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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to assume clarks shoes are best for kids?

163 replies

Fishface77 · 28/04/2016 12:25

My daughter is 4 and needs shoes/trainers. I went to sports direct and she attached Gerald to some frozen ones.

I want her to have clarks but my DH said these would be fine.
Where is best for children's shoes! There's so much choice (and so much expense) but I want her to have a decent pair of shoes.

OP posts:
jellypopmummy · 29/04/2016 12:21

Clarks are overated, my DD shoes fell apart and I had the 2 different size issues as well. I bought her first school shoes from M&S and they fell apart before the end of the first term, got my money back for them and got her a pair of £8 from Sports Direct. She's in them for all of 45min a day so I don't feel she is going to end up with knarly feet due to ill fitting shoes. She prefers sketchers and Blue Zoo shoes due to the styles.

vichill · 29/04/2016 12:22

I don't rate them either and i agree they only dominate the market due to the perception of the older generation that they are the only thing that should ever touch a child's foot. They're so clumpy, and unyielding and the designs are a bit naff. I like primigi, lellie kelly and marks.

janeycam27 · 29/04/2016 12:30

I always buy Camper shoes for my kids - boys shoes are so ugly and Camper are the only company that do good looking boys shoes. Girls have a lot more choice

Vaara · 29/04/2016 12:31

I don't get the shoe angst.

DC have always had off the peg from Brantano or similar. They fit (well they fit once they've grown into them because I don't believe in buying things the right size :))

momb · 29/04/2016 12:34

I have never been able to get Clarks which fit my kids well (very shallow feet), so we've gone for independent shops with fitters and a greater range of brands and fits.
Trainers; as long as you've fit them yourself and know what space to leave etc, then I wouldn't worry too much. Clarks made Doodles and they are dreadful!

DaffyDuck88 · 29/04/2016 12:37

Most important thing is to get your child's feet properly measured - try and find an independent shop if you can. Clarks have their own measuring system so it will never match a UK/US or European equivalent.
I love Bobux - they do great first step shoes and the the i-walk range is fantastic for more confident walkers. They are specifically designed for growing feet in terms of flexibility and fit. You also need to consider style - some styles suit narrower feet and some suit wider feet. Getting a proper fitting and checking it regularly is crucial. If you find a decent independent shoe shop they can provide you the expertise so you know what to look for in a proper fit - for your child at a given time - and hopefully find a brand or style that you like and suits your budget. There are some amazing brands out there, but please please get little ones measured as often as you can!

Haroldplaystheharmonica · 29/04/2016 12:40

We used Clarks at first as you do when you hear people banging on about how good they are. The shoes were rubbish, didn't last a term last time so we bought some cheapy ones from Next and they lasted the whole year.

I figured that after a summer where both kids lived in flip flops and crocs, cheap school shoes and trainers for the rest of the year wasn't really going to be a problem.

NewLife4Me · 29/04/2016 12:41

It's always been Clarks for us too.
usually bought full price in August for the start of year and then in January sales about £15.
this usually lasted mine until summer hols.
trainers, plimsolls and sandals I buy from anywhere really.
Dd is still wearing Clarks at 12 as I like them fit properly with growth room.

teawamutu · 29/04/2016 12:45

I find Clarks fitting awful. On several occasions have been told 'we don't have anything in your dc's size, but we've got these ones half a size bigger and a bit narrower', or similar. So in effect, they don't give a monkeys about correct fitting as long as I buy a pair of shoes.

And don't even get me started on the four pairs of ugly sludge colour boats for boys, vs the whole rest of the children's section for girls...

MrsPoldark · 29/04/2016 12:49

We have a small independent shop near us that do star trite & lots of other brands. They are patient & always have something to suit. Went off Clarks because it would be a faff to get measured and say it was 10g they'd come back and be like oh we've none in that says so I've brought out 11g's and you're left sitting thinking what's the point.

3littlefrogs · 29/04/2016 12:51

I stopped buying clarks shoes when they started putting dolls in the heels.
The quality of the shoes went downhill very fast. I found startrite much better.

Charley50 · 29/04/2016 12:57

OP your Gerald typo really made me chuckle.

BaboonBottom · 29/04/2016 12:57

Don't believe the hype!!
I got suckered in when mine were tiny, first shoes with little card and photo. But i soon realised it was actually rubbish when you could go to two stores in the same day and be measured differently???
We don't have any independents near by unfortunately, but I go with whatever. Startrite for school shoes but other than that whatever is nice.
I do have to get clarks plimsoles for my eldest as she's always a blinking half size and no one seems to do them but clarks.

NewLife4Me · 29/04/2016 13:02

Where would I get size 6 girls shoes from that were worn quite a lot of the day.
I'm thinking on feet from 7.00am until 4.30pm

Obviously I want good quality and fit, certinly leather not plastic.
We don't have any independent shoe shops just clarks and high street shops.

I can travel to a city though for any recommendations of particular shops.
Either Manchester, or Liverpool.

Ginfevertree · 29/04/2016 13:07

My MIL worked at a school for 20 years & advised me to steer clear of Clarks shoes as they always fall apart. I prefer John Lewis or independent shops for Ecco, Geox or Startrite. Their feet are constantly growing all the time & need support so I'd rather spend more money to ensure good quality fitting shoes.

Balletgirlmum · 29/04/2016 13:10

Start rite do ladies size 6 school shoes.

Ameliablue · 29/04/2016 13:10

yabu to think Clarks are the only decent ones

stealthsquiggle · 29/04/2016 13:12

NewLife - if there are really no independent shoe shops then John Lewis is a fairly safe bet.

I trust our local independent shoe shop because they have sent us away plenty of times saying that shoes are still fine, they checked and approved DC1's first shoes as perfectly good for DC2, and I have seen then taking huge trouble with DC with "challenging" feet. None of these are true of the Clarks shop around the corner.

That said, trainers, Converse, sandals, cricket/rugby/football boots come from wherever I can get them cheapest and I check the fit myself.

Interestingly, DS, 13yo with very wide feet and a few issues (he has inserts to correct his gait) ended up with Clarks men's shoes last time (black lace ups for school) and says they are the most comfortable shoes ever - and they look pretty smart too.

cuphat · 29/04/2016 13:12

When we needed DD's first pair of shoes they sent us away saying they didn't make anything that would fit her feet (wide with a high instep). Not enough demand apparently (yet there were lots of people in the same position when I looked on the Internet). I wasn't impressed and therefore don't think they're as great as people make out.

midnightlurker · 29/04/2016 13:14

My son's Occupational Therapist is far happier with his trainers from Sports Direct (Karrimor) than Clarks. He can run in the trainers - really struggles in Clarks shoes and cannot jump at all. Always bought him Clarks before but there's no denying that the trainers are better!

Francescaestee · 29/04/2016 13:14

@Breakfastmuffin I agree every girl needs lelli kellis my little one only wears them now. Comfy, don't scuff look beautiful great qualitySmile

Balletgirlmum · 29/04/2016 13:23

Hmm, I've never been overly impressed with the choice & service of shoe fitting in the Manchester branches of John Lewis.

misdee · 29/04/2016 13:24

Clarks don't fit my little one. She has small, wide, deep feet. We tried the usual shoe shops, we tried the sports shops. Nothing would go on her feet. Ended up at a specialist shop who fit shoes for people who has orthotics and splints. Finally she has shoes that fit. But at a very pricey tag. They are gorgeous boots, a brand called pom d'api.

Balletgirlmum · 29/04/2016 13:27

Have you tried certain start rite styles misdee? Dd has that exact problem.

I would be interested to hear what brand you have come up with too & do they do anything for teenage girls who are only a size 2.5.

superwormissuperstrong · 29/04/2016 13:28

Clarks make a big song and dance about their fitting, but I've had 2 occasions where they didn't have that length/width combination in stock. They bring something else out that's close then do a great marketing talk about how the size doesn't really mean much because this is a good enough fit and to to not let you leave the shop till you've bought it. Hate them...
Don't seem to have any independent shops so am currently Internet trawling (and really struggling! ) to get summer shoes for DS...