Best School Shoes!

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DC is starting in reception in September. We've been using a private nursery so we've not had to buy school shoes.

Are some brands better than others? Any to avoid?

Another one who has been happy with several years worth of Sainsbury's Toe Zone shoes for DS. We got a pair of non Toe Zone patent shoes from Sainsbury's for DD though, and they didn't last as well, the patent came off and the sole started detaching after about 5 months, so not everything they sell is great

Startrite have always lasted well for my youngest DD.

My eldest DD prefers a traditionally more boyish style, with the velcro straps, and Clarks have lasted well for her.

My dd is not hard on shoes and her feet don’t grow very quickly, so a pair of shoes will last a whole year. Sainsburys lasted very well and had little damage at the end of the school year and were very comfortable. We had Next this year and they also lasted very well, only developed a small hole where the sole meets the toe in may. Never felt the need to buy into the Clark’s and start rite cult. Twice the price, but don’t last any better.

Marks and Spencers school shoes lasted really well this year and the styles are nice and sturdy. I usually go for patent leather as they are easy to wipe clean and they stay looking good.

@BabyMoonPie thank you for reminding me I could book a fitting appointment, rather than turning up and waiting!

And put names inside the buggers! Otherwise you end up with most of the girls in the class taking their identical Clarkes shoes off to get dressed up and not knowing which pair belong to which child to put them on again!

I've always bought startrite for DD and been pleased but I spotted some timberland in the sale for DS so giving them a try.

Haha. Obviously, yes. I was specifically referring to school shoes. No need to be rude

Thanks everyone. I've ordered a Start-Rite mm foot gauge and will also look up some of the mentioned brands.

Just to clarify the nursery comment: I meant we do not use a nursery attached to a school. Our nursery does not have a uniform so I've not had to previously purchase school shoes. Here we call it school nursery or private nursery. No brag.

Startrite have never failed us, last the year unless feet grow too much, which has only happened once in 5 years.
A weekly polish helps to maintain exterior

Clark's are terrible. The shoe sizer is a rough guide only as the quality control is so poor that there is no standardisation so they can need one size in one style and a different size in another style.

Another vote for Kickers. Make sure they're the chunky sole ones though. They've lasted two terms look like new!

Cringe comment

Wow I'm amazed at the Clark's comments. My boys are Yr 2 and 3 now and have worn them since Nursery. I've always found them solid as rocks! Quite pricey tho.

I have the opposite experience. My two (boy and girl) have both wore their Clark’s shoes every day for a whole year (reception) and they are still like new. I’m amazed! My boy even plays foitball in them every day at break time. I get the patent leather ones for my daughter.

I swear by Toezone shoes. Dd had hush puppies last year and they fell apart, and that was without them being worn over winter as we bought her "boys" shoes because they covered more of her feet