What are your favourite brands of shoe for children?

I'll be keeping a lookout for shoes for spring/summer soon and i was wondering what people's preferences were. I'm a bit fussy and don't mind spending what I have to for top quality. I prefer fully leather lined shoes. So far these brands have served my children well over the years but they are becoming increasingly harder to find and in children's sizes:

Start-rite
Doc Marten's
Birkenstock
Betts For Kids (eg Airflex range)

Clarke's used to be good but i am finding that they mainly use synthetic linings in their shoes now which tend to smell and come away inside the shoe :( They just aren't as good as they used to be.

Bath can i ask where do you get the Doc Marten's from ?

My kids have really wide feet and high insteps, so there are only a few brands I can buy them that fit. I get the clarks sometimes, but have found Grow-shu to be fantastic (and Bath, they have leather lining too). For Lindsay's school boots I buy him Thomas Cook boots as they have extra arch support in them. I don't mind spending the $$ on good shoes as they really do pay for themselves when your kids aren't complaining of sore feet from ill fitting shoes.

Sherie: yes! I forgot about Gro-Shu... I had a good pair of them too and yes leather lined... but another thing is I don't like velcro on shoes, buckles last longer I find... but other wise I agree, a good brand.

Michelle: there's a shoe shop in Fairfield (Melbourne) that sells Doc Martens for kids but their range is getting more and more limited :( They are the best shoes! indestructible and always polish up good as new despite being scuffed like all kids do! The soles are soooo long lasting and are flexible but don't get worn down... I just love them.

That's a shame they are getting more limited. I would love to get the kids some i have 4 pairs of my own. They have had them for years. Hopefully i can find someone in Perth that sells them.

I bought my DD a pair of small size 10 cherry red Doc boots about 10 years ago and now my DS is wearing them. They have similar feet so there's not too many issues there. No doubt my 3rd child will get to wear them too. I thought it was a bit extravagant back then paying $108 for them (I still have the box and receipt!) but if 3 kids get to wear them then it works out to be about $35 each... not bad for a pair of Doc all leather boots!

DS is still in pre-walkers, and so far the only ones we like are the hand made soft leather ones which are elasticated around the heel. Anything else he just kicks or pulls off. I also think they're super cute!

For the littlies I love the Robeez shoes (soft soled leather).

For Aidyn he is mostly in sneakers or sandals atm... Sneakers are usually Adidas or Nike, which fit him well, and aren't too rigid. And we like Gro-Shu sandals when we can find a good pair!

Clarks. Spending a bit more on their first pair of shoes is defn worth it. Both my girls have wide feet, (size F) so even more important to ensure shoe fits.
Pumpkin patch pre walkers were great too .

I like the Puma shoes best. I seldom bother to buy anything else. I like the flexibility in the sole - most other children's sneakers seem so rigid.
We don't need school shoes yet but when the time comes I'll keep an eye out for some docs (thanks for the tip Bath :) )