School shoes and trousers that actually last?

Dustykitten

I agree that Clark's shoe's don't seem to last like they used to. I went to an independent shop this year with all 3 kids - all difficult fittings for one reason or another. They have all had startrite. Two are in their original pairs from October and still have room - they fitted well so there was growing space. The other's feet grew fast so he had a new pair in March. I will definitely be going back there.

We did have a pair of startrite trainers at the same time which start to fall apart within a month - I returned them and they sent them back to the manufacturer who issued a credit refund for them.

tori.k

Spendless wrote: »

Your answer is exactly the reason why I rarely post about personal stuff on mse anymore.:rolleyes:
If I wanted advice on how to educate my son on these matters I'd have asked. I didn't, I asked if anyone knew of hardy wearing trousers and shoes. I have no objection to suggestions of patching trousers or wearing plimsolls, but your post just comes across as you being sarcastic. I realise you probably do this for fun to get a reaction and I've just bitten but please go and amuse yourself elsewhere. Next time I will put you on ignore.

i spoke to mother she always knows best..lol...her advice you can buy black patches, patch the inside of the trousers that will help a little, tho summers coming if he doesnt mind wearing shorts cut the off at the knees and hem them

Spendless

I've just had another look at ds's current shoes as I was asked where the problem lies. It's the sole, which is lop-sided. I hadn't considered whether they could be resoled as they are a flat shoe rather than ones with a heel. Also the inner removable soles have huge holes in them. In addition on one of the straps the velcro has worn away, though that doesn't matter as such as it isn't seen and doesn't affect how the shoes feel when worn as it isn't on the 'point of contact' bit. These are clarks bootleg ones. I hadn't realised as I bought them at Brantano early Feb.

Think I'm going to travel to the nearest city and widen my choice of shoes for next school year and look at some of the suggestions of make made here.

ETA_ just replaced the inner soles with some I bought today and they look a bit better.

re trousers- thank you themaccas for your suggestion. I've looked up a web-site where there are offers on and will be ordering some for next year. It's the shin that is going thru rather than the knee on his current lot.

before_hollywood

debtfreein4years wrote: »

with regards to shoes - does he walk to school? if so what about putting a pair of trainers on to walk to school and then changing into school shoes to save them a bit of wear. you could also ask if its possible to change into trainers at break time to save the shoes.

at the school i went to trainers at break time was listed alongside murder :rotfl:

Kaz2904

Well both of mine had to habe new shoes at the last holiday so what 3 weks ago? I took everyone to get DD's from Clarks as it was a weekend. In the end I was only able to get her some that cost £20. However, I felt I'd got away with that!
Then DH said a couple of days later that DS needed more but I was on nights so asked him to go and find some.
He took DS and got a pair for £10 from Asda. Yet I wasn't happy. Why did he argue for £20 shoes for DD and then take DS to Asda?

Too many nights to argue so I had to just trust that DH knew what he was doing (which I should trust because I always make him check the soes anyway!).
When they went back to school, DD wrecked her soes the first day (scuffed scratched and needing a heavy duty polish). When she got home and DH saw them, he said she had to pay 1/2 of the shoes. He also said that because she couldn't take care of her stuff, she had to polish them heavily, a real good in depth polish!

Do you know what, DD's more expensive shoes have lasted longer. I thought it would be wear wise, about the same and size wise, who knows! Well DS, trousers, he started school in september and he's lost a pair of trousers. He's also cut a hole in a pair but tbh that's what I expected and each time he's been upset, embarrased and hasn't wanted anyone to know ("Don't tell Daddy, Don't tell DD etc"). That's an accident.
I can't wait for growth proof or scissor proof trousers and shoes!

Paparika

Interesting comments on clark shoes

my son made a comment that his were falling apart, and the last time he had new school shoes was about 2 years, my god i thought you must of been scrunching up your toes, he is for a 14 year old a lil MSE when he can remember and often tells me not to buy something (especially for me)

school trousers have lasted him about 2 years too, i bought them very long in the leg and stitched them up

Thank god this autumn he will only have 2 years to go

lolababy

Have a look on ebay. I get my sons trousers from a retailer on there. They are really well made and durable. Also look out for parents selling school trousers on ebay. Often you can get new or nearly new trousers. Often parents sell in bundles so you can get three or four pairs or more for next to nothing.
After having your daughter or sons feet mesured look out for new clarks or startwright shoes on ebay. The shoes are a fraction of the high street prices.

linni

I got some black Caterpiller shoes from TXMaxx and they are brilliant, they were expensive but have lasted much longer. Teenage boys and shoes are a nightmare!

ticklepenny_2

Both me and my brotyher were terrible with shoes so it ended up being Dr Martins through school. My brothers trousers were almost patchwork by the end of a term, Mum would buy 5 pairs of trousers at the start of the term and just patch till the next lot of holidays. Or till my brothers next growth spurt, whichever came first.

dizziblonde

Just a thought if money's really tight. If he's going through trousers at the knees - it is the summer coming up, could you not chop them at the knee, hem them up and make them into shorts for the remaining term? Depends if the school is one where the boys do wear shorts I know - but could squeeze a bit of wear outta kaput trousers that way.

Are you sure he's not a hole-picker? I've taught a few little boys who, when they've managed to get a tiny hole in their knees, will spend many happy hours making it bigger, pulling it to show their mates their knees etc etc - seem to spend half my life saying "stop picking at that hole in yer trousers and put your knees away - your mum will have a fit if you make it any bigger!" When it gets to the last few weeks of the final term of the year anyway I don't tend to stress about kids coming into school in trainers or whatever as I know its usually mums wanting to hold off on new school shoes till September but it depends how strict your head is on uniform on that one.