baby shoes

Trix

so the baby is on the move and its time I get her a pair of shoes.
is it absolutely necessary that I get her shoes in clarkes and spend 45 quid :eek:? granted I have to get her measured but if I go elsewhere like dunnes will she end up with a limp or a flat foot or something.

theLuggage

Not at all but I've often bought the cheaper ones in dunnes and they have lasted no length, whereas the ones from clarks have survived for ages. Something to think about. Marks n spencers do a good quality brand, can't remember the name and next shoes are a mixed bag in my experience.

Suucee

Yea cheaper shoes. Dunnes/pennys/shoe zone. Dont last. With wear the out before s/he grows them out. Ive learned this from experience. I tend to go for start rite or chatterbox. Bit cheaper than clarks but good quality. Got clarks first few times though.

closifer

Trix wrote: »

so the baby is on the move and its time I get her a pair of shoes.
is it absolutely necessary that I get her shoes in clarkes and spend 45 quid :eek:? granted I have to get her measured but if I go elsewhere like dunnes will she end up with a limp or a flat foot or something.

So glad you asked this because its something I had been thinking about too. Clarks shoes are SO expensive and i would imagine the shoes are grown out of quickly. Surely you could get about 6 pairs of dunnes shoes for the same price so it would be a saving even if they didnt last that long?

Xdancer

My only issue with the cheaper shoes is that they don't have the same support as some of the more expensive brands. I have bought shoes from Dunne's etc for my daughter, but only as secondary shoes.

Gee_G

I had my son at physio when he was first starting to walk and she said that it doesn't matter if the shoes cost €5 or €50, as long as they have the proper support around their heel and the sole!

uck51js9zml2yt

We get it's news used in Clarks and then buy online.
Clarks deliver to parcel motel. We've also used shoes for kids. Co. Uk

The important thing is to get an accurate measurement. This normally Involves going to 2 shops.

sillysocks

If you're near Kildare Village there's a Clarks outlet there and the shoes are normally around half price. They measure and all there, it's just like a normal shop once your baby won't be too upset over wearing last seasons shoes 😀

nikpmup

My physio recommended feet & co in drumcondra for when he starts to walk - just for a first pair, she said after that as long as they have good arch support any shoes are ok

Trix

sillysocks wrote: »

If you're near Kildare Village there's a Clarks outlet there and the shoes are normally around half price. They measure and all there, it's just like a normal shop once your baby won't be too upset over wearing last seasons shoes ��

I just wont tell her whats in and out of season. will head to clarkes. obviously I want the best shoes for her but 45 quid seems outrageous. sure the size of the shoes,they're teeny tiny.

Nead21

I've just bought my son's second pair of Clarks. He's moved from the softer soled ones to proper shoes now. Both times I went to Kildare Village and luckily both times there was a sale. His first pair cost me €12 while his second cost me around €18. Even without the extra sale discount, they were still noticeably cheaper than €45.

Neyite

Startrite are another excellent brand to consider and seem to be more reasonably priced too.

We are on our third pair of clarkes now and to be honest, they are not very hard wearing so I'm switching to Startrite at the next shoe fitting.

uck51js9zml2yt

Neyite wrote: »

Startrite are another excellent brand to consider and seem to be more reasonably priced too.

We are on our third pair of clarkes now and to be honest, they are not very hard wearing so I'm switching to Startrite at the next shoe fitting.

I wish I could say the same:rolleyes:

My son is 4 and already wearing 11G. He grows out of them too quickly.
I wonder if I could use chinese foot binding :cool:

cyning

I have a little girl who is two and four months. We are on our 8th pair of €47 shoes. We get very stuck with shoes because she's a h width in clarkes (in 8h now). I'm going to try startrite next time too I think. I bought her last pair in Kildare village but I live so far away it's not worth it.

How Strange

We stopped going to Clarks as we were fed up with them not measuring correctly. We now go to Cripps in Terenure and find them fantastic.

At the beginning they may outgrow shoes very quickly but in general that slows down after 2 years. We got a pair of boots in Cripps in January and my son is still wearing them. The staff there reckon you should get about 6 months out of a pair of shoes.

Also start rite, Pablo sky ( I think) are far better in terms of quality than Clarks.

It's important to get your child's foot measured before buying shoes so perhaps you can do that yourself. Also both of mine have broad feet so off the shelf shoes from dunnes etc are too narrow. My son is badly flat footed so he will always need the support of good shoes. My daughter doesn't seem to be so perhaps we'll get away with buying a second pair from dunnes or next or somewhere.

Rose35

Have been using the 'branded shoes' now since he started walking, have gone through at least 10 pairs, can't bring myself
to put him in the cheaper shoes i.e dunnes etc, picked up a pair in dunnes once and they felt 'heavy' and didn't appear to be that supportive for a two year old.
Have to say though that Clarkes shoes don't last but he is kinda hard on shoes and we have a farm so he is out and about alot in all sorts of terrain, should add that he is only two since august and started walkin shortly after his first birthday.
Found startrite to be the most durable of the brands we have tried.

Sligo1

Startrite and Ecco are the buiz (Ecco are the best IMO). House of Fraser in dundrum are brilliant for measuring and giving you the "correct" shoes for your babes foot. I find clarkes absolutely terrible and a complete waste of money.

uck51js9zml2yt

Clarke's are Rolling out a computerised measurement tool which will hopefully be more accurate.

The worst I had was during the summer in Slovakia. The sales assistant measured his foot at an angle giving a smaller size than he was wearing.
I nearly hit the roof. My wife wouldn't translate for me.

cyning

My problem is her foot won't stop growing

Suucee

cyning wrote: »

I have a little girl who is two and four months. We are on our 8th pair of €47 shoes. We get very stuck with shoes because she's a h width in clarkes (in 8h now). I'm going to try startrite next time too I think. I bought her last pair in Kildare village but I live so far away it's not worth it.

Omg 8. A is only a 6 and i think shes a lil older. Got her a pair runners in June still fitting her. New shoes in aug still grand with bit of space and bought boots last week. She hadnt grown in a few months. Longest ive ever got .

yellow hen

How Strange wrote: »

We stopped going to Clarks as we were fed up with them not measuring correctly. We now go to Cripps in Terenure and find them fantastic.

At the beginning they may outgrow shoes very quickly but in general that slows down after 2 years. We got a pair of boots in Cripps in January and my son is still wearing them. The staff there reckon you should get about 6 months out of a pair of shoes.

Also start rite, Pablo sky ( I think) are far better in terms of quality than Clarks.

It's important to get your child's foot measured before buying shoes so perhaps you can do that yourself. Also both of mine have broad feet so off the shelf shoes from dunnes etc are too narrow. My son is badly flat footed so he will always need the support of good shoes. My daughter doesn't seem to be so perhaps we'll get away with buying a second pair from dunnes or next or somewhere.

We just got our first pair of shoes in cripps. The staff were lovely and very helpful but the selection of shoes for a broad footed child was poor. As it happened I liked the only pair they had. Will definitely go back but their selection might determine whether we actually buy there.

MistyCheese

We went into Clarks for her first shoes but they didn't have any her size. I was fortunate enough to find a pair of Clarks in a second hand shop and I think they're great shoes. Would this be an option for you? Second-hand shops or Adverts? Some articles say that second-hand shoes aren't great because they are already worn down to another child's foot but I think a decent, sturdy pair of good quality shoes are better than a brand-new pair from a lesser quality brand.

We've got a couple of shoes from Dunnes/Heatons aswell and I have much more confidence in the Clarks shoes. She seems more steady in them. Of course €45 is a lot for shoes, especially when they can grow out of them so quickly but maybe you could sell them on when your child has outgrown them? At least you could recoup some of the cost then.

mrsWhippy

Trix wrote: »

so the baby is on the move and its time I get her a pair of shoes.
is it absolutely necessary that I get her shoes in clarkes and spend 45 quid :eek:? granted I have to get her measured but if I go elsewhere like dunnes will she end up with a limp or a flat foot or something.

It would be my opinion to put off getting her shoes for as long as possible. Then when you do and she's walking steadily, at least for the first few pairs, invest in something supportive, like start-rite .. or many of the brands they would do in HOF or Cripps. We've had really good experiences getting measured in House of Fraiser and they tend to have more of the sizes in stock than Cripps normally would. But definitely for her first few pairs, I think it's worth paying for the quality and service. Their feet are so soft at that age.

How Strange

yellow hen wrote: »

We just got our first pair of shoes in cripps. The staff were lovely and very helpful but the selection of shoes for a broad footed child was poor. As it happened I liked the only pair they had. Will definitely go back but their selection might determine whether we actually buy there.

I agree on that point. I had to buy my daughter pink shoes both times because that was all the had in stock. I might try grahams in town next time.

Trix

thanks all for the replies.
think I'm going take a spin up to house of fraser in dundrum. why do babies grow up so fast.:(

Sligo1

Trix wrote: »

thanks all for the replies.
think I'm going take a spin up to house of fraser in dundrum. why do babies grow up so fast.:(

Ask for Rachel. She's one of the managers there and is brilliant!

Trix

Sligo1 wrote: »

Ask for Rachel. She's one of the managers there and is brilliant!

will do. thanks:)

Suucee

I know a few people were recommending ecco shoes. Just got email from shoes for kids that they are now stocking

• Almarino
• Ecco
• Gabor
• Geox
• Hush Puppies
• Primigi
• Toughees
• Umi

Rosy Posy

Bobux iwalk are brilliant. They last really well and are easy to get on and off! My kids could do them themselves way before they could do other shoes.

Soooky

Hi sorry for hijacking this thread OP but didn't want to start a new similar thread

FTM here and totally clueless when it comes to baba's first shoes:o My LO is just beginning to walk (as in she walks holding onto furniture/our hands with one hand so presume it wont be long now) At the moment she is just wearing Moccons or socks with grips - when do we need to get proper shoes (now or when she is properly walking about on her own? Also, do they need to be shoes or could we get her boots? Would boots be too restrictive around her ankles? Never thought buying shoes would be mindboggling :eek::eek:

cerastes

Suucee wrote: »

Yea cheaper shoes. Dunnes/pennys/shoe zone. Dont last. With wear the out before s/he grows them out. Ive learned this from experience. I tend to go for start rite or chatterbox. Bit cheaper than clarks but good quality. Got clarks first few times though.

dont write off secondhand, good quality shoes are grown out of before worn out, have gotten some great bargains secondhand, have looked at some cheaper brands and not so convinced but could not buy for 47 new.

sillysocks

I think 'they' say that barefoot/socks only is much better for their development for as long as you can keep it. We only got proper shoes when our boy started walking outside. I'd imagine you're better with shoes not boots, i find it very hard to find boots that fit well fit my 4 year old and even as a 3 year walking 'veteran' she can't walk in most of the boots we try. She waddles this funny walk when we try them on. I'm sure a good shop could advise you better on the boots, but I think the likes of Clarks are obviously quick to get you buying shoes even for kids that can't walk!

pwurple

cerastes wrote: »

dont write off secondhand, good quality shoes are grown out of before worn out, have gotten some great bargains secondhand, have looked at some cheaper brands and not so convinced but could not buy for 47 new.

Can you tell me what brand doesn't wear out? Because every single pair of shoes my daugher has worn has broken in some way. Sole come off, straps split, toe scuffed so much there is a hole in them. I can't even keep them for my second child.

Plus, the range of sizes is massive with the widths. My daughter and her cousin are 8 months apart in age, but she can't wear hers either, as there are 4 sizes difference between them in widths.

cerastes

pwurple wrote: »

Can you tell me what brand doesn't wear out? Because every single pair of shoes my daugher has worn has broken in some way. Sole come off, straps split, toe scuffed so much there is a hole in them. I can't even keep them for my second child.

Plus, the range of sizes is massive with the widths. My daughter and her cousin are 8 months apart in age, but she can't wear hers either, as there are 4 sizes difference between them in widths.

Had/have a few pairs of clarkes, another brand too, secondhand, v clean, didnt wear out. I'll get the name,seem to be very hard wearing for us. Never come across the level of damage you mentioned. What age are you talking about?

Xdancer

pwurple wrote: »

Can you tell me what brand doesn't wear out? Because every single pair of shoes my daugher has worn has broken in some way. Sole come off, straps split, toe scuffed so much there is a hole in them. I can't even keep them for my second child.

Plus, the range of sizes is massive with the widths. My daughter and her cousin are 8 months apart in age, but she can't wear hers withering, as there are 4 sizes difference between them in widths.

I have always bought Pablosky shoes for my daughter. She is nearly 3 and she has never worn a pair out so badly that they needed to be replaced, she just grew out of them. Obviously they have been a bit scuffed, but nothing a bit of scuff coat can't hide.
I have bought her the odd cheaper pair of shoes for special occasions or to go with a certain outfit and they have barely lasted 2 minutes.

How Strange

I bought pablosky for my son last January and he was wearing them until yesterday. He only has one pair at a time so I was very impressed at the good quality.

We bought Polish shoes yesterday on the recommendation of a friend. Significantly cheaper than pablosky, Ecco etc so I'll see how they look after a few months.

pwurple

cerastes wrote: »

Had/have a few pairs of clarkes, another brand too, secondhand, v clean, didnt wear out. I'll get the name,seem to be very hard wearing for us. Never come across the level of damage you mentioned. What age are you talking about?

She is 3 1/2 now, mainly we have used clarks... Tried startrite and found them worse. Dunnes, was ok for wellies and slippers, shoes fell apart within 2 weeks, similar for Next. I don't know why she is so hard on shoes. She has always been light for her age (around 25th percentile). maybe we are outdoors more than average family, we walk a lot of places as we live in the city, but it's not like she is pounding the pavements all day. She is in preschool etc. She has her current shoes (Clark's patent shoes) six weeks, and they are not in great shape. I should take a pic.

pwurple

Xdancer wrote: »

I have always bought Pablosky shoes for my daughter. She is nearly 3 and she has never worn a pair out so badly that they needed to be replaced, she just grew out of them. Obviously they have been a bit scuffed, but nothing a bit of scuff coat can't hide.
I have bought her the odd cheaper pair of shoes for special occasions or to go with a certain outfit and they have barely lasted 2 minutes.

Thanks, i'll have a look for them and give them a go.

Sligo1

pwurple wrote: »

She is 3 1/2 now, mainly we have used clarks... Tried startrite and found them worse. Dunnes, was ok for wellies and slippers, shoes fell apart within 2 weeks, similar for Next. I don't know why she is so hard on shoes. She has always been light for her age (around 25th percentile). maybe we are outdoors more than average family, we walk a lot of places as we live in the city, but it's not like she is pounding the pavements all day. She is in preschool etc. She has her current shoes (Clark's patent shoes) six weeks, and they are not in great shape. I should take a pic.

Pwurple any clarks shoes we have ever bought he has worn out. Any Ecco shoes we have ever bought he has outgrown.

seventeen sheep

At what stage do you need to buy "real" shoes? I'm willing to spend the money on a good pair when we need to, but it seems a bit of a waste right now. He has loads of cheap shoes (Dunnes, Next etc) to wear outside, but he spends his days in creche and at home either barefoot or in socks.

He's fifteen months now and still only learning to walk (maybe 5/6 steps at a time.)

I'm inclined to hold off for another couple of months (when the weather will be better and he'll be walking outside more), I'm just worried I might be damaging his feet in the meantime with the cheap shoes! Hopefully unlikely when he's only actually wearing them for maybe an hour max most days - and half of that time is in the buggy anyways, on the way to/from creche!

How Strange

I'd hold off for another few weeks. I think it's recommended to leave them barefoot until they're properly walking for a month and then you get the soft soled shoes. You can get little leather booties, I think there's a website called shoozie or something, and they are handy for being out side.

I wouldn't put any shoes on his feet other than those leather booties at this stage. I think they tend to walk on their tippy toes to start so being barefoot helps and putting shoes hinders them. I'm being vague because it was explained to me but I can't quite remember!

Millem

seventeen sheep wrote: »

At what stage do you need to buy "real" shoes? I'm willing to spend the money on a good pair when we need to, but it seems a bit of a waste right now. He has loads of cheap shoes (Dunnes, Next etc) to wear outside, but he spends his days in creche and at home either barefoot or in socks.

He's fifteen months now and still only learning to walk (maybe 5/6 steps at a time.)

I'm inclined to hold off for another couple of months (when the weather will be better and he'll be walking outside more), I'm just worried I might be damaging his feet in the meantime with the cheap shoes! Hopefully unlikely when he's only actually wearing them for maybe an hour max most days - and half of that time is in the buggy anyways, on the way to/from creche!

Cripps told me to wait till he walked more than he crawled. He started walking at 10 months but we didn't get shoes until he was 12ish months. (He had learned to run and rarely ever crawled!!) I just had socks with grips on him or barefoot. We have startrite shoes for him now as he has a very broad foot. Crips said barefoot is best

What about a shoebee to keep his feet warm?

seventeen sheep

Ten months, wow! :eek: My son still mostly just walks to show off and get loads of praise, I think he still prefers crawling for getting around quickly when he wants to! So I would say he's still crawling more than walking for the moment!

So basically it won't do him any harm to keep him barefoot or in socks mostly for now? I'm not really too worried about the cheap shoes damaging his feet, as we basically only put them on him for when he's in the car/buggy! He doesn't really spend much time walking or crawling with them on.

Millem

seventeen sheep wrote: »

Ten months, wow! :eek: My son still mostly just walks to show off and get loads of praise, I think he still prefers crawling for getting around quickly when he wants to! So I would say he's still crawling more than walking for the moment!

So basically it won't do him any harm to keep him barefoot or in socks mostly for now? I'm not really too worried about the cheap shoes damaging his feet, as we basically only put them on him for when he's in the car/buggy! He doesn't really spend much time walking or crawling with them on.

He was very early alright! When he's in the house even now I still have him barefoot. When he was 11 months we went to Clarks to get him measured and he was bigger than a 5 and a half so we couldn't get the soft shoes as they only go to a 5. At 12ish months he really really needed shoes as he was walking full time and I wanted to get him to walk outside instead of carrying him! We went to cripps who sell loads of brands and got him startrite in a 5h as they are bigger than Clarks!

bp

I like Clarks as I liked the look of a more expensive pair for the first shoes (only a few euro) but the sales assistant told me to get the slightly cheaper pair as the fit was better on the foot.

I liked the honestly!

Ginny

I think it's recommended to wait until they're walking 4-6 weeks or are actually walking outside.
Tbh I stay away from clarks, they don't have enough arch support and aren't the best for high arched feet. Our son had his first shoes from clarks and ended up needing to go to a consultant for a turn in his foot. She recommended independant retailers that have a varity of different shoes, as in pablosky are very good for high arches as they have an inbuilt arch support in the inside sole. In her opinion clarks aren't work the money, they used to be better fitting and supportive but are mass produced now and not much better then buying from Next or M&S.