You're probably thinking about September because it rolls around so quickly every year. Whether it's your little one's first day at school, or they're in need of a new pair of shoes thanks to a growth spurt, new school shoes are sure to give your child the confidence he needs to step out onto the playground or back into the classroom. We've popped together some of our favourite boys' school shoes - so you can avoid the dreaded trip to the high street.
Don't be fooled into thinking that the only option out there is boring plain black. After all, there are plenty of creative designs so your kid can show off their personality (without breaking any uniform guidelines)! From flashing lights to superheroes and dinosaurs, here are some of our favourite boy school shoes available online and on the high street.
Best at a glance:
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Best boys school shoes for its recycled mesh lining: Infant Unisex Kick Hi, £55
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Best boys school shoes for its reasan strap: Infant Boys Reasan Strap Leather Black, £50
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Best vegan boys school shoes: ToeZoneKids' Theo Vegan Smart School Shoes, Black, £29
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Best boys school shoes for its adjustable touch fastening: Liam Infant School Shoes, £54
And according to one study from the University of Southhampton: "It is estimated that 70% of adult foot problems begin at school. Shoes that are too big, too small, too high or inadequately supported are all to blame. Fallen arches, hammer and claw toes, bunions and muscular problems are just the start.
Failure to recognise and rectify the consequences of bad footwear can lead to long term problems for children and they may fail to reach their full potential.
In addition, troublesome feet can also have an adverse effect on the personality with awkward walking and poor posture causing shyness and an avoidance of sports.", says the university of Southampton.
What do I need to consider when looking for the right school shoes?
Kickers have helped us put together this list.
School Policy – Check the school uniform policy before clicking “add to basket”. To clarify, some schools may be stricter than others and may not allow ‘trainer-style’ shoes. Others may have rules regarding colours and accessories. So, it’s wise to check before you buy.
Style – Every little one is different. So, think about your child’s day before choosing a school shoe. For example, do they get their shoes scruffy in record time? If your little boy is running and jumping around the playground, you should look at durable options with extra protection.
Size – Your little boy is going to be wearing his shoes for six or seven hours a day, so it’s essential that his school shoes fit him properly and are comfortable too. Luckily, we’ve put together a guide for sizing, which can be done in the comfort of your own home. Why not scroll down?
Material – The best quality materials deliver the best performance. So, it’s important for school shoes to be made from premium leather, which moulds to the foot for a perfect fit. Plus, shoes should also be breathable and anti-odour. They need to be comfy, but durable.
Laces - This really does depend on your child and whether they have mastered laces or not. You can’t go wrong with Velcro or a slip-on if your daughter hasn’t conquered laces.
The best boys' school shoes for first-day confidence
Best boys school shoes for its recycled mesh lining
Kickers www.kickers.co.uk
School shoes with laces look lovely but for little ones who don't know how to tie their shoes they can be a nightmare. Kickers have created these genius shoes which have the appearance of a laced but actually have a discreet zip at the side. Making putting them on and taking them off much easier for little hands. These brilliant shoes are available in leather and vegan leather.
Mother&Baby Writer, Hannah James said: " I really wanted a traditional-looking shoe for my son's first day. I sat with him trying to find a shoe that he liked. When he picked these I was worried at first. However, when I realised they had a zip we were both over the moon. The vegan shoes and the leather shoes are identical and the quality is matched. The shoes can be a little tricky to put on at first but as with all new shoes the more they are worn the easier it becomes. We have had so many compliments on these shoes, I would recommend them."
Pros
- Rubber sole
- Available in sizes: J5 - J12
- Recycled mesh lining
Cons
- Not many colours to choose from
Best boys school shoes for its reasan strap
www.kickers.co.uk
These kickers will be smart and comfortable. Made from super-cool black faux leather, these shoes features a Reasan Strap, which will give your little one equal doses of practicality, durability, style and comfortability- what's not to love?
Review: "I bought these for my son for school and he absolutely loves them. He couldn't wait to get back to school to show his friends his cool new school shoes."
Pros
- Flexible sport-inspired sole
- Cushioned foam bed and padded heel
Cons
- Only available in sizes: S5 - J2
Best boys schools shoes for its cushioned sole
www.schuh.co.uk
The Dr. Martens Kamron shoe is known for their high-quality materials and construction, with its air-cushioned sole, and robust leather uppers are built to withstand heavy use and harsh conditions. It's got a black leather upper and is fastened with a handy hook and loop strap. Branding finishes things off. they are also good and particularly beneficial in environments where your little one is on their feet for long periods.
Review: "Really good quality shoes. Just take a little while breaking in never the less Dr. Martens is a brand I will always trust in."
Pros
- Upper leather material
- Comfortable sole
Cons
- Sizes available are 4 and 5
Best boys school shoes for its hook & loop closure
www.schuh.co.uk
These Geox school shoes scream comfort and durability, featuring a black leather material with a double strap upper for easy on and off that sits atop a durable rubber sole. They're ready for anything the playground throws at them with enhanced protection around the toe, heel and side.
Review: "Lovely smart school shoe. I have ordered half a size up, so they will last longer."
Pros
- Hook & Loop closure
- FREE gift included while stocks last
Cons
- Only sizes 13, 1, 1.5 and 2.5 are in stock
Best vegan boys school shoes
www.johnlewis.com
Lift your child's first day back at school with the ToeZone Theo Smart School Shoe, featuring comfort, durability and style. With its man-made upper sole, these shoes will provide a sleek and classy appearance, and with its memory foam, it will give your little one real comfort with every step that they take.
Pros
- Provides exceptional comfort with every step
- Increases visibility and safety in low-light conditions
- Ensures stability on various surfaces
- Provides durability and a sleek appearance
Cons
- Wipe clean only
Best riptape boys school shoes
www.marksandspencer.com
These sporty and durable leather school shoes are smart enough for the classroom with enough grip for the playground. We love the design and the FreshFeet technology which combats odour-causing bacteria. These sporty leather school shoes are perfect for active kids, and with its riptape fastening for a secure fit, your little one will not have to worry about tying their shoe laces, until they feel comfortable and confident too.
Pros
- Triple riptape fastening for a secure fit
- Scuff-resistant coating
- Non-marking soles
Cons
- Sizes available are size 8 small - 2 large (standard)
- Sizes available are sizes 8 small - 2 large (wide feet)
Best boys school shoes for its rubber sole
www.schuh.co.uk
With its a black leather upper, durable rubber sole and a sturdy fastenings strap, these Geox schools shoes make putting on and taking off these shoes easy. Great and a must-have for in and outside the classroom, your little one will be left feeling comfortable and secure in every step.
Pros
- FREE gift included while stocks last
- Easy to put on
Cons
- Sizes 8.5 to 12.5 available
Best boys school shoes for its adjustable touch fastening
www.hushpuppies.co.uk
These cute looking school shoes, come with a double touch strap fastening and a padded collar for lasting comfortability. And if your worried about space, fear no more, as these school shoes allows 5 different width fittings for each individual foot, giving a more snug and customised feel for growing feet.
Pros
- Breathable textile upper
- Adjustable touch fastening for on off ease
- Comes with 3 pairs of footbeds
Cons
- Only available in infant sizes: 4 - 13
- Not ideal if your little one prefers shoes laces
Best leather boys school shoes
www.argos.co.uk
These Start-rite Glitch black leather shoes are made for comfort, stability and confidence in the classroom and more – to make moving around all day feel like a breeze. With its cushioned collars for lasting durability, flexible sole for easy movement and a removable footbed for a feel-good fit, your little one will want to take these everywhere.
Pros
- Lace-up fastening
- Chunky sole
- Wipe clean or leather polish
Cons
- Sizes 2.5, 3, 4.5 (infant) are all low in stock
FAQs
How do you measure your child’s feet?
Ideally, children’s feet should be measured every six weeks to ensure that the shoes still fit.
According to Shoezone, a good thing to remember: “the younger the foot, the faster it grows.”
Though it’s true that children should have room to wiggle their toes, you should avoid buying shoes to ‘grow into’ - because shoes too big can cause just as many problems as small ones.
Nevertheless, we recommend using the longer foot as a guide when choosing the right shoe.
Each foot can be different sizes and the difference in length can be up to half an inch.
Method
1 Find a flat surface
2 Place a piece of paper with the edge against the wall
3 Stand on it with your heel also against the wall
4 Make a mark on the paper where the longest point of your foot is
5 Repeat this process with both feet as they may be slightly different sizes
6 Measure the length (which is heel to toe)
7 Use an online guide to find your shoe size
8 We recommend Shoezone’s guide: Girls & Boys
Related: How to measure baby feet
How can you tell if your child is wearing the wrong size?
There are some signs that your child may be wearing the wrong shoe size:
Foot pain – if the pain persists, they could be wearing the wrong size.
Damaged toenails – any sign could be an indicator; it can lead to ingrown toenails.
Having trouble walking – wearing ill-fitting shoes can cause a change in the way children walk.
Changes in foot appearance – foot deformities and changes in appearance are often caused by wrongly fitted shoes.
Your child is complaining about their feet – check in with your little ones.
Mummy to a little girl, Adejumoke Ilori is Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby. With a BA hon in Creative Writing, she has worked for digital platforms, where she has empowered women from the inside and out, by sharing real life stories based on relationships, loving yourself and mummyhood.