..to ask about school shoes already?

[notafruit]

My DS is in trainers for the last few days of school. The £30 shoes I bought a few weeks ago have fallen to bits. They replaced the £50 Clarkes shoes that lasted 6 months before falling apart.
School is incredibly strict regarding shoes, and nothing that even resembles a trainer style is allowed. (I've had to argue to get him to be able to wear trainers for the last 3 days of school. They wanted me to buy him another pair of shoes)
So, for September I need good quality, long lasting boys shoes.
They must be black and lace up.

I am poor. I really don't want to go over about £50
Nothing that even bares a very slightly distant relationship to a sports shoe is permitted, nor is velcro.
Can anyone point me in the direction of something suitable?

Clarkes is out, I've not had any luck with the last few pairs. He's size 4, and in going into year 8 at high school.

We rated Geox pretty highly. They lasted well.

I've always found the Sainsburys ToeZone shoes good for DD, they are sturdy and would last much longer if she didn't have the worlds fastest growing feet 😂 They massively outlasted the ludicrously expensive Clarke's shoes we got her in reception.

M&S school shoes have been infallible here!

Geox. Used both Velcro and lace up styles and they each fair equally as well.

www.shoezone.com/Products/Beckett-Ray-Kids-Black-Formal-Shoe-203027

We bought M&S the year before which lasted ok but the Shoezone shoes we bought this year have lasted the whole year and still only need a quick wipe

I've found the M&S ones good. They've lasted all year and have been grown out of, not worn out!

Geox, Rhino, Startrite - might be over £50 but u might them reduced. Lasted a whole year.

Ah the Rhino ones lasted a year, but the others would have if not outgrown.

Ds was very difficult to buy school shoes for, very flat footed so needed wide shoes that could accommodate his orthotics, and dyspraxic so sturdy non slip soles and uppers that were bomb proof. The best pair of shoes he ever had were from Lidl of all places! I bought them on a whim because he needed new ones and I saw them while in there for something else. They were the exact style he needed and about £12 for real leather. I would have been happy if they'd lasted the term, they lasted the whole school year! Other than that, seconding the Sainsburys Toezone ones, dd usually has them and they're fairly indestructible and quite sturdy

Two pairs of Clarks boys school shoes fell apart last year due to 'sole bond failure'. They replaced them sharpish and the shop assistant spilled the beans that there was an ongoing issue. I'll give Clarks one more chance......

Agreed!

Sturdy and not too spendy. Always last to the eve of the year/until they are outgrown.

At secondary school age mine get either m and. M direct or sports direct. Dc3 has been going through 2 pairs a year because of growing out of them. Dc2 has been wearing the same pair for 2 years (having a new pair in September). Dd actually has boys shoes sometimes and they last longer than girls shoes. These are the ones that have lasted 2 years.
www.mandmdirect.com/01/details/FD31372/Fluid-Junior-Boys-Leather-Brogue-School-Shoes-Black

Lurking so I don't forget about this

I always used Russell and Bromley for mine, then last year I turned up and they had removed their children’s department and the only other kids shoe shop was Clark’s. They’re looking a bit shabby now but haven’t fallen apart, I’m quite impressed although thinking about it they go to school in Pe kit now on pe days so I guess they’re only getting 3/5 of the wear they used to!
just thankful I only have one of school uniform and shoe age now!

Another vote for M&S if not Clarks

Clarks, Startrite or Geox. Ds' school has the same rules. Expensive.

Startright or Geox are both great.

I’ll never buy Clarks again. The last couple of pairs I bought my son have only lasted a few months before falling apart. The last pair I bought from there for my daughter were ill fitting and blistered her feet on the first day. They refused to even exchange them claiming they were correctly fitted but ‘didn’t suit her feet’ leaving me £50 out of pocket.

DS' Clarks shoes fell apart in less than 2 weeks last September. The shop assistant rolled her eyes when we returned them and said she had a pile of the same style on the back, all returned for the same reason. Not what I expected, given Clarks' reputation and prices!

I'll have a look at Geox. Are the returns any good? Our closest shop to actually try them on is a trek into London.

Definitely worth a try with m&s, I have found them mostly a hit.
Depending on pricing/sizing how about dr martens?

At least I'm not the only one with issues with Clarks.

There are loads of decent reasonably priced shoes, but school won't let the kids wear them. They're so fanatical about the "rules". They don't seem to realise that they're a struggling school in a deprived area. Velcro and laces should be the least of their worries.
But thanks for the suggestions. There's quite a few good ones there.

Got ours from next and they lasted really well.

Geox school lasted us the entire school year and still look great. Will buy the same for September.

I have no advice but I know what an absolute nightmare it is trying to find suitable shoes. My sons academy school are very strict too. He has size 11 extremely narrow feet. And yes they are so expensive

Toughees (if you can still get them), Geox or Rhino. They last ages.

Kickers