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?

This has happened to me with trainers! Cheap ones just fell apart so I may well have bought some that were £30+

Good point! I meant high street clothes stores e.g. next, rather than shoe-only shops! 😀

Years ago, I got school shoes from M&S, it might be worth looking there

I found deichmann were very good for school shoes, used to be buy one pair get second half price. Used to last a long time too. Started them off with Clarke's shoes but they were outgrown in a couple of months 😳

I'm pleased they worked for your daughter but unfortunately they really are no better in terms of quality in my experience and definitely not worth the £50 + price tag. It's great if they last but for lots of children they don't and that's a heck of a lot of money for something that is not guaranteed to be better quality than a pair from next, m&s or even sainsburys.

Unfortunately as I said above I absolutely think they trade on the brand they used to be as as opposed to the brand they now are and unfortunately the quality is just not as good as it was.

Clark’s is high street?

Anyway, others clearly disagree but I’ve never had Clark’s shoes fall apart for the kids. They’ve remained intact and sturdy til they’re outgrown. They do give twins a 20% discount though, so I might think differently if I’d always had to shell out full price.

Clarks a total waste of money ...tu or even M&S or Next lasted longer....
It's a tricky balance of frequency or needing a new pair through wear and tear vs growth...in our house

Another vote for M&S here. My kids are teens now and in adult sizes. They seem to suit the M&S fit better.

My daughter wore her Clarks shoes every day to school last year and they lasted all year. We walk about 20 mins to school and they still looked pretty great by June! Definitely worth £50!

Sainsburys are pretty good and Deichman.

I gave up on Clarks for DS(13) when he finished yR after yet another pair of shoes fell apart before he grew out of them. He wasn't heavy on shoes, the stitiching was just too weak and fell apart.

He's got wide, high volume feet and has worn Geox since then.

DS2 needs softer soles and has a more standard foot shape so wears plain black lace ups made by sports brands.

Different people on here will say different things about Clarks.
My child is 10. I have bought supermarket shoes for her in the past but they've never been as good fit and not lasted even half the time. So false economy for us.
The Clarks shoes I've got her have always lasted us at least 6 months so yes I do still spend the money on them.

It depends how old your DC are and if they need a wide fit etc. I stopped buying Clark's when they were older primary school age.

Our school allows trainers though so they wear them which I think is better for feet anyway and much more practical for playtime.

I never know what people's kids are doing in their shoes to claim clarks are falling apart after a term. You are buying leather ones, right? Not fabric trainers?

DS is rough on shoes, forever kicking rocks, playing football etc. We have never had them fall apart, they are in fine condition at the end of the year. They get waterproof spray & are cleaned and polished each time there's a holiday.

However DD had some supermarket trainers recently and they were crap. They have fallen to bits in four months.

I have never understood the thing with people only going to Clarkes. Maybe 30 years ago when there was less choice but now I think there are better alternatives

M and S , Next both really good for harassing school shoes. Particularly M and S and are around £20 instead of £50

We spent Saturday shoe shopping. Had them measured. Tried on every pair in every shoe shop that was her size, then the high St shops and finally, she chose a pair from shoe zone!!! The others either slipped or pressed or gaped etc etc. She's a bit sensitive to sensory stuff in general. We'll see how long they last I suppose.

CheshireDing agreed m&s leather ones are fine too but i wouldn't buy cheap fake leather or fabric shoes for children. They deteriorate badly in the rain and don't stretch/mould well to feet.

I just tend to find places like clarks or startrite have a massive range of styles and sizes of proper leather school shoes. Our school does not allow trainers, they have to be black smart shoes that can be polished.

I've started buying Next school shoes and have found them to be much better all round.

More comfy, longer lasting.

I had previously been to Clarkes for years with both my children, but my youngest seems to have problems with shoes rubbing despite being fitted at Clarkes and the Next ones suit him.

I honestly don't think it makes any difference. As long as you make sure whatever you buy fits and is comfortable.

M&S are a good shout medium of cost/quality.

I bought asda ones initially for my 5 year old she said they were fine. Went to clarks got measured and caved in to buying a pair from here. Asked her to try both on one on each foot and without doubt said the clarks ones were best for comfort. So I returned the george ones. My older child had clarks that lasted a year. Cheaper models fall apart after 3 months on average in my experience.

I always just went to Shoezone or the supermarkets and the shoes were perfectly fine.

DD has always worn Clark’s and they have always been outgrown and never fallen apart.
Her shoes always feel sturdy and secure.

Saw a pair like hers in New Look the other day, They did look the same but I’ve always found New Look shoes to be uncomfortable. I do wonder though….

Whatever shoes you buy for kids feet should be of good quality and comfortable to wear. You want shoes that properly support their growing feet. Poor shoes cause knee and hip issues by adulthood. It’s not about how long the shoes last- wooden clogs would be the best shoes by that measure.

I have at times requested and gotten free or discounted used uniform bits from the school after spending all my spare cash on their shoes.

I stopped going to Clarks after having feet fitted and then none of the shoes in that size fitting. The assistant was continually saying "in that style you need to size up/down". Either your manufacturing process can't make shoes consistent with foot size or your measuring training is not fit for purpose.

They are still trading on their former reputation.

Clarks are a waste of money imo. Not proper leather any more, overly structured and don't last. We're big Tensaur fans, affordable, flat and flexible and last really well.