School Shoes

[hoteld]

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!

M&S were fitting school shoes when I was passing yesterday. (There was a long queue for this service.)

My grandchildren are hypermobile and have specific requirements. They need insoles. We go to an independent retailer - the shoes have always lasted the year. (£50+ range)

My daughter bought some quite expensive hi tops (Lelly Kelly sp?) for her daughter from Schu during the summer. They are outgrown already. The assistant, who looked about 12, didn't have a clue how to fit footwear. (Her daughter is 6 and was very taken by the rainbow colours rather than being able to describe how they felt comfort wise when trying on.). Her big toes are white when she wears these recently - far too small.

Some styles of shoe which children find attractive are totally wrong for their foot.

I would always buy shoes which are fitted by a trusted retailer to ensure a longer/more comfortable period of wear.

I’ve just bought two pairs from schoolshoes.co.uk. £33 each with the second one half price. Best deal I could find for the sizes I need to buy.

I got 2 pairs from Deichmann today. They were also buy one get second half price so I got another pair in the next size up. Hope DD doesn’t have any growth spurts in the next couple of months!

Honestly my kids and now grand children have always outgrown their school shoes rather than wear them out. We do still go to Clarks for extra wide fittings (but always try the Outlet) but for standard fittings have had a range of boys and girls shoes from Asda, Sainsbury's and M&S and they have all been absolutely fine.