School shoes: where do you buy yours?

OrkneyStar

I used to buy Clarks for DS, pretty much always brand new (got a couple of pairs 'as new' for play). They used to be fine, but recently I have found them not very good. The tongue of a lot of the styles keeps slipping to the side making them un-comfy/a bad fit after a few wears. Also they don't last very long on DS at school at all before they look terrible. I got a Tesco pair more recently- they lasted as long as the Clarks ones and fitted just as well- but they are worn out now too. More recently I got a pair of black 'trainer-style' New Balance shoes. They have triple stitching at the toe, and a good sole, but the man in the shoe shop pretty much said that 'the person who invents boy/play resistant shoes will be a millionaire!'.

PS Noting the comments re polishing, DS shoes polished every day.

sjprmc01

Kickers are good, I have 3 daughters, ages 8,7 and 6 and one pair of those will normally see through all three of them without looking worn out. I like also to buy patent, as long as its actual leather it seems to last better and I mainly also go for Clarks, start rite or hush puppies.

My eldest has worn through 2 x pairs of Asda boots this winter that granny paid for, so for her third pair I've gone for 'Gabor' ones in the sale from amazon, will see how long they last!

mummynorth

I always shop at Asda. Love the price and my little girl doesn't mind wearing them!

Loopy_Lou_3

I get my sons feet measured in clarks & then i buy second hand from ebay, absolute bargain!!

Bublin1

I buy Kickers for my 4 yr old dd.

jellyhead

themull1 wrote: »

Clarks - my daughters feet are so wide that they can't fit into a lot of supermarket shoes. And they get velcro ones to have a bit of extra width! The shoe boxes would probably fit them better....

:rotfl: Same with both of my children, and my feet too.

My youngest still needs Clarks for his wide, high feet but my eldest likes to wear wide black trainers now, and they are allowed for high school as long as they have no visible logo.

I used to buy Rockstorm trainers off amazon (from wynsors shoes) but she soles don't last as long as Airwalk, so now he buys black airwalk trainers from Sports Direct for less than £30 and he colours in the logo with a black marker. They last as long as Clarks shoes used to, and they are more 'socially acceptable' for teenagers.

I have occasionally been able to get hush puppies from Brantano, but they are no cheaper than going to Clarks - it's an alternative when the only style Clarks can offer isn't black enough for school though. Clarks have never had more than one style in the H fitting that would fit their trotters.

TK Maxx is another option that many of my friends use, but I've never been able to find anything to fit my children, whose feet are on the extreme side of wide.

Scorpio_girlie

I would like to recommend shoe-b-do in Shrewsbury. Got totally fed up with Clarks!


SG
x

MadDogWoman_2

School shoes for my daughter come from a local independent shoe shop, visited Clarks for her first shoes, never felt so rushed in all my life.

The shop I use no matter how busy they take the time with the customers to ensure the shoe fits right. Also as they're independent they stock several types of shoe, Hush Puppy, Startrite, Clarks. Another plus as it is usually the same assistant that serves us she knows the sort of shoes my daughter likes.

Her winter boots have come from Next, her trainers from Sports Direct, the school pumps from Shoezone.

Tanswell88

Clarks - they are good quality and last until her feet have grown (which isn't very often for my LO!)

sweaty_betty

Another vote for Clarks here.
We try to buy them from our local shoe shop as I want to support it so it stays open (rather than having to trek to the city centre or John Lewis on a weekend). Otherwise we'll call in at the Clarks outlet if we're passing and hope we're due the next size up