The Clarks Wallabee Deserves a Collaboration Retrospective
Those with shoeboxes scaling their bedroom walls probably struggle with the concept of subtlety. Culturally, we’ve clung to trends that delight in the unique. Whether it’s a particular designer, silhouette or tech element, our industry has always encouraged different strokes for different folks — and we’re thankful for it. This approach has allowed us to adopt our own unique collections.
One of these unique, and at times misunderstood, silhouettes is the Clarks Wallabee. With an unconventional form and functional crepe sole, the Wallabee has garnered a strong following. The two-eyelet construction made a lasting impact and rightly so — it’s functionality at its finest.
Originally released in the mid-60s, the Wallabee has seen construction with a variety of materials over time, which has allowed some trial and error of rare materials, as well as the opportunity to dabble in a number of collaborations.
Most notably, its fame is linked to the silhouette’s connection to the hip-hop community. The artwork for Ghostface’s 1996 album Ironman was rich with DIY Wallabee boots. And Slick Rick put it to The New York Times in ‘99 that wearing the Wallabee ‘is a way to be casual but not look like a scrub’. It’s a sentiment that still rings true today.
When a silhouette has this kind of cult success, it opens itself up for other brands to put their own spin on it. So, here we have it, 11 of the most notable Clarks Wallabee collaborations to date.
Futura (2008)
2008 was a time when we weren’t afraid to let our feet shine. Knowing this full well, Futura tackled the Wallabee Boot and undeniably left us with the brightest ever Clarks colab. The mixture of black suede and textile canvas allows us to examine each and every splatter of colourful paint that parades the sides. Despite its obscene amount of colour, we just can’t help dusting these off whenever we’ve got dinner plans!
Bodega (2022)
The Wallabee is somewhat of an enigma when it comes to treading the line between the sartorial and street, and that’s exactly what inspired this Bodega colab. Playing on Clarks’ UK-based heritage, the retailer reworked the pair in a patchwork of traditional fabrics, including corduroy, tweed and wool.
atmos (2009)
In 2009, seemingly with a clear vision of a lumberjack in mind, atmos tackled the Wallabee Boot. The two designs featured reinforced metal eyelets, black leather piping, contrast stitching, and plenty of buffalo plaid. They’re rugged, tough and built-to-last. There was no chance we were leaving them off this list.
Wu-Wear (2018)
In 2018, Clarks linked with the Clan that gave them so much notoriety amongst hip hop fans. What they delivered was two subtle takes on the Wallabee Boot. One was straight blacked out, but the champ was the tan suede version. The deep navy accents and debossed Wu-Wear logos on the heel tabs had us putting our Ws up!
Supreme (2015)
Supreme tackled the lesser-known Wallabee Low in 2015 with a very subtle nod to Ghostface’s Ironman cover art. Available in four colourways, the tan suede was split by either violet, red, green or black panelling. We love when a collaboration offers a nod to the past, so the inclusion of the violet split guaranteed Supreme’s mention on our list.
MF DOOM (2014)
DOOM released his second Clarks endeavour in 2014, coming to us in the form of a rich navy Wallabee Boot. Perched above orange outsoles, with rich grain tumbled leather uppers and bold orange laces, this collaboration was on the more extravagant side than DOOM’s debut effort.
OVO (2018)
As far as subtly goes, the OVO’s 2018 Clarks Wallabee Boot takes the cake. To start, they were handmade in Italy. And, more importantly, it’s rare to find a time when the Wallabee has been done well when topped off with more than just a logo on the heel tab. Team OVO proved it was possible.
BAIT x Breaking Bad (2017)
Did you know Breaking Bad’s lead character Walter White was an avid Wallabee fan, wearing them throughout the hit TV Series? BAIT did. And in 2017, Bait, Breaking Bad and Clarks teamed up on two different colourways. One referenced Walt’s infamous drug empire and the other honoured the series’ bloody ending. It's now been over a decade since the finale aired, so we're not counting that as a spoiler – sorry, not sorry!
Vandy the Pink (2022)
Vandy the Pink has dropped his fair share of Wallabee colabs, but his debut pair is still regarded as a fan favourite. Working atop the mid-top Wallabee Boot, they featured a glow-in-the-dark skeleton foot detail. The pairs originally dropped for Halloween 2022, although they restocked for an exclusive pop-up in 2024.
Staple (2014)
Whenever Jeff Staple touches something, the community wants it. In 2014, he gave some of the more sophisticated heads another adaptation of his famed Pigeon. And, yes, it sold out instantly.
Todd Snyder (2020)
In case you need even further proof that the Wallabee doesn’t only look great in suede, then this Todd Snyder colab will convince you. Celebrating Clarks’ origins as a rug-making company back in 1985, the duo delivered two colourways that were woven from one-of-a-kind fabrics. The pairs were also made in Italy, adding an extra artisan touch.
Raekwon (2016)
Probably the most desirable Wallabee collaboration is Raekwon’s 2016 effort in conjunction with customiser Sycamore Style. Each pair was signed and numbered by Raekwon, and the first 175 pairs sold came with two tickets to an intimate show in the heart of NYC. Talk about value for money.
Aimé Leon Dore (2021)
have worked with Clarks on multiple occasions, but it’d be a crime if we didn’t include these swanky snakeskin styles on this list. Taking Teddy Santis’s elevated aesthetic to the next level, this collection of Wallabees and Desert Boots came in two colourways and were decked out in the scaly material, trimmed with luxe suede and featured special hangtags.
This rich brown Wallabee is beautifully dressed-up with an all-over DOOM print laid within. For us, this was an instant classic, and we can guarantee there are multiple pairs that make the rounds here at Sneaker Freaker HQ.
sacai (2023)
Chitose Abe’s luxury label sacai is known for subverting typical silhouettes, so we weren’t surprised when the Clarks colab featured some seriously souped-up styles. The collection included two versions of the Wallabee: one swapped out the model’s usual crepe midsole for subtle sculpted versions, while the other style saw an entire Wallabee boot perched atop a bulky Super Sole.
Papergirl (2024)
Forming part of Clarks’ 2024 Wallabee Day celebrations, the brand teamed up with Paperboy’s new female-led front, Papergirl, to drop a collaborative pair. Coming in a polkadot-covered box, this colab came with cream-coloured uppers, dotted liners, black Vibram soles and pale pink hangtags.
Regardless of whether you’re a Clarks Wallabee fan or not, you’ll probably be hard-pressed to disagree with our list. Each of these collaborators knew what the Wallabee needed to add their own flavour, without compromising the essence of the silhouette. If you want to learn more about the Wallabee, check out our timeline of its presence within the .