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School shoes - is it worth spending more?

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  • looby-loo_2
    looby-loo_2 Posts: 1,566 Forumite
    I buy Clarkes in the sale
    Doing voluntary work overseas for as long as it takes .......
    My DD might make the odd post for me
  • SUESMITH_2
    SUESMITH_2 Posts: 2,093 Forumite
    if your kids are young its vital to have their shoes properly fitted as the bones in their feet are still soft and growing. my kids have got wide feet and even clarks shoes didnt fit properly so we used to go to jones the bootmaker and a local shop who stocked many differant brands. i found cheap shoes a false economy for kids
    'We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time
  • Fizog
    Fizog Posts: 362 Forumite
    Always buy the best shoes you can afford for children. Their feet are growing and they need the best support. Damage to bones through ill fitting shoes will give a lifetime of pain.
    My Mum always had my feet fitted and I hated the sensible shoes I was made to wear but after dancing professionally for 15 years my feet are in incredibly good nick despite point shoes and stress fractures.
    As soon girls can they will be shoving feet into stilettos and narrow toed shoes so best they grow straight for now.
  • When my son started school, I actually went to 4 clarks shops in 1 day trying to get him measured, all 4 stores measured him differently, and none could find a shoe to fit him properly. I went to an independent childrens shoe shop that have the startrite franchise and I have stayed at that shop since. I pay more, but the kids always have fitting shoes.

    My kids have feet like heffalumps, the elder 2 have a wide foot, (H) with high insteps and short heels, the baby has wide feet also (H)
    but short heels with a lower instep. Clarks seem to over measure and always put my kids in shoes that are miles to big for them, where as I find in general Startrite shoes have a better fit for thier feet.

    Shoes are the one thing i pay for. My mum has terrible feet, from having ill fitting shoes as a child.
    x


  • ailuro2
    ailuro2 Posts: 7,540 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Well fitted shoes are worth every penny.

    If they come from a Clarks outlet store they are even better value.

    My DD's feet are the same shape as mine, if I don't put her in decent shoes I know she will end up with dreadful feet like mine. Corns, a bit of a bunion, fallen arches.... but we didn't have money for properly fitted shoes for school when I was young.(money was available for ciggies though... :rolleyes:)

    £32 for a pair of shoes that fit and will last, and that will be exchanged or refunded if they start to rub because they don't fit properly is worth paying, imho, especially since she might get a whole year out of them now her feet are a bit bigger (size3) they don't seem to grow as quickly.
    Member of the first Mortgage Free in 3 challenge, no.19
    Balance 19th April '07 = minus £27,640
    Balance 1st November '09 = mortgage paid off with £1903 left over. Title deeds are now ours.
  • My son had one pair of shoes last school year, that cost me £36, but worth every penny. He got through 3 pairs of nike trainers however! he was size 13 last september,and size 13 at the beginning of july when he was measured for the summer, i took him this week and he is now a 2 !!!!!!!! how did that happen ? lol !!!!
  • sooty&sweep
    sooty&sweep Posts: 1,316 Forumite
    Hi

    I get mine from a Clarkes factory shop so cheaper than the high street.

    Is there one ear you ??
  • lauren_1
    lauren_1 Posts: 2,067 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    We go to a outlet or go to the main store in the sales, as a rule we generally ask for either clarkes or adams vouchers for christmas and birthdays so we actually end up paying very little or nothing at all.

    If you catch the sales you can get some for £5 each.
  • BillScarab
    BillScarab Posts: 6,027 Forumite
    We alway buy Clarkes or occassionally Startrite for school shoes. My view is that they wear them all day for five days a week so it's worth getting decent shoes that fit well. I'm sure when they're older they won't want to wear them and will want trendy shoes at which point Clarkes will start to look cheap.
    It's my problem, it's my problem
    If I feel the need to hide
    And it's my problem if I have no friends
    And feel I want to die


  • serena
    serena Posts: 2,387 Forumite
    Agree absolutely about getting well fitting shoes for children. I think you're quite lucky to spend as little as you do - I have three teenagers, all in adult sizes, and I won't get much change from £150...

    The factory outlets are certainly cheaper, but they often don't offer proper fitting, so for younger children I would definitely get them from a proper Clarks shop. They have quite a good website, and you can then see the whole range they offer. DD has narrow feet, and there is usually only one pair in the range that fits - and that will involve me ringing round all the local shops to find out who has it in stock! Clarks are also very helpful about getting shoes sent from other branches, and on the one occasion when there was a problem with one shoe coming apart a little - faulty stitching - they exchanged immediately and without any fuss.
    It is never too late to become what you were always intended to be
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