AIBU to hate clarks shoes

[Greensky91]

So I got my DS measured yesterday and he's a 4.5H is there anywhere else I can buy this size apart from clarks and startrite?? I think all the styles from both are horrible, I bought some pretty ugly light up trainers from clarks, but they seem to be like bricks on his feet, would it hurt Nike/adidas to make these sizes

[PinkSwimGoggles]

yabu
they have some nice styles.

imo learn how to fit shoes yourself (tutorials on youtube) and then go shopping and try some on.

[Soubriquet]

It's worth noting just because he is 4.5 in Clarks doesn't mean he is 4.5 in start rite or another brand

[RaspberryIce]

We've never had any problems with them. You are of course NBU to have whatever opinion of them you want.

[Joinourclub]

My son is also an H fitting and it us a pain as there is so much less choice and most kids shoes just come in one fitting. However, I always manage to find at least one pair I like in clarks, even if I hate most of them. We have gone up half a size and gone for a g fitting sometimes to get more choice.

[Lovelybunchofcocopops]

H is a wide fitting, so I think you'll be limited to choice wherever you go and I suspect you may only find H fittings in Clarks or Startrite.

The styles aren't that bad, although I can see your point in the limited selection, but thats what happens when the sizing is at the end of the scale for any shoes or clothing iyswim.

My oldest dc had wide fittings to start with, but the width fitting got narrower as he moved around more.

[DorotheaHomeAlone]

Yes, YABU. Buy what's best for his growing feet. Does it really matter what he looks like? They're kids shoes ffs.

[MigGril]

I agree with you on clarks kids shoes, but this time of year is never great if you don't want school shoes either. Try somewhere like brantano or if your lucky to have a Rushall and Bromley who Stock shoes like geotex and kickers as well.

[Poshsausage]

I've got a brand new pair in this fitting if you want them for a few pennies I can send them to you little aeroplane shoes

[RiverTam]

I don't get the Clarks hate on MN, we've pretty much only bought Clarks shoes and never had a problem.

[nursepearl]

I agree they are a bit frumpy and the styles never ever change. My DD is wearing the same ones I did! But they are the only school shoes I've found that don't wear out after five minutes so I still buy them, rediculously expensive though.

[MrsMook]

H width is a PITA. For years I had identical shoes year in year out as there was only one style I could get my feet in to.

DS has inherited my feet, although he's narrowed down to a G recently, but he still has a high arch. I've given up on Clarks as they were stingy with the Velcro, so he ended up with very little joining up, and large expanses of carpet fluff clinging to the rest, then there wasn't enough to join up so they fell off and he mashed up the heels shoving his feet back in.

We've bought Geox this summer and they're much better so far. They're dearer, but DS is a slow grower and I had to replace shoes before he grew out of them anyway.

With Clarks, I had to wait ages for him to grow into the walkers (good job he was a late walker). The school shoes don't start until a 7 so he only just managed to grow into them in time for starting school.

[WhatamessIgotinto]

Er, you can like, or dislike what you choose.

[Thatwaslulu]

My son is H+ fitting, so he can't get shoes anywhere else other than Clarks or Startrite. Also his school are really strict and shoes can't look like trainers in any way. He has had the same style (the only one they do in his width that meets school rules) for 5 years. He's 16 now and in mens shoes since June, but is still stuck with Clarks. Luckily he isn't too bothered and prefers wearing something that fits comfortably over something that looks cool, but I think this is the result of buying "fashion" prom shoes to wear with his tux and coming home with holes in his feet and blood everywhere!

[WyfOfBathe]

I recommend going to Brantano if you have one near you. They have Clarks shoes but also other brands, e.g. Hush Puppies, Nike, Skechers, so there's a much wider selection.

They also do foot-measuring (at least at my local store).

With wide feet, if you don't want shoes with width fittings (i.e. Clarks) you just need to try on a lot of shoes until you find some that fit properly... but that might involve more patience than most children have.

[MerylPeril]

Hush puppies have changeable insoles so you can make them into a H fitting.
They are the only shoe I buy DD now as everything else gets destroyed by her.

[AmeliaJack]

Take yourself to an independent children's shoe shop and see what they have. There are lots of different brands.

My DS has wide feet and we've always found ricosta excellent.

[PinkSwimGoggles]

there are other brands that do wide fitting children's shoes.
ecco
geox
ricosta
elefanten

[Thatwaslulu]

Elefanten are lovely for small children. My son had Elefanten sandals and shoes when he was tiny and they are durable and cute.

Pity there's not so much choice for wide-footed young (or older!) men.

[PinkSwimGoggles]

oh annd superfit

[Hercules12]

Just go to a different shop. We went with Clarks for ds as knew no better but dd has unusually shaped feet and they could never fit her so we've always gone to independent shops and always got good shoes.

[HappyStar56]

I think Clarks shoes are cute. I like children's clothes & shoes to look like they belong to children & not mini adults.
You are of course totally reasonable to have your own different opinion though!

[user1471449592]

Geox are pretty good and are wide

[GoofyTheHero]

Of course YANBU, everyone has their own tastes and you're entitled to like/dislike whatever you want. Personally I really dislike Nike/adidas etc trainers on children (or in fact anyone unless they're actually exercising). Each to their own.

[TotallyOuting]

I desperately needed sandals for a city break and found three pairs on sale in Clarks. One pair were especially iffy, I referred to them as granny chic - thought I could wear them semi-ironically and be really cool. Then I saw a FB friend's photo of one of her friends wearing the same shoes at said friend's wedding. This friend must be mid-twenties. Coolness confirmed.

[JeSuisUnChocoholic]

Ecco are really nice but they can cost a fortune. I bought DS a pair of Ecco school shoes in Norway (from Din Sko if anyone is interested) and they cost 990 kr (£90)!