo keep your feet dry, it would be ludicrous to suggest otherwise!! I have boots from Primark that still keep my feet dry after a few years, and quite frankly if they didn't it would be time to say thank you and goodbye

And OP, I would absolutely assume that Clarks are prepared to refund you or at least exchange if asking you to return to store

Waterproof boots are for extreme weather and for hiking etc. Regular boots should keep your feet dry on a regular wet day. They're not fit for purpose. In fairness to Clarks, they didnt argue. Just return them to the shop.

Are the primark boots leather? Because if they’re not then yes, they’ll probably let less water in, as they’ll be plastic!

I’ve never had soaking wet feet from just walking around in light rain, but unless I’m wearing tech gear, actual waterproof bonded boots or wellies then I know that in heavy rain there will be some water coming in. That’s the case with even the best quality leather, as it’s a porous material. That’s why people wax/polish/spray them.

Unless they are suede which would obviously soak through in a terrential downpour.

Read the thread. They are nubuck, so generally treated the same as suede.

It's standard for Clarks CS to refer store customers back to store. I wouldn't assume anything until you see what the staff say.

I had the exact same problem with Clarks boots a couple of years ago. My feet got drench again as you said not from walking through rivers etc just plain old walking along the pavement which was non excessive.

Took them back and politely complained and at first they wouldn't budge but I held my ground and stated that for the price I had paid and that the fact they were leather boots, I would have thought that my feet would or should be dry. Eventually the manageress took my boots to the back of the shop and she was gone ages. She then came out and agreed that the boots were not fit for purpose. Apparently she had dunked them in water and immediately water seeped in. She offered me a refund or change of style.

Hope you get on okay.

Why?, if it doesnt say its waterproof should you then expect this?
Do then ask for a refund on every coat that you get wet in? What is the difference when you expect both to protect you against rain but neither one promotes to be waterproof that its ok to ask for a refund on the boots but not a coat?

Ninkaninus at last someone speaks some common sense!

clarks korik sky boots are waterproof

Funnily enough though - a search for waterproof boots for women - Clarkes comes up (alongside Merrill and Timberland).

I had the leather Riona Evie with fur lining last year. So comfy and warm with the fur lining. But they went back because even if the ground was slightly wet after rain (not during rain) my feet would end up soaking wet. In the shop they didn't quibble over a full refund although they did say only Goretex was fully waterproof. But there must have been an issue with the boot being glued onto the sole as that is where the water was getting in. I nearly cried when I had to return them as they were absolutely lovely but just not fit for purpose

Yabu. Just because they are from Clark's you want turn to be water proof. They also make sandals. Wait until you find out about those...