Are children's shoes a rip off? Do you buy clarks or cheaper?

snugglepuss_2

Can't remember where I heard it, but someone told me a couple of years ago that Clarkes make the shoes for M&S......not sure if that is still the case though.....

kal25

Becles wrote: »

You don't want shoes that slip on their heels or will rub any parts of their feet. Don't rely on the Clarks measurement for being "the gospel" as to what size they are. As with any other clothing, it's just a guide for the shoe fitter, and your child might be slightly bigger or smaller depending on the brand, style and fabric of the shoe.

Their feet have to last a lifetime and they'll be used a lot, so it's important to make sure they have well fitting shoes IMO.

My MIL tends to buy my 2lads shoes for school from clarks. I agree about the price, they are well expensive, my DH had heart failure when he went to the till. Saying that my DS1 used to go through 3/4 pairs of cheap school shoes, yet his clarks are still going a year later. The way I tend to do it is as Becles said I do not take the actual size as gospel but use the shoes to put against other shoes to tell me roughly if they are the right size then get the kids to try on. That way I know if theyu should fit.

sallycinnamon99

Hi,
My sister buys my nephews clarks shoes as they are one of the best for little feet, however they can be expensive. She usually tries the outlet shop and also Brantano - if you have one near you, they also stock a selection of clarks shoes, just depends what you are looking for but they get regualr deliveries.

HTH

cobbingstones

I buy at Clarkes or at the retail outlet which saves a good tenner. My dd is a size g/h width! So I feel I have to go there.

Very frustrating that there is very little choice at Clarkes.

MM

jungliemac

Two toddlers and an 11 year old so shoe buying time is expensive. I have found clarks in the past few years have really gone downhill and after a week they look scuffed and tatty...went to ECCO and they are just lasting forever..kids are even outgrowing their shoes before they look even a bit worn so i'm sticking with them. same sort of prices as clarks but great designs and scuff resistant as they are styled like that (sole sort of comes up onto toe area meaning no tatty scuffed leather!) I am a definate convert to ecco shoes!

winnie81

I too will only buy decent shop fitted shoes from Jones/Clarks/Start-rite. There other clothes etc are second hand hand me downs and ebay bargains but I won't compromise on there feet. It costs a small fortune for the 3 of them (soon to be 4!) but we cut back in other places to afford it

3KIDSNOMONEY

Clarks for me too

Try to buy in the sales but this isn't always possible. Mostly kids will have trainers from other shops and mains shoes/boots from Clarkes - unless i can get trainers in the sales. Daughters have bigger feet than me and need the really expensive ones now but will keep buying from them for as long as i can.

geekgirl

I always bought my kids elephanten boots from a local shoe shop. They were quite expensive but not once did they fall apart or come unstiched. Back then they did lots more sizes and width fittings than clarks so kids always had good fitting boots, shoes and sandals. I always had lots of coloured polishes and used to polish them every couple of days and they looked really lovely. The leather was really good quality and would never scuff badly and as soon as you polished them they came up lovely again.
But all of their clothes were either second hand or made by me so saved tons of money this way.

shazrobo

When my sons were really tiny i used to buy their shoes from clarkes, but as there feet grew and grew, incredibly fast it just became so expensive, plus they now choose just to wear trainers. incidentally took 12 year old son for new trainers, he only had the last pair 2 months, and his feet have grown again, he is now an adult size 12:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: starting to wonder where i can buy bigger trainers and socks from

geekgirl

shazrobo wrote: »

he is now an adult size 12:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: starting to wonder where i can buy bigger trainers and socks from

TKMaxx are really good for larger sizes, and of course cheaper as well.