What size are your 7yo's feet and how important/valuable is a proper shoe fitting?

[perpetualworrier]

DS1 is just 7. We bought him new school shoes at the weekend, they look huge are are size 3, but he is tall, so perhaps big feet are to be expected.

I always go to Clarks for DC's shoes, as it's the only place in town that fits children's shoes. Usually, by buying black trainers, I can avoid buying school shoes too, but this time, because of the size of his feet, we had to get black shoes. Apparently the only trainers they do big enough for him are the shiny blue/red ones.

He wore the new shoes yesterday, but they have rubbed his toes raw and today he refused to put them on. Usually I'd just make him do as he's told, but I can't make him wear shoes that hurt, can I?

Would you make him wear them a bit to wear them in, or should properly fitted shoes be comfortable from day 1? We've never had this problem before, but then he has usually had trainers.

I'm thinking of trying to get some black trainers elsewhere, but I would have to fit them myself. I have always believed the Clarks view that they need properly fitting shoes.. etc, but if shoes fitted by an "expert" hurt, what is the benefit and how difficult can it be? BTW, because the shoes looked so large, the fit was checked by an assistant and the manager. Do you think I have any chance of getting my money back?

Take them back to the shop. We stopped using clarks as the fittings were so bad. We have had 3 different measurements - 51/2, 6 and 7 for ds shoes last summer in 3 different stores/ 3 different towns over the same weekend. I complained in the end and got my money back as ds fell down some steps in shoes that were clearly too big. Do you have an independant shoe shop near by? We have had much better service and shoes.

Our ds3 7 hes a size 3 too his feet are massive and wide he has trainers for most days (about 3 pairs on the go) adidas seem to be widest and pair of trendy velcro style shoes from hush puppy i think for 'best'.

childrens feet seem to be getting bigger and bigger

yeah i think you should take them back too

yes I would go back to the shop and show them your sons feet. The thing is trainers shouldn't be worn all the time no matter how well fitted so you did the right thing by buying proper school shoes but they certainly shouldn't rub.

Ive got 3 dcs who all wear proper fitted schools shoes from Clarks and in 11 years I can honestly say that I've never seen a red mark on their feet.

Of course they have other, cheaper, shoes as well sometimes and on the odd occasion these have rubbed but I find putting a plaster on the affected area stops it.

I think your entitled to be pain free after spending £35 on shoes don't you?

Take them back. They should not cause blisters. They are too big and are slipping up and down. I did this once with DD's shoes and the manager couldn't apologise enough - they were fitted wrongly.

Thank you for that, right I'm off to Clark's. Do you think they'll take them without seeing his feet, so I can get it out of the way while he's at school? Also, if I leave it until the weekend, his feet (hopefully) will be a lot better.

We don't have an independent shop locally (if only). I did notice a sign in Brantano saying they fit children's shoes Has anyone used them?

I haven't used Brantano but I'd take ds with you to the shop so he can be fitted for a replacement pair. Even if you choose a pair for him in the same size, I'm guessing the fit would be slightly different.

If an assisstant has fitted the Clarks shoes they will change or refund the shoes even if they have been worn (I haven't had a problem anyway)
But some 'shoe fitters' in clarks are not that good, I always butt in and check the fit myself and I do the same in any other shoe shop.

Check where the big toe ends, there should be about a thumb width between the end of big toe and the front of shoe.

Check the width isn't too loose or too tight.

Get your ds to lift his feet and pull on the back to see if it will slip off, then get him to walk in them. I follow dc's around otherwise I can't see.

And while your checking the shoe make sure he's putting all his weight on his feet and not leaning on anything.

my ds at 7 had size 3 feet my dd is 8 she got new shoes in clarks last sat size 3 e.both my ds have huge feet but they are both very tall.my ds now is 10 and has been a size 7 for about a year.