To feel let down by Clarks shoes

[WendyWolf]

Why are kids shoes so expensive?? And why is the quality not like it used to be? Or am I imagining it? I have just been through 2 pairs of the same Clarks shoes that have exactly the same fault with the tongue working out and flapping about causing hassle for my toddler (and anyone within 10 feet) . Has anyone else had this problem? I changed them once - waited ages for a replacement and then the next pair have exactly the same fault. How can they provide shoes that are so expensive that cannot even be worn? I thought they were supposed to be so experienced at providing good quality childrens shoes. Sorry. And breathe. There are just so many more important things in life than continually going back and forth to the shoe shop with all kids in tow, only to spend a fortune and leave with another faulty pair of shoes

*Are like magic because they don't scuff!

The Kickers shoes look amazing! Just tried to find a stockist around the Newcastle area and the nearest is Manchester - that cant be right surely!

ibs that's hilarious! We'll give you a discount if you buy something for your child that doesn't fit and could cause them pain and discomfort!!!! I think they need to seriously consider using that as their new marketing slogan.

still not sure my son will go for patent.

How interesting - Just found some similar looking shoes on the Clarks website although the front of them looks narrower - ie it doesn't look like the tongue can escape so easily and underneath there is a review from a customer saying:

Just bought these for my 2 year old. This style is a vast improvement on last years shoes! The tongue design has been changed so it can no longer slip down under the velcro. They look really smart and are light weight. Only had them for a few days, so can't comment on durability, but they look pretty hardwearing. All round good pair of shoes!

So ANOTHER person who had problem with the design and tongue on those shoes. How many people ????? Why did these supposed shoe experts design these absolutely useless shoes and continue to sell them?? No faith left in them whatsoever.

Clarks shoes are shite. Absolute SHITE. The last pair I bought were the special anti scuff ones, which of course scuffed within the hour.

Except that unlike normal leather shoes which would look relatively ok with a good polish; these turned out to be made from some cardboard like substance covered with a thin veneer of plastic
Who in their right mind would pay fifty quid for a pair of cardboard shoes??
It was the devil's own job getting a refund, too.

I am one of those people sucked in by Clarks. I always bought them for my DDs. They do the whole first shoes thing, and the measuring the width, which does seem important. Though they would scuff, seemed to last as long as needed. Then last year, we had some financial problems and I bought DD her first school shoes from Asda for £10. I felt like a cheapskate, and that I was ruining her feet. But, they lasted a year and never scuffed, only the fabric trim looked a bit shabby. The only problem is they don't come in half sizes.

thinkivebeenhacked can't you order them from the Kickers website? Its says 10% off first order too. And free exchange and returns. Maybe that is the answer - We all go to a Clarks shop to get the childrens feet measured...then tell them where to go because their shoes are substandard, too expensive and their customer service is rubbish....then order online from somewhere. Job done

My Ds had her feet measured in 2 Clarks stores within a week and we were told 2 different sizes! The shoes rubbed and she had blisters on her heels. Since then all her school shoes have been from Tesco or Sainsburys - they are a quarter of the price and lasted until she outgrew them. Incidentally my mum always bought my school shoes from Clarks and I have horrible feet now...

I have given up on Clark's entirely. They just don't fit DS (6; very narrow flat feet) and dd (3 next month) has wrecked her last 2 pairs in 2 weeks each.

DD recently needs new shoes. I didn't think my list of requirements was that odd:
Not pink/sparkly/embellished etc
Ankle boots
Velcro straps
Toe bumpers
Leather

After a lot of googling I found 1 pair! They are lovely though and dd loves them. in red, tan and gold too, bargain!

I looked at some shoe fitting guides online, and DH used to fit walking boots, so I took a chance on fitting. Not that I have been particularly impressed with Clark's.

I have lovely lumpy heels caused by wearing ill fitting, unsupportive shoes as a child/teen. I find it hard to find shoes that I can comfortably wear, now, as my right heel is so sensitive to touch.

And the people bleating on about not having to buy expensive shoes - try having kids who need an H fitting and not spending a fortune. Thankfully, DS1 has slimmed down to a G fitting, as a pre-teen, but with hypermobile feet, I'm still shelling out £40+ at a time on sufficiently supportive trainers for him, or else he ends up in a lot of pain in his feet and knees caused by his feet rolling inwards. Even his wellies are crocs, as they have arch support.

I agree with you about the quality of Clarks, OP. Their trainers have lasted OK, but their school shoes fall apart in no time. The ones that haven't come apart at the seams have worn through the soles in about 3 months. We've had a much better hit rate with Geox, for DS1, and they are much better at preventing his feet from rolling in. He refuses to wear start-rite but DS2 loves them and often puts them on in the house - the last pair of Clarks he has, he was kicking off in the street because they were so uncomfortable.

Another thing I've noticed with cheaper shoes (child or adult) is that they're so heavy. I find that really uncomfortable.

Wow bike I stupidly didn't even think of M&S and they have some pretty decent shoes there and pretty cheap good value!

I'm not sure your link worked - it may have just been me but here it is again www.marksandspencer.com/leather-riptape-trainers/p/p22318272
And they do them in leopard print

Hacked Have a look in Jones Bootmaker. Clinks used to sell Kickers, but I've noticed their kids' range in Newcastle is tiny, now.

Thanks our

Another vote for toughees here. I have 3 out of 4 in them now, and the oldest pair have a wee scuff on the toes, but the girl's ones still look fab. The real test will be ds though! The customer service has been great too (had a buckle problem, new buckles sent out, reimbursed for cost of fitting them).

Sorry Wendy There was no mention of your toddler's gender in your OP - obv he wouldn't want patent. Or maybe he would? My DS (almost 3) loves nothing better than dressing up in tutus and princess shoes at the moment. Drives DH mad so of course I encourage it all the more

haha still yes, to be fair my ds (also nearly 3) would probably LOVE some patent ones, it would be his dad that had the problem with them. DH already things his love addiction to Peppa is a little unhealthy.

DS's addiction to Peppa clearly not DH's !!!

WendyWolf I know, right?? Like that was ever going to be an attractive proposition!
My SiL always insists on getting her kids' shoes in Clarks(even though the local Brantano sells the same shoes for the same price, apparently the Clarks ones are "better").
My niece had a new pair of patents from there at the beginning of term, so, what, 3 weeks ago?
I picked her up from school yesterday, they are scuffed really badly and even peeling in places. My DDs school specify non-patent because of the number of kids whose shoes looked scruffy within weeks.

lbsjob, I must have been exceptionally lucky several times then - I only buy patent school shoes these days because they don't scuff! DD2 - whose feet only seem to grow once a year (DS - 2.5 yrs her junior has now got bigger feet than her!), has patent shoes in September and they look much the same by the time summer hols come around.
DD1 is a real shoe scuffer, always has been (hence the Umi bumper shoes when she was small) but even she hasn't managed to scuff her school shoes yet :-/

Has anyone mentioned Pediped yet? Fab shoes that you can get from independent shoe shops, softer and more comfortable then Clarks and they seem to be better quality too. DS's Clarks school shoes always looked trashed after about a week but his Pediped ones still look brand new after nearly four weeks of daily use including football in the playground and scooting to and from school.

we've never had a problem with Clarks shoes in 4 years. I feel like I'm the only person to have not had any issues though!

I am fed up with startrite - my DS seems to ruin them within a week. So this team we have Geox and they seem to be holding up fingers crossed

Well, the M&S boots I was so keen on in my post of 23/09 lasted 6 weeks before they started to become unstitched. And DD had hardly worn them because it's been pretty mild (converse) or raining (wellies). M&S changed them straight off, but it left dS shoeless again! We ended up with these Startrite shoes, but in red. Went to Clinks, not overwhelmed with choice, would have preferred boots. They had a good selection of Ecco boots, but these stop a size below DD (she's only a 9), but did have Velcro straps and rubber toes.