Toddler shoes. where else other than Clarks or Startrite?

[Alicetheinvisible]

DD has grown out of her shoes. Gutted actually because they are lovely and haven't lasted as long as i hoped.

Really not liking any of the new Clarks or Startrite shoes and at £30 (and the rest!) you want something you actually like.

Are the Doodles summer shoes ok, or do you think they need a proper pair as well over the summer?

Thanks

Something like this? or would you get proper shoes?

Have a look at www.shoesforkids.co.uk. They stock out-of-season Clarks and Startrite but do other brands too and they are cheap! They've also got a designer site, which has some lovely shoes, but they are not cheap...

Just bought DS some Doodles (the T-bar style ones) as his main summer shoe so I hope they are OK! He'll have his wellies in case of bad weather...

Doodles are very good, i got some at the end of the summer for dry days and they were fab. I ahve seen the JL ones and they are nice too, although my dd has wide feet so most 'normal' shoes don't fit

What do you class as wide? DD is a G, although last year she had clarks velcro sandals as their sandals only go to an F and they were ok.

John Lewis are great right up to early teens, its a real personal service and way better quality than clarks. They have lots of brands so they can recommend for wide feet, narrow feet etc etc

Borntofolk - thanks for that website! They even have her lovely shoes that she has grown out of [sad git]

Yes we had the sandles too, it's not just size she has a high instep also so we have to try on and can't buy from the nice cheapy website.

I am thinking of getting her some canvas ones from JL tomorrow, but will get her feet measured and buy the same pair she has just outgrown in bigger size for the Autumn (well, that is my plan!)

Try Brantano for cheap Clarks. I got DD a pair of flashing trainers yesterday that were originally £24 reduced to £12 - the same pair are on the website borntofolk linked to for £20

Ooh, thanks, not sure where the closest one is, will look it up.

I distrust some online shoe places due to stock and fitting and the cost of returning, also have had SO mcuh trouble with the Startrite site, ordering things then being told after about a day that they didn't actually have them after all

I've ordered some really good ones from La Redoute though - kids Geox shoes.

We also have a couple of independant shops, that stock different brands - a really old, small shop in town and Fenwick children's dept. both very good.

I look on the start-rite website for their fitting guide (with videos too) and then just buy shoes anywhere. My mum is horrified and thinks that it should be clarks and nothing less, but it didn't really help my feet that much - I still have fallen arches. I have got nicely shaped toes/feet but that is because I don't wear heels or fashion shoes, and isn't as much an issue with boys anyway.

That's what I do, Fio - we buy them in larger sizes based on how comfortable and user friendly they are, then I fit them myself when the kids' feet have grown.

Hell, if a 14yo wearing a headset in Clarks can do it, I think I can.

Mind you I've had some truly bad quality shoes from other places, and tend to go with good brands now, at least.
Have ordered ds Geox ones in a 1, 2 and 3 from sale, and he'll just start wearing them when his feet are the right size.

Vincent are good. they have a store in Westfield if you are in London.