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School Shoes for Kids (plus $250 Mathers/Williams Giveaway)

Brought to you by Nuffnang, Mathers and Williams

I have a list of things to do before school starts, and professional shoe fitting is one of them. I walked into my local Mathers store and saw another mum with a bevy of children around her. It was like looking at myself.

“Do you have four kids to get shoes for too?” she asked me with a knowing glance as I ushered my kids to a seat.

“Yep,” I said and smiled.

“It’s a big job,” she replied. I knew she was talking more about getting four kids back to school rather than the new-shoes outing. It was a solidarity exchange between mums and there’s strength in that.

When it comes to school shoes for my kids, I tend to get different brands, depending on the child. Two of my kids are tough on shoes because they play so much sport, and the other two are lighter on their feet. There’s an interesting thread on the Be A Fun Mum Facebook page about different brand preferences that I found helpful here.

An experienced shoe fitter will know the different brands well and will be able to advise on the right sort of school shoe for respective children and their needs. Diane, who helped me this particular afternoon, was amazing. She asked each child their preferences, measured their feet and we quickly narrowed it down. It made the process simple and quick.

For example, one of my daughters likes the Mary-Jane style shoe but her feet are wide so that style often cuts in near her toes. Diane suggested the Lynx Jupiter (rather than Clarks Elise) because it’s a deeper cut (I wouldn’t have known that); the shoes were a perfect fit. My daughter was thrilled! Sorted!

New Shoes!

Mathers School shoes fitting

We ended up with:

Mathers School shoes fitting

  1. Clarks Daytona (Miss 13)
  2. Clarks Daytona (Miss 11)
  3. Lynx Jupiter (Miss 9)
  4. Clarks Ventura (Mstr 7)

Professional fitting, variety of shoe brands, quality and value are important to me when it comes to choosing school shoes, and Williams and Mathers tick all the boxes so I’m a happy camper! That’s one thing off my back to school list. 

Check out their different school shoes styles and brands online or in store.

 Mathers Logo Black

Williams_CMYK

Back to School Specials & Special Offer

Below are the current Back to School specials, plus a voucher for a free shoe polish kit.

back to school shoes 

  • 20% Off All Clarks School Shoes in-store and online – until 3rd of Feb, 2015
  • Second Pair Half Price on All Lynx, Colorado and ROC School Shoes in-store and online – until 3rd of Feb, 2015
  • Free flashing Lynx ball with every Lynx purchase in-store only – until 3rd of Feb, 2015
  • Print the voucher below and take it to one of the 150 Williams & Mathers stores in Australia to claim a free Waproo School Shoe Polish Kit (valued at $14.99) – until 28th Feb, 2015

Click to print

Free School shoe care kit 

Waproo School Shoe Polish Kit

These products are fabulous to have on hand for touch ups during the year. Get a free pack now so you don’t have to think about it during the year.

Waproo School Shoe Polish Kit

Contains:
Waproo Liquid Renovating Polish – Black: Restores colour to scuffed leaving a natural finish.
Waproo Scuff and Buff – Neutral: Instantly rejuvenates and shines leather and synthetic shoes. 

$250 Mathers/Williams Giveaway

*Giveaway ended and winner has been notified by email  – Congratulations Elizabeth*

To make back to school even easier, I’m offering the chance to win a $250 Williams or Mathers gift voucher. To enter answer this question in the comments below: What do you look for when you buy shoes for your school aged children?

Giveaway ends Tuesday, 3rd February 2015 . Read all the Terms & Conditions here.

Box Craft

Empty shoeboxes are handy for all sorts of things! Below are four ideas (click the link for the tutorial).

Shoebox Craft

  1. Dollhouse
  2. Garage with ramps
  3. Treasure/storage box
  4. 3D Diorama

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73 Comments

  • Reply
    PERRY HORSFALL
    January 30, 2015 at 6:50 am

    ON THE RARE, USUALLY DESPERATE, OCCASIONS THAT MY WIFE DELEGATES THIS JOB TO ME, I LOOK FOR THE NEAREST SHOE FITTING/SALES ASSISTANT AS I’M COMPLETELY CLUELESS AS TO WHAT MY SON NEEDS AND WHAT SHOE BEST SUITS HIM.

  • Reply
    Angela Walmsley
    January 30, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    When I buy my kids school shoes I’m looking for shoes that they can run around in (in comfort), long wearing, a good fit but still look good. But the most important thing is that my children like them and will wear them without complaining of sore feet!!

  • Reply
    Fiona
    January 30, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    Durability and comfort is a must.
    A name that means quality and a brand I trust.
    Each year I feel I just repeat.
    There’s nothing more important for growing feet!

  • Reply
    Amanda
    January 30, 2015 at 6:29 pm

    Seriously? I look for the approval in the expression on their face. Sure, durability, support, flexibility and comfort are all important but ultimately if “the shoe don’t fit the kid wont wear it”!

  • Reply
    Michelle V
    February 1, 2015 at 7:21 am

    I look for quality, leather shoes with a nice thick sole that grips well. For my youngest daughter, I need to look for shoes that are easy for her to put on and off (velcro tabs are essential). I must be completely honest and say that I look for all of that, combined with there being a shoe sale. Wherever I can get the best deal (whether it be buy one, get one half price, or 25% off), I always try to get the best deal possible. With three young daughters and a husband currently out of work, it really becomes a challenge to find great quality with an equally great price, but I have done ok in past years..
    Thanks for the chance to win, it would be lovely to treat my kids to some lovely shoes from Williams.

  • Reply
    Elizabeth
    February 1, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    I need shoes that last more than a day,
    while my kids run, jump and play,
    comfort, durability and support are key,
    and most important – quality!
    But this isn’t too much of a challenge for me,
    when Mathers and Williams offer superior quality!

  • Reply
    Lisa G
    February 2, 2015 at 5:23 am

    COMFORT – being in them 8hrs a day, 5 days a week they have to be comfortable first, then durable and affordable.

  • Reply
    Suzy Lincoln
    February 2, 2015 at 7:14 am

    For master 6 I look for a school shoe that is going to be comfortable whilst he runs around most of the day and that will last. Cheap shoes in the past have been binned after just a fortnight.

  • Reply
    Tracey
    February 2, 2015 at 7:25 am

    Ummm, I really don’t know what to look for when purchasing shoes for my school-aged children! I have just sent my eldest child off to school for the very first time so this is all new to me, including appropriate footwear!

  • Reply
    Melinda
    February 2, 2015 at 11:06 am

    I look for shoes my son is happy to wear, that also fit well and are comfortable for him to run around in. We both love the Lynx sport shoes I bought from Mathers for him and because they are plain black he wears them every day at school.

  • Reply
    Teena
    February 2, 2015 at 11:47 am

    I make sure my kids walk around in the should for a little while before I buy them, because too many times I have come home with “great, perfect fit shoes, only for the kids to say they are too big/small/uncomfortable!

  • Reply
    monica s.
    February 2, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    Must have thick soles, reinforced leather uppers, strong laces/velcro….at a good price! My two boys are extra tough on shoes!!

  • Reply
    Marnie
    February 2, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    I look for comfort, durability to withstand a rough & tumble boy’s usage, and of course affordability is a factor too. All very achieveable criteria at Mathers & Williams!

  • Reply
    Sheila
    February 2, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    I look for shoes that look smart and that are comfortable and supportive. Nothing worse than forking out all that money only for the kids to complain about wearing them! It helps if they cost less than $100 ????

  • Reply
    Janine Gardiner
    February 2, 2015 at 11:08 pm

    Firstly I look for a double Gin & Tonic, when I can’t find one of those I try to find the girls feet, coz they’re usually running riot in the shoe store trying on sparkly stilettos, insisting they would be perfect for school this year. When I finally calm them down with a Kit Kat each i look for comfort first, they look for prettiness. So it’s a compromise of fashionable but great for your feet.

  • Reply
    Karla Oleinikoff
    February 2, 2015 at 11:21 pm

    8 little feet need 8 little shoes that are durable, comfortable, dependable, tough and enduring enough for all the wear and tear that comes from wearing school shoes for up to 40 hours a week.

  • Reply
    Crystal Marie Donohue
    February 2, 2015 at 11:28 pm

    Shoes that are durable and will last! It’s incredibly important to know that they are good quality, due to all the adventures they get into!

  • Reply
    Kevin Kelly
    February 3, 2015 at 5:34 am

    Comfort and the Brand and if they will stand up to the the daily wear and tear of use and if they get the cool nod from the kids

  • Reply
    Jacqui R
    February 3, 2015 at 7:12 am

    As a new school mum this year I found this task totally overwhelming. So many styles, so many prices. So thankful to the Williams shoe fitter. I as just looking for something durable for my little kicker and she looked after the rest.

  • Reply
    Talya
    February 3, 2015 at 8:27 am

    S tyle is important
    C oolness is key
    H igh school students,
    O bviously!
    O r, according to me:6
    L eather, comfort,

    S uitability.
    H ave to be vigilant
    O verall they will be,
    E xtremely efficient
    S chool shoes for my three!

  • Reply
    Dianne Childs
    February 3, 2015 at 9:13 am

    I look for shoes that are comfortable, stylish and well-fitting. Also my son has to be happy with them or it’s no-go!

  • Reply
    kasee jacobs d
    February 3, 2015 at 10:29 am

    I look for school shoes that stylish, comfortable, and hard wearing and that will last the school year.

  • Reply
    Fi
    February 3, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    I look for brand names like Clarks, Professional fitting staff who are helpful and patient and a good special offer!

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