Black school shoes, which ones to buy?

[Bess21]

Can anyone recommend which black school shoes to buy or what shop to buy them from? I want to buy velcro ones and I would obviously like them to last a while for a boy who like most boys will wear them through in no time. Any reviews would be great, thanks.

we have always just had clarks ones

Errrm, all I remember is that we ended up buying the most expensive ones from Clarks because they were the ones with the Nano (or whatever it is) toy in so of course a must have..... However, they have been brilliant, DS has worn them all year, still the same size (11.5 fyi!) and very durable. Think he'll be going up soon. They have a fantastic rubber end/buffer thing on www.clarks.co.uk/p/20346367.

Sorry if that link didn't work....

We've always bought Clarks, never had any problems with wearing well and always lasted the whole school year (apart from when DD decided to turn into a giantess overnight).

I avoid the shoes with toys in as they do not last as long - I tell the shoe assistant not even to bring them out when we go to get new shoes.

The ones that fit, and are comfortable, and that dc agree to wear.

Not sure I understand the question!

Thank you, well it looks like i'll be trying clarks first then, I suppose it's better to pay a higher price to get the quality or i'll end up buying more than one pair in the year.

I've bought cheap ones from ASDA and/or Tesco but they don't last 5 minutes, my DD kicks the toes out.

I now always go to Clarks, they fit properly and last, pretty much, until she's grown out of them. As much as she kicks the toes they don't wear out and with a quick clean they look good as new.

They might cost 5 times more, but they last 10 times longer, stay looking nicer for longer and at least I know they fit her properly..

Clarks here as well. We did try Startrite, but they didn't stand up to the wear and tear as well.

I was wondering this too. Do they only have clarks school shoes, or do you buy them casual ones as well? And do you buy Clarks casual or cheap casual? My 4 year old has only ever had Clarks, plus crocs and wells in what ever size he's been.

my 2 get clarks trainers too. Have tried to get cheap ones for them but they are normally too tight as they both have wide feet

Another vote for Clarkes here aswell!
When my 2 DD`s were small it used to be black shoes, Clarkes Doodles shoes in the summer.
Wellies & good quality sandals from wherever.
My eldest DD still has Clarkes school shoes at 13, she still likes them!
Trainers from a good sports shop.

One pair of school shoes, one pair of trainers- worn at home. Both Clarkes and both lasted the year.

These are great - we tried them in John Lewis but they were out of the right size so got them online. Really good quality and lasted smartly all year the first year we had them, less good the second time but I think due to growing feet rather than quality...

Where are you based because in London there are a few Clarks Factory Shops dotted around where you can get the school shoes (and others for all family members) for approximately a third less than full-price - there's one in Fulham Broadway and one at the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre - they're the ones we've been to!

We go to an independent shoe shop and normally buy Ricosta or Ecco. Start Rite and Clarks don't agree with DD, not soft enough.

We always buy a normal pair for weekends/holidays. DD only wears dresses so trainers are a no-go.

I also buy when necessary. DD is on her third pair since September thanks to two growth spurs.

Ds has ricosta, they are fantastic. He usually caves the sides in as he has flat feet. These really last though. They are expensive but they are worth the extra as you won't need to replace them until his feet grow.

Clarks do a width and length check, and they give you the correct shoe to fit. I have always had 'problem feet' and shoe buying was a nightmare. We had to go into 'the city' to get me a pair of Clarks shoes that would fit! Then I had a choice of 1 style. Sigh!

Growing feet need proper shoes. Ask anyone over 50 if you can have a look at their toes, and you'll see what I mean!

Clarks (it helps that there's an outlet shop nearby). Make sure they have a big bit of velcro - DD had a pair with only about 2cm x 1cm of velcro on and I had to replace them as they kept coming undone. New pair had a whole strap that went through a buckle and back on itself iykwim and was much much better.

plipplops - Same here it's the velcro that's the problem! DS1 has got this 'thing' about velcro where he wants to tighten the strap to the max, he rips the straps open and shut at least 3 (if not 5) times before even leaving the house - drives me nuts AND trashes the velcro. We're now onto his third pair of shoes this year, all the same size, because the velcro has completely lost its stickiness.

Know what you mean about the buckle, that's how his current shoes are so I hope they'll last til the summer... otherwise I may have to think about laces but what a pain (and difficult to find).

Clarks here too, even the mighty M&S let me down after 3 months His Clarks school shoes have lasted since September, though the last few weeks of term he may end up in his trainers
DS is 8 now so where we used to have trainers from Clarks I have relented and now we get them from a decent sports shop. They also do for hockey, tennis etc so worth the money. He also has a pair of walking boots OR a pair of Hunter wellies, though since he's turned 8 walking boots are SOOOO much cooler :o

And always put plenty of shoe polish on them! The shoes will last a lot longer and will help protect them. xx.

I find Clarks or Startrite equally good, but do try to time getting a new pair in with the winter or summer sales rather than the start of the new school year as they're half the price.

Clarks, Ricosta and Geox are all good. DS can trash them all equally quickly, especially the toes, but the soles, straps etc are all pretty durable.