Review: Clarks Shoes.

We were recently given the opportunity to review the service at Clarks in exchange for a voucher towards shoes; Bene, owner of the fastest growing feet in history, got lucky, since he was the person currently poking through the ends of his shoes so off we went, pausing along the way for a variety of stops off to look at cars being showcased in the middle of the shopping centre and a gazillion rides that are there to tempt small boys and part parents with 50p or more. Once there, we headed straight for the small boy shoes section and found ourselves a trained shoe fitter.

Bene, generally a sociable chap, panicked slightly at the sight of a stranger wielding a contraption for putting feet in, but she was very efficient and friendly and we got through the measuring bit pretty quickly At a 6 1/2 F, he’d gone up a whole shoe size and more from the ones he was wearing, so we definitely needed to get on and buy new ones.

While buying Fran’s pointe shoes recently, the lady fitting them said “you know how you’ve always gone to Clarks, bought carefully fitted shoes and taken care of her feet? Well here is where you ruin them!” And it’s true; our little people feet have always been shoed with Clarks; doodles, proper shoes, party shoes, winter boots. When they are very small, we stick firmly to the brand and as they get older I’m disappointed 9with one occasional exception) by all other brands. We’ve handed down and handed on Doodles (one pair did 6 pairs of feet before it was done between me and a friend) and loved all the pairs like friends. And yes, handing on is bad (naughty mummy) but luckily all my children have the same width feet 😀

An element of resignation has crept into shopping over the years; nowhere ever has the thing you want in the size you need, so rather than looking too closely at the shelves, I just asked for a selection of outdoor shoes to be brought out to try on. 3 different pairs arrived and we had a go with them. S carefully coaxed a rather worried Bene to try them and we quickly fixed on the pair that suited. We had a walk and she checked, as they always do, for fitting with growing space and then since we were happy, we didn’t worry too much about trying others.

As our voucher was for £40, we had some spare money to use up. I’ve already said I’m a big fan of Doodles and so we asked to see some of the range too. They have always been great for nursery/playgroup shoes, indoor at home on days when particular children feel the need to be fully dressed, beach shoes and dry day, summer shoes. They can be slung in the washing machine, which is just ideal and keeps them going for years. S brought some out and Bene decided (for the first time ever) that he had a very clear choice. Only the green ones would do and he wouldn’t even countenance trying on a different pair.

Fortunately, they fitted 🙂

And that was that, one small boy of almost 2 years old fitted out with 2 pairs of shoes for £46, shoes which I’m confident will last, suit his feet and are properly fitted by an attentive and trained fitter. Thanks very much, Clarks of Peterborough Serpentine Green.

Disclosure: we were gifted a £40 voucher for this review and paid the excess ourselves. Opinions and small, perfectly formed toddler tantrums, were all our own.