To think Clarks have lost the plot?

[AudTheDeepMinded]

School shoe shopping today. Was shown school shoe for five-year old (size 10) from newest range. Lovely shoe, but fuck me £56. I don't spend this on my own shoes.
www.clarks.co.uk/c/Encode-Flash-Kid/p/26153466
AIBU to think Clarks have lost touch with the reality of what the majority of parents can afford. I don't mind paying for quality and a pair that will endure but £56 is surely completely ludicrous for a five year old? A pair of DM boots in the same size is only a fiver more.

I wonder if that's why that promise is why they have gone up - there does seem to have been quite a hike this year.

Out school have done trainers this time as they don’t want them getting changed for PE but want them outside playing as much as poss. It’s been awesome. The saving on obscene shoes has made up for the barely worn £46 quid black Clark’s shoes that got worn for two weeks pre covid.

We’ve gone to independent shops with the “posh” brands because they are the same price as Clarks and so much better quality. Still way too bloody expensive, but at least I come away thinking that they’ve got the most comfortable possible shoes.

Some of the kids shoes are too pricey, but you don't have to go for those that cost over £50. They always have several pairs around £40, usually one around £36 ish and then a few higher, like the ones you chose. If they don't have the cheaper ones in stock, order them online after the fitting.

£40 is still a lot to pay, but I pay it because the cheaper shoes I've bought my kids from elsewhere in the past always bothered my children - the sizing wasn't quite right or bits rubbed their feet. Clarks are also really good about exchanging shoes that don't fit kids a few weeks later, because they pride themselves on their fitting.

Saying that, I am very pissed off that my kids' school is requesting that we have to keep a pair of trainers at school, so I have to buy a second pair for sports classes out of school. Don't want to pay £40 twice for two sets of trainers. Will try to get a cheap pair.

I got these from H&M
www2.hm.com/en_ie/productpage.0890219001.html
Already sideways raining in Ireland so Mary Jane style shoes aren't going to cut it.

When we living in the UK I would get Startrite, Geox and Primigi in TK Maxx. Worth checking if there's one near you.

@Jellybeansincognito

Clark’s go E-H E for narrow, H for extra wide.

Buying shoes for children that have wide feet is not easy in ‘normal’ shops.

DS (nearly 12) still measures C/D width, but now adult size 8. Shoe shopping for him is enormous fun!

We started with Clarks shoes but having had to buy 3 pairs in one year because DC's feet kept growing we now go to ASDA. We did do a couple of purchases at the Clarks discount outlet but even then it mounted up as for some reason my child's feet seem to grow inexorably.

search out Clarks secondhand on eBay. there are loads of shoes in amazing condition, often barely worn for a knockdown price, and you can breathe a bit easier knowing the carbon footprint is lower tham buying new.

We buy all our kids' shoes secondhand because they grow out of them so bloody fast!

I like M and S school shoes. They are around £30 and have always lasted my DS for a full year and he isn’t gentle with his shoes.

Dr martens factory shop in Wellingborough is the place to go for kids docs. £15 to £20 a pair usually

I think children's shoes are the one thing you shouldn't skimp on. I'm more than happy to buy supermarket brand shoes for myself, but my children's feet are still growing and they need a good quality shoe with lots of support. I've always found the Start Rite shoes at our local Clarks to be great quality, and they last the whole school year.

I nearly choked when I paid for DS's Clark's shoes this year. Eye-wateringly expensive for a 5 year old. I thought kids shoes didn't have VAT on them?

Will think twice next year. Anyone recommend any other good quality brands?

@Batley TownswomensGuil loads mentioned throughout the thread.

Pros: long lasting (only IME)and we've fallen on lucky bargains at the outlet the last few years (now year 8 and 10).
Cons: now they're older and in adult sizes but still wanting school styles that fit the uniform policy we had to use the high street shops. We had five separate visits each time measuring differently and ordering in to try on in store with their fitters. Walked in wearing a perfectly comfy size 3 to be told she needed a 6.5 for growing room and they slated the other shops measurements... She's a petite slim kid and ended up looking like she had Mr Men shoes on which still didn't fit despite them adding insoles. I was happy to pay Clarks prices for the peace of mind we've always had from them but this has put me off. £120 for Dr Martens seems less irritating in light of that.

School shoes have always been expensive, tbh i dont really rate clarks, i think startrite are better and ,if you have one, a independent shoe shop they will do a better job of measuring, i have had issues trying to find my dc schools shoes gone to different branches of clarks and been told she'sa different size each time!
However clarks and startrite last longer than supermarket shoes and if they rub or are badly fitted or dont last long they will exchange or refund.
My dad had terrible feet due to wearing shoes that were too small for him as a child so we have always had properly measured school shoes

Haha I would never ever buy there anything.
Yesterday I was passing larks and the sales assistants were standing outside with notebook, luring customers in!
I always buy shoes in Asda and they were great, lasted the whole year, even more.
My MIL says how can I buy Asda shoes, apparently Clark’s are the top..
Told her off ..

@Hidennameforever I think they may have been to greet prebooked people as was the case with the store today. You have to check in on the door and wait outside until called.

That is appalling. I find Clarks insanely overpriced and I cannot understand why everyone loves the damn shop so much. The shoes do not wear well.

Have got Clarks for ds who's coming up 5 and starting reception next week, haven't bought from there for a couple of years now as I lost faith in their measuring, having been given four different measurements in four different shops over the course of seven days, went for wide fitting Skechers or Adidas instead.

So we bought size 9.5G school shoes last month, as measured and fitted. He's always been wide, H when smaller then G when he was older, his Skechers trainers are a 9.5 as well and when I toe checked this week I thought they were coming to the end, checked the school shoes and wasn't happy with the room in those either. So off we go and get measured again and his bigger foot is now apparently his left not right, and he's shrunk to an 8.5F on the right footband a 9 on the left! Okayyyyy he hasn't been an 8 for at least 18 months! And has never been an F width! I ignored the measurer and exchanged the shoes for a 10G and they fit perfectly.

Agree. I paid £47 last year. Bluddy extortioniate. So I've got my daughter some £17 Sainsbury's shoes with five star reviews! They seem really comfortable for her so we will see. Anything over £30 is abit much. Especially if you have more than one kid.

That’s why I got my dd dorm DM shoes £9 more than the ones she liked in clarkes and I’m sure they will be better. It’s crazy money for Clarke’s!

I got DD DMs last year. They were falling apart (smooth soles, thread undone, cracks in leather) by the start of lockdown. Very didsapoinying, They were only size 4, so maybe DM don’t build the small sizes as well as the big ones. They were still £50!

@BatleyTownswomensGuild - Try M&S

I always get DS school shoes there, but no other shoes for either him or anyone else. Don't know why I do, they are outrageously priced, but are one of the few places with half sizes and widths.

That's why I don't buy school shoes from Clark's. I go to Deichmann's. Save myself £20 each time.