Back to School
12th August 2025 • 2 min read
Discover the best school shoes for boys and girls that can outlast the school year. We have top picks for hard wearing school shoes that can handle both the classroom and the playground!
Wow, is it that time of year again already? Back to class, back to reality. And if there’s one thing you don’t want to underestimate when you’re planning for the new academic year, it’s their new school shoes.
Kids have their school shoes on for large chunks of the day, and naturally that means they go through a lot of wear and tear. Especially if you’ve got a little monkey whose super active or into sports! So, what are the main things to consider when you’re buying school shoes? Comfort, durability and complying with the uniform policies of their school should be top of the checklist. Should be easy to find, right?
We know how much of a challenge it is to keep their footwear looking kind of acceptable, but don’t worry we’ve got you covered with a rundown of the best school shoes for growing feet.
First things first – prep! It’s important to get their feet measured properly as the end of the school holidays draw closer. By going to a shoe fitter or using a home gauge, you can measure the length and width of each foot individually – mismatched feet is common as kids grow!
Just one more thing - make sure the shoes you’ll be buying are the correct fit, and not just something “they’ll grow into”. We know it can be tempting to size up, but ill-fitting shoes can cause discomfort and even long-term issues. They should be able to walk, hop and jump without them falling off. The heel should be snug, but not too tight, they should be able to flex at the ball of the foot, and there should be plenty of room for them to wiggle their toes.
Choosing the right pair can be tricky, so we’ve pulled together a handy list of what we think are this year’s best school shoes for primary school and best school shoes for secondary school. From classic styles to sporty lace-free options, we’ve broken it right down to the detail and highlighted the picks that scored highly on comfort, durability and value.
Now you’ve picked their style of shoe, it’s time to learn some lessons in looking after them. By giving their school shoes the proper care they deserve, you’re playing the long game when it comes to extending their life as a viable option for the school day. It will not only keep them looking fresh but also save you money when you don’t have to splash out on a new pair!
Keep them clean: Wipe the school shoes down with a damp cloth weekly to remove any dirt and then allow them to dry naturally.
Polish them up: Use a shoe polish to protect the leather or wipe them down with a microfibre cloth if they’re patent.
Check the sole: Inspect the soles of the shoe to get ahead and prevent any worn-out areas from getting worse. If things are at the point of no return, they might need to be re-soled.
Protect the scuffs: A protector spray will help with additional protection in the places which the shoe keeps making contact with the ground.
Follow the label: Always follow the instructions and don’t machine wash the shoes unless it explicitly says that it’s okay to do so!
There you have it - a comprehensive list when it comes to hardwearing school shoes for the new academic year. And remember, getting the best kids school shoes is not something to be taken lightly; it’s an investment in the foundation of their future. If you’re looking for even more school shoes, or if want to know more about what they’ll need in their backpacks, then check out our round up of the best stationery and other back to school essentials lists.
