Clarks are ruined! What next?

[OorWullie]

DS is 4.5, I bought him Clarks Doodles (Canvas with velcro straps) a month ago and they are already falling apart.

He is going everywhere on his bike/scooter just now and the solid toes on the shoes are almost worn through from him scuffing his feet along the ground.

Any reccommendations for trainer type shoes with a sturdy toe on them that will last through to early autumn? Don't mind paying £30+ if they are really going to last but money is tight so wouldn't mind a bargain.

Have had Next shoes before and wont be buying again- total crap!

Geox are very good and long lasting in my experience. You may find bargains online!

Thankyou, will have a look. Have heard of those before but never tried them.

I bought the same pair for my son and they are totally ruined. They appear to be very poorly designed as the backs have creased and the white rubber is filthy and I can't get it clean.

Geox have been recommended to me too, not yet tried them

Geox are great and very hard wearing. A little bit more expensive but well worth it.

My dc tend on wear geox or pepino by ricosta. Clarks are notoriously crap!

Have been on the geox website, they do look like good quality, but they're a bit dull.

His current ones have spaceships and stars all over them, i like something a bit different, should probably have said that in my OP.

the clarks he has had before have lasted him well but he wasn't as rough on them in previous summers.

Have you looked at the pepino? They're colourful and actually supportive. I think if you want really funky ones then they will fall apart pretty quickly.

Thankyou Spotty yes I did look at the Pepino, I really like them actually and they're definitely a contender.
Good that they are also supportive as well, he over pronates quite excessivly on his right foot so the more supportive the shoe the better.

Do you find they are hard wearing? We spend loads of time outside and his shoes take an absolute beating.

Yes we do. The little Velcro trainers are actually leather, but still soft. They are supportive around the ankle. We always go for decent brands such as these as dd and ds are hypermobile. We get them from an independent shop.

Thankyou Spotty I think i will give them a try. I go with
Clarks usually because they are supposed to be a decent brand. I find their shoes last well but for more casual trainer styles they have been rubbish.

How does the sizing come up? I live rurally so i doubt there is a shop which sells them anywhere near me- nearest proper shopping town is nearly 40 miles away.

Crocs? My two absolutely brutalise their shoes and the crocs are yet to look anything other than new.

I'm quite rural too but if you do know of any independents it's worth checking them out.

They're sizes are European so they come in half sizes you could always get him measured and order online. Clarks have no arch or ankle support in their shoes which is fine if you have perfect feet unlike my difficult dc!

TwelveLegged I had thought about Crocs and havr heard lots of good things but decided since he already has sandals for the beach I'd be better with a closed shoe for everyday wear, especially in Scotland with the crazy weather.

Spotty I think you are right about the Clarks, they are not very supportive at all, I don't think I'll be using them again. The two independent shops near me used to have Clarks and Startrite but have closed down. Will call a few of the ones in the big town and see if they stock Pepino, if not I can get him measured up and order online as you say.

Might be a bit early for it as it's rather nice at the moment but Geox that were mentioned do a fantastic style called "savage" Comes in both shoe and boot variants and comes in several colour ways. It is by far the toughest kids shoe iv'e come across! Might be worth checking out winter sales nearer the time, often the navy versions go into sale. Sorry I can't help much for summer styles though!

I have been gradually going off Clark's and I have reet lay had a similar experience with a pair of dd's Doodles to the OP. On the other hand, DS's Geox look as good as new despite being 10 months old.

Tkmaxx have startrite sandals in there- very happy to have picked up a pair for £15 :)

Oh, thanks Nathan, I'm in Scotland so it wont be that long before he's needing a more winter worthy shoe, will keep those in mind!

I'm going into town tomorrow, don't really have much to choose from- Peacocks, Factory Shop, M&Co so will just need to make to with some cheapies for a couple of weeks as he can'y go any longer in the ones he has now.

Hopefully can find some Geox ones elsewhere when I have the chance.

OorWullie No problem! I really cannot recommend the "Savage" Shoe/boot enough. IM sure iv;e seen the boots in TKMAXX in the past but not 100%. I know Clinkards had them in the sale last year, could be worth a look again this year too as im sure they will carry on.

Only thing I will say about Geox is they do tend to fit quite wide. If your little one has a very skinny or shallow foot, they could end up a little bit baggy.

I have a Jan 2012 DS too, the 26th though. It'll be a nice gap I think :)

We just bought some black Savages today! DS, 10, has chosen them again as his school shoes for the 3rd (possibly 4th year running). We are long time wearers of Geox and I'm a big fan. I've only ever had one pair that were binned before he'd grown out of them. They are very long-lasting. I recently ordered trainers from the website and the service was very good. His school shoes last for the whole year.

Hmm... he does have wee narrow feet so that might be a problem, fortunately it is possible to get to a TK MAXX so with any luck I can try them on him

Crocs. They last forever, comfy and easy to keep clean

Great stuff! I really hope they carry on this style. Its the best "lad proof" shoe ive come across!

Geox, ricosta or ecco shoes. Geox do come in bright colours as do the ricosta pepino ones.

You need an independent shoe shop.