to put kids in 2nd hand shoes?

[siblingrevelry]

My eldest two have always had new shoes (Clarks when first walking, and clarks school shoes). I have always wondered if it's a bit of a con, and bought wellies/trainers etc from elsewhere, but have always bought good shoes as not brave enough to question it until now!

My youngest daughter inherits shoes from her cousin, who is a few months older. Is it bad of me to put her in shoes already worn (although not well worn), and will this damage her young feet?

I'd appreciate any thoughts you have about whether you get what you pay for (for example, Clarks school shoes are £35, whereas Next/M&S do their own for £18-20).

My daughter is only 18 months, but I have bought 2nd hand Clarks (the same model of the ones I buy new ) to have at the nursery when they go to the playground.

Personally I would buy cheaper but good quality shoes rather than second hand ones. I have never had any problems with the quality of next/M and S shoes for DS.

I'd say depends on the foot shape of your child and previous owner. If you are able to check that the fit is right, if the shoes are lace up or have straps ( so adjustable) then it's probably OK. Make sure you check for width as well as length.

If they haven't been worn very much, look in good condition and haven't moulded to the shape if someone else's feet, why on earth not? As for the Clarks thing, it really grinds my goat to see that they've still got this stranglehold over parents who think they will knacker their children feet if they buy from anywhere else.

You need to be very careful with the wear underneath. Even slight uneven wear on the soles (or inside where the pressure points were) could make you dds walking affected. One of my dds walks slightly on the outside of her shoes and hence I won't let my other dd use her shoes as it would throw her walking to the sides as well.

Hope that makes sense.

Pesonally I would buy cheaper shoes for the main use - Next does some really good ones. For the odd outing or dressing up I wouldnt care.

I don't understand why people have such a thing about second hand shoes, especially children's ones where they often grow out of them before any real wear has taken place!

If you can see they are in good condition and not worn at the heels due to the previous owners step then why not?

I have done it for my dc and both have perfect feet, no problems at all.

I have a foot measure from Clarks that I purchased from eBay to keep an eye on the sizing and I buy second hand shoes mainly from eBay in the correct size and width fitting.

I'd rather buy better quality shoes second hand than cheaper ones new.

Both my DDs have a mix of second hand and new shoes they grow so quick especially in the early years they are often barely worn at all