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Original poster

15 mnth old Ds has wide feet. Anywhere do wide fitting other than Clarks/startrite?

25 replies

pipsmother · 20/04/2009 09:06

My DS has size 5G feet and was wondering if anyone knows of anywhere that does wide fittings other than clarks/Startrite?
TIA

OP posts:

Chellesgirl · 20/04/2009 21:21

Is it becasue they are too expensive or you just dont like them?

MAC are good for children with wide feet. Hush Puppies.

Children with Wider feet tend to get on better with Lace ups as they can be adjusted.

If you gave real trouble finding a 5G, go for a 5 1/2 F

MuffinBaker · 20/04/2009 21:22

Mine are H fitting

GossipMonger · 20/04/2009 21:23

DS2 would be a J fitting if there was such a thing!!

gemmummy · 20/04/2009 21:24

is g classed as wide? my ds is g but i thought it was normal?

spicemonster · 20/04/2009 21:26

My friend got some nice kickers style boots for her G width footed DD in M&S but they don't have an actual width fitting. Think yourself lucky she's only a G - my DS has H width feet and not only am I limited to those manufacturers but they often only make one style of shoe that wide. So choice is not a concept we're familiar with in our house when it comes to children's footwear

fishie · 20/04/2009 21:26

go to an independent shoe shop, you'll get a much better range.

these width fitting clarks things are a con.

CMOTdibbler · 20/04/2009 21:27

Ricosta
Baby Oop
Elefanten
Bobell
Ecco

Ricosta are particularly good. Find an independant shop that stocks a selection of european brands, and you'll have a good choice.

If you are near Rugby I can recommend NikkiLus, and if near Wallingford, Doobies - they have both fitted my very wide and high footed DS with no problem. Unlike Clarks

KnickKnack · 20/04/2009 21:36

TKMaxx are good for european brands, like the ones mentioned by CMOT. Selection will obviously vary hugely from one branch to the next though (or at least it does here!)

Chellesgirl · 20/04/2009 21:38

The problem with clarks (not offending any clarks workers) but they CAN NOT fit shoes properly. I am trained with Hush Puppies/Startrite/MAC/Sketchers/LelliKelly.

you need to find somewhere, where the staff will find the time to measure your childs feet properly, sit down and talk to you about what style would be suited best and then show you the ranges. And if they dont have the size they should order it in, unlike clarks who just give you the next best thing then fob you off with shoes that dont fit!

ShowOfHands · 20/04/2009 21:39

DD was an I at that age and Start Rite were fine. Clarks never fitted at all, very narrow.

TheRealMrsJohnSimm · 21/04/2009 00:16

Ricosta shoes are lovely for boys My eldest DS has wide feet too.

You wait until they reach 8......the choice is pitiful and so incredibly fugly . My fantasy is finding Ricosta/Elefanten style shoes made for bigger boys So if anyone knows of a brand which make similar shoes in a size 2 (adult) then please give me the info! (apologies for major hijack of thread ).

PortAndLemon · 21/04/2009 00:40

Geox are good for wide feet, but expensive.

MuffinBaker · 21/04/2009 08:17

But totally worth it ime.

RamblingRosa · 21/04/2009 09:06

Chellesgirl, that's really interesting. I'd been wondering about Clarks staff too. DD's only had Clarks shoes (she's on her 3rd pair) and I've found that although the staff seem really nice and friendly they all seem to give wildly different measurements. ie. I'll go in one day and get her measured and they'll say 4.5f and the next day in a different branch they'll say 4e. Makes me wonder if they know their stuff.
Are startrite better?
Where's a good place to go for a good selection and knowledgeable staff? I live in London.

PortAndLemon · 21/04/2009 09:08

One Small Step in SW London are good IME -- there's a branch in Putney and another in Sheen, but I don't know if there are others (and those won't be much use if you're the other side).

mistlethrush · 21/04/2009 09:44

Ds is a G - with a high instep too - couldn't get the shoes with the elastic and toggle on his feet at all!

Yes, go to an independant shoe shop with a wide range.

Ds also finds Geox really good - and they seem to be very tough too which is great for him (he went through his school shoes in a term - litterally holes in the toes...)

Chellesgirl · 21/04/2009 11:53

Startrite are a good make. They are well made shoes, but if you buy the patent (for girls mainly) you will have to keep them polished consntantly as they paint wears off.
Startrite do a wide range of sizes including halfs. But at the end of the day its whats comfortable and well fitting for your DS. As long as you have a decent shoe fitter, youll be fine. I cant really reccommend any from london as Im in Birmingham and have been only to the west end. All I can suggest when you go to get DS's feet measured, make sure they do it with the hand measure, not the electronic stand on one.
Also, once they have chosen a size and put it on, take a look and feel yourself.

Look for:
-Slipping on the back when he walks.
-Creasing over the front of the shoe when he walks. ( this means the shoe is too wide )
-Are you able to feel his big toes at the end of the shoe, they should have 1/2 inch spare ( room for growth) do this when standing, not sitting.
-If velcro, the strap should go all the way accross, if not the shoe is too narrow.
-That the shoe can be bent, when not on the foot. They shouldnt be rock solid.
-Get him to stand on his tiptoes and check for indenting (shoe digging in the fron of the foot)
-You shouldnt be able to slip your finger in the sides of the shoe either.

Pips how old is he. Is the size 5 a childs five or an adults?
Kickers do a great wide fitting shoe in the larger sizes, up to a H.

KnickKnack · 21/04/2009 18:09

Geox reminds me...Airators by Sketchers (sp?) are really good quality and great for wide feet (my DS has practically lived in them for the last 2 years). They are usually quite cheap (about £23) in JJB sports. They seem to cost a lot more anywhere else I've looked.

Chellesgirl · 21/04/2009 18:33

I saw an advert for GEOX today on T.V. they look really nice. And yeah Knickknack they do look a bit like sketchers.

KnickKnack · 21/04/2009 19:10

my last post was a bit misleading. I meant Airators are made by Skechers and are a similar type of shoe to the Geox ones!

Chellesgirl · 21/04/2009 19:22

I got what you meant!

RamblingRosa · 22/04/2009 08:51

Thanks for the tips Chellesgirl. I'm now worried that my DD's Clarks shoes don't fit her at all. There are gaps at the side (too wide) but if I do the velcro up as tight as it will go it leaves indentations on her little feet which look really sore

Maybe time to get her measured somewhere else!

KnickKnack · 22/04/2009 14:26

My granda used to always say, if shoes leave red marks anywhere on your feet, they don't fit properly.

TheRealMrsJohnSimm · 22/04/2009 17:19

Rambling Rosa....In Step on Bellevue Road, Wandsworth Common is a great little independent shoe store if you are anywhere near SW18 area. I have also found Buckle My Shoe on Kensington High Street to be good but not sure if they are there any more.

Chellesgirl · 22/04/2009 18:18

Ive heard of Buckle my shoe, used to fit these regularly in my last job as a shoe fitter. They are expensive, but beautiful and well fitting. They can cost up to £80 for a pair but normally around £54-60.

RamblingRosa...Yes please do. If they are less than a month old you can take them back to the shop and get your money back. They will try and 'prove' they fit, but dont take the bull.

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