Summary
The Clarks Men’s Vargo Plain Oxford is a remarkable choice if you’re looking for casual shoes that can also be relied on to deliver lasting foot comfort while you’re at work. The leather upper features clean lines with discreet stitching details that enhance the aesthetics of the shoe without screaming for attention. The soft leather material effortlessly adjusts according to the foot’s movements to enable you to walk as naturally as possible without limiting your movements the way stiff shoes do. The OrthoLite footbed cradles the foot with a generously padded platform for maximum comfort with a personalized feel as the footbed conforms to the foot’s unique curves throughout the day.
This footbed also works as a dependable shock absorber that soaks up the impact coming from repetitive movements to keep foot fatigue at bay. The open-celled foam material of the footbed enables air to move freely inside the shoe to maintain a breathable environment so your foot can enjoy a fresh and dry feeling even when the surrounding area’s temperature starts to rise as the hours go by. The EVA outsole features medium-depth cleats that offer decent traction to keep you walking more confidently while avoiding slipping on different surfaces that aren’t too slippery or uneven. This outsole is lighter compared to rubber to maintain a lightweight shoe structure that won’t cause a dragging feeling on your foot. We’ll go further into the shoe’s details to showcase which features are most beneficial and which can be tweaked to improve overall shoe performance.
When you want versatile shoes that are low-key stylish, this is a great pick that’ll keep you walking comfortably without excess weight.
Performance Analysis
Comfort
The Clarks Men’s Vargo Plain Oxford is packed with features that work hard to keep the shoe as comfortable as possible. I had no trouble using this shoe for long stretches of time because it didn’t cause discomfort – which can sometimes be a problem when using casual or dress shoes for the entire day. The shoe is fitted with a special foam inlay that delivers a high level of rebound to return the energy to each step, making it possible for me to maintain stamina and strength for longer while preventing foot pain from setting in. This inlay also worked hard to absorb the shock of my continuous steps, so my foot was spared from feeling the extreme discomfort that comes when foot fatigue develops. Instead of being concentrated on one spot, the shock was diffused throughout the entire shoe, so I was able to continue moving and walking around comfortably. The foam inlay is designed to support the natural foot curve to decrease strain and increase comfort even with nonstop shoe use for hours.
The OrthoLite footbed follows the unique curve of the foot so I enjoyed a customized level of comfort that felt like the shoe was created specifically according to my foot’s shape. The footbed cradled my foot and helped ease pressure-sensitive spots to stop blisters from developing due to the constant friction resulting from all-day walking.
This shoe offers strong heel and arch support for enhanced stability to keep you moving more nimbly over various floor conditions while ensuring that your foot will be protected against the pain of fallen arches. A soft fabric lining enveloped my foot with a welcoming texture and kept it safe from being rubbed painfully against the inside of the shoe, which can be a problem when using unlined footwear. The sole is fairly flexible and didn’t cause a restrictive feeling, so walking was effortless and pain-free over different surface conditions. The high-quality leather comes with the pliability that allowed me to move with ease as it didn’t restrict my foot’s movements from above. The upper adapted to my steps so it was much easier and more comfortable to walk without rigid materials to limit my movements.
Weight
This is a lightweight shoe that doesn’t cause discomfort even with long hours of continuous use. This weight level is affected by the EVA sole that’s lighter compared to the conventional rubber material that’s usually fitted into other shoes. Even the premium leather upper doesn’t feel extremely thick or bulky to keep the shoe’s weight to a minimum. The OrthoLite footbed also offers superior cushioning inside the shoe while maintaining a lightweight structure.
Traction
The thick EVA outsole offers decent traction that made walking on different floor conditions easier to manage while preventing slipping accidents on tricky surfaces. The sole had a good grip on the ground and allowed me to walk more confidently without too many worries that a slight misstep could cause me to slip or fall, especially on wet or uneven surfaces.
. However, I think the EVA isn’t as durable as the rubber material used in other shoe outsoles, so the shoe’s outsole may not be able to withstand long-term use without breaking apart easily.
Fit and Sizing
This shoe is true to size, so I was able to enjoy the comfortable fit from the start. It comes with a relaxed to normal fit that gave my foot the space to budge when needed to stop foot cramps from developing. The relaxed fit, however, may not be appreciated by those who prefer snugger-fitting shoes that will keep the foot held more firmly in place to prevent unwanted foot slipping inside the shoe. Adjusting the shoe’s fit is a breeze thanks to the lace-up feature.
Waterproofing
This shoe doesn’t include waterproof materials, so it won’t protect your foot from being soaked through in case you encounter extreme wetness, such as if liquids are accidentally spilled on the shoe. The absence of waterproof components makes this shoe unsuitable for use in outdoor conditions when there’s a chance of rain, or in indoor settings exposed to exceptional wetness.
Breathability
The OrthoLite footbed is made with open-celled foam that enables air to freely circulate within the shoe to help maintain superior breathability throughout the day. As air is allowed to move into the shoe, excess heat and moisture are encouraged to move out to prevent overheating and keep the shoe’s interior feeling cool and fresh. The OrthoLite material also works to draw moisture away from the skin to maintain a dry foot feeling and prevent excessive sweatiness from developing over the course of a long day.
Quality and Durability
The Clarks Men’s Vargo Plain Oxford is made with premium leather that’s designed to keep up its aesthetics and functionality over a long period of time without breaking apart easily even with frequent or heavy use. The material is pliable and adjusts to the foot’s movements so walking is made more comfortable without unyielding materials poking painfully into the foot from all around, which can be an issue when using shoes made with stiff materials. The shoe is fitted with the exclusive Cushion Soft foam inlay that delivers high-rebound performance for that extra bounce that returns energy to every step, allowing you to continue walking for hours while keeping yourself protected against extreme foot pain. This inlay acts as a reliable impact absorber and soaks up the shock coming from repetitive foot movements, preventing foot fatigue from developing by keeping the force diffused throughout the whole shoe instead of it being concentrated on just one zone. The foam inlay offers all-day cushioning and support to keep foot pain at bay. The OrthoLite footbed molds to the shape of the foot for a customized feel that enhances your comfort for hours while preventing blister formation by relieving pressure points during long hours of walking and staying on your feet. The open-celled structure of OrthoLite allows more air to move into the shoe for a properly ventilated interior that helps the foot enjoy a cool and fresh environment for longer, even when you’re working in hot or humid conditions. The OrthoLite material also wicks away moisture to protect your foot from experiencing uncomfortable sweaty feet problems while you continue working on the most important tasks of the day. Unlike conventional foam that’s often used in other shoes, OrthoLite foam is designed to resist compression and is expected to be compressed by not more than 5% over its lifetime, so you’ll be able to enjoy the remarkable cushioning comfort for a long time. The OrthoLite foam is exceptionally lightweight and doesn’t contribute much to the shoe’s total weight while offering maximum cushioning without the bulky feel. The material is machine washable, so you won’t have a hard time keeping it clean and well maintained for long-term benefits that won’t deteriorate with frequent or heavy use. The lace-up design makes fit alterations more effortless, so you won’t have any problems with achieving a secure and comfortable fit. The EVA outsole offers good traction to help you move more confidently over various floor conditions, with the sole gripping the ground firmly to help prevent slipping accidents, especially when you need to walk more quickly. This thick outsole comes with decent flexibility that allows a wider range of motion to be enjoyed while walking or standing for hours without rigid materials underfoot getting in the way of your natural ability.
However, the outsole doesn’t seem to be as durable as the standard rubber material that’s usually fitted into other shoes, so the shoe may not be able to provide long-lasting durability, especially when it’s used in tough surroundings.
Other Versions
The Clarks Men’s Vargo Plain Oxford is available in dark tan and dark brown. There are no other versions of this boot.
The Challengers
Clarks Men’s Stinson Hi Chukka Boo
The Clarks Men’s Stinson Hi Chukka Boot is a ruggedly stylish option that doesn’t skimp on comfort. The moc toe design showcases a laidback vibe that looks great with chinos and jeans that you can enjoy in different settings. The crepe outsole delivers maximum flexibility to keep you moving naturally without anything stiff underfoot to make your movements clumsy or uncomfortable. The sole offers continuous cushioning and support to ensure all-day comfort regardless of how tough the activities become. The boot’s last offers enough room for the toes to be spread out naturally so they can easily shift in place to stop foot cramps from completely setting in. A lightly padded footbed cradles the foot for nonstop comfort and pressure relief while maintaining a lightweight profile that doesn’t add a lot to the shoe’s total weight to prevent it from becoming extremely heavy.
Ariat Men’s Lookout Chukka Boot
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Timberland Men’s Killington Chukka Boot
The Timberland Men’s Killington Chukka Boot is a superb alternative if you want footwear with a sporty vibe. It combines the look of a leather shoe and an athletic sneaker, with the white sole delivering a nice contrast to keep the aesthetic striking without being over the top with the details. This boot is constructed with a triple-layer suspension system that adapts to every step, so the boot feels like it’s a part of your foot anatomy. This enables you to walk effortlessly on every type of surface while maintaining your confident and stable steps for the most comfortable boot-wearing experience. The OrthoLite insole provides superior cushioning to keep your foot cradled lovingly while pressure spots are relieved at the same time to stop blister formation. This insole encourages more air to move in and circulate inside the boot to maintain a well-ventilated environment and stop overheating from developing even with long hours of nonstop boot use.
Red Wing Heritage Men’s Work Chukka Boot
The Red Wing Heritage Men’s Work Chukka Boot comes with a classic silhouette that looks handsome with workwear and even with more casual or dressier outfits. Its effortless elegance is enhanced with discreet stitching on the upper made with premium leather that can keep up with the demands of your job. The Atlas Tred PU outsole comes with a flexible structure that quickly adapts to your foot’s movements so you can kneel and bend comfortably without being painfully restricted by stiff footwear. The Goodyear Welt construction makes it possible for the shoe to be re-soled when necessary, so you’ll be able to enjoy the boot’s aesthetics and performance for a long time. This boot is created to provide a customized fit that increasingly gets better the more you use it for remarkable comfort that you can enjoy in various settings.
Irish Setter Men’s 3874 Soft Paw Waterproof Oxford
The Irish Setter Men’s 3874 Soft Paw Waterproof Oxford is a great choice if you’re after a more rugged look and moisture protection. The moc toe design is built into a robust silhouette that can withstand the demands of your activities without easily falling apart. The UltraDry waterproof construction blocks water and other liquids from entering to ensure long-lasting foot dryness while you’re surrounded by extreme wetness. A moisture-managing lining draws sweat away from your skin to prevent sweaty feet problems from disrupting your concentration on the tasks at hand and to ensure proper ventilation within the shoe. The footbed is made with EVA and memory foam that follows the shape of the foot for a personalized fit to help you move comfortably for the entire day.
Conclusion & Verdict
The Clarks Men’s Vargo Plain Oxford is a great casual shoe that’s ideal for indoor work settings and for professions that involve working outdoors in non-harsh settings, such as couriers and real estate agents. The lightweight structure can be worn for a long time without causing discomfort, making this shoe suitable for jobs that require all-day standing or walking. The ultra-thick EVA outsole is flexible and won’t get in the way of your natural foot movements to keep you moving comfortably and without restrictions. However, this outsole doesn’t seem to be as durable as the rubber material used in other shoes’ outsoles, so it might not deliver lasting durability. This shoe doesn’t come with waterproof features, so it’s not recommended for use in inclement weather or in settings with exposure to water and other liquids.
