FGS Clarks only stock one style of school shoe in a H fitting so now where do I go ?

[nutcracker]

Just taken Ds for his first pair of school shoes and he was so excited but we came away emtoy handed.

He was measured as a 9H and they only do one black shoe in a H fitting and I didn't like it as basically it was a black trainer and didn't look like it would last very long.

I asked of they will stock more styles in larger stores but was told no, not in H fitting.

So where else can I go ?? I'm in Birmingham, sutton coldfield.

Oh and I am not convinced that he is a 9 either as he has been a 9 for ages.

Last time my ds1 needed shoes (not school ones, he doesn't start until Sep) he measured a 10.5H in Clarks and they had nothing in that fitted him, and they said nothing in the catalogue would either (high instep aswell as wide) so it wasn't worth ordering in. I looked everywhere we went for something that fitted him and ended up with a pair of 12's from Adams (slightly too long but the width fitted), which were only £8.50 in their sale
The Adams ones have lasted really well but are now getting a bit tight.

I have just got him a pair from Matalan, didn't even bother taking him to Clarks.

BUT the quality of the Matalan ones isn't as good as the Adams ones - which were really nice.

Good luck!

But if he has wide feet, doesn't he need them fitting properly ? Won't other shops ones be too narrow ?

I hate shoe shopping.

I fit them myself, feel around the foot etc, make sure he is comfy in them.
I'm not totally sold on the shoe thing tbh, as long as they fit reasonably I am happy.
And what else can you do - Clarks basically washed their hands of it - not their problem.

John Lewis - or any independent shoe shop that stocks Start Rite.

What about Start-rite shoes? Ds2 got some 10Gs yesterday. According to the website they also have H fittings too.

Poor ds.

Hmm I am not very confident though when checking their shoes, I can never feel anything as most of the shoes are too hard at the front.

Yeah I think I will try startrite, just looking up my nearest one.

sorry - you asked about other shops shoes being too narrow - most were - thats why I tried everywhere we went and eventually ended up with a pair of 12's when he was measuring a 10.5.
These Matalan ones I got a couple of weeks ago were pretty wide, but again I have probably gone up a size, I got a 13 when the 12 fitted him for length, but not width.
tbh I haven't even bothered taking him to Clarks this time.

I swear by Ricosta School shoes. They cost more than Clarks, but last atleast twice as long. I think they only do S M L width fittings, but they have been brillliant for my DS with his wide feet.
Is John Lewis near you?

agree - startrite do a good range of wide fitting shoe. my ds also a H and ive always had a nightmare getting shoes for him. I do find startrite better than clarks for him.

we had the same thing, ds1 measured 9.5H and they only had one style in that size. Fortunately it was an acceptable style and didn't look like a trainer, nor was it too clumpy and heavy. They did however, really push the shoes with a toy in the heel but I asked the shop assistant not to bring any of those out as I "wanted a shoe, not a miniature toy box" (her face was a picture). Fortunately ds1 was too excited by the whole experience of buying school shoes to notice this censoring going on.

I think next do good school shoes.

I dont tend to go to clarks for measuring anymore as dd was measured twice in one day by two different assistants at different stores and each gave a completely different measurement.

Erm John Lewis is a bit of a trek I think, as nearest is Solihull.

Might go to Startrite stockist in Lichfield first as can make a day of it and take the kids to the park at the same time.

My ds is an "H" too and I struggle to find shoes to fit.

I got him non-school shoes last year in Marks & Spencer - perhaps try there?

Is the school fussy about footwear - my ds doesn't start reception until next September but most likely will wear trainers.

As another mum of an h footer, i agree re startrite and ricosta

DON'T go to John Lweis in Solihull, nutty! They are vvvvv slow and not that great. You'd be best with a little independent shop which stocks them.
They are more exp than Clarks - my dd1 had to have start-rite (narrow feet here) and they were £35, rather than £28-30 for Clarks. But I felt it was worth it for reception at least, its the 1st time they will be wearing shoes all day long, every day.

School insist on shoes yeah although he could have gotten away with the black trainer type ones they offered me. They just didn't look worth £30 and I didn't like them.

Will avoid JL in Solihull, thanks for that

Not entirley sure what to to now LOL.

He wears trainers most of the time and then last winter had a pair of boots from tkmaxx so they were fitted, but I am just never quite sure, and can't afford to be buying some and then finding out 2 weeks later that they are too small/big.

Sod it, he can go in slippers lol.

dd1 has mainly start rite and dd2 wears her hand me downs sometimes (if I catch the season v foot size right grrrr)

do you have a russell and bromley? they do a big range of start rite

Oh thanks Fio, does it actually matter wether I like them LOL. They look very clumpy, and he is only a baby

God I am crap at this, still wanna be buying him booties lol.

what about Next?