Need some help please - girls' shoes to walk to school in!

[AnonymousBird]

DD (10) walks a mile to school four days a week and her shoes are simply not up to the job, too flimsy despite being Clarks, so she has resorted to walking in her super comfy warm boots and changing into her shoes at school. Which is fine, and she could do that every day at the moment, but when it gets warmer she can't wear them and her current shoes are on the point of self - destruct and need replacing anyway even for just pottering around in school.

I am after sturdy shoes for her, preferably leather for durability and foot health reasons but which are at least slightly feminine.

TIA for any hints/tips.

[[https://www.brantano.co.uk/girls/school-shoes/girls-kids-school-shoes-lace-up-shoes-black-clarks-2423400611] - Dd has these and seems to find them comfy

www.brantano.co.uk/girls/school-shoes/girls-kids-school-shoes-lace-up-shoes-black-clarks-2423400611

dd is on her second pair of these her first pair lasted two years! Not cheap but incredibly comfy and hard wearing.

Geox are much studier than Clarks, although twice the price. Depending on her size, and the style she needs, hush puppies are also worth considering.

Sturdier, not studier.

Thanks both, hadn't thought about lace ups, we've always had velcro straps, but they do look smart and will definitely be more robust for the walk.

Good call, will talk to DD and see what she thinks. I don't mind spending 40-50 quid if they will last. She has had something of a foot growth spurt recently as well, so a new pair now should last her quite a while.

And thanks Query. Funnily enough, whilst you were no doubt posting I had just googled GEOX as I have had those for DS before, and Hush Puppies also a good shout.

Plenty to go on here, many thanks indeed.

Huge numbers of girls round here wear Kickers.

Thank you, I will be looking into all of these today.

DD wears doc Martins for a longer walk and they hold up well. She's in boot versions just now but we've had the shoes with velcro fastening too

Another vote for kickers or Dr Martens.

Kickers are cheaper. Both are waaaaaay better than clarks. By a very long way

I was shocked at how flimsy Clarks shoes seemed too. I got Start rites for my 2 daughters. They just seemed so much more sturdy and are wearing okay so far.

Seconding the doc martin shoe recommendation, I had a pair that met school requirements but were sturdy and comfortable enough to walk long distances!

DD wears Kickers t bar for a similar walk 5 days a week. Her first pair she wore till she outgrew them, and they were still in decent condition. We've replaced them like for like in a bigger size, they're great.

Skechers .. My dad walks around 12,000 steps a day and these have been fine . She has always had the same style as she likes hen and they wear well . We are probably on our 8 th pair and she is year 7. They have never worn out but her feet have grown .

m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_231010380060?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=7765689&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=7765689&placmp=SSH_4358241016_303993775_19118269495&mkwid=sZ0KysM0z%7Cpcrid%7C75068234815%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cpdv%7Cm%7Cprd%7C7765689&gclid=CPSj4qi8jssCFSwW0wodlHkKdA&m-referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2F

My year 8 daughter has these www.startriteshoes.com/burford-black-leather-girls-lace-up-school-shoes. Has had them since the beginning of year 7 as her feet haven't grown - so almost 18 months. She walks 2 miles home from school every day.

Startrite Angry Angels Rosie are very sturdy, but pricey. Have also had some lace up Angry Angel ones which look like Doc Martin's but with punched hole detail, also bombproof!

My dd is in her 4th yr of Clarks Brogues - she walks 1.5miles each way to and from school and they've always been great.