Boys School Shoes - advice please

[Helinher30s]

Hi, strange question I know. My DS is starting reception in a primary school next month. I have just been looking on the Clarks website to see what black school shoes they have. There were very formal black shoes on there and a more of a trainer type black school shoe - all with velcro. Which is acceptable for reception? - i can imagine him falling a lot with the heavy proper school shoe. Funnily enough though he's a size 12 and there wasn't much choice. Any where else good? Many thanks.

I think it depends on the school. My DS would never get away with the black trainer types in a zilion years (fortunately, he hates them) - but other schools are less fussy. Ask other parents, perhaps?

Agree that depends on the school. Our school is very very relaxed (phew) which meant that I got ds1 some black velcro fastening shoes that are not too dissimilar to his trainers. He is very very very fussy about clothes and shoes in particular, always has been - ever since his first pair shoe-shopping has been fraught. So thank goodness was able to get some shoes that didn't terrify him.

The shoes are not heavy - even though they look solid. I'd be surprised if they caused problems; certainly worth going to try on. I've found Clarkes stand up to playground wear and tear better than other brands.

Every time I get DS shoes I look in Hush Puppy and end up in Clarks (they are almost next door) as all Hush Puppy boys shoes seem to be a variation on black school shoes in degrees of casualness. Can't help with how casual you can go, but HP might offer you some more choice.

Ds1 has always had these. He will continue to have them going into Juniors and ds2, who is starting reception in Sept will also have them!

I don't really like the trainer ones, prefer the smarter shoes.

Also, beware of styles like this as the ridge will be scuffed beyond repair within a week. At least with the ones in my 1st link they can be polished back to (almost) new!

We found M&S had some good styles which were velcro fastening but more school shoe looking than some of the trainers types. They often do 3 for 2 on uniform too.

My DS has always had the ones in Stinkyfeet's first link. They are great - not at all heavy in real life. And they withstand quite a hammering: DS walks six miles to school and back in them every day, wears them all day, and wears them at weekends too. I only replace them when he moans about them being too small.

Given the amount of wear he gets from them, I wouldn't buy anything cheaper. The materials tend to be synthetic, and the sizing is hit and miss.

Now, girls... a whole other story. My daughter gets through a pair of shoes in about a month. She shreds them inside and out. I have no idea what she does to them, but it's a very expensive habit. I've found that Start Rite are better than Clarks, lasting about, ooh, six weeks with her.

I think it's because she has a big brother: she does everything that he does, including all shoe-scuffing activities. Now I think about it, it suggests that the expectation of shoe-makers is that girls are less active than boys, as the shoes aren't built to take it. [grr]

Thank you so much for all your replies. Looks like I should be going for the more formal shoe like in stinkyfeets first link. So glad I asked you all! Many thanks