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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy DS a pair of cheap school shoes?

71 replies

TheHouseofMirth · 07/05/2012 11:14

His Clarks shoes have just died. There are only 10 weeks left of term. He is 7. My head is saying go to the Shoe Zone and buy him a pair of, admittedly unstylish, but cheap leather shoes for £7.99 but my heart is telling me that I will ruin his feet forever and should go to Clarks and pay £38.

OP posts:
TidyDancer · 07/05/2012 13:13

MrsMicawber, I think you're mistaking expensive for good. Cheaper shoes can be just as good or even better.

Original poster
TheHouseofMirth · 07/05/2012 14:29

It was academic in the end as I rang the Shoe Zone and they didn't have anything in Ds's size in stock. Lots of choice on the website but unfortunately we need them for the morning.

But you've convinced me that it's definitely worth a try next time!

OP posts:
HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer · 07/05/2012 14:38

Asda shoes are pretty good.

surfingluby · 07/05/2012 14:40

Why not buy him a pair that also look like weekend shoes so they will last him through the six weeks..........If mine start growing out of theirs with just a term left I put them in their crocs and explain to the head why, he's never complained.......actually rather a lot of parents do it! One parent puts hers in his plimsolls!!! :-)

eeden · 07/05/2012 14:40

If he is 7 and you have Clarks shoes fitted with as much room in as possible without tripping him over, they ought to last for this term and the whole of the autumn term at least.

Smurfy1 · 07/05/2012 15:04

I have just done this with DSD her clarks shoes got outgrown and i didn't want to buy another at £45 so bought a cheap leather pair from Wynsors at £16 well I now have to buy another pair as she wrecked them in 3 days flat as in the "coated" leather is off the toes due to football (why did she have to be a tomboy) rofl

Payday is friday so I lathered them in shoe polish and pray they last til then

accountantsrule · 07/05/2012 15:36

YANBU

I bought DS2 a pair of shoezone shoes as he only goes to a pre prep once a week till he starts school in September so it worked out about 10 times until the end of term with bank hols and inset days. They are actually quite nice and he chooses to wear them to his other pre-school everyday himself.

I couldn't see the point in paying for Clarks ones as he has grown 1 1/2 sizes since September so he could grow another size before starting in YR and I would like him to have nice shoes for then.

thirdhill · 07/05/2012 15:46

I was told that you have to be careful that they fit properly because when they're young, their feet are more pliable, which also means easier to "bend" the wrong way. As long the shoe fits and is not too narrow/wide, and is supportive when worn [and acceptable by the shoe dictator], three pairs of cheap well-fitting shoes are better than a pair of expensive shoes that DS first finds too large, then too small.

MrsMicawber · 07/05/2012 18:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Iatemyskinnyperson · 07/05/2012 18:34

I found some cheap shoes on eBay.
I object to Clarks (couple of bad experiences) and usually spend an enormous amount of money at the local independent shoe shop (€60 for geox!!)

Imagine my deep joy to get a pair for €28 on eBay!! As long as you are getting a brand/style you have bought before, jobs a good'un.

Bokkanikkaglory · 07/05/2012 18:42

Hi - I had a similar problem this week with my ds's shoes - one small hole worn through at the ball of the foot - I've stuck one of those cycle puncture repair patches over the hole - fingers crossed it holds!

fanoftheinvisibleman · 07/05/2012 18:54

I can't get a pair of bloody Clarks to last 10 weeks! They are woeful, I don't just mean scuffed either - seams coming apart and holes in the soles. It's taken me 3 pairs to give up.

Ds has been wearing the same pair of Kickers out of school for 18 months now. We will be getting black Kicker boots come september. I refuse to buy another pair of shoes from Clarks.

fanoftheinvisibleman · 07/05/2012 18:54

I can't get a pair of bloody Clarks to last 10 weeks! They are woeful, I don't just mean scuffed either - seams coming apart and holes in the soles. It's taken me 3 pairs to give up.

Ds has been wearing the same pair of Kickers out of school for 18 months now. We will be getting black Kicker boots come september. I refuse to buy another pair of shoes from Clarks.

cheesesarnie · 07/05/2012 18:56

we have the choice of cheap shoes or cheap shoes.
i just got dd some new ones for £5 because her school shoes were falling apart. shes waited to get £5 shoes.Sad

DialsMavis · 07/05/2012 19:19

I might replace my DS1s school shoes now, then tell him he has to wear
Clarks leather school shoes all summer with his casual clothes, it would be worth it just to see his reaction. I could video it and pop it on my profile if anyone wants a jolly good laugh Grin

DialsMavis · 07/05/2012 19:24

Cheese Sarnie, I don't think other countries get all uppity about expensive fitted shoes, it's just Britain. Have you ever heard an adult think wistfully back to their child hood but wish they had more expensive school shoes? Course not. Is your DD clothed, fed, happy and loved? Then who gives a toss... Smile

Smurfy1 · 07/05/2012 19:28

well I have just spent £7 on a pair of leather tesco shoes for DSD (hopefully they will last longer hell til payday would be great lol

bishboschone · 07/05/2012 19:28

Have you tried brantano ? They sell loads of school shoes including Clarks and if you sign up to their emails thy are always sending discounts vouchers out .

PassTheBaileys · 07/05/2012 19:28

I gave up on clarks shoes, I went to brantanos and got him a pair of black trainers that have lasted him months and are much more comfortable.

mrsbugsywugsy · 07/05/2012 19:33

my mum always had terrible feet, which she blamed on wearing cheap, ill fitting shoes as a child.

When I was a kid, however broke she was, she always bought me properly-fitted, clarks shoes.

I now have feet which are...just as bad as hers.

Turns out it was genetic.

Go to Shoe Zone.

parno · 07/05/2012 19:39

Just get the bloody cheap ones. End of. Cheap shoes will not damage your child for life.

gallifrey · 07/05/2012 20:58

I always buy my daughters shoes from Asda, they are £8 and she has always had them from there, she has nothing wrong with her feet at all. Clarks are overpriced rubbish and are no better for children's feet than any other shoe, WTF would anyone pay over £30 for horrible ugly childs shoes!

cheesesarnie · 07/05/2012 21:02

dials- i did put on the end that dc are happy and healthy but deleted it.Grin
dd is looking forward to her new shoes, she doesnt care how much they cost

EdlessAllenPoe · 07/05/2012 21:07

the Hush Puppies bought for my daughter at Xmas are already mostly destroyed.

that wasn't £30 of wear IMO.

£8 at shoe zone and that would have been expected.

CaptainVonTrapp · 07/05/2012 21:07

As long as they fit it doesn't matter.