Is there any way patent shoes WON'T get trashed?

[fuckityfuckfuckfuck]

Or are they (as I suspect) the work of the devil? Dd has seen a pair of school shoes she loves but they are patent. I am reluctant to spend £30+ on a pair of shoes that may get instantly, irreparably trashed. At least normal shoes can hide scuffs with polish, is there such a thing as polish for patent?

I'm really surprised at the responses. I have 2 sons already at school and my daughter starts next week. Going school shoe shopping this time around made a nice change but I avoided the patent shoes like the plague. Not because I have any personal experience of them, but in my head I see them as shoes that would instantly look trashed the moment my daughter wore them.

Interesting to read though, that this doesn't seem to be the case. Maybe I'll try some next time

I had some pink patent startrite for my toddler and they didn't get a scuff on them. She has just outgrown them and they look perfect! Would definitely buy again.

patent leather all the way! They wear so much better! And startrite all the way too I'm afraid...

I always try to get my DDs patent shoes as they seem to last so much better than plain leather. They don't need cleaning too - which makes them all the better. My DDs have never managed (yet) to trash a pair of patent shoes, and they're not exactly typical sit down girls . I usually buy Clarks too.

Patent are rubbish.

HONESTLY I know it seems illogical but patent shoes really do last well, and I second the fact that you only need a baby wipe on them

we are on about our 6th pair and only bought more due to size changes.

Dd finished the summer term while still 4. (v young in year!). She had gone through 3 leather pairs since starting school in Jan - literally, as you could see her socks through them. She spent most play times playing babies or kittens and crawling around on the floor.
Can't see how patent or leather could cope with that...

Even ds and continuous football matches wasn't that bad!

So I'll be going with cheapest leather I can find for the start of this term.

dd's school shoes from last year have some patent patches on them. they are from clarks bootleg range. dd is very heavy on her feet plus wears raised insoles as her feet are very flat. she's still wearing them after a year, school started for us today and we've not been able to buy new shoes yet as we're waiting on her new insoles to be made. the leather is a bit scuffed on the toe and heel, but polishes up ok still. the patent however, surprisingly, still looks like brand new! i think i am a patent convert now.

My DD has had the same model of school shoes these last 2 years. The patent leather ones only got a bit of scuffing to the toes - and the "normal" leather ones are an absolute state!