Summary
The Clarks Men’s Cotrell Free Loafer may not be that much to look at but what it lacks in aesthetics, it balances with features that deliver all-day comfort and support for superior functionality. I tried this shoe in the black smooth leather option that comes with a classy shiny texture that can be worn with jeans, chinos, and even a suit without looking out of place. The black oily leather option has a grainy texture that may be more suited for casual attire but the black smooth leather option will work just as nicely for professionals in the service industry, such as those working in airports, kitchens, and retail establishments. A special foam inlay absorbs the impact coming from repetitive movements to fight foot fatigue from developing. The foam delivers high-rebound performance to help you maintain your strength and energy for longer so you can continue working without suffering from foot pain.
The OrhoLite footbed provides impressive cushioning and support to maintain foot comfort for hours while keeping the interior well ventilated as more air is permitted to enter and circulate throughout the shoe. This shoe comes in a slip-on design with dual stretch panels that can accommodate different foot shapes with ease. The EVA outsole is flexible, so it quickly adapts to the foot’s action, making it much more comfortable and effortless to keep on walking for hours. However, this outsole doesn’t have the strong grip needed to maintain complete stability on tricky surfaces so using the shoe in slippery conditions might pose some safety issues. Below we’ll delve further into detail of the features that bring out the best in the footwear, and the ones that can be polished to enhance overall shoe performance.
For casual footwear that offers convenient comfort, this shoe is a great pick that easily fits into your lifestyle.
Ideal For
- Indoor settings that aren’t slippery or exposed to extreme wetness
- Service professionals who may require long hours of walking or standing
- People who prefer a lightweight, comfortable shoe with a plain design
Performance Analysis
Comfort
The Clarks Men’s Cotrell Free Loafer is made with a leather upper and a sole that work in tandem to create a flexible body. They bent along with my foot’s movements, and didn’t dig into my foot with every step, so the shoe-wearing experience was very comfortable. The shoe comes with an OrthoLite footbed that provided continuous cushioning. This footbed came with a low-profile structure that cradled the foot without the excessive bulk that other foam materials have, making it possible for the padding to provide maximum comfort while keeping a lightweight and relatively thin profile that doesn’t feel too cumbersome.
I liked how the OrthoLite material manages moisture by drawing it away from the skin, so I was saved from dealing with annoying sweaty feet problems even when I used the shoe for extended periods in hot or humid settings.
This material was also responsible for alleviating the impact on pressure-sensitive spots on the foot, protecting them from the continuous friction to stop blisters from forming. The high-rebound foam inlay worked as a dependable shock absorber as it soaked up most of the impact resulting from my repetitive foot movements, keeping the force diffused throughout the body of the shoe so that the blow wouldn’t be concentrated on only one area of my foot.
The padded collar surrounded my ankle in a comfortable embrace and helped protect this area from feeling the pain that can result from the foot rubbing repeatedly against the shoe with every step. A soft material lines the interior and it offered a welcome barrier against uncomfortable chafing.
Weight
This shoe features a lightweight structure that makes it ideal for professions and activities that require staying on your feet (walking or mostly standing in one place) for hours. The OrthoLite footbed offers maximum cushioning without contributing significantly to the overall shoe weight as it maintains a low-profile presence inside the shoe without the excess bulk. The EVA outsole is much lighter than conventional rubber, helping the shoe maintain its lightweight body while still providing a stable platform.
Traction
The EVA outsole offers good traction to keep you moving comfortably over most indoor spaces. However, this traction isn’t strong enough to successfully deal with extremely slippery floors or uneven outdoor terrains, so the risk for slipping accidents may be higher when using this shoe over tricky ground conditions.
Fit and Sizing
These shoes are true to size, so I was spared from the extra effort of guesswork. The normal to snug fit gave my toes enough space to wiggle in place when necessary so that foot cramps were more easily prevented over the course of a long day. The slip-on design without the laces made for convenient shoe wearing and removal, so I didn’t need to spend a lot of time on these tasks. The wide shoe structure allowed my foot to be positioned comfortably inside without the painful pinching that’s often experienced when using a shoe with a narrow profile.
Waterproofing
The medium thickness of the leather upper should offer some water resistance to keep your foot dry when the shoe is exposed to a bit of water. It should be noted, though, that as this shoe isn’t made with fully waterproof materials, it’s not recommended for outdoor use when it’s raining and won’t keep your foot dry in extremely wet indoor settings either.
Breathability
This shoe is fitted with an OrthoLite footbed that’s made with an open-celled material which encourages more air to get in and keeps it circulating continuously, making it easier for the shoe’s interior to maintain a breathable environment even with long hours of nonstop shoe use. The material also wicks away sweat to help maintain a dry and comfortable foot condition, with the excess heat dissipated quickly before it can build up to an overheated feeling with long hours of staying in warm settings.
Quality and Durability
The Clarks Men’s Cotrell Free Loafer is built with an almost plain design that’s an advantage for those who prefer their footwear to have a fuss-free look but may not be appreciated by people looking for more stylish shoe options. The shoe has a slightly old-fashioned aesthetic, with the black smooth leather option working seamlessly when paired with chinos, jeans, and even a suit. It has a normal to snug fit that keeps the foot secured in place for increased stability but still leaves enough space for the foot to shift in place, and for the toes to wiggle freely as needed to be able to stop foot cramps from completely setting in. This shoe comes with an OrthoLite footbed that’s guaranteed to have a low compression level of 5% over its lifetime, so you can be sure that you’ll be able to enjoy the same degree of superior cushioning and support for a long time as you maximize the footwear’s benefits. This footbed cradles the foot to maintain a superbly comfortable experience even with continuous shoe-wearing for hours.
It eases pressure spots to protect your foot from the painful experience that can come from walking nonstop with blisters forming on your skin.
The OrthoLite foam has a lightweight structure that doesn’t significantly affect the total shoe weight as it maintains a low-profile presence to provide impressive cushioning without the bulkiness that other foam materials have. This footbed is removable and machine-washable so you won’t need to exert too much effort and time in keeping this shoe component clean and well-maintained to preserve its functionality and appearance. The footbed is made with an open-celled structure that permits generous airflow to move through the shoe to maintain superior breathability, so the foot can remain fresh for longer. The moisture-managing system of the OrthoLite foam moves excess moisture away from the skin to keep the foot feeling comfortably dry for hours even when you’re working in hot or humid conditions. The shoe is fitted with the special Cushion Soft foam inlay that offers increased rebound to return the energy to every step, enabling you to preserve your strength and focus so you can get more tasks finished without suffering from extreme discomfort. This inlay provides a supportive bounce that makes every step seem lighter while increasing the stability of your steps so you can walk more confidently over various floor conditions. The EVA outsole has a flexible structure that allows you to walk more freely since there are no hard materials to cause discomfort and clumsiness from below.
However, this outsole offers limited traction, so it’s not suitable for slippery or uneven floor conditions. This shoe isn’t constructed with waterproof features, so it’s not recommended for use in extremely wet conditions that can result in the foot being thoroughly soaked.
Other Versions
The Clarks Men’s Cotrell Free Loafer is available in the following colors and material variations – black smooth leather, black oily leather, tobacco leather, and brown tobacco leather. There are no other versions of this shoe.
The Challengers
Skechers Men’s Flex Advantage SR Fourche Shoe
The Skechers Men’s Flex Advantage SR Fourche Shoe is an ideal choice for professions that require maximum slip resistance for increased safety and productivity all day long. The lace-up Oxford style works well with uniforms and other workwear but can also be paired with more casual attire without looking out of place. The slip-resistant outsole grips floors firmly to help you maintain your stable footing while you’re walking on slippery or uneven surfaces that you may regularly encounter in your line of work. The relaxed fit provides enough space for your foot to settle in comfortably while allowing the toes to wiggle to be able to stop foot cramps from developing. The memory foam insole hugs the contours of the foot for a personalized fit and alleviates pressure spots to fight blister formation. This memory foam is air-cooled to maintain a fresh and breathable interior for your foot to enjoy for longer.
Skechers Men’s Flex Advantage Bronwood Shoe
The Skechers Men’s Flex Advantage Bronwood Shoe is another slip-resistant pick that can easily keep up with the demands of your job while providing superb comfort at the same time. It comes in a slip-on design for fuss-free wearing in a casual silhouette that pairs nicely with workwear as well as with more relaxed outfit choices. The smooth leather upper is water-resistant to keep your foot dry when you need to work in wet surroundings for a short period of time. This upper is stain-resistant so you don’t need to worry that accidental spills will result in the shoe losing its aesthetic and functional benefits. The outsole is slip-resistant so you can count on this shoe to help you move more confidently over slippery or uneven surfaces without compromising your safety and comfort. The memory foam insole cradles the foot’s curves to give you a customized fit that enhances your comfort level for hours. The shoe offers a secondary layer of protection against electrocution if you’re exposed to live currents in dry conditions.
Timberland Men’s Killington Chukka Boot
The Timberland Men’s Killington Chukka Boot is an impressive alternative if you’re looking to inject a sporty vibe into your entire outfit. The sleek leather upper works seamlessly with the white sole to make the shoe look like an athletic sneaker that you can fully enjoy on and off the worksite. The leather allows more air to get inside the boot to ensure proper ventilation throughout the day so that overheating can be prevented. The mesh lining is breathable and helps sweat be wicked away from the skin for your comfort. The exclusive SensorFlex technology works to support the foot while maintaining a flexible platform that allows a wider range of motion, enabling you to walk more naturally and comfortably without stiff materials to limit your movements from underneath. The thickly padded collar hugs the ankle to stop painful friction while keeping the ankle secured in place to prevent twisting, especially when doing quick lateral steps.
Timberland PRO Reaxion Work Shoe
The Timberland PRO Reaxion Work Shoe looks and feels as comfortable as your favorite sports sneaker while providing impressive protection against safety hazards. The composite toes protect the foot from being severely crushed in case impact and compression dangers accidentally drop on the shoe from elevated areas in the workplace. The carbon fiber material is much lighter than steel toe caps to keep the overall weight to a minimum so you can walk for hours without the shoe dragging uncomfortably on your foot. The ripstop nylon upper is abrasion-resistant for increased durability that can easily take on challenging environments and allows more air to enter the shoe to maintain continuous breathability. The PU footbed uses anti-fatigue technology for high-energy return to keep you moving comfortably for longer while absorbing the impact of continuous movements to protect your foot and calf muscles from fatigue. The moisture-wicking lining transports sweat away from the skin and is enhanced with an antimicrobial treatment to stop foul odors from developing.
Puma Safety Xelerate Knit Comp Toe Shoe
The Puma Safety Xelerate Knit Comp Toe Shoe delivers maximum foot protection in an athletic silhouette that may look more welcome in the gym or on your favorite jogging path. The knit upper showcases a sporty look while letting more air get into the shoe so that the interior can more easily maintain a breathable environment for hours. The composite toe caps form a protective barrier to keep your foot safe from serious harm in case heavy objects roll or fall onto the shoe from high areas on the job site while maintaining lightweight structures that don’t contribute a lot to the overall weight. The shoe offers heat resistance up to 572°F to allow you to keep working safely and comfortably in high-temperature environments. The slip-resistant outsole helps maintain your stable footing so you can move with more confidence even over rough or slippery ground conditions.
Conclusion & Verdict
The Clarks Men’s Cotrell Free Loafer is built with features to maintain a comfortable experience even with long hours of staying on your feet, making it ideal for those who work in the service industry such as in kitchens, airports, and retail establishments. The lightweight profile won’t drag on your foot so you can continue working for long shifts without excessive heaviness underfoot to deal with. The shoe comes with a flexible structure that won’t restrict your movements to allow you to walk more confidently without stiff materials getting in the way. The limited traction provided by the outsole makes the shoe unsuitable for extremely slippery floors or uneven outdoor terrains, however. Without completely waterproof materials, this shoe also isn’t recommended for exceptionally wet settings.
