Have Clark's children's shoes recently decreased in quality?

[Silversky70]

I just wanted to see of anyone else had a similar experience recently. My son has been wearing shoes from Clark's all his life. We usually manage about 1 pair per school year. We normally have to buy new ones due to his feet growing or the shoes wearing out on the outside due to daily use. This academic year the shoes are ok on the outside but have 2 holes cut out in the heel inside after only a few months. Somebody else said this had happened to them, so I just wanted to check if this was a wider problem.

I'm going to complain, and will probably stop shopping at Clark's as the quality has obviously changed. Where else can I shop?

[Silversky70]

This is the second pair this has happened to in 9 months.

[Starlight456]

I complained to Clarks a few years ago . I was told that they are expected to last 3 months 😮

[GymKitJen]

All of Clark's shoes have decreased in quality in the last 10 years

[AdultHumanCat]

I've stopped buying Clarks as the quality has plummeted.

Soles wear through really quickly and poor quality leather.

[Camomila]

I think the women's shoes are good quality but the DC ones are not great. We got some hand me down that lasted ages but one's i've bought myself have got ruined so quickly.

Geox shoes are fantastic (I wait for bargains at tk maxx) and Asda shoes are good too.

[sheshootssheimplores]

I am still happy. Ds’s recent shoes looked great for 9 months until finally the soles gave out. I’ve ended up buying a pair of leather shoes from either Lidl or Aldi and they are surprisingly good for £5.99!!!!

[KnifeAngel]

My girls always have Clarks shoes. Dd1 has had hers two years and they are still fine. We have only ever had a problem once a few years ago when a strap broke. The independent shop we used swapped them for us.

[Silversky70]

That's interesting. I just wondered if anyone had the same specific problem with the holes forming inside the heel.

[BellatrixLeStrangest]

They're absolute dog turd. My son has had 3 pairs this year- bearing in mind they've exchanged them so I can't knock their customer service- holes appeared in the same place each time. The trim around the toes came apart and then leaked water when it rained. I bought him a new pair from Matalan for £4 in the sale and they've been a million times better. My daughters went really smooth underneath so when it was slippery it was a nightmare. She had no grip whatsoever after just a few weeks of wearing them. They became too small so spent £10 on a pair from Asda and again they still look good after 3 months wear and not had any issues. I wouldn't shop at Clark's ever again.

[jollyhollyhocks]

Yes, my daughter's Clarks shoes developed holes on the inside of the heels quite quickly. I won't be buying Clarks again.

[SudowoodoVoodoo]

I switched to Geox after reception class. The velcro length was inadequate to cover the sticky side of the velcro, so it jammed up with carpet fluff and the shoes fell off so DS would mash his feet back in over the ankle making the shoe even more sloppy.

DS has slow growing feet and I don't think lasting a school year is an unreasonable expectation for a "quality" fitted brand. The stitching fell apart on several pairs of toddler shoes before he could outgrow them.

It was not a problem I had from Clarkes or Startrite when I was a child and wore them all year.

I haven't officially made it to adult sizing, and when I have bought children's shoes, they tend to be a false economy because the materials are not as durable.

[Pepperama]

We’ve not had problems with Clarks, they’ve lasted really well for us given how my son mistreats them.

[SudowoodoVoodoo]

I switched to Geox after reception class. The velcro length was inadequate to cover the sticky side of the velcro, so it jammed up with carpet fluff and the shoes fell off so DS would mash his feet back in over the ankle making the shoe even more sloppy.

DS has slow growing feet and I don't think lasting a school year is an unreasonable expectation for a "quality" fitted brand. The stitching fell apart on several pairs of toddler shoes before he could outgrow them.

It was not a problem I had from Clarkes or Startrite when I was a child and wore them all year.

I haven't officially made it to adult sizing, and when I have bought children's shoes, they tend to be a false economy because the materials are not as durable.

[Silversky70]

Thank you. Where do you get fitted for other shoes? Do you still go to Clark's to get measured?

[PickAChew]

It's not recent. They were crap when my teenagers were kids.

[Silversky70]

Thank you. Where do you get fitted for other shoes? Do you still go to Clark's to get measured?

[PickAChew]

It's not recent. They were crap when my teenagers were kids.

[Silversky70]

Thank you. Where do you get fitted for other shoes? Do you still go to Clark's to get measured?