What are you all doing about school shoes?

[BrandNewShinyThings]

Clarks shoes never fit DS, we usually have to traipse off to Russell and Bromley to find some school shoes that are actually comfortable. But our local branch isn't opening up their children's department. Tempted to get a cheap pair from Asda to tide us over.

Clarks seem to fit my duaghter and there's a guarantee on fitting til february so worth a try. Ours is a good one so tell you if the shoes wont fit.

We got some lovely brogues last week!

I'm just going to try a few places. Bought from M&S before and they have been good quality.

DS13 is about a 6 (likes to think he's a 7) so will be trying Clarks or maybe M&S. Would like to get him in some DMs but he's not having any of it.

Booking in with Clark’s. I tried Asda when dd grew out of hers half way through the school year ( as I bought them ridiculously early) the Asda one were fucked with in a couple of months

My Ds is older but Clark’s never fit my Ds properly- the used to put insoles in . In the end I used to by black trainer type shoes - depends how struck your DC’s school is.

I always used to get clarks due to my daughter having narrow feet and always needing half sizes. The last 2 years I have got them from next - they have lasted just as long and are cheaper.

I did get my son a pair from sainsburys when he started year 1 - they lasted around 3 weeks 🙄

I go to an independent one. I will travel over an hour if they are a really good one

I'm going to Clarke's but not sure. We have a 3 mile trek to school so need some with sturdy soles, dd2 (5) also has very narrow feet that roll inwards - if it wasn't for the 6 miles+ a day she would be walking I would just buy from Asda or somewhere like.

We have a booked appointment with Clarks. Always go there for school shoes and never had bad service or shoes touch wood

A couple of years ago, dd grew out of her shoes in the June, so I bought her tesco shoes to get her through till the end of term. They didn’t even last the month. Don’t waste your money on cheap shoes if you can afford better quality. They end up looking tatty really quickly and generally fall to bit, so complete false economy.

There must be an independent shoe shop nearby. I know most people seem to use Clark’s as a go to, but I think most larger towns still have an independent shoe seller who would be able to sort a pair of school shoes out for you.

Shoe zone are doing buy 1 get 1 free on school shoes so I ordered the size they were in July (They attended through lockdown) and the next size up, should cover us until such a time I'd feel better about taking them both to town shoe shopping

We've got an independent in town that stocks a range including Geox.

DS used to wear Clarkes out long before he ever used to grow out of them. He's not a heavy, sporty type, but the stitching just used to wear out and they'd fall apart, or the velcro would give up as there was too little overlap on his arches.

Still on last year's kickers. DS will continue to be in those kickers until he grows out of them and I get the next size up

Hmm interesting. School is really strict on uniform so no trainer styles allowed at all unfortunately. Hadn't thought of Next or M&S, we have both of those locally, think we'll have to go and try on. He's 11 but big feet, a size 7 I think.

@Maryann1975

A couple of years ago, dd grew out of her shoes in the June, so I bought her tesco shoes to get her through till the end of term. They didn’t even last the month. Don’t waste your money on cheap shoes if you can afford better quality. They end up looking tatty really quickly and generally fall to bit, so complete false economy. There must be an independent shoe shop nearby. I know most people seem to use Clark’s as a go to, but I think most larger towns still have an independent shoe seller who would be able to sort a pair of school shoes out for you.

Our lovely independent local shoe shop closed down (sob) and we really don't have anything else like that near us. Its Clarks or supermarkets, or as PP suggested M&S or Next.

Dd1s should still fit.

Sending dd2 back in a pair of dm ankle boots. Not spending an hour on a bus with a mask to go to clinks and dont do clarks .

I like the Sainsbury's school shoes, really sturdy and seem to last and be comfortable

Just realised the Sainsbury's 25% all clothes/shoes should start tomorrow too

@TorysSuckRevokeArticle50

Just realised the Sainsbury's 25% all clothes/shoes should start tomorrow too

Ooh good call!

We gave up on Clarks over fit ting issues. M&S were a great alternative. Leather, lasted well, cheaper and fitted better. Unfortunately DD is now an adult size and M&S stop at 7. We've had to resort to Clarks adult shoes.

Just to add, M&S girls stop at 7 (or 7.5) but the boys obviously go bigger.

Just seen you're not allowed trainer style that was going to be my suggestion. Other than that I second M&S.

Asda for DD5 as she's now off the scale width-wise for Clarks.

Have they got the foot measurement guides in M&S or do children just try them on based on previous size?