Is there a difference between the fit of clarks and start rite shoes?

[knickerelasticjones]

This is just to settle a difference of opinion between one of my friends and I. She claims that Startrite are better shoes as they have a greater variety of width fittings than clarks. But I think this is nonsense - after all you only have your feet measured once in the shoe shop - not once for clarks and then once again for start rite.

can anybody enlighten me?

About £25

i thknk start rite measure up small compared to clarks.

I find Clarks are a half size bigger than startrite and always have my childrens feet measured in each individual shop as the differ.

lovemygirls - ha! agree that start rite are much more expensive (and IMO vile, vile designs for girls).

I know that startrite tend to have more width fittings available, but my friend claims that there is a smaller difference between width sizes in startrite than there is in clarks.

yes, they are different.

my littlies can generally get a whole size smaller in Start-rite than Clarks.

The shoe shop assistants know that they measure differently and bring out different sizes so all the shoes are the same actual size, but if you look at the labels they would be different.

I don't think they have any bigger variety of width fittings though - although shoe shops don't order every single size and width variation, so maybe the shop she was in had more width fittings in the Start-rite than the Clarks.

hth

Well, she is right in the sense that if you go to a Start-Rite stockist there seems to be a better likelihood of them having the full range of width fittings in stock.
I don't think there is a huge amount of difference in the quality - we are happy users of both brands - but if your child happens to have narrow feet I bet you the Clarks shop will have to order the shoes in

The fit is different, I'd try both and see what works best. Actually, we're going for Ecco for DS atm and the fit is great.

Squonk that's just what I thought. I know the individual fit of each shoe is different (not just between clarks and start rite but between different designs in each make).

I think my friend was basically trying to say that Clarks were a more crudely made shoe, whereas Startrite was very specifically sized.

Clarks crude?

Wash your mouth out with soap immediately

I should add that I'm not after advice on which type to buy - my DD has worn both types.

(although I have massive issues with the crap styles of childrens shoes in this country. In particular the deeply sexist assumption that girls want pink / butterflies and most importantly IMPRACTICAL shoes. I once refused to buy shoes in a startrite shop as all they offered me for DD was a range of what I would call Mary-Jane type shoes with virtually no grip on the soles. If I didn't want that I was told I had to get trainers. I said I wanted 'proper shoes' that were practical for a toddler running through puddles and climbing up climbing frames etc. When I pointed to the 'boys' styles I was told that the shop would not sell them to me for my daughter. So I walked out.

sorry - rant over. Phew!)

oh squonk - I don't think Clarks are crude! DD has a pair right now! (not ME - but I think my chum does.....)

Knickers, it sounds to me like your friend is trying to justify spending an additional £20 per pair of shoes....

ah hippipotami.... I think you may have hit the nail on the head there......

I used to have a friend who would always try and justify having to buy a more expensive version of what everyone else had because of some weirdness within her or her kids.

It was actually because she was a snob

(not that I'm calling your friend a snob, you understand)

(just a freak)

knickerelastic, where are you? There is a brilliant shop in SE London, Pares, which has the pick of Start-Rite and Clarks IMO, plus some great continental lines such as Geox, Ecco and Naturino

... squonk - think we may have the same friend....!

my prob with Clarks shoes is that ALL the boys styles are velcro, which means that we are down to 1 shoe within a week

Ecco are great becasue they lace up and DS can't kick them off

marina I'm nowhere near London, but thanks.

The best shoes we ever got for DD was on holiday in Spain. the shoe shop was beautiful - and the shoes were gorgeous such a wonderful range of colours compared to the UK.

I could weep when I see the bilge offered up in the UK.

(although have to concede that clarks did do a nice pair of red boots last winter...)

I have always bought Clarks for my children. Dd has a very wide foot, and a high instep, and 99% of the Clarks shoes don't fit as her foot visibly bulges out the top. So I only ever had 1 choice. In October, dh LOST her BRAND NEW CLARKS SCHOOL SHOES , and I had to buy some more shoes. We happened to go to a shop that sold both clarks and startrite and I was amazed (and alarmed when I saw the price) that they fitted much much better - they seem more generous in the 'height of the shoe', so I think we will have to at least try startrite now.

I can't believe a shop told you they wouldn't sell you boy's shoes for your daughter Surely you can put her in whatever you want????

Agree with range available though - We live in Kent so I'm seriously considering a day trip to France to get DD some shoes.

Another vote of Pares - great shoe shop and I always manage to get something for DD.
They are in Blackheath and Blackfen.

Oooh thanks RR - someone else mentioned that to me only yesterday, also one in Dover. I feel a shopping trip coming on ...