Alis girls Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 My nine year old had new shoes from a well known shop and after a month they had split and had to take them back - got another pair - no problem. ES 15 size 11 has to have mens shoes - got a pair in sale and today he came home and the sole has come away from the shoe. back to the shop tommorrow weather permitting - they used to have a good reputation - but I am tempted to buy shoes off the peg in Tescos or M&S - they are so badly made - probably abroad - any one else had problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 If you mean Clarkes,then yes I get Cleos cheap & cheerful ballet pumps for summer in Primark at £2 a pair,& buy more substantial DM school shoes for winter from Schuh DM's are great,& would be really good for boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 Same here! We did try the Next route, but ED walked the soles off in 4 weeks....so back to Clarkes. My YD ended up with an infected toe from very poorly fitted Cl****s shoe...serves me right for going last thing on a Saturday night...they were very good, and very apologetic.....and we got some vouchers.....this was a few years ago. My ED walks about 4 miles a day...so even Clarkes don't last. But the uniform rules are very strict, and of course, peer group pressure. Luckily she has a cool group of friends.....and they all walk together and wear sensible shoes.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 My Daughters have both given up on Clarkes and buy Startright and hush puppies, and for outdoor play they wear shoes from Asda/Tesco.......when they can get them they both like Birthday shoes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 If you can get Ricosta shoes, they are great, very hard wearing. A bit dearer, made in Germany. I think Clarkes are now made in Vietnam. My boys wore them out in no time - Ricostas are very tough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 I gave up with Clarkes shoes years ago-3-4 months of wear and they fall to bits. I then had a pair of hush puppies, which I've had for about 5 years now and they've still got wear left in them! Although, saying that I haven't bought hush puppies recently as they changed their sizing and now have to get size 9s, which are barely ever reduced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 I got some £30 shoes from River Island + 4 weeks later theres already a hole in the sole! Saying that I got some cheap 5er shoes from Primark in June when we were doing the show and they're still going! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 I've also found Clarkes' quality to be poor lately Rosie walks a mile each way to school, yet insists on wearing those daft ballet type pumps with paper thin soles She's really heavy on her feet, so I;m lucky if they last all term. Last pair was a compromise - they are still pumps but have a slightly thicker sole. She now wears her black Converse baseball boots to walk to school and keeps her shoes in her locker to change into. I have some DMs from the doc shop (factory shop) and they are really great, in fact I was wearing a pair today as they keep my feet warm. Sarah, which DM styles do your girls wear to school? I might be able to convince madam to wear them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 I'm sorry but I'm a big Clarks fan although I have recently discovered the shoe tailor and have had some marvellous boots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 I feel your pain - see my topic a few weeks ago**HERE** As advised I bought DMs online and so far so good I had tried pretty much all other high street brands, cheap and expensive and none lasted longer than about 6 weeks. The DMs look as good as new....at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 I'd not thought about DM's before but their men's 3 eyelet shoes look really smart http://www.very.co.uk/dr-martens-3-eyelet-shoes/535980219.prd?browseToken=%2fb%2f1977%2c4294958732&trail=4294958732-1977&prdToken=/p/prod5200522-sku7982273#powerReviews Does anyone know how wide these come up ? my sons have really wide feet so we're stuck with Clarks but I would like to get something harder wearing that would look smart for longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 The 'Ronald' is quite narrow and snug.I bought the 'Kirk which is much wider. As far as I can tell many of the others come up wider than the Ronald. My son has narrow feet. We did find that we had to go up in sizes though. He is a size 7-8 and he is in a 9 if that helps. I don't know if anyone else finds that they come up a bit small. I use this website **HERE (Cloggs)** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 27, 2010 Author Share Posted November 27, 2010 wasnt sure if allowed to name the shop but yes its clarkes. I am obviously not alone - got another pair but will look into some of your suggestions - many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 DM's are great, I'll second that. Mine are 28years old, worn all the time and the only things I've had to repair are the laces Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 I'd not thought about DM's before but their men's 3 eyelet shoes look really smart http://www.very.co.uk/dr-martens-3-eyelet-shoes/535980219.prd?browseToken=%2fb%2f1977%2c4294958732&trail=4294958732-1977&prdToken=/p/prod5200522-sku7982273#powerReviews Does anyone know how wide these come up ? my sons have really wide feet so we're stuck with Clarks but I would like to get something harder wearing that would look smart for longer. I have these, how big are you son's feet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 i would second ricostas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 Rosie has very square feet and they fit her perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 I Sarah, which DM styles do your girls wear to school? I might be able to convince madam to wear them. Sorry,I knew I had to get back to you on this,but totally forgot! Cleo wears these at the moment,& is after some lovely 8 hole classic shape lace up boots in a colour for Christmas,as she will be at College soon. http://www.schuh.co.uk/womens-black-dr-martens-mel-lace/1302327020/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Thanks, that's OK, I had forgotten too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
