To buy high street shoes for school? Thoughts welcome

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AIBU to consider getting cheaper high street school shoes this year, because of the cost at specialist shoe shops (e.g. Clarks)? Or is it best to have decent width fitted shoes that will last?

I stopped with decent shoes when my kids trashed them anyway.

If your dc has standard size feet, high street and replaced a couple of times is better value.
If they are very narrow footed you probably need a specialist like Clark’s.

Use shoe liners and pay attention to fit when trying the cheap shoes on. You’ve probably seen it done after enough. I know I had, when I finally gave up on expensive ones!

My DD has wierd feet.
I buy the shoes that fit but are still socially acceptable. Wherever they are from. Its Spirt Direct this year... (boys section. Girls ones don't fit!)

I tried just getting the high street ones and I ended up having to replace them so many times as they just fell apart that I may as well have just paid out for the more expensive ones in the end. I suppose if you can find some decent robust ones that last more than a few months then definitely, but I never have and you don't know how well they will last until you buy them 🤷🏻

I think there’s a middle ground. Clarks have an outlet online - google Clark’s outlet, and you can get their feet measured in store and then look for brand new ones on eBay / vinted etc in that specific size.

All the Clark’s shops I’ve ever seen have been located on high streets.

I always find that the ones from Tu or George last far longer than Clarkes anyway. They don’t last the whole school
year, but Clarkes shoes don’t even make it to the first half term, I don’t know how they are still in business as the quality isn’t what it used to be and soo expensive.

I have gone cheap and cheerful this year as dd seems to wear them out so quickly whatever the cost

My child has never had Clark’s school shoes. Her first ever shoes were Clark’s and I bought them for a couple of years, but I don’t think they are any better. She’s had school shoes from sainsburys mostly - they are very comfy and generally last the whole school year (her feet don’t grow fast).
You can buy a foot measurer for at home.

I found last year that the George shoes DS had lasted much better than the Clarks he had before at more than double the price. The Clarks fell apart by Cjristmas and had to be replaced anyway. Even if I have to replace the George ones mid way through the year, it's still cheaper. As it is, his shoes from last year would have been fine to start this year with, but for the fact that he's gone up a shoe size. So this year I've bought both kids shoes from George.

This year I have bought dd shoes from Next and not Clarks (first time since she ever had shoes, she has always had her 'main' pair from clarks!)
We were measured in Clarks but she wasn't really happy with the fit and didn't love any of them so we are trying Next. They do half sizes and different widths.

They were almost half the price of Clarks and seem fine in terms of quality and look nice. Time will tell on how they will last!

Startrite are excellent and have an outlet. They also last ages as they have growing room built in plus they’re tough as tough 😎

You don’t say the age of your children but that makes a difference too. I’d never buy cheap shoes for young children. If your children are that kind of in-between age, you could try ToeZone. I’ve found them a good back up and they last, unlike supermarket shoes:

https://www.toezone.co.uk/collections/boys-school-shoes?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABjG_rGS3XqQ7glYzDNOjHjxEqvxP&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz7C2BhDkARIsAA_SZKZONhoP0Tx4uLgjEzPyS7tV0dmAkQHlNX72nw5GDHuvsMVMU78PltsaAlyXEALw_wcB

As a teacher honestly I've never understood why people buy Clarks shoes. They are no better than any other shoes from other shops and in my opinion were often the first to fall apart.

I'm sure once upon a time they were a quality product worth the money but that time has never been in the decade I've been teaching. I think they trade off the brand they used to be as apposed to the brand they now are and I would buy what ever shoes your child likes and think no more of it.

I've tried that before and ended up having to replace them so much quicker. It's false economy. Having said that, the quality of Clarks shoes isn't great though in my experience. I bought leather M&S shoes last year for ds and they lasted the whole year. I was very impressed.

I second the pp who recommended M&S. the only school shoes that have lasted my son a whole academic year. Very strong and sturdy. Not as cheap as high street but you are getting quality.

I personally don’t rate Clark’s at all and begrudge spending £50 on school shoes when they barely last a term. I’ve had better luck with Nike and Adidas shoes, they look a bit like a mix between trainers and shoes and they were only £30. Also had some success with school shoes from Next.

My kids Clark's shoes always last. Last year my sons came apart in June. Thought I'd buy some cheap ones to last the last month. They didn't even last two weeks.
Also Clark's do a size guarantee for 3months so if they grow out of them they'll replace them.

We are blessed that there are no rules in our school around footwear so I bought DD new trainers for school and then I'll buy cosy winter boots in a month or so. September is usually mild so I'm hoping we get to walk to and from school most days.

Try bgreater, or something from the happy little soles website (both have fitting guides and good returns). Clark’s shoes generally have narrow toe boxes and inflexible soles so not great for children’s feet anyway.

We've gone with next school shoes this year, because I don't find Clarks shoes to be good quality at all. Plus they are not actually foot shaped! The start rite shoes were a bit funny looking style wise, frankly.

I stopped when I realised they had to wear their plimsolls most of the time!

@mnhq are plimsolls offensive? Why have you hidden my post? 🤔

In theory having the shoes fitted is a good idea for younger children. In practice, Clarks aren't very good at fitting shoes. Twice I was sold shoes a whole size too small, told they were fine and didn't realise until child started complaining their feet hurt a week later. They did replace for free but still.

I don't think the brand matters . What's important is a flexible sole, wide enough at the toes, and enough length. I like Clarks for the half sizes, but it really annoys me that they don't do covered styles for younger girls - all their girls school shoes are open style - totally impractical for UK winter. Usually get Clarks trainers but not shoes for this reason.
Cheap shoes can be very rigid but toezone and magic feet from Sainsbury's seem good for school shoes - leather and lightweight.

I’ve got one DD Clarkes, she’s in secondary and doesn’t scuff or ruin shoes, they lasted her the whole school year and the quality was really good so I’ve got her the same again. My other DD has just gone up to secondary and she insisted on going to a cheaper shop so we did. Although we’ve had shoes from this shop before and they fall apart after a few months!

Brantano has been our go-to for a few years now. Kickers or Hush Puppies usually, but older DD is well into adult sizes now, so she gets smart black shoes from the women’s section. As someone else mentioned, I hate that the girls’ shoes are always open on top. Why should girls have wet, cold feet all day? Kickers tend to be fully enclosed, as do the adult styles I buy for older DD.

Opposite of my experience. Last September spent £50 on a pair of Clarks, they lasted DD till July and she walked to school half the year.

Just re-bought same model in July with an exchange guarantee if she outgrows them before start of term. I think Clarks are well worth it.