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Original poster

Can we talk school shoes please.....Boys in particular..I need help!!!!!!!!!!

62 replies

Dozymare · 28/07/2008 18:10

Ok, DS is starting school in September and I have been looking at school shoes in advance as he has wide feet (g/f fitting) and I really really HATE anything flashing, with a toy car in or clumpy....

What I would really like are some good old fashioned t-bars.....;the boy's equivalents for Mary janes....can anyone help??!

Thanks

OP posts:
LIZS · 28/07/2008 20:34

You mean like these?

LIZS · 28/07/2008 20:38

ah see I was beaten to it .

Original poster
Dozymare · 28/07/2008 20:39

LIZS - I got all excited when I saw the SHUFFLES..e.xactly what I am looking for but sadly only go up to a size 8......

OP posts:
RusselBrussel · 28/07/2008 22:06

I have even denied dd the traditional mary jane or t-bar style for this winter and she has a girly version of a boy type shoe, totally enclosed.
Comfort/practicality over style as far as school shoes are concerned.

Oh, and velcro not buckles or laces as they are just too tricky to do after PE.

Bit of a minefield really, this school shoe business isn't it?

seeker · 28/07/2008 22:10

I do think the fact that the Shuffle only goes up to a size 8 actually is trying to tell you something about the sort of shoes that boy peer groups find acceptable. Sad but true
.

tiredandgrumpy · 28/07/2008 22:14

Reading this with interest as ds also starts school in Sept. Sorry for hijack, but do shoe shops sell out of this sort of thing as term draws close? We're already finding basic uniform hard to track down, but I'd hate to buy school shoes now only to find he'd grown by the time term starts.

JackieNo · 28/07/2008 22:15

It's a difficult balance, isn't it. I think I'm going to go in the next couple of weeks, and not leave it till the end of the holidays.

RusselBrussel · 28/07/2008 22:18

tired, unless your dc has incredibly quick growing feet, I think any shoes you buy now will be fine in five weeks time

tiredandgrumpy · 28/07/2008 22:24

Thanks - quite the opposite, RB. He's been in the same size for about the last year, so am v reluctant to buy now as I'm sure he must be due a growth spurt. Guess either way I'm potentially stuffed if I leave it late though. He's going to insist on one of those with the toys in - can't get him interested in anything else.

itati · 29/07/2008 07:57

I recommend getting school shoes 2 weeks before school starts. Plenty of time to order in if necessary but not too much time that they can grow.

My son had the same trainers for 10 months and his next pair lasted 6 weeks. You can never really tell how long footwear will last.

Flier · 29/07/2008 09:43

DS starts at school in August and I bought his school shoes yesterday.

they are here and are called TIMO.

I felt they were a good compromise between a sports shoe which, I feel, he would want to wear, and a proper school shoe, which is what I want him to wear. Ricosta is also a very good make, and last well (usually!)

Flier · 29/07/2008 09:45

btw I refuse to buy him a pair of those clarks shoes with the toy in...hate them, hate them hate them

linzs · 29/07/2008 10:17

My DS has these for school:

www.startriteshoes.com/childrens-shoes/boys/5406_0/VENTURE_SCOUT

I know they look a bit sandaly but are lovely on - he has had the same styles now for the past couple of years and they last really well.

He is 9 nearly 10 btw and has had no trouble from others laughing at him - or at least if he has he hasn't told me!!

seeker · 29/07/2008 10:29

Why do people hate the toys in the heel thing? I think they are quite fun - my ds loves having the secret compartments and keeps all sorts in there!

And - I love the flashing ones - I think they look brilliant at night!

Flier · 29/07/2008 10:33

what sort of support can the yotoy shoes be giving if they have a hole cut into the hole of the shoe? Thats my worry about them, and why I dislike them so much.

RusselBrussel · 29/07/2008 10:37

I have just given in and dd has some brilliant clarkes shoes, with toy in the heel. The bit around the 'hole' is incredibly well re-enforced, so no lack of support.

I have always been very anti-Clarks, but having a dd with narrow feet and the closure of the independent she shop in our nearby town meant it was Clarks or nothing. I went last week. Dd was measured by a lovely, chatty, helpful lady. She checked and double checked the shoes. Answered my questions about the fit of hte shoe. Was pleased to show the difference in fit on dd of different styles of shoe.
We ended up with a lovely, well fitting pair of shoes. And yes, they have a toy in the heel. I did not buy them because of hte toy. Dd knows better than to pester me for toys, I made it clear to her we were buying those shoes that fitted best.

Incidentally, last school year, the shoes I bought dd from the independent shop did not last anywhere near as long as her classmates's clarkes-shoes-with-toys-in-the-heel.

Original poster
Dozymare · 29/07/2008 11:22

Linz I could come round and give you a HUGE HUG!! These are exactly the sort of shoes I am looking for...sturdy, traditional and practical - you can guess waht my DS will be starting school in - thank you

I hate the gimmickyness (is there such a word of flashing shoes, or those with toys in them...plus it is a blatant form of advertising to kids - my DS is 4 and i always saying "I want flashing shoes like the ones on the tv" I just don't agree with that I'm afraid.

OP posts:
Flier · 29/07/2008 11:25

i agree the ones that LINZS linked to do look nice, but just nor practical for scottish weather Glad you got what you were looking for, dozymare

seeker · 29/07/2008 11:32

But please do check what the other boys are wearing first.

Fimbo · 29/07/2008 11:41

I have bought my ds these, he has an "H" fitting and it is incredibly difficult to find anything wide enough to fit. These are a dream.

Twinkie1 · 29/07/2008 11:45

DD wears T Bar Kickers which are lovely and you can get them in Navy or Black.

DO you think he would not hate to wear Girly shoes though - I am sure even at nearly 4 DS would throw a wobbly about it saying they weren't for boys!

I can imagine actually that you will back on here in a few months saying that you have to get new boyish shes for him because he has been teased for wearing girly shoes by the other boys at school!

Original poster
Dozymare · 29/07/2008 13:05

twinkle where do you get t bar kickers from?? My DS can wear these as they are great for wider feet......

seeker I am not too bothered about what the other kids will be wearing (although at a guess will probably be flashing with toys in etc) as my DS is a confident boy who won't be affected by what other's wear. If anything, he likes to NOT conform This year for example, he started nursery where every single boy was obsessed with power rangers which my DS thinks are "rubbish" he has single handedly convinced the whole of the class to be into cowboys and indians (which he loves) and those in his peer group who originally loved PR are now cowboy obsessed as well!

OP posts:
giddykipper · 29/07/2008 13:07

Are these the Kickers?

itati · 29/07/2008 13:09

I have checked wrt to the shoes with toys in, and ankle support, and they are not compromised at all.

Original poster
Dozymare · 29/07/2008 13:11

ohh they are nice as well!

By the way, am loving that a few of us are getting so excited/into talking school shoes..the beauty of MN eh!

OP posts:
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