school shoes...tell me I am not the only one?!

[CHST]

Gah! I opted for a mid range price pair of shoes from John Lewis as knowing that my son is a real boy and likes to climb trees, drag his feet, pretend to be a dog etc, etc, I couldn't justify a high price for shoes but also didn't want a cheap pair either. Three weeks in and on one of them by the toe, the leather has come off, almost leaving a hole...they look so awful! DS definitely needed a new pair so for now I got a cheap pair for monday, thinking they will also be wrecked in a few weeks while I think about what to do...what shoes do I go for now? Please tell me your experiences of shoes, particularly the best type and brand that don't scuff as easily :(

Clarks girls shoes will last a whole year, but they will look scruffy after a week.
I've given up worrying about it.

Lelli Kelly

Another Ricosta fan here.

I have always found Clarks great - a couple of their school ranges have for want of a better description, the sole coming over the front of the shoe. By the end of last year (bear in mind he was walking 3 miles a day on school runs) DS2 had scuffed away about quarter of that front sole but if that had just been a leather front he would have gone straight through.
They have them in school designs to, but the following picture gives the idea..
www.clarks.co.uk/find/product-is-20343201

DS (footballing boy) has had shoes very like these

www.startriteshoes.com/boys/school-shoes/erupt

for the last 3 years. Every year they have lasted the whole year. There's a rubbery / Teflony / plasticy thing over the front of the toe, which avoids damage through scuffing.

He can't wear Clarks shoes - narrow ankle, wierd bony bit on top of his foot, long toes, so Clarks just don't fit.

I have to say that school shoes trashed after 3 weeks would be straight back to the shop to complain for me. A reasonable prerson would expect them to last longer than that, which is the relevant consumer test.

We're on the third year of buying Hush Puppies for DD and they have been lasting the whole school year with wear left at the end, but they look so scruffy by then that we get new for the September. But no holes in uppers, soles still have wear etc. I will carry on buying Hush Puppies for the time being because they wear well and fit DD well too.

It's been DS's first time for school shoes this year going into reception and got him Hush Puppies too (in fact I found an outlet whilst we were on holiday in the south-west and get DD and DS's pairs over £10 cheaper per pair than we would would have from our nearest independant shop). DS's look to be lasting about the same as DD's, they are scuffed and worn 4 weeks in but come up fine when polished so providing his feet don't grow too much we should get most of the year out of them hopefully.

Pity the poor teachers too! The toes of my shoes are always worn and scuffed as I spend so much time kneeling down on the floor,I can also only wear Birkenstocks as my feet are so bad from standing all day I need all the arch support I can get! Trouser knees are another tricky area, they are either worn or baggy!

Startrite or Ricosta. Neither are cheap (massive understatement) but appear virtually indestructible. The Startrite do scuff but that polishes out.

well took them back to John Lewis and the lady was a bit of a cow. Tried to tell me it was wear and tear "I bet he has been climbing trees" (hmm)
I can accept scuffing as wear and tear but the leather had actually come off! She went on to tell me that they are not made for scooting, climbing trees and should only be worn for school. I told her that he does, infact, only wear them for school. Well after a wait, they finally agreed to give money back and I went to clarks and got some with a rubber toe. I hate how when you go back to exchange something that is faulty, you get put on a guilt trip and made to feel like you are at fault!

I recall taking my son's Clarks school shoes back a week after we bought them and the sales lady accusing my son of actually wearing them! as the sole was hanging off

After all the Clarks stories I'm so glad we rarely go there any more. I know a lot of people have nothing bad to say about John Lewis but I didn't have such a good experience with their fitting service. Don't feel guilty op, 3 weeks is a very short time, that pair were obviously not well made.

Ricosta for ds, they are expensive but they last all year. Used to have Startright but the stitching would come undone.

The best school shoes I've got my DS where from next. I think they where about £30 they lasted around 6 months and always cleaned up like new.

I have tried clarks and cheap shoes and they don't last 2 mins with DS (8) always skidding climbing and football.

Clarks have been good for us. Toughees don't fit my DCs, otherwise I'd be on them like a shot.

dd has just started Yr 4 in a new pair of Asda lace ups which are looking brilliant even after 3 weeks of tripping up in the playground.

However, dd who is 9 y.o. and a size 4 appears to be growing out of them already.

All dd's shoes look great as she grows out of them within a matter of weeks so doesn't have time to ruin them, hence us buying cheaper brands at the mo.

When she was a toddler we'd spend fortune on Clarks, Ecco etc. only for her to grow out of them quickly so we learnt to get cheaper shoes until her feet stop growing.

N.B. we go to C;larks to get her measured and then go buy a cheaper pair elsewhere.

Another massive thumbs up for Ricosta and Geox from me. They make Clarks look cheap, but it's true when they say 'buy cheap, buy twice' so makes not a scrap of difference imo. But that said, my boys are particularly harsh on shoes, even for boys! Ooh, Timberland as well, last year I got them and they lasted (just about) all year, were maybe £10 more than Clarks, so def worth a try. Got them in Jones.

I hate Clarks overpriced rubbish.

Flaming Indian Summer. Lots of scuffed shoes at school this year because it's been to nice not to go to the park on the way home.

Tescos here for boys school shoes and they are fine at approx £10 - £12. If he trashes them we will buy another pair but seem fine at the moment. I'm careful what I choose but these seem sturdy and really comfortable. Got trainers at Tescos too.
I've been down the Clarkes route [when I could afford it] and feel they are overpriced and simply not worth extra cost. Can't afford to be ripped off.

My ds supermarket shoes are water proof too!!

Got DD2 some pediped and have been really impressed with the quality, but just had a look at their website and they don't have a massive choice for boys in school styles (the ones they do have look ) DD1 has Buckle my shoe which have taken a battering from her and she normally wears them out after a term...

I would recommend Ricosta they have anti scuff toes on many of their styles. I also recommend Startrite they are really hard wearing.