Stupid Q - where to buy school shoes? John Lewis, Clinkards, elsewhere ?

[BikeRunSki]

Going shopping for school shoes this weekend, for DD (nearly 8, v sporty, Y3) and DS (nearly 11, will be going to middle school, which is like high school but Y6-9, so lots more walking during the day.).

We’ve usually gone to a local specialist children’s shoe shop, but it’s closed down.

I have been to Clark’s a few times and have had nothing but bad experiences from their service/products so really don’t want to go there. (A pair of school shoes only lasted half a term before there were holes in the soles; DS measured 3 different sizes in different branches in 48 hrs); their refusal to sell me s pair of “boys” shoes for DD), particularly as DD has very narrow feet (c/d) and Clark’s tend to be too wide).

DS’s really narrow feet tend to get on best with European brands, particularly Superfit, but I don’t know where to go to get a choice of styles. Our options are John Lewis or Clinkards (Sheffield) - anyone got any opinions or experiences on these?

DS will also need football boots (I’m thinking Decathlon) and DD will want shoes that will stand up to playing football every lunchtime and walking to school in the rain. No MJ styles for her!

Schuh kids? We only went in there for a Hype backpack last year but I'm considering it for this year - we usually get Clarks, either from Clarks or JL.

DD had a couple of really good pairs of Skechers - a bit more robust and sporty than usual girls shoes. Got them on Amazon.

where are you based? Perhaps one of us can recommend an alternative independent. I am in the South East and luckily have 3 award winning independent childrens shoe shops within a 15 mile drive. But I mostly heard about them though local recommendations, rather than advertising.

I've always found independent shops offering a range of brands best and also the best in terms of knowlegable fitters.

Amazon. Free returns

Next.
Why is this a problem

The clinkards In Meadowhall is good. Wide range of shoes to choose from. My ds (12) has worn DMs since he was 9 and they’re great for a lot of walking - though maybe not ideal for a narrower foot. They have geox which I would also recommend though.

I hated Sheffield John Lewis and their soviet queuing system and limited shoe range to be honest

Just jumping in as my lovely local independent children's shoe shop closed down last year, if anyone has any recommendations for another in the SW London/Surrey borders area I would appreciate it.

I've always found independent shops offering a range of brands best and also the best in terms of knowlegable fitters.

Totally agree, but as in my OP, the 3 I have used locally have all closed down in the last few months.

@matahairyy, because DS has unfeasibly narrow feet which high street shoe shops have never managed to cater for. I did say it was a stupid Q. I have been spoilt fir the last 7 years having a really good shoe shop in walking distance.

@spongedog - between Sheffield and Leeds

@SunnySomer - thank you, that is useful to know about JL and Clinks. Have you ever been to Ecco in Mhell?

@VolcanionSteamArtillery- i’d like the shoes to be properly fitted. I have looked online for the style that I know works for DS, but he was in the biggest size they make it in last year, after having had it a few times and his feet have grown. If we’re going to have to change styles, it will take a few tries to get it right.

Shoezone. Nice and cheap

Happy Little Soles online has a good range of brands and good fitting advice (and I think free returns but not 100% sure).

I’m not necessarily after cheap, but do need a choice of manufacturers and good fitting.

Sorry OP mine wont help you then. But might help @WhenDoISleep

soleswithheart.co.uk West Malling Kent
www.hoadskidsshoeshop.com Sevenoaks Kent
www.stampedeshoes.co.uk Tun Wells Kent

It sounds as if they all do postal orders - if you are certain of size and brand.

Ah Hilda, that makes me all reminiscent of when the dc were babies, I got a lot of their shoes from Happy Little Soles. Unfortunately, they don’t go big enough for DS (adult size 7 nudging 7.5) but good idea for DD. Thank you.

BikeRunSki - no, Ecco hadn’t yet opened when I still lived there - but I’d give them a go if I were you as my ds really likes the shoes (we’ve only bought them online); they’re comfortable and good for lots of walking/exercise.
At this time of year the queues at Clinkskids are mad, so worth getting there early and allowing plenty of time!

M&S and doc martens are good, Kickers too.

We've just had a reasonable experience at Clarks. I was expecting it to be awful, but my DC (boy aged 10 and girl aged 7) have reeeeallly narrow feet - DS is a C width and DD a D. Shoes from Next etc. just don't fit them and I don't like ordering shoes online for them as it always means sending them back numerous times.

Anyway, both DC got Clarks shoes today that fitted nicely. DD is sporty and doesn't like anything fancy. She got a fairly nice pair of lace-ups. Remains to see how well they last, but in the past Clarks shoes have lasted a full school year for them both.

I don't work for Clarks (I promise) and we've had a rubbish experience previous years, but so far so good this year!

We always use Clinkards and have always been happy.

They are, our branch at least, very patient with us and especially ds (ASD) they get good returns from us though.

geox are narrow and pretty strong - I sometimes find them in tk maxx

Thank you everyone. @BlackInk, that’s really interesting about Clark’s. @SunnySomer has persuaded me to go to Clinks rather than JL, which means Meadowhall shopping centre which also has Schuh, M&S and many other shops (including Clark’s).

Dr Martens

@BikeRunSki i do get what you mean but tbh i think the thing about fitting is a bit of a swizz. Its not hard to fit kids shoes with a little bit of reading first. The one time i got DD fitted by clarks it didn't pass muster with physio later. I bought a lot of shoes at Asda, they were pretty good.

Nowadays i just get Kickers Hi tops from anazon until they grow out of them then i buy the next size up. You couldnt get a more much more perfect school shoe.

Otherwise i would Dr Marten, but both mine find them a bit heavy for school (joint issues)

I usually go to Clark's at Freeport and have always had good service and the shoes have always lasted (fingers crossed). It is a bit busy at this time of the year though so make sure you are not in a rush!

Clinkards is still a family business. A relative worked for them.