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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be a bit bemused my child's shoes are costing more than mine!

23 replies

OriginalHugsy · 06/05/2015 17:38

should I add this is meant to be lighthearted im looking for some casual style shoes/ trainers for my DD and oddly the remake sports brands are cheaper than the proper good fitted shoes from start rite, Clarks etc. I don't really like the choice at clarks but I do like start rite but They are 35/40 quid! This is her 3rd pair in 4 months (since she began walking). Anyone recommend where I can get good fitted trainer/casual shoes from for not so much? She is 18 months old and loves running around like mad! Are the sport branded trainers ok for a toddlers feet or is that just a rip off too?

OP posts:

morethanpotatoprints · 06/05/2015 19:51

have you tried sports direct? if you don't have a store they do online orders.
They have branded and non brands so a range of prices.
I can't remember what sizes you might need as mine all older now, can you give us an idea?
I'm sorry, can't think of anywhere else

wheresthelight · 06/05/2015 19:54

order a clarks foot measure for her and then use places like ebay. kids grow out of them soooooooooo fast! in fact of she is a 4.5 then I have some lovely pink shoes with flashing lights that my dd has outgrown and are still in great condition. pm me if interested

try clarks outlet shops at places like mcarthur glen or freeborn outlets too

crazykat · 06/05/2015 21:36

I always found branded trainers to be fine for my dcs as long as you know how to check the fit properly and they don't have very wide/narrow feet.

My ds had some Nike air max from sports direct and had no problems with them.

Clarkes outlet shops are cheaper than the main stores and have different styles to the main stores. Tbh though I only had Clarkes shoes until they were about 2 years old and they were walking confidently. Since then I've bought whatever shoes they liked, usually character ones, and fitted them myself to make sure they weren't too tight or loose. The only problem I've had has been dd1 who has slightly wider than average feet so some styles are too narrow but I've usually found some to fit properly.

Original poster

OriginalHugsy · 07/05/2015 19:06

Thanks all, good ideas to think about there. Thank you so much for the kind offer wheresthelight but her foot size is apparently 4G.
I could try outlet stores

OP posts:

Teacuptravells · 07/05/2015 19:08

When mine are that small i'd only get proper fitted shoes. I wouldn't personally get any sports brands for kids shoes.

With summer coming up you could try doodles - they are fun for playing in and not heavy like trainers.

todayisayesterdaystomorrow · 07/05/2015 19:11

There are alternatives, you don't "have" to spend that much in a tiny pair of shoes..... Just saying. Clarke's factory outlet have good pricing too.

BareGorillas · 07/05/2015 19:11

I second getting the foot measure and buying genuine brands from eBay, my kids have just started ploughing through shoes at a rate so has saved me a fair bit doing it that way.

And yes, I too rarely spend more than £25 on my own shoes and they last ages.

BareGorillas · 07/05/2015 19:12

I love your username btw

itsnothingoriginal · 07/05/2015 19:15

It's painful but the only thing I don't scrimp on! My DD can only wear Startrite shoes and I generally get her fitted and pay full price which is eye watering

You can get lucky in the Startrite outlet on their website if you've had them measured already. I have stocked up from there in the past when I've found a style that fits well.

HamishBamish · 07/05/2015 19:21

YANBU, it's crazy! Last summer I spent more than £200 on shoes required for school (2 pairs, plus trainers and wellies) for 2 children. That said, they have lasted nearly a whole academic year as my children's feet grow slowly. If they didn't it wouldn't be cost effective.

BikeRunSki · 07/05/2015 19:29

Look on YouTube at shoe fitting tutorials.
Get a foot measuring gauge.
Don't fret about it being difficult, or fear that Clark's will do it better. In my experience of buying kids' shoes (2 dc, 6 and 3) Clark's are inconsistent and often wrong!
Then, look at Shoes for Kids and Little Soles for shoes, or barely used on eBay.

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 07/05/2015 19:31

Do not get 2nd hand shoes, shoes mode to people's feet and it can effect the feet.

As long as the shoes fit it doesn't really matter where you buy them from.

twirlypoo · 07/05/2015 19:34

Brantana stock clarks and start rite and offer a measuring service - tho if I'm being honest I've never used it, my mum drummed into me that shoes must be fitted by clarks or star trite and it makes me come over all funny to disobey her on it

Notso · 07/05/2015 19:41

Why has she needed 3 pairs in 4 months?

purplemurple1 · 07/05/2015 19:42

We buy from sports direct, although boots (winter and wellies) where they will wear wool socks I buy secondhand. Also things will slow down now we went through size 4 to 7 in a few months but have been in 7's for a couple of months now.

cupcakesandapples · 07/05/2015 19:46

I got dds start rite shoes from brantano for £10- bargain!

LucasNorthsTwiglets · 07/05/2015 19:51

Clarks are rubbish. They are deliberately sold without much growing room. Go to a proper independent shoe store and you'll be unlucky to have to buy more than one pair a year.

geekymommy · 07/05/2015 19:53

This is why I buy DD's shoes from consignment stores. I plan to keep doing it until she gets old enough to object.

Teacuptravells · 07/05/2015 19:55

Depends on your Clarks really doesn't it? The stores near us have always been brilliant. THe independant store we went to told us clarks fitted my daughters feet better than start rite at that stage. The other independant we really didnt like the fitter. The sandals I've just bought my kids from Clarks she specifically showed us how to make sure there was "growing room" in the sandals and not to buy any too near the end etc.

When they're young I'd certainly buy more than one pair a year as they could easily grow 2 half sizes in that time. Now at 6 has been the first time she's not grown that quickly.

Notso · 07/05/2015 20:12

I've found my local Clarks is very good, several times they have checked and told me my DC current shoes still have plenty of growing room. Also once when DS3 grew out of his in just 6 weeks they gave me the new pair free of charge as I believe they guarantee there should be growing room.

That said the canvas doodles from Clarks are a complete rip off. I'd only buy them if they were reduced. M&S do some similar ones for a fraction of the price.

Teacuptravells · 07/05/2015 20:14

That's true about them saying when tehy don't need them. Our Clarks told us this week that there's "not that long until the end of term" so to hold off replacing the school shoes (which incidently were bought in start rite!).

Original poster

OriginalHugsy · 07/05/2015 20:39

Wow lots more responses.
To the poster who asked about why ive needed 3 pairs in 4 months well... She started walking at 11 months and was a 3G so it was winter and I got a boot type. Then in about feb I had her measured again as the boot was not zipping up around chubby cankles ankles so I got a Mary jane shoe and measured this week as her feet have grown again and now needs next size!

OP posts:

Teacuptravells · 07/05/2015 20:45

Mine went through sizes quickly at that age too. They advise you measure every 6 weeks when they're small. I'd be gutted if it was that often!!

Mine started at size 5 and is now size 12 so thats over 7 full sizes in 4 years, so if you fit properly with half sizes that's quite a lot! We found they changed a lot as they were smaller, but its slowing down now she's older.

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