Aibu to assume clarks shoes are best for kids?

[Fishface77]

My daughter is 4 and needs shoes/trainers. I went to sports direct and she attached Gerald to some frozen ones.

I want her to have clarks but my DH said these would be fine.
Where is best for children's shoes! There's so much choice (and so much expense) but I want her to have a decent pair of shoes.

[Fishface77]

Herself. Not Gerald. I don't know who Gerald is.

[G1raffe]

I've preferred the fitting at our local Clarks. Just size alone isn't enough as within the size different styles fit differently. When they're older and articulate it doesn't matter as much but I've always got school shoes fitted by someone I trust (be it Clarks or startrite). And all their shoes when small.

Most people don't though.

[bluecarpet]

tell Gerald to get lost......

I think Clark's are very hit and miss. Independent shoe shop all the way if you have one near you. but yes, otherwise Clark's better than sports direct. John Lewis are better.

[CornerCut]

I always go for Clarks, I think when their wee feet are still growing its important to have properly fitted, supportive shoes.

Theyre more expensive but I find they last until DS grows out of them. I've also tried Startrite but they fell apart within a few weeks.

My friend buys Asda school shoes and trainers for her DS and is constantly replacing them.

I agree that Clarks style choices can be a bit dull though.

[RebeccaWithTheGoodHair]

Startrite ones are good. They are comparable price-wise to Clarks but they don't try to upsell you (ooh you'll want some special polish as well).

[Fairylea]

I am the same as G1raffe.

I really like Clarks shoes. I've had my two dc fitted there for all their shoes when little (ten year age gap between both dc) and never had any issues.

[Janecc]

DD had to get a lot of shoes from clarks because of extremely wide feet and the way her toes splay. It would be the same were she to have extremely narrow feet. If your DD has average feet and you are confident to fit the shoes yourself, getting them elsewhere is fine imo. Go with what you feel confident buying DD.

[KnockMeDown]

I have always gone to Clarks to get DD fitted, and to get her school shoes. However, I have no problem in getting more occasional shoes ie trainers, sandals, pumps, elsewhere.

I do think Clarks are expensive at full price, and from what I read on here, can be very hit and miss on the quality of their fitting. I personally have always found their fitting service good.

[funniestWins]

I wouldn't let them have the average trainers or whatever from JD Sports.

Childrens' feet need shoes that are very soft and supple, thin and light soles, no front-to-back slopes and a wide foot-box to allow toes to spread.

Trainers sold on the pictures they have on them are unlikely to be what are bets for their feet.

I love this shop. www.happylittlesoles.co.uk and Clarks too.

[CrystalMcPistol]

The thing that Clarks really excels at isn't producing quality shoes, it's getting people to believe that 'If you don't buy Clarks shoes your child will end with gnarly Hobbit feet'.

That shizz has really permeated through!

[MadisonAvenue]

I've always bought Clarks for my sons, even my Year 11 youngest son is still wearing them. Thankfully neither has ever had a growth spurt that's needed them having new shoes part way through the school year and Clarks have lasted them from September until July with no leaks and they've never worn out despite them walking a round trip of 5 miles each day to and from school.

Trainers we've always bought from Sports Direct but then they've only ever really worn them for PE, they seem to prefer Converse for home stuff.

[Kennington]

I buy from marks and Spencer's and tesco
Clarkes are good too.
I don't think there is much between any of them to be honest. Except price!

[lalalalyra]

I find Startrite much better quality now. When my twins, now 13, were wee it was always Clarks, but some of their shoes are pretty crap now I've found. John Lewis are very good at fitting as well.

[MissTurnstiles]

Start-rite fit my DD better. Expensive but often reduced at John Lewis.

YANBU to want good-quality shoes. Growing feet need proper support and cheap, badly-fitted shoes just won't do that.

[NeedACleverNN]

I'm not keen on clarks

I like start rite or primigi(sp). Only for shoe shoes and boots though

Things like trainers I get from sports direct

[AppleSetsSail]

My oldest has just outgrown Clarks. I feel terribly old.

[SeekEveryEveryKnownHidingPlace]

YABU, Clarks are rubbish, especially the girls ones.

Also their schtick about the perfect fit is all bollocks - you wait for a bloody hour to get measured, and then they say, 'oh, her left foot is 12F and her right foot is a 13.7 G, I'll go and have a look ..... [much later] well, we don't have those sizes but I've got a pair here in 12H which would probably be fine if you buy some inserts as well'.

[BreakfastMuffin]

No, they're not the best Imo, it's a huge marketing campaign.. Sometimes we've had a good pair of Clarks shoes but most wear off too quickly ( once they start school). I used to like John Lewis as they have a fitting service as well as different brands of shoes. But our local one isn't very good any more although we still use the one on Oxford st if we're in the area.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Childrens' feet need shoes that are very soft and supple, thin and light soles, no front-to-back slopes and a wide foot-box to allow toes to spread

This^ and another vote for Happy Little Soles

[FirstWeTakeManhattan]

I prefer Start Rite to Clarks, but we've just found two new companies via the local kid's shoe shop that are brilliant. Very expensive but incredibly hard wearing and really nice styles.

The DC are out in the their shoes though so can't check them. Helpful, I know.

I'll check and update when they're back.

[Mari50]

I think it's important to make sure you get younger children's feet measured and shoes fitted professionally but brands aren't as important. I've bought clarks/startrite/primigi etc. I don't buy clarks anymore because once you're child's feet are larger than size 10.5 the range is too grown up considering the age of the child (with thin flimsy soles).

[BreakfastMuffin]

Oh and every little girl should have a pair of leli Kelly's? 😊

[peggyundercrackers]

we use clarks and start-rite, never had any trouble with either of them. we did use an independent shoe shop nearby us once but they fell apart really quickly and they were quite expensive so would never use again. we didn't mind they were more expensive but expected them to last longer.

[RoboticSealpup]

We got DDs first shoes from Clark's but I soon realised she was bending her toes inwards in them. They also seemed very hard and heavy. I got her a pair of lightweight Nike trainers instead and she seems much more comfortable now and walks better.