School shoes - is it worth spending more?

3onitsway

With all the threads on cheap school uniform and 3for2's, does anyone ever buy the cheap school shoes from Asda/Tesco or wherever?

I've just bought DS(11) and DD(7) school shoes from Clarks again for £32 and £30 each. Told Ex OH (hoping for a contribution) and he snapped that i'm stupid for spending so much on them!!

Last year, as they went back to school, I got them both some from Asda. DS's shoes lasted two days before there was no coating on the toes. DD managed to last about two weeks. So, at the end of September I went and got them new ones, his from next for about £20 and hers from Clarks for £28. Both these pairs lasted the whole school year, so long as they don't have a massive quick both spurt, i'm hoping these will last the same!

DD measured only just a 12, so she's got some growing room. DS has just gone into a 4 on his right foot - but is still a 3 in his left ?!?!, so at least his left one will last a while!

The biggest size clarks do is a 4, so where do other people buy there bigger kids shoes from - without buying daft overpriced ones with 'cool' names. ?

And, does anyone else manage to buy cheaper shoes and make them last more than 2 weeks?

alwaysonthego_2

I always stick to Clarks because my dds have high insteps and I like to have their feet properly measured. I know it is more expensive but my local Clarks is great and the lady who owns the shop (local shop that stocks Clarks shoes) knows the girls and makes a huge fuss of them.

louisehj

Is it a clarks in mothercare you went to? I know they only go up to size four in there but regular clarks sell school shoes in bigger sizes.

elisebutt65

My Clarks goes up to 8 in Boys - big size that is - I just got my DS a pair - 8!!! at 13 eeeeeeeeeee!!

His pair from last year are still ok but just starting to pinch now. I always get Clarks as they always outlast them growing. When I've bought cheapies - they always wear out first!

3onitsway

louisehj wrote: »

Is it a clarks in mothercare you went to? I know they only go up to size four in there but regular clarks sell school shoes in bigger sizes.

Yes, it was a little one inside Mothercare. I'll have to try the proper Clarks shop in town next year. I went past there yesterday and looked like chaos with. kids running round everywhere :eek: and staff looking stressed!

Spendless

DS wrecks them regardless of whether they are cheap or expensive. The only reason I tend to go to Clarks is they are the only place near me to offer width fittings and mine have wide feet, they are also one of the few places to offer 1/2 sizes. I go to Clarks outlet to reduce cost.

Becles

The proper Clarks shops sell a range called Bootlegs, which are school shoes for teenagers and come in bigger sizes. I'm taking my eldest to get some next week!

I've always paid more for Clarks as they do last longer than cheaper shoes. I also buy a decent scuff polish and they always polish up and look decent, even when the boys have played football in them.

sheilavw

I always bought Clarkes for my 2 dds. Oldest was in size 7 l ast couple of months of primary, she was in size 10 at nursery before she was 4, she is now a size 8. Clarkes always lasted longer plus you had the reasurrance they werethe right size/width. Both mine had (and still do) have wide feet

skylight

I bought the Asda uniforms and Clarks shoes! Cheap ones just do not last and the littlies do so much running around anyway that they need to fit properly.

toejumper

I always go to the clarks outlet stores there a bit cheaper than the clarks on the high street, never bought the cheap shoes as dd has a high instep and needs to be measured, she also has slow growing feet so a pair of shoes always lasts a year.

Loopy_Girl

I agree with the Clarks. Last year my daughter got the Yotoy ones (clearly she was wanting them for the toy inside!!) and they lasted the whole school term and still looked in pretty good nick when I went to throw them out.

The only time I every get shoes at Clarks is for school. Rest of the time it's wherever but I would certainly say it's money well spent. My friend got cheaper ones and had to replace them mid term so it actually worked out the same as getting the Clarks.

Hopefully this year's ones will do as well