Startrite shoes - your views please?

[mrsaligee]

Hi, I've recently been let down by a pair of Clarks shoes that got scuffed after 3 days' wear (nb DD is 2 and is a confident walker/runner, and doesn't drag her feet).

Needless to say they refused to exchange or refund so I'm now thinking that the quality just isn't there anymore, so would like to find an alternative.

What does anyone think about Startrite shoes? Are there other suppliers I should consider?

Thanks

Start rite or German makes found in independent shoe shops.

You will never look back but the initial price may make you gasp

We have just had exactly the same experience with startrite, plus they are a really bad fit...
I will be going back to Clarks.

I have found all clarks normal leather ones do this - patent shoes last much better. Both for startrite and clarks.

I have only had patent startrite so not sure how their standard shoes are, I found them only a bit dearer than clarks and was happy with them though. Like the Clarks Doodles sandals for summer though

Startrite are about the same ime. I'd check out some independent retailers, allot of the European manufactured shoes have rubber toe guards and last really well. They do cost a bit more but look better too

I really like start rite and if you can find an independent shoe shop they will have loads of European makes that are much better.
I really dislike Clarks shoes I have no idea why they are hailed as the best children's shoes at all.

Ha, that's strange because we've just gone over to Clarks shoes after DS1's Startrite school shoes got scuffed after 3 days!

We had ordered another pair for DS2, but after seeing what happened to DS1's, we went over to Clark's. Their school shoes have more of a rubber toe that seems to stand up better to scuffing.

That said, we've been very happy with DS3's Startrite's (though I think they are generally a bit more pricey than Clark's)

Startrite are IMO far better than Clarks, always have SR for both DD's and never had any problem with them, they are also leather lined, whereas C's seem to be lined with fabric.

Thanks all, I'm going to give Startrite a try. I've seen that some other brands recommended to try seem to be Hush Puppies and Ecco (thought they were for senior citizens!).

I've sent scuffed shoes to Clarks with a strong letter but expect they will side with the manager. Whatever happened to quality?

MrsAG

Clarks sent me 30 quid as a gesture of goodwill but said that there was nothing wrong with the shoes.

No surprises there then!

Some of the harder wearing brands that you may find at independent shoe shops, like ourselves www.hobsonshoes.co.uk www.shoesgb.co.uk are Ecco & Ricosta. Geox also wear well. It is very rare that any of these brands are ever returned to us for quality issues.

Yy re Clarks being utter rubbish now. D1 and d2 both had ruined theirs within the week Ffs.

Interested in this as I was just about to wrote a similar post relating to Startrite. We've gone with Startrite for the last three times, as it's what the local shop stocks. However, without fail the shoes are scuffed after the first day if use, and look a real sight after a week. I gave a second chance thinking it was perhaps the specific shoe the first time. No excuse for going back a third time.

The shoes are also expensive (best part of £100 for two kids). No problem if they last, but very annoying to be scuffed on day 1.

I wont be buying Startrite again. I'm looking instead for any other suggestions, so will check out some of the above.

I'm likely to have to buy online due to my location. Can anyone recommend a good foot measuring gadget?

Geox are a bit trainery and ££ but our independent shoe shop fit them for plenty of growing room and will have seen dc out a whole year. They are robust, and he plays football in them near enough every day.

DD had Startrite which have lasted well fit wise but she's scraped the leather to bits in about 3 days (school installed an outdoor climbing wall ) and require constant polishing.

I don't understand the problem. Scuffs are just marks, use some black bootpolish and buff them up then shoe shine for a lovely finish. I do this on my DD startrite shoes weekly and hers last a full school year. Clarkes I found were thinly made and the sole wore out by 4mths so went back to SR and have never looked back. Scuffs happen as soon as a DC wears them, it's part of life, no wonder they were at you when you tried to return them.

IMHO startrite are way better than Clarks.

Ecco & Ricosta are very good. Geox good as well, our DS's pair are tough as old boots which is just as well as he refuses to change them. They do look the worse for wear now.

Best shoe ever for DD1 was Pablosky (spanish I think). They have been the only ones to last a full school year.

Petasil (Portuguese?) I can also recommend. DD1's pair lasted well until she got them absolutely soaked by using them as if they were wellies and of we weren't careful enough about drying them out and the insoles + lining cracked and wore which then caused them to be uncomfortable. Can't really blame the shoe for that though.

Noel (French) are also very good. Both DD have had pairs of those and DD2's current pair are holding up very well.

Kickers are great too.

I can honestly say that Clarks are by far the worst shoes we've ever bought. Had about 2 pairs for each DD and I won't throw any more money away on them. Best to pay £5-10 more and get a decent shoe.

Doesbuggerall - have you found a decent retailer for lots of brands under one roof?

Put some polish on the toes before they wear them, it does help protect the leather.

DD and Ds always had Startrite, a pair of Clarks lasted 2 weeks, and fell apart. When DD grew out of her Startrite in 0 weeks they replaced them free of charge and very graciously too.

i see a lot of shoes with my mindies and IMO the Clarks are all nasty designs and badly fitted, and look really awful after a few weeks. The Startrites keep their shape and look good for longer, also better for the children's feet as lined with leather.

Well am off to replace dd's Startrites as the sole has worn through. Never had that happen before although they hae been worn for 8months

Tried the polish, allbubbles, it made no difference.