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Parenting

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Original poster

second-hand shoes, what are your views??

30 replies

flymo79 · 02/09/2015 14:43

just wondering as dd's first shoes were EXTORTIONATE and the woman at clarks* (other shoe shops are available!!) reckoned I had to take her back to be measured every 6-8 weeks! surely not! she is now confidently toddling about at 1yr, so needed shoes for nursery, but I still had a little weepy when I saw the price of her tiny size 3's..... gosh. it's more than me and dh pay for a pair, and we don't chuck them out every two months!!
Am tempted by the hand-me-downs and good quality second hands at charity shops and car-booties, anyone else?

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StompyFreckles · 02/09/2015 14:45

Dc 3 has been wearing second hand shoes from her big siblings and friends' dcs - it's fine imo!!

steppemum · 02/09/2015 14:55

when shoes are well worn, the sole changes shape to mould to the foot. So it isn't a great idea to wear them all the time.

Having said that, we have used lots of second hand shoes over the years, we chose ones that are not worn, nearly new etc. Also at this age my kids spent most of the day shoeless at home, which is better for their feet anyway.

And, how about Asda/Tescos etc? You don't actually need Clarks shoes if you chose carefully

Original poster

flymo79 · 02/09/2015 15:10

only just realised that I did a rhyme in my subject heading! genius!
yes am just reading up on it now and there are mixed views... though I suppose if you have multiple kids then you are much more likely to re-use footwear and not have the same new-mum guilt!
appreciate there are other brands out there, her first 'crawlers' were from mothercare, I just fell for the whole measuring shtick, and intended to walk out with her size and get the shoes elsewhere and before I knew it I had my credit card out!!!

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sickofforgettingpassword · 02/09/2015 15:14

The lady in clarks told me that if you take your second hand clarks shoes they'll fit them for you and check they are suitable for your baby's feet. I had asked her if it was bad to put them in 2nd hand shoes! I assume this is a company thing rather than a branch. Hth

TeaAndNoSympathy · 02/09/2015 15:21

PFB had brand new shoes fitted every couple of months or so. DD wears a mixture of hand me downs and new. She's 3 and her feet show no sign of deformity! I think it's fine.

Artandco · 02/09/2015 15:24

I wouldn't let him wear main shoes secondhand as others worn lots and footbed moulded to their feet. I let my Children share shoes like wellingtons, crocs snowboots and sandals though as they don't wear as often and usually limited when they do so not as used or fitted.

realhousewifeoffitzrovia · 02/09/2015 15:29

I think it's absolutely fine to buy second-hand shoes if they are in good condition and not overly worn. It's in the shoe shops' interest to tell us otherwise.

SpendSpendSpend · 02/09/2015 15:39

I have feet with collapsed arches and dh is the same.

I have been told its a mixture of the bones and muscle not forming correctly and ill fitting shoes as a child.

Dd who 3 has had a new pair of shoes around every 3 months. They are expensive but because of the problems me and dh have, i want to try and limit dd geting the same problem.

I always go to a independant shoe shop, i never fit them myself.

Dd hasnt developed an arch on her foot, her feet turn in slightly and im hoping to god she doesnt develop foot problems.

But by buying her new shoes and having them fitted as often as needed, if she develops foot problems i can honestly say hand on heart i ve done everything i can to try and prevent it.

If dd did develop foot problems and i had bought second hand shoes for her or always fitted them myself i will always wonder if i was to blame for her having foot problems.

TravellingToad · 02/09/2015 15:52

What width fitting is she? If she's an f you can probably use cheaper shoes like next or supermarkets. If she's wide or narrow you're stuck with fitted ones tho

Original poster

flymo79 · 02/09/2015 16:24

ah, interesting Toad, thanks for this info. She's an f (actually, I was told she's a 4f or a 3.5G...)

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Original poster

flymo79 · 02/09/2015 16:25

spendspendspend I totally see your point, it's not worth the worry when there's real concern about development in your family

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MiaowTheCat · 02/09/2015 19:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

daisydalrymple · 02/09/2015 19:50

We've found next, m&s, Nike, Adidas etc (DS has an Astros obsession...) to be totally different sizes to CLARKS. The fitters always make sure there is a thumb print space at the front, if you do try elsewhere and have to try a couple of sizes.

SexNamesRFab · 02/09/2015 20:03

I never hand down shoes - I had to wear my sister's as a kid and they were so uncomfortable. If your DD is an F you can get away with buying cheaper shoes. My DD are wide of foot - I it Clarks but only ever in the outlet shops.

OutToGetYou · 02/09/2015 20:12

I have fallen arches and it 100% is not due to ill fitting shoes from childhood. It's just the way my feet are.

ffffffedup · 02/09/2015 21:35

I'd say it's fine too. Also don't fall into the Clarks trap of buying a new pair every other month. Once she's walking and can have proper shoes you can get them a lot cheaper in next or supermarkets. I've passed shoes down between my boys. I'd agree with pp that shoes that are already well worn might not be ideal

Ilikesweetpeas · 02/09/2015 21:49

Where do you live? Outlet stores like the one at Cheshire Oaks can be good. I buy DD's from there, at least £10 cheaper, sometimes more if they have a sale on and they fit them for you.

MrsJorahMormont · 02/09/2015 21:52

We get DD second hand shoes as well as one new pair per season. The new ones are the main shoes, the second hand ones are worn less. Doesn't seem to cause any problems.

janethegirl2 · 02/09/2015 22:01

Sorry, I never got second hand shoes for my dc. Just no! Never!

GasLIghtShining · 02/09/2015 22:22

Was happy to have second hand clothes but not shoes. Have one DD and one DS so hand me down weren't an option really.

Do understand though about the cost

Needaninsight · 02/09/2015 22:27

I"ve had to buy some second hand shoes (we don't have the money for new) so it's either that, or she goes shoeless.

BUT I only buy second hand that are in excellent/hardly worn condition.

Inkymess · 02/09/2015 23:07

Mine use hand me downs. I hand all ours on. Any shoes donated to local charity shop sell the same day. I am not surrounded by kids with walking issues. It's fine

NetballHoop · 02/09/2015 23:10

We do hand me downs within close family. I wouldn't buy second hand from charity shops even though I can't justify why.

Bulbasaur · 03/09/2015 03:41

Mine's 17 months. I don't do second hand shoes but I go Walmart (ASDA, Tesco in UK I think) and get them for about $5-7 a pair. So they're not good shoes, but they're not meant to really last so I don't worry about it. When she slows down a bit I'll invest more. But for now while we re-buy new clothes every 6 months, I'm not going to put down more than a few bucks for per outfit.

Original poster

flymo79 · 03/09/2015 08:47

oddly enough I think I feel better about robust, well-made second hand shoes than cheap flimsy ones (you know the canvas ones, where you can see the insole coming away from the outer) or man-made fibres, but prob because I'm an old hippy!

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