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" Last fall, we endorsed the desert. Today we endorse the desert boot. Specifically, the Clarks Desert Boot. It was introduced in 1950 by shoemaker Nathan Clark, himself inspired by the crepe-soled footwear that his World War II military buddies bought in the dusty bazaars of Cairo, and though it debuted in peacetime, it was designed for war. Meaning, lots of walking. Walking miles of Saharan sand. Walking miles of Manhattan sidewalk. Walking to the mall. Almost sixty years later, the model remains unchanged: loose fitting, with a durable high-traction sole, two-hole lace-up design, and firm ankle support.  Why have Clarks survived? Comfort and durability, sure. But also because they&amp;#039;re casual, yet suitable for work. Plain, yet sophisticated. And pretty inexpensive. The desert boot will carry a country boy through a night in the city and a city boy through a weekend in the countryside, and do it in style. And, hell, Steve McQueen (the real one, not the masked model pictured above) wore &amp;#039;em in The Great Escape. All of which helps explain why any number of footwear designers have knockoffs. But do yourself a favor: try the original. RELATED STORIES: STYLE PORTFOLIO: Fake Steve McQueen Wears the Clarks Desert Boot BARRY SONNENFELD: How to Buy Cowboy Boots PLUS: Three Great Shoes (That Aren&amp;#039;t Boring Black Ones) "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a5689/clarks-desert-boots-031109/>