Not exactly style OR beauty: boys school shoes that LAST?

[NumptyMum]

I'm in Scotland so we're gearing up to the new school term again (!) and I've got to get new shoes for DS. Being only 6, and being DS, his shoes get a LOT of use/wear & tear... Please could people recommend good, sturdy brands of shoes? Or am I better to get cheaper and replace them quicker? We got his shoes at M&S last year but I've just been onto their site and the reviews weren't great. Must be velcro/easy fastening, he can't do laces.

Thanks in advance!

[kikidee]

Russell and Bromley and John Lewis in Glasgow both stock Geox. Always last the full year IME.

[Graceparkhill]

One Step Ahead in Bearsden has a good selection. If you can get to the South Side Bellini is lovely with great staff and you can go across to the fabulous Derby cafe afterwards

[NumptyMum]

Thanks again, all you knowledgeable peeps!

I'll maybe check One Step Ahead (not too far to drive although I don't know Bearsden v well so may get lost...) and otherwise John Lewis to get an idea of the other options. I always take a long time deciding when buying shoes but new term is less than 2 weeks now! Ulp.

Thanks again .

[NumptyMum]

Great - just checked location of One Step Ahead and it's just by the ASDA, I know how to get there! Sorted. Plus they stock Ricosta so I get to check those out, AND avoid the pester power of going to John Lewis/anywhere near the lego store in town .

[fossil971]

Last August I bought a pair of Start rite and a pair of Hush Puppies for DS2 and DS1. Despite being worn every day by bike riding, football playing boys both were still going strong. They were bashed at the toes but not falling apart and had not "collapsed" and lost their support IYSWIM. We once had a pair from Next that didn't last a term - nothing like the same quality.

We have always found Start Rite (and Clarks TBH) to be pretty durable. Agree re the rubber toe - we've just bought a pair of Start Rite Arachnid for this year.

[Crutchlow35]

DS starts school in 10 days time and we bought him ricosta shoes. They came highly recommended so hopefully they will last.

[CointreauVersial]

I find Clarks the best for durability.

Any time I have bought cheaper (Next, Shoezone etc) they haven't lasted five minutes.

[anklebitersmum]

We always buy Clarks. Not least because if the biters murder them I can go back and they'll give me brand spanking new pair for free.

Always keen to take advantage of a saving on quality though..do the geox come in 'proper' shoes rather than 'pretend trainers'?

[Rolandrova]

Ha! The Geox ones on the swears by email are the ones I posted about a couple of years ago when ds got banned from wearing them to school, as the school said they were 'trainers'

Everyone on here, without exception, told me I was stupid because they WERE trainers.

Hmph! They are still brilliant shoes though but please do check with your school...

[Rolandrova]

Also if it is any help, we bought Start rite last autumn and they have lasted almost a full year. Ds is the original dog/boy combo so that's saying something.

[cressetmama]

Would add my vote for Timberland shoes. DS has had the most recent pair for almost a full school year (having destroyed and outgrown a pair of something cheaper in six weeks!) They are expensive especially in adult sizes, but comfortable and I have just recovered the pair he outgrew two years ago, and passed on.... And they are still wearable, still waterproof. Three years, two boys, one pair of shoes is not bad going!

[itsnothingoriginal]

More expensive Clarks styles are fine - like the 'Air' range they do. The bog standard ones and the ones with toys in etc don't last for active boys!! Clarks can be difficult about returns too..

Startrite are the best I've bought. Expensive but worth the money although I've never tried Geox so this has been useful thread as I'll look for those when I next need school shoes for DS!