Where do you buy your kids' school shoes?

apesxx

Usually always buy clarks but wasn't very happy at all with the quality of the girls shoes when I went in today. They all seemed very flimsy and DD had those type before and they dropped to bits in about 8 weeks. Also bought DS new school shoes at end of May, he wore them for 6 weeks and when I've checked them they are completely smooth at the ball of the feet and all the tread has worn off! So even though they look like new on top he needs new ones as they have no grip left! Have bought DD some leather ones from next to see what there like and I haven't decided what to do with DS yet but if I do get them from clarks again I'll make sure they have a deep tread.

Rummer

Clarks

We had to buy clarks this year as my DD is a half size and they were the only ones that sold shoes that fitted. In previous years we have bought from a variety of more affordable places.

Money_maker

Clarks

Always Clarks for school shoes although never clarks for sandals or trainers. Last time we went (Juneish), they were having a refit and no shoes in her size. Shoezone was a few doors down so we picked up a pair from there. Never again. Within a week the fronts were scuffed and a few weeks at school has rendered them completely useless. You do get what you pay for there.

Incidentally, I used to get Woolies shoes for my boys from around age 9+ and they were great!

Counting_Pennies_2

Clarks

I paid £48 for a pair of Clarks school shoes today, the price in that shop just keeps rising!

Lunar_Eclipse

kathrynha wrote: »

although for secondary school girls probably aren't very hard wearing on shoes.

I think it depends. DD1 is probably harder on shoes now, because she commutes to school, so they walk more miles every day. I did walk her to infant school, but she was driven to junior school.

Also, at secondary school, the shoes girls wear tend to be much lighter weight in style than when they were younger. Many wear a basic ballet style pump, which don't last long at all. I'm fortunate she wears a more substantial loafer style shoe and that until sixth form they all wear 'proper school shoes' and not something from Primark or similar which a lady in Clarks told me most teenage girls do.

DD2 has always been harder on shoes, choosing a unisex style (think boys school shoe!) for her last year at junior school. She said they were better for playing football in at lunch time. She goes to a secondary school without uniform, so now wears trainers. They tend to last 2 terms and she's always sad when they wear out and she needs new ones!

Former_MSE_Andrea

Brantano

We couldn't fit Deichmann into the poll due to the poll limits. Is anyone looking there?

And do you do a full-on shoe comparison around the shoe shops before you buy or do you go straight to one shop then try and buy there for ease?

MallyGirl

Clarks

with a 13 yo DD who takes a 7.5 D fitting we have no choice but Clarks. I did get some in advance in the sale last year which still seem OK which is a relief as the only shoes in her size (E as they don't do big Ds) are slip on with no strap and she would just walk straight out of them. She walks 1.5 miles each way to school so they need to stay on. I think we may end up getting them made soon as I don't know where else to go.

dangers

Clarks - but I've always bought from a factory outlet. Luckily we have two near us. Ok, one is a 45 min drive, but we combine it with other shopping. My ds is now in adults - his shoes were £25

thriftyemma

Clarks

We buy from our local independent. DS1 and DS2 have very narrow feet, and our local shoe shop stocks lots of European brands. These tend to have narrower sizes, and are a lot more supportive. We once went in to Clarks to be measured, the assistant tried flogging us a pair of shoes that were two width sizes too big for DS2, knowing they were flapping off him. I will never shop there for narrow sizes again. Having said that, we do spend a lot more than shopping in Clark's. We just blew £150 on 3 pairs!

S_Wales_Saver

Agree with those that recommend Aldi. The very best I've found for twin 7 yr old girls, one of whom is death on shoes. The one pair where the fastening failed last year was refunded without a quibble eight weeks into the term and 10/11 weeks after purchase. Not something I've ever found with even the best shoe shops. (Ever been told 'Ah but she's been playing in them!' ) Just what they expect small children to do I can't imagine :mad: