Shoe fittings

[spaceangel1382]

I gave been to three different clerks shops to get DD feet measured. I gave been getting her clarks shoes since she started cruising. But this time all three gave told me a different size to each other. How trained are these people? Does my DD need harder structured shoes to help her feet grow properly or will sandles and softer trainers be ok? I have lost my faith in clarks now and worried I could effect her foot development by not getting sturdier shoes

Hi, I don't know the answer to your question but I was very surprised when I went to see a physiotherapist with my DS as he was late walking, and she was fairly dismissive of the whole measuring thing and getting Clarks shoes. She said trying shoes on was fine, and if possible slipping the insole out and holding it against the foot to check that there was a but of room all round the foot.
We were advised to get sturdy walking type boots for my DS (19 months) but that was due to him having very flexible ankles.

I would just get properly fitted shoes, so probably not trainers/sandals, although my DD has been in trainers since she was about 2, although Clark's ones,- why did you go to 3 shops??? I guess it's not an exact size so as long as the measurements are not wildly different I would go for something in the middle. My DC often measure something on the machine/measure only to find once that size shoe is on that their foot is at the end so have to go up half a size. You'll find what suits her and you as you go along, we've only had one miss with DD when her shoes hurt her and we had to go buy trainers on holiday.

We've had similar experiences, so we don't feel overly confident in their abilities either.

You can buy foot measures from both Clark's and SureStart (I think the sizing is slightly different) - we've got both, and we're trying to get confident in using them / fitting shoes! The Clark's one is easier to use as the width measure is attached to the length measure. That said, we've only bought a pair of SureStart shoes since getting the measures. I got fed up of the weekly trips to the shoe shop when DS nearly needed the next size up.

Many moons ago, when I was a Saturday girl, I used to work fitting children's shoes in Clarks...in those days Clarks were the business and everyone used to go there - they had a very good reputation. I think that's why people still think they need to go there. However, their reputation is slowly declining and, as a parent and someone who knows about shoe fitting, I find they are TERRIBLE now...they are really pushed to sell as many pairs of shoes as they can per day - individual targets so everyone is under pressure. I refuse to go there now as they don't seem to be able to fit shoes properly and it is very frustrating. That said, I do think it important to get shoes that fit properly. If you are confident in how to fit a pair of shoes, you can buy them anywhere...but most people aren't and that is where they have to rely on shops like Clarks unfortunately. Do you have any independent shops that sell Clarks and Startrite and who have staff that fit shoes...they normally are much more reliable.

Oh, I think I meant StartRite .

Yes I've had this problem with clarks, they seem rubbish at fitting shoes. I've had them try and sell me shoes that don't fit rubbish.

Try an independent shoes shop who sell other brands to, as different brands have a different fit and some may fit your Childs feet better then Clarks. I have vowed never to get DD feet measured in there again.

DS (19 months) has bow legs and is intoeing. Nothing very serious, but he is (especially when tired) falling over a lot and is unstable on his feet. I am buying Ricosta shoes for him, they are brilliant and very supportive around his ankles. They are a German make and I buy them in a small independent shop. I'm very happy with their fitting. They sell several makes and a lot of them were in the sale last time, so same price or even a bit cheaper than Clarks. I would also suggest trying an independent shop, you might be plesantly surprised.

Stiff soled shoes are exactly what you do not want! That was the advice many years ago but further research has completely discredited it, unless there is a medically diagnosed reason the least supportive most "barefoot" like shoe is the best shoe.

Soft moccasin like shoes that do nothing to restrict the foot - just protect it - is the best sort of shoe.

Thanks everyone. I went to a budget shoe shop called brantano's and they were great. Ended up with a make called Oshkosh. The sizes are small so got bigger size and they are such a nice fit. Plus the woman spent time with us, working out what size was needed.