Aaaaaaargh school shoes falling apart already

[domesticsluttery]

You'd think that they'd make school shoes that would withstand normal 6 year old boy wear for more than 3 weeks wouldn't you?

Best thing is as I bought them online and I don't have a store near me (nearest is 1.5hrs drive away) I have to send them off for them to decide whether to refund/exchange... which will take up to 3 weeks! They even expected me to pay the return postage on them!

DS2 is delighted though as he can wear his trainers to school in the meantime

Blimey - that's dreadful.

Where did you get them from?

M&S.

To be fair to them they sent out a replacement pair once I kicked up a fuss, although I had to pay for them and will then be refunded when they decide that the old pair is faulty (the sole is hanging off so it shouldn't be too hard a decision). I had to kick up a fuss to get them to send the new pair with free delivery, and get them to give me a FREEPOST address to send the faulty pair back.

I just hope that the new pair last slightly longer than 3 weeks.

I never thought I'd say this but Clarks are looking positively rosy in comparison!

Try Startrite. They are more expensive but I'm a convert. We got some for DD last September and they lasted two terms and only had to be replaced because she grew out of them. Apart from the odd scuff they were still in near perfect condtion.

I had the same with M&S shoes and they were being sold as hard wearing too. So I got some Toughies online and they did last a long time, but as my 8yr old plays footie in them they were still scuffed.

So I've got Startrite ones that are school shoes but with a rubber bit over the end, like football boots, and they seem to be wearing better.

Can you buy Startrite online? We don't have a stockist here.

I have a dd who plays hard in her school shoes. After Startrite, Clarks and a cheap brand I now go for Hush Puppies which I find harder wearing.

You can get Hush Puppies in Brantano can't you? We have one of those here.

Yes, they seem to carry 3 or 4 styles each for boys and girls.

domesticsluttery - haven't seen any Hush Puppies in 'our' Brantano but there is a shoe shop in Aberaeron that stocks Start-rite. Not sure how much stock they keep though.

Oh, I forgot about the one in Aberaeron! Might have to go down and have a look.

start rite have a great website - www.startriteshoes.com

Startrite aren't perfect either. We took DD's shoes back to our local shop at the weekend because the tread was completely worn and the heel virtually gone after 4 weeks. To their credit they did replace them, but you do wonder how they test these if a 5 year old who gets taken to and collected from school in the car or rides her bike can wear a pair down in such a short space of time.