To want more than a choice of one proper school shoe in a 9E

[grumpalumpgrumped]

Arghhh DS1(5) is a 9E fitting, clarks only have trainer looking ones, found one style at start-rite (£40!)

Damn you and your tiny feet DS!

My ds1 is e fitting too, I've given up on clarkes. There's never any choice. They generally offer me an f fitting & they wear out so quickly.

i go to an independent shop & get Superfit. Much better fit & totally bomb proof shoe.

It was worse for my dd last year. One pair, hideous clumpy things when she wanted pretty and shiny to start school.

This year, we've got a size bigger which means shiny shoes could be bought!!

They did offer an F with insoles, but would prefer fitting shoes. His trainers are an F with insoles so guess it would be ok.

Do remember that the website generally holds more "unusual" fittings than the shops. Find styles in shops that you like, are comfortable, just too wide, and ask them to check if they come in an E fitting - or do so yourself. My ds1 is now 14 and has always had an E fitting. He can't wear men's shoes because of it. Ds2 is an H fitting, so you can imagine shoe shopping is fun! I have had fittings done this year in Russell and Bromley and John Lewis (thus both Clarks and Startrite) and ended up getting both online.

Hi OP I did a thread recently about poor choice in Clarks (and those bloomin daisy shoes!!) and someone suggested these (hope link works I'm on mobile) happylittlesoles.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=27_35.

I ordered them and totally love them. They come with extra insole for when feet are smaller/narrower and my dd (e width) found them so comfortable with that.

They are dear enough but no worse than clarks/start rite and seem to me to be much better quality. And there's a few choices.

This is why I just put up with paying the extra and going to an independent store, ds is an H fitting and dd is a D fitting. So sick and tired of coming home shoeless from Clarks......

Need to search out an independent shoe shop I think.

Thanks for the link maggietess, will have a look.

DD is also an E....it is a nightmare. Our only real choice of shop I can easily get at is clarkes. We have never ever had a choice of shoes...and when we wanted something summery they informed me they did not do e fitting.......

Ds is a tiny size 4.5 E. I second the poster who suggested superfit shoes. Awesome for slim footed kids! I have narrow feet so I feel your pain.