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!