School Shoes for Teenage Boys - transition period

[BucksBornNBred]

Hi - I have a dilemma and hope someone on here can help. My DS has just outgrown his size 6 childrens shoes. I have just bought size 7 mens but they seem way too large around the ankle. How do you move up from child to man (clothes seem to be a problem too!)? He likes the padded heels of kids shoes so I am rather limited for choice (esp as not much money) and also he needs (wants - I forget) laces.... arrrggghhhh. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it as the clock is ticking and at this rate he will be going in barefoot!

BBB

[Twinkle]

My boys have slim feet and after a lot of trying different shoes on and losing the will to live eventually concluded that slip ons were out of the question and that Next Mens lace ups were the only answer ( other brands of lace up shoes were too wide). And we have stuck with that formula. I think we have paid about £30 a pair for the last few years.

[doodles]

We covered this transition with Next as well and wider footed child has M&S.

[ToadMum]

Clarks go up to at least a size 8 - DS2's size - and still in a variety of widths. His feet seemed to stop growing during year 10, so for year 11 I risked buying his shoes without him there, when I was visiting our local(ish) ' Freeport. The ones he has are neat lace-ups, plain all but a seam across the foot. He has always measured an E width, but often ended up with an F anyway, with no problems, so those are the ones that I got. Last year's will last into 6th form, although next time I am near the Freeport, I will probably look for another pair.

[pinkrabbit38]

Clarks go up to at least a size 8 - DS2's size - and still in a variety of widths. His feet seemed to stop growing during year 10, so for year 11 I risked buying his shoes without him there, when I was visiting our local(ish) ' Freeport. The ones he has are neat lace-ups, plain all but a seam across the foot. He has always measured an E width, but often ended up with an F anyway, with no problems, so those are the ones that I got. Last year's will last into 6th form, although next time I am near the Freeport, I will probably look for another pair.

We have got Clarks school shoes up to size 10 (mens)online, my DS is size 11.5 now!!

[Hera]

The Clarks boys school shoes go up to a size 10. I think we bought a comfy lace up style in these until size 9 and then bought a very similar style from the men's range. I seem to remember the prices were similar for both £45 to £50, but we get a couple of years out of them now.

[doodles]

Clarks go up to at least a size 8 - DS2's size - and still in a variety of widths. His feet seemed to stop growing during year 10, so for year 11 I risked buying his shoes without him there, when I was visiting our local(ish) ' Freeport. The ones he has are neat lace-ups, plain all but a seam across the foot. He has always measured an E width, but often ended up with an F anyway, with no problems, so those are the ones that I got. Last year's will last into 6th form, although next time I am near the Freeport, I will probably look for another pair.

We have got Clarks school shoes up to size 10 (mens)online, my DS is size 11.5 now!!

Try being a size 13 / 14 by year 11 - that caused all sorts of problems because nobody has them in stock, they always need to be ordered. M&S overnight delivery came to the rescue on more than one occasion.

[BlueBerry22]

And just to say don't be too tempted by cheapest. In a fit of independence last year DS went into town to buy his own non Clarks shoes for year 11. Came back with some nice looking ones from top shop but within two weeks the sole and leather had come apart. Thus muggins here had to wade in, get a full refund as 'not fit for purpose' & then take him to Clarks for office shoes from adult shelves. As always pricey but will go into 6th form in September looking almost as good as new.

[Surferfish]

Look out for Clarks sales which happen every few months.

Men's shoes in the sale can often be cheaper than boy's school shoes which don't tend to go on sale especially at this time of year.

[BucksBornNBred]

Thanks for all the replies and advice... I wish I had asked earlier as the most appropriate are from Clarks but they are out of stock. He is no fashionista but he only likes Derby style and not chunky and I only like him to have leather (plastic ones just peel). We have been lucky with the last two pairs which were from Buckle My Shoe but now I am totally at a loss. I had forgotten about Clarks and Next so thanks for those tips. It this all goes pearshaped then maybe I can just cut peepholes in the front of his current shoes