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Original poster

To ask for honest view of Clark's kids shoes

97 replies

scrabble1 · 29/09/2017 09:45

DS new school shoes from Clark's £55. Goretex, look sturdy but already wearing smooth on the sole. Doesn't walk a lot as straight onto school bus and back every day. Experiences please

OP posts:
CloudPerson · 29/09/2017 09:48

We stopped buying Clarkes shoes a few years ago as the quality has declined.
When my oldest was little he grew out of the shoes before they wore out, with my youngest, (6), they would barely last a term before they were falling to bits.
We go to an independent shoe shop now.

Amanduh · 29/09/2017 09:49

They don't make them like they used to. Overpriced. Certain styles wear well but many don't

PickAChew · 29/09/2017 09:52

They don't last long at all. My eldest his nearly 14 and it was the same when he was small enough to let me put him in Clark's.

Startrite are much sturdier and better designed, usually.

SnooGliffer · 29/09/2017 09:53

I also stopped buying them a few years ago. The quality is really poor. I once exchanged 4 pairs in a few weeks as the little metal piece that the strap threads through kept tearing off.

Both of mine have had Kickers, Start-Rite or Doc Martens since.

PotteringAlong · 29/09/2017 09:56

My DS is 5. His clarks school shoes lasted him the whole of reception last year. Hopefully the new ones will last the whole of year 1.

sukitea · 29/09/2017 09:56

I think everything has gone down in quality. Last year dd's school skirt was immaculate after the year (but too small) When buying a new one the shop assistant mentioned in passing that it was a new supplier. Day 3 of school the hem had fallen and 4 of the pleats had ripped at the seams. Other girls were the same.

Anyway back to Clark's...I still think they are the best out of a bad bunch. The patent school shoes in particular I have found still look good after the year is out. The alternative is to go to Startrite which I find hideously ugly or a cheaper place like Shoe Zone, which aren't as cheap as they used to be and I don't have much faith in faux leather. My only gripe about Clark's is the sizing, they encourage you to buy the smaller size and in the past the dc have grown out of them within weeks sometimes. I still buy them for my dc (teens) for school but I always insist on getting at least one size bigger.

coldcuptea · 29/09/2017 09:57

Love them because the fit is always spot on but don't like the older girls range as they are flimsy .

SaucyJack · 29/09/2017 09:57

I've never had any complaints, but I only ever buy them in the half price sales. Certainly much better quality than spending the equivalent money in Tesco or Matalan IMO.

FittonTower · 29/09/2017 10:02

Properly made and fitted shoes are important but I go to an independent shop for my kids and get start-rite or ecco or similar now. I used to get Clarks and never had any problems with the quality but I found the styles a bit same-y and they never fitted right. My 2 have narrow feet but high insteps so I like to buy them shoes that are a in a larger width fitting then they measure or they rub - Clarks fitters did not like this plan at all and I don't wanna argue with shoe shop people!

JaniceBattersby · 29/09/2017 10:06

I think Clarks have done the greatest marketing job in the history of the world. For 50 years they've persuaded people that if their children do no wear Clarks that fit them like gloves their FEET SILL DROP OFF. Yet, it's people in the world grow up wearing cheap and cheerful shoes without exact width fittings and can walk, run, jump without any major issues.

As long as shoes are sturdy and fit, I don't see the problem. I put my children in trainers most of the time as I think they're pretty supportive and well-cushioned and they're much cheaper.

2cats2many · 29/09/2017 10:08

Girls are shite. Boys are better. They're bloody expensive for what they are tho. I rarely spend that much on shoes for myself.

mishfish · 29/09/2017 10:08

I've stopped buying ten as I was replacing them every term. Great when DS was young but not so great when there going through so much wear and tear from school

RavingRoo · 29/09/2017 10:11

I buy the starting shoes for toddlers from Clarkes, don’t think any other company compares in that markets. For school aged kids I go to Russell Bromley.

theEagleIsLost · 29/09/2017 10:13

We stopped buying Clarkes shoes a few years ago as the quality has declined.

^^ We're the same.

Though we find it hard to find good shoes even when paying a lot these days.

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 29/09/2017 10:14

I think Clarks have done the greatest marketing job in the history of the world. For 50 years they've persuaded people that if their children do no wear Clarks that fit them like gloves their FEET SILL DROP OFF. Yet, it's people in the world grow up wearing cheap and cheerful shoes without exact width fittings and can walk, run, jump without any major issues.
I think this is spot on. I got my d's measured now he's walking and of course the only shoes they recommended were £35... nope not happening, not paying that much money for shoes he will grow out of in weeks.
Me and my sister's had shoes from Windsors when we were kids, my feet still appear to be attached to my legs and perfectly functional despite not wearing the required clarks.

purplecollar · 29/09/2017 10:15

They fit well and don't give blisters. But the sole wears through, sometimes in around 3 months for dd.

ConcernedNeighbour17 · 29/09/2017 10:16

The first walker shoes that they do are really good. They're the only ones I've found that have a really soft sole that little ones need when they're just starting to toddle. I've also never had a problem with the quality of the school shoes I've got from Clarks. I only have boys though and have thought that the girls school shoes look at lot more flimsy.

The fitting is awful though. The last pair I got for my 1yo were measured and purchased in store. I went to put them on him the next day and they wouldn't even go on his foot they were so tiny. No idea how they managed to get his foot in it in the shop.

I always get them from the outlet at my local designer village. They're normally around a third to half price. Not sure I'd be happy paying full price for them.

AnnoyedByAlfieBear · 29/09/2017 10:17

My DS is 5 and his fit for the whole of reception year. They’re still in pretty good condition but he’s not one for running round and playing ball games at break time.

RainbowPastel · 29/09/2017 10:18

Always had Clarks for my girls. Usually get a whole year as they have slow growing feet. Only ever had one issue with a strap and the shop swapped them for us.

katienana · 29/09/2017 10:19

Ive never had any problems with them. I try to visit the nearest outlet store which brings the price right down.

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 29/09/2017 10:19

I've also given up with Clarks. DS's had a pair last year that just about lasted the year but by the end they were grim! Totally falling to bits. He has a pair of Dr Martens for this year that he says are really comfortable (he walks a lot). They also look really smart.

timeismovingon · 29/09/2017 10:20

Agree with Janice. They make a big show of measure the childs feet when you go instore, however the measurement often differs from store to store. You then get the shoes in the 'correct size' and they don't fit because 'its that style' and maybe we should go up/down a size/width. My DS does have Clarks this year but we only buy from the Outlet, so basically half price. My DD has a pair from ASOS which were half the price of a similar Clarks shoe. Agree with others that the girls shoes are ridiculously flimsy.

BentleyBelly · 29/09/2017 10:22

We gave up on Clarks years ago. I can't really comment on the quality of Clarks shoes as every time we have attempted to buy them they have had to be returned due to rubbing my daughter's feet (she wore them inside to wear them in). She just doesn't have Clarks shaped feet but the sales people were always determined they were fine. We have a fabulous independent shop that we use now.

grannytomine · 29/09/2017 10:22

I bought GS aged ten a pair last September for back to school, he was still wearing them in July. I got them at Brontano and they were cheaper than High St so good value, particularly as he is football mad and they took alot of punishment.

My youngest son couldn't wear them as his feet were too broad but my other kids all wore them.

nancy75 · 29/09/2017 10:25

I worked for Clarks for a few years - my daughter has never had a pair of their shoes