Where to buy decent work shoes?

Saturnalia

I'm after a pair of work shoes, just basic flat black shoes with a slight rise to the heel, lace up or with a strap. And not flippin' ballet slippers!

I take a 5 so could buy children's school shoes as well.

Where is a decent place to buy them from?

In the past year I have had: A Shoe Zone pair costing £15 which lasted four months, during which time I was doing a few jobs where I was on my feet all day. An M&S pair costing £35 which lasted 6 months but due to me not working were not worn for 3 of those months, and I was in desk jobs the other 3! I gave M&S another try and the next pair have fallen apart after 4 months, again only 2 months of daily wearing to my desk job! So Marks is definitely off the list!

I've seen a pair in Wynsors for £10 that I quite like and am wondering if all shoes fall apart after a couple of months wear, is it worth spending more than £10 per pair? I've also seen a few pairs in Clarks between £40-£50, but don't know if it's worth the money, as the M&S ones didn't cost much less and wore out in no time.

maypole

I would think getting a couple of good pairs of shoes and alternating them would be a good idea, if you can afford it.

rockie4

Best I've had were £10 from a shoe stall on the local market - similar to the Wynsors ones. I'm quite heavy on shoes but these were great, I'm still wearing them 12months on but they do leak a bit now.
I've had Clarks and other expensive makes fall apart on me after a couple of months so will now go for the cheaper option every time!

Saturnalia

I've been having a look at Kickers and Doc Martens, as I've had Kickers shoes & DM boots before and got about 5 years near-daily wear out of both. They're pricy - in the £60-£90 range for the ones I like - but maybe better to pay more as a one-off and not have to buy new every three months.

I might try taking this latest pair back to M&S and asking for a refund as I don't think shoes wearing out after 2 months of daily wear is acceptable, do you think I would have any luck? I was going to take the last pair back too but seem to have lost them somewhere. (Mind you, I suppose they'd only refund in vouchers if at all as I don't have the receipt and I don't want any more of their products if they are that useless, but I could use it for food or toiletries etc.)

Kaz2904

I've had DM's which lasted years. I have also had Clarks springers which were so comfy and 2 pairs alternated lasted me 6 years. They don't sell them any more though.
I always buy leather shoes and try to alternate so they don't get too sweaty and get a chance to dry out between wears.
Kikers do seem to be good shoes too as do Hush Puppies.
I bought a new pair of work shoes at a garden centre at the weekend (I know!) as there was a shop within the centre which had a sale on. Thes were called 26 bones or something and were down to £15 from £60 odd.

ETA: The shop was called shuropody and they are nationwide apparently. Here's the link http://www.shuropody.com/nonstore/aboutus_findastore.php

Taadaa

Odd, lve had m and s shoes that have lasted a good year before needing attention. Have you looked on eBay? I got a pair of Jones shoes, hardly worn, for 99p because a button needed to be re-attached.

Saturnalia

It's weird, I thought M&S stuff was supposed to be sturdy, and I'm light on my feet as well, shoes usually last me donkey's years. I've even had the £2 canvas pumps out of Primark that have lasted longer than my M&S shoes!

Kaz, I'm just having a look at that Shuropody link. There's some nice looking shoes on there!

esmy

I have had work shoes from Deichman for the last three or 4 years - current pair has been going now for over a year in daily use, polishes up well, and hasn't needed heeling. I prefer leather shoes and usually have a shoe/boot cos I wear trousers most of the time. We have a shop locally but seems to be more on the website. The range I get is called Janet D. HTH

http://www.deichmann.com/GB/en/shop/welcome.html

l0u1se

I always need soft leather black pumps, new look do some nice ones

sophlowe45

What bit of your shoes wears out so quickly? Is it the heel?

Or is it the walking to / from work?

Kaz2904

I forgot to mention, the shoes we bought from the shop were considerably cheaper than the ones on the website. Half the price in fact. I got DD 2 pairs for £15 and myself 1 pair for £15 which is an absolute bargain for well made, good supportive shoes .