Why are boys shoes so AWFUL?!?

[snowboarder]

Seriously!!

They are so UGLY! Like old mens shoes scaled down! My 6 year old needs new school shoes (not good timing huh?) and they are all hateful. Ditto the sandals. Only reasonable ones are geox trainer types for school and maybe birkenstock sandals?

Yes obviously there's camper and maybe vivobarefoot (crap size availability) and a couple of the italian brands but the starndard clarks/startright offer is so grim, especially as they get older. I realise the pink flowery sparkly girls shoes is a whole other matter but at least they're pretty.

Anyway - sorry for ranting I'm feeling cross tonight. Please share with me any funky but not cost the earth boys shoe brands if you know any!!

[BellendenBear]

I can't help but just want to share your rant. How strict is the school uniform policy? Most boys at our school seem to wear trainers. I just got some Froddo sandals for D but he is 2 not 6.

I disagree that girls Clarks and Startrite are in any way pretty. They are rank and have definitely got worse over the last few years with all the sparkly appliqu? nastiness. But at least it is easier to find alternatives for girls.

[slh2009]

I agree! My son has really wide feet too so even more tricky....not looking forward to buying ugly school shoes from Sept! Have you looked at Pediped? I've just got a second pair of Sahara sandals which are casual/practical while not too clumpy/ugly. I'm a bit stuck for smarter sandals. He's also had a couple of pairs of Jake shoes altho not for school.

https://www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/pediped-flex/sahara-blue-green

There are school shoes on this website too

[snowboarder]

Yes pediped are nice aren't they - he has a pair of pediped trainers which are cool - but - so lovely and soft that they have been trashed by a 6 year old hooligan quite quickly!!

Also I want him to try these shoes on! You can find some nice ones online but harder to get them fitted properly.

The only school shoes I like are these - http://www.geox.com/en_en/boys/junior/uniform/savage-black-J0324G05443C9999.html#start=1 but no trainers at school and I'm not sure whether these would be considered such....

[Norfolkvillas]

Second Pediped. My newest discovery for my 5 yo son is Pippo. Biff in the village stock them I think, although I tend to trawl the internet to identify the few styles that are non-pukeworthy and only then try and track them down in real life.

This is more for casual rather than school shoes though.

Also agree that it's no easier for girls - the pink spangliness is as revolting as it is ubiquitous.

[snowboarder]

Agree re girls pinkness - but if I look at the clarks girls school shoes I would have been ecstatic with any of them when a child - they're cute and patent and pretty. The boys school shoes - grim.

Clearly my two boys are less bothered by this than I am!!

[slh2009]

Yes I know what you mean, I try and find them in a shop and if they haven't got his colour I order online.

I've been looking at school shoes for a while in anticipation and, well, I think I've resigned myself to the fact that all boys school shoes are ugly but at least they will all be in the same boat!

Let us know if you find any others. :-)

[EDmummy]

With boys aged 9 & 14 I've had to deal with this a while. I now appreciate black trainer/school type shoes. Weekend shoes are much more fun with colourful Nikes and other trainers (mine like hightops. There's also a bit of cred with Doctor Martins. There is fun to be had.

[keane]

I think black geox trainers good for school as can run in them but they look like school shoes, biff and merlin shoes in crystal palace stock them. For out of school we often look at office and H & M, also the sports shops for things like Adidas high tops & sports direct for Nike astro turf trainers that also make good w end trainers & come in lots of bright colours.

[GlamourBug]

Agreed too- in the same way shops seem to think girls like dazzling pink and sparkles, they think all boys want boring dull dark shoes... ok, not all shops, but alot of them, and you seem to have to pay alot for a bit of style, which seems a pity. So am interested in the suggestions given ...

[Fuschia]

Kickers aren't bad. My oldest has funny shaped feet, luckily the school were ok with Geox. Biff in DV is a lovely shop to try loads of different brands on

Or John Lewis

[Fuschia]

slh2009 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I agree! My son has really wide feet too so even

> more tricky....not looking forward to buying ugly

> school shoes from Sept!

Ditto with my no 1 (wide arches)

For a while got measured at aj barnett then they had nothing in stock, ordered online Ftom Clarks a few possibilities delivery to lewisham then tried them there. Once aj Barrett convinced my partner he was no longer a h and sold us g instead. I was very cross.

Switched to John l who tried lots on him, he then had the identical geox brand, I bought bigger sizes each year from anazon

To start secondary his godmother took him to a specialist place in potters bar to get 'polishable

Shoes - cost me ?70 but at least they fit

[Fuschia]

http://www.precioussoles.co.uk/

[sanity girl]

My son has been through 3 pairs of black chelsea boots which I got from Emmanuelle Marshall - they are made by Chipmunk

He loves them and I think they look pretty cool - also bonus they are really easy to take on and off. If Emmanuelle Marshall don't stock them anymore there are loads on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=chipmunk%20boots&_fscr=1

I also really rate Ricosta (expensive, but if you work out the right size you can find them on ebay).

For sandals I just go to the Clarks factory shop - got some fairly inoffensive grey and green ones which please my son because they flash.

[Coach Beth]

We buy black Van trainers for my 10 year old - they have a 'cool' factor, my son likes them, they are good for sport both at school and in afterschool sports activities and they meet the school requirements. I buy them from John Lewis - everytime he goes up a size, we just order the next size up. Although now he is size 6, it is into the adult sizes so more pricey!

[Bishberro]

My two live in Hummel high tops (including school). They're colourful, retro-looking and last ages. Try Gently Elephant in Brockley.

[cornelia]

I'm quite keen on Bobux shoes. They only go up to a certain size though so not sure if it would help you.