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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

School Shoes

79 replies

hoteld · 20/08/2022 07:33

Blatant misuse of AIBU- sorry!

I'm about to enter the world of school shoe shopping and I have a question. I've seen too many threads about school shoes being destroyed within weeks!

Is it worth going to the pricey independent shoe retailer to get a pair for £50-£60? Will they actually last better than Tescos £20? Or will they only last marginally longer in which case it would be better to get cheaper pairs and replace more regularly?

I don't mind paying a chunk as long as I'm not replacing them within the month.

Experienced parents of mumsnet, please talk school shoes to me!

OP posts:

Unanananana · 20/08/2022 08:10

Both my two have wide feet and Clarks fit them best up until year 6. I never had any issues with their shoes falling apart.

DD, going into Year 9, has had the same pair of Kickers for two years (feet regularly measured). She has grown out of them and I've just bought her second pair. DS, going into Year 7, will be wearing his first pair of Kickers.

So in my experience, yes. More expensive shoes are worth it. I have to save from September for next years shoes, but I'd rather dpend more just once

Troublesometooth · 20/08/2022 08:14

We use an independent shoe shop. My son started school last year and had a pair of Froddo. They lasted until February when I replaced them with a pair of Bobux. The Froddo were still functional, but sitting crossed legged on the rough carpet had taken all the leather off the top. The Bobux will be worn in September when he goes back as they don’t need replacing yet.

Littlebelina · 20/08/2022 08:19

I've not noticed any difference in wear between clarks, m&s or next for DS who will destroy any of them within half a year (think some children just are worse than others at wearing them). I found the service at our local clarks varied from good to shocking (esp when they get extra staff in August), once had a staff member refuse to believe DS had been measured at a larger size at our last visit- needless to say the size they tried to squeeze him into was too small. During covid we brought a foot measurer and now just buy and fit our own.

Not looking forward to dd getting to school age if girl's school shoes aren't as robust!

redglobox · 20/08/2022 08:21

For boys, I've had them all and they all seem to wear out equally quickly with one exception: Adidas tensaur. I think I saw them recommended here first and they're excellent and mid priced. I won't be buying anything else now.

My girl is just starting so i cant comment on girls style shoes. I've bought her some Geox ones. I'm now sat here wondering whether I should get her tensaurs next. They're technically trainers and I suspect that will be noticed quicker if worn by a girl.

minifigures · 20/08/2022 08:30

My DS is awful to his shoes, I've no idea why but he can trash cheap or expensive shoes in a day. His first school shoes were Clark's, and would have had to be replaced if it wasn't for lockdown. I'd glued the sole back on to last the week, then rumours of lockdown started so I didn't buy any. His second pair were from a now gone company who guaranteed them for a year. He had them replaced after 2 months.

His last pair - geox. Rubber bumpers everywhere and they are like new after a whole school year. If his feet haven't grown he'll be wearing them next term and I'll just buy new when outgrown.

Phos · 20/08/2022 08:43

We always pay c.£50 for school shoes. They get worn every single day, including running around the playground so worth it to pay a bit more! If you buy any old rubbish from a supermarket or shoe zone, you'll be back buying another pair before Christmas.

Clarks or Trotters are the go-to for us. Tried start-rite but didn't like them.

Winterfellismyhome · 20/08/2022 08:48

We went with Kickers for DS first year. They were £50 so hoping they last

mummyh2016 · 20/08/2022 08:54

My DD last school shoes were purchased in April 2021 and I'm only now having to buy new ones and it's only because her feet have grown. They're Clarks ones. I would strongly recommend the ones with the toe bumpers as they don't get scuffed.

Temporaryname158 · 20/08/2022 08:55

Clarks, M and S or Next are my recommendations. I always use the Clark’s measuring service and then sometimes shop elsewhere if you are worried about fit, look for obvious gaps and sagging to check it fits and feel around the toe for growing room (but not too much). My daughter also has very narrow feet and Next has been better for her than Clark’s.

for both children, they have always outgrown rather than worn out their shoes

hollyivysaurus · 20/08/2022 08:55

My DC have had some shoes from Asda that have lasted well, for school shoes I quite like Next ones as they seemed to hold together better.

Funkyblues101 · 20/08/2022 08:58

Slow growing feet then Clarks leather shoes will last an entire school year.
No matter the quality, if feet grow fast, then the shoes need replacing.
We've never bought cheap school shoes, so I can't compare, but Clarks and startrite have always been sturdy and supportive of our very active children's feet.

EcoCustard · 20/08/2022 09:02

out of 3 Dc only one destroyed her shoes, due to her scooting and dragging her feet on the school trikes. Ds always had the adidas superstars and they last very well, Dd has Clark’s or doc martens as they are they only brand that fit her feet. We go to an independent shop and they try a variety of brands & styles and offer a generous loyalty scheme. I have had M&S, Asda ones but they always gape and rub on my kids and haven’t lasted well. It’s a lottery tbh.

SuperDuperJezebel · 20/08/2022 09:02

I bought M&S shoes for DD when she started reception (the cat ones) and I thought they were brilliant for the price - cushioned soles and padded heels. I've just bought her the next size up for this year. I've been a nanny for 20y and have seen a few children have their heels trashed by some very expensive shoes in my time!

TheUsualChaos · 20/08/2022 09:04

For children with narrow feet I recommend Start Rites.

RudsyFarmer · 20/08/2022 09:08

We have a Clark’s measuring guide at home and a start rite paper guide. I regularly measure the kids feet and buy the shoes online in various sales across the year.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 20/08/2022 09:15

After years of mayhem with Clarks, I used to order 2 sizes /widths to be delivered to store in Marks. Collect them, open in store. Get child to try them. As long as they secured round the foot we'll and did not slip at the back, they fitted.
Returned the other pair there and then, job done.
I would add that I started this after several experiences with Clarks "fitting" shoes where they declared them a perfect fit and I asked if we could try the next half size up. Low and behold they fitted too.

SafelySoftly · 20/08/2022 09:17

If she has v narrow feet then not a hope of getting anything to properly fit outside a proper shoe shop for something as important as school shops.

and I don’t want to worry but you’ve left it pretty late. Even in a normal year you’d be pushing it but there are massive stock shortages. It’s hard enough getting say E fittings at the best of time.

fizzyfood · 20/08/2022 09:18

Next shoes are reasonably priced and last reasonable amount of time, they also come in different width fittings

TheFeistyFeminist · 20/08/2022 09:19

Another vote for Clarks here. Never fallen apart, never scuffed up really badly, outgrown a few times. Had a pair from M&S after first lockdown, and they were nearly as good but not quite.

Last Clarks pair still going strong after two academic years.

ByeByeMr · 20/08/2022 09:21

Clarks are really expensive but in my experience they have lasted the whole school year whereas supermarket shoes haven't.

WishDragon · 20/08/2022 09:25

We go to sports direct now, you can get black nike or adidas shoes for about £20 and they’re comfier. Haven’t been to Clarkes for about 3 years.

paulmccartneysbagel · 20/08/2022 09:25

I've tried a lot over the years. Clarks are the best, they always last the whole school year. M&S are okay.

Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys barely lasted a term and completely fell apart.

If you have the budget, You may as well pay £50 for one pair of Clark's that lasts a whole year rather than 3 x £20 supermarket shoes.

Pickingmyselfup · 20/08/2022 09:27

I've bought several from Asda, Next and maybe one or two from Clarke's. Next have always been good for proper shoes, they last well and they do half sizes. Asda have been great but also awful, Clarke's were nothing special but from what I recall they lasted ok.

This year I've gone with Asda for both kids, especially the youngest as I think he might go up half a size so I didn't want to shell out for a pair that will be replaced in a few months. If they last 6 months I'll be happy at £16 a pair.

Inchysaurus · 20/08/2022 09:27

Just wondered how you rate Hush Puppies? DD doesn’t like the open type Mary Jane or T-bar ones. Last year she had some Geox ones that were more like patent trainers but I can’t find them this year. She saw some similar Hush Puppies ones but I don’t know whether they would last the whole year (barring and growth spurts) whereas the Geox ones still look in very good condition after a year.

AliTheMinx · 20/08/2022 09:30

Clarks have been a bit hit and miss for us, so I prefer Geox.

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