Buckle My Shoes - having a PFB moment I think, please advise!

[frazzledgirl]

DS has grown out of his beloved Pedipeds FOUR months early

We need new shoes. I hate Clark's with a passion, TK Maxx had one pair in today which DH refused to consider for even a moment.

Local indy shop lovely, but only pair I really liked and could afford not in DS's size (22 and fairly wide).

Have been looking on shoesforkids.co.uk, and DH and I agree the Buckle my Shoe monster sneakers look v nice.

But having a PFB wobble. Are they good quality? Is it OK to buy non-Clark's, non-leather shoes for a first pair?

If not, what should I get?

Fine to buy non-Clark's but I would want something leather with a width fitting.

BTW when I said first pair, I meant main pair - he's had several pairs of shoes so far.

Are there any other brands you recommend?

It depends how wide he is. I like Hop n Squeak (email [email protected] for nearest stockist) and Pediped but neither of them do width fittings which could be an issue if your DS has wide feet so you would need to take him to the shop to try them to see if they fit or not I think.

Startrite are also good and John Lewis and Selfridges often stock alternatives to Clarks.

Oh sorry you already said he's had Pedipeds.

It is more important that they fit correctly than look nice. Clarkes are good for width fittings even if you don't like the style.

Pom D'Api are nice shoes too.

Naturino

Daisy & Tom and Vertbaudet sell shoes too. What about Kickers, Hush Puppies, Geox, Elefanten, Primigi, Ecco, Falcotto, Esprit etc?

Mia, I do of course want well-fitting shoes for DS. My main problem with Clark's is that DS's feet are always measured by dozy-looking teenagers in my local store, who don't seem to know anything other than how to hold the measure.

The lesser issue is that if I'm going to pay through the nose (which clearly I am!) then I want something that's really good quality and nice-looking, more so than the incredibly lazy and limited Clark's range for boys.

Nappy, thanks for all the brand names! Some I hadn't heard of, will check them out.

My fav boys shoes are Primigi and Ecco. Well made and incredibly light (even their boots). We always use a local independent shop where they understand about the orthotics ds has.

Some good brands here:

spring.charlesclinkard.co.uk/shoes/childrens-shoes/boys-shoes.html

If you live near one of their shops, I find the staff in Clinkards stores really know what they are doing, and take time with DD, unlike the teens who work in our Clarks