The Weekly Gripe

Trouble finding kids shoe the right width?

Shoe shopping for children

Can't find the right width

Many shoe shops don't seem to stock the complete range of widths as far as childrens shoes go. Why can't they stock all the widths and just cater for parents and kids a bit better?



I went shopping for children’s shoes today and I had what can only be described as a really bad experience in a Clarks shoe shop. Finding the correct width and size was the main problem.

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Posted Comment Visitor
19-2-2010 My daughter is size 5 1/2 with a C fitting. She needs new school shoes. I have had no luck at all with Clarks, Gordon Scotts or John Lewis. I have discovered a range at M&S called "footglove" that seem narrower - but there isn't a style that is okay for her for school wear. (She a...moreNella
19-1-2010 My daughter is a 9.5C try finding those anywhere. Impossible unless you pay through the nose for european brand shoes as they are in general narrower. Startrite start at a C and you can download a fitting guide on their website.shoeHell
09-1-2010 Should have added - European Sole online site may be helpful, they stock several brands of fairly narrow kids' shoes.Diane
09-1-2010 Quite agree. As an AA fitting adult (C as a child...they don't even make c fittings any more!) with two e-fitting children, it's a nightmare and every time I go to John Lewis I hear other people having problems with their children's narrow feet. There's quite a market out there but ...moreDiane
16-12-2009 Our daughter is at the opposite extreme and needs a wide H fitting. We continually have exactly the same difficulty at Clarks and I have to say Start Rite have been no better either. Both companies market the importance of fit but clearly demonstrate no commitment to helping parents get shoes to fi...moreIan Eckersley
17-11-2009 Let kids run around barefoot. Look what they do in the third world. It must be natural. Harden their soles the natural way. Stop them from becoming Softies. Soft feet equals a soft attitude to life.Harden UpYour Feeble Sprogs
17-11-2009 where oh where can we buy kids shoes in narrow fittings? Surely in this day and age we could have a bit more choicefrustrated mum
06-11-2009 Lucy, your views are shared in Ireland too. We have the benefit of being in a border county so we are able to take advantage of North or South, but I have had the same experience of Clarks in UK and IE. Your comments came up in a search after I was advised by McElhinneys Ballybofey, a department st...moreAlan from Donegal
04-11-2009 I know exactly what you mean about the winter boots....my 5 year old daughter has H width feet and I cannot find boots or nice party shoes for her anywhere...its so frustrating! If anyone has any suggestions I would be so so grateful!JoJo
26-10-2009 I have the opposite problem my daughters feet are too wide and they don't go higher than a H which already rub her feet and she is only 21 months old, and even if I do buy a H they never have any shoes in stock in width h it does my head in, I find it stressful enough having to buy shoes for my...moreBakerna
18-10-2009 I have just had the same experience with Clarks, my son was measured at a size 8 D fitting which apparently there are only 2 types made !!! The staff in the shop could not even be bothered to order them for me - I certainly would not be shopping there again.DebH
09-10-2009 I am a boy age 11 going on 12 and I have width D feet :-( so embarising- boys arent suppose to have narrow feet are theyMatt (not my real name)



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