School shoes other than Clark’s /start rite

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Not strictly an aibu so I apologise. In September DS had shoes from Clark’s and Dd from start-rite. Despite into wearing fully for a term they are battered. DS’s are all stuffed. DS’s are okay just looking a bit battered. Not looking great for new start!!

I’ve only ever bought what I thought were ‘good’ school shoes but one year DS went through 3 Clark’s pairs - not because they went too small just because they got wrecked. The stitching came out and the straps broke!

Aibu to try a cheaper pair? A little tight for money but any make that’s good and that will last? Or shall I just pay the extra but then the expensive pairs haven’t lasted at all so far!

What make is good quality? Don’t want anything too flimsy as in the support they give the foot (Dd has issues with her feet).

M and S sell reasonably good quality school shoes and may well be a cheaper option.

Sainsburys TU sell brilliant kids shoes which are branded Tiptoes, last ages. Clarks are a complete waste of money nowadays, overpriced for what they are. They aren't made like they used to be

My two DS’s had Ricosta shoes through most of primary school & they lasted ages. A bit pricey, but if laces aren’t a problem, these are a great buy.
ricosta.co.uk/boys-c9/school-c24/ricosta-joe-76330-black-leather-boys-lace-up-school-shoes-p2634

My dd has got on well with treads school shoes. Her first pair lasted almost 4 terms thanks to being able to go up a size by taking out part of the insole. They still looked like new and I was able to pass them onto a friend when out grown, albeit like all she missed a lot of school but every other pair needed replacing after a term as she'd worn through them.

Back in the November lockdown we bought Asda school shoes as an emergency measure. Seeing as she only wore them for about 4 weeks and it appears she may have grown out of them again... I'm glad we only paid £9! They look pristine.

Startrite Rhino school shoes and can second Ricosta - both a bit pricey but do last.

I usually buy Geox. They've always lasted until they are outgrown.

I second m&S . They do some great boys' shoes with riptapes and rubber toe caps. I got them for my ds every year while he was at primary school and they lasted all year.

I found the girls' shoes to be a bit more limited as many of the styles are too flimsy and delicate for playground shenanigans (why is that?!). But I remember a patent leather t bar style with quite a chunky sole that held up well for 2-3 years.

Not that she wore them for 2-3 years, but we bought her a similar style each year.

Geox do a shoe called indestructible (or something similar), which has lived up to its name!

another vote for M&S. Cheaper than Clarks and they do half sizes. My DD is a size 3 and we got her some in the ladies section. Supermarket ones are ok if they are having a growth spurt or you need a pair ASAP but my experience has been that they last weeks at most.

Another vote for Treads. Quality is really good- DS2 normally trashes his shoes so by Christmas they are worn out, the Treads are doing well.

Geox and startrite Rhino are both hard wearing.

I’d be careful when looking at leather school shoes a lot of people think leather= hard wearing but thats not completely true, it can be but it needs upkeep and it’s just not practical for some kids (not saying this is the case for you op)

A lot of supermarket brands seem to wear well but I would be more cautious on the fit there’s a lot more to it than length and width. If your child is older it’s not as much of a concern.

I second M&S.
DD (Y4) wears these because she plays football every break, and climbs trees at after school club.
DS (Y7) wears these

I found Treads to be too wide for both of them.

I would buy from M&S if not those places - they’re just as good quality and cheaper.

I usually get Dr Martens.

Supermarket or Shoe Zone. All been perfectly fine quality.

I recommend M&S also

We've managed fine with shoezone only paid £12.99.

@starbrightstarlight8888

I usually get Dr Martens.

Some of the worst quality school shows my dc have ever had! I’m not sure they build them to the same standard as the adult shoes. And not cheap, still the best part of £50! Lasted a term and a half before there were holes in the toes through the leather, the leather was split in the creases from walking, the stitching was coming undone, and somehow dd had managed to wear through an AirWair sole!

M&S also do wider fit, not in all designs but some.

Bobux. New Zealand brand designed by podiatrists.

Kickers are really sturdy and comfortable. You can get them cheaper at Wynsors World of Shoes.

I bought some Ricosta shoes from Ebay for my son to wear - they are exceptionally hard wearing. Far better than Geox and Clarks! They are also wider than average.