School may be out for summer, but it’s never too early to start shopping for kids’ school shoes for the new term. Whether you’re looking for your child’s very first pair or trying to find a balance between suitability and style for your fashion-conscious secondary schooler, we’ve got you covered.
School shoes are going to be worn a lot, so they have to be comfortable and durable enough to cope with day-to-day wear. Scuff-resistant designs and grippy soles are non-negotiable if you want shoes to last longer than the first term.
Before you start shopping for school shoes, you need to make sure you know exactly what size to buy. The best way to get this right is by getting your child’s foot properly measured (for free) at a shoe shop, but there are plenty of online guides that show you how to accurately measure your child’s feet at home, if you prefer. Just remember to always fit to the larger foot and make sure there’s about 1.3-1.5cm space between the end of their longest toe and the toe of the shoe.
While primary and secondary school-age kids will have different wants, all school shoes need to be supportive, particularly around the ankle, and offer a flexible, comfortable (and robust) sole. Look for shoes with a wide toe box, so growing feet have the space to spread out.
Kids generally don’t sit still for long, so breathable materials will help keep them comfortable even after a mammoth playground session. And, when shopping for little ones, always look for easy on/off shoes with fastenings that they can master independently.
With all this in mind, keep scrolling for our pick of the best school shoes for kids in 2025.
How we tested
Our group of school-age kids, ranging from Reception up to Year 7, tested out these shoes for us over the space of a month. They put each pair through their paces around the playground and throughout the school day, to let us know – honestly – which ones felt comfortable, didn’t get in the way of play and, naturally, which they liked the look of. When testing, we considered the following factors:
- Comfort and support: We evaluated how each shoe fit various foot shapes, the cushioning provided underfoot, and the level of arch and ankle support offered. Shoes that caused discomfort, lacked flexibility, or failed to provide adequate shock absorption were eliminated early in testing. Only those that maintained comfort throughout a full school day and supported healthy foot development made the final cut.
- Style: Kids are more likely to wear and enjoy shoes that reflect their personal tastes, so we looked for school-appropriate designs that not only complied with uniform policies but also felt fun and age-appropriate. We listened to what our mini testers had to say about each pair and appreciated details like subtle patterns, or sporty soles.
- Functionality: This was a crucial part of our testing, especially when it came to how easy the shoes were for kids to put on and take off by themselves. We looked at features like Velcro straps, elastic laces, and slip-on designs, which are ideal for younger children. For older kids, we considered whether traditional laces stayed secure throughout the day and if fastenings were durable and easy to adjust.
- Durability: School shoes need to withstand daily wear and tear, so we assessed how well each pair held up over time, looking for signs of early damage like worn soles, frayed stitching, or scuffed toes. Shoes made with strong, high-quality materials and reinforced in high-impact areas performed best. We also considered how easy they were to clean and whether they maintained their shape and support after weeks of use.
- Price: We understand that school shoes can be a significant expense for families, especially with growing feet and the need for regular replacements. That’s why price was an important factor in our testing. We looked for shoes that offered high quality at a fair price. Our final list includes options for every budget, from affordable basics to premium picks that justify the extra spend.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Sarah Dawson is a writer with a great deal of experience when it comes to recommending the best parenting buys and products for kids. As with all IndyBest reviews, Sarah's testing process involves assessing how the products fare under real-world use, factoring in their quality, and any potential pitfalls. By calling in assistance from younger testers when writing this article, she was able to see how different each pair of school shoes went down with kids.
The best kids’ school shoes for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Next patent bow chunky Mary Jane school shoes: £26, Next.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Asda George black leather double strap school shoe: £18.50, Asda.com
- Best for durability – Adidas tensaur sport 2.0 junior: £30, Schuh.co.uk
- Best gender-neutral design – Kickers youth tovni lacer leather: £40.60, Kickers.co.uk
Next patent bow chunky Mary Jane school shoes
Best: School shoe overall
Sizes: 9-7
Width fitting: Standard, wide
Why we love it
- Easy fastenings
- Good choice of sizes and width fittings
It’s hard to find fault with these great value high street school shoes. Our little Year 1 tester was completely won over by the bow detail and shiny patent finish – not to mention the glittery stars on the soles of the shoes – but they also impressed us adults. The inner soles are beautifully cushioned, and the ankle collars are padded and supportive.
We loved the Velcro strap – which made these incredibly easy for our mini tester to get on and off independently – and the fact that the shoes look and feel durable, yet are perfectly lightweight. With handy features such as micro fresh lining to keep odours away, and a cute name tag printed inside each shoe, this pretty, unrestrictive pair is a total bargain. This style has been our go-to shoe through the past three terms and, despite a few minor scuffs, they have survived a treat.
Buy now £26.00, Next.co.uk
Asda George black leather double strap school shoe
Best: School shoes for primary-age boys
Sizes: 8-2
Width fitting: Standard
Why we love it
- Great value
- Durable
- Secure Velcro straps
- Reinforced toe
Take note
- No choice of width settings
You don’t want to scrimp on comfort when it comes to that first pair of school shoes, and this budget pair from George at Asda delivers comfort in bucketloads. With cushioned heels and high, padded ankle collars, these shoes provided exactly the right amount of support for our Reception-age tester.
The two rip-tape fastenings were easy to master independently and held firmly in place, while the tag at the back helped us get the shoes on our tester when in a rush. What we really rate is how robust these shoes feel – the reinforced toe bumper and grippy sole mean business. The ridged sole was a big hit with our little tester who said they looked like “a stegosaurus”, which, in four-year-old terms, is as cool as it gets. The best bit? They cost less than £20.
Buy now £18.50, Asda.com
Start-Rite Charlotte black patent girls' school shoes
Best: School shoes for primary-age girls
Sizes: 6-1.5
Width fitting: Narrow, standard, wide, extra wide
Why we love it
- Good sizing range
- Lightweight
- Easy fastenings
We can’t resist the pull of a classic patent T-bar school shoe, and this exceptional quality pair from Start-Rite ticks all of our boxes. Designed specifically to support growing feet, the inner sole is perfectly cushioned, while the wide toe box provides all the space little toes need. The leather lining offers excellent breathability, and our young tester found these straightforward to get on and off, thanks to the rip-tape fastening.
We love that these shoes come in a choice of four widths – we opted for the wide fitting and we’ve been reliable informed by our tester that these were one of the comfiest pairs she tried out. The cute retro design feels traditional while still appealing to primary-age girls, but if you ask our tester, it’s all about the pink, unicorn detail inner sole. Yes, they are a little pricier than some of the other pairs in our roundup, but these shoes are absolutely made to last.
Buy now £48.00, Startriteshoes.com
Adidas tensaur sport 2.0 junior
Best: School shoes for durability
Sizes: 10-2 (also available in toddler 3-9 and youth 3-5 sizes)
Width fitting: Narrow, standard, wide, extra wide
Why we love it
- Good range of sizes
- Cool design
- Comfortable
- Scuff resistant
Take note
- No choice of width settings
There’s a reason you’ll spot these Adidas tensaurs on the feet of kids at most school playgrounds – they are as close to indestructible as a shoe can get. The simple design is sufficiently school shoe like to get past the “no trainers” rule at some schools, while still featuring the details you need for a worn-five-days-a-week shoe.
The double Velcro strap fastenings are easy for kids to use themselves and help make for a secure fit, even if your child is in between sizes. They are very scuff-resistant – we’ve witnessed our mini tester’s tensaurs being dragged along the floor and still, miraculously, they look great. Supportive enough for PE lessons, this pair is a brilliant all-rounder that would work for all ages. We’ve used these shoes for numerous school years, and they have always been outgrown before they’ve been trashed, which is quite something.
Buy now £30.00, Schuh.co.uk
Clarks dance beam kids
Best: School shoes for girls with narrow feet
Sizes: 7-2.5
Width fitting: Standard, wide
Why we love it
- Good range of sizes
- Include odour control
- Flexible sole
- Made using recycled material
While Clarks has long been the go-to for first school shoes and more, the designs have often come at a higher price. However, we love that the 2025 range includes shoes at lower price points. These ballet flats were hugely popular with our Year 4 and 5 testers, who liked the grown-up styling of the patent toe and twisted leather bow.
We were also won over by the look (plus the fact that they are fashionable without the addition of a heel) and were relieved to see these offered way more support than the ballet flats of our youth. The sole is flexible yet padded and supportive, while the rip-tape fastening helped to get a secure fit. One detail we particularly rate is the addition of a strip of grippy ‘cat’s tongue’ material inside the heel, to stop the shoe from sliding off. Our tester didn’t even notice it, but it certainly does the job. We did find the standard width slightly narrow – due to the ballet flat design – but the shoe is available in a wide fitting, too. Just make sure you get your child’s foot measured properly before ordering.
Buy now £25.00, Clarks.com
Start-Rite rhino Sherman
Best: School shoes for older boys
Sizes: 1-9
Width fitting: Narrow, standard, wide, extra wide
Why we love it
- Durable
- Removable insoles
- Scuff-resistant heel and toe bumpers
- Choice of widths available
Take note
- On the pricier side
If you’re shopping for a child who manages to destroy their school shoes a week into the term, this style is for you. Durable and robust, these shoes are the tanks (or rhinos) of the school playground, and they were a big hit with our older testers. They only come in a lace-up design, so they’re best bought for kids who’ve mastered the art of tying their own laces.
Available in four different widths and a good range of sizes, these shoes are very comfortable, with a padded ankle collar and supportive sole. Despite the shoes’ durability, our tester commented on how lightweight this pair felt. We also can’t fault the breathability, which kept the shoes comfortable and dry even during the middle of a heatwave. They do come at a higher price point, but if you’re after a fantastic pair of school shoes that can handle whatever’s thrown at them, these come highly recommended.
Buy now £65.00, Startriteshoes.com
Graceland low shoe
Best: School shoes for older girls
Sizes: 1-5
Width fitting: Standard
Why we love it
- Cool design
- Grippy sole
- Velcro fastening
Take note
- Limited sizes available
These cool patent T-bars got the seal of approval from our fashion-conscious tween. Featuring a chunky sole and totally school-appropriate heel, they are stylish while still being suitable for long days at school or running to catch the bus.
We were surprised at the level of comfort and cushioning these shoes offered, considering the budget price tag. The inner sole is springy, the padded ankle collar is flexible, and the shoe is lightweight and unrestrictive. The Velcro strap doesn’t offer quite the same level of bespoke snugness as a buckle, but we had no problems with the fit. If you’re shopping for an older girl, we think these are worth every penny.
Buy now £22.99, Deichmann.com
Kickers youth tovni lacer leather
Best: Gender-neutral school shoes
Sizes: 3-6 (also available in junior 12.5-2.5 and adult 3-12 sizes)
Width fitting: Standard
Why we love it
- Cool style
- Good size range
- Very comfortable
Take note
- Pricier than some other options
- No choice of width settings
Offering a staggering choice of sizes, from a 12.5 kids’ size right up to an adult size 12, this Kickers pair is as versatile as they get. Our testers (both boys and girls) were fans of the minimalist, sneaker style; and we loved the matte leather, which looked cool and proved to be reassuringly scuff-resistant.
The lace-up style has a nicely cushioned footbed and padded ankle collar, so we felt confident this style offered the right kind of support for a day at school. One thing we really rated was the odour-resistant inner, which is, quite frankly, what all parents of tweens and teens need in their lives. While this pair is a little pricey, the quality is undeniable, and the shoes are unlikely to go out of fashion any time soon.
Buy now £40.60, Kickers.co.uk
M&S patent leather buckle school shoe
Best: School shoes for comfort
Sizes: 8-2
Width fitting: Standard
Why we love it
- Great value
- Hard-wearing soles
- Stylish design
Take note
- No choice of width settings
Declared “the comfiest schools I’ve ever worn” by our six-year-old tester, these cute patent Mary Janes were an instant hit. The cute heart buckle detail is thankfully just for show – there’s a rip-tape fastening, which our tester managed with ease. Our only quibble is that, due to the thickness of the Velcro, our tester struggled a little to open the shoe strap wide enough to slide her foot in at first, but this has loosened up with use.
The chunky soles are non-marking and lightweight, while offering plenty of grip for bombing around the playground. Featuring a very comfy inner and squishy padded collar, as well as fancy Freshfeet technology to keep the shoes odour-free, we think this pair is great value for money and would work for all ages of primary school girls. These shoes only come in a standard width, but we found the fit to be nice and roomy.
Buy now £32.00, Marksandspencer.com
Kickers kick hi youth
Best: Boot-style school shoe
Sizes: 3-6 (also available in junior 12.5-2.5 with zip sides, and adult 6-12
Width fitting: Standard
Why we love it
- Great unisex design
- Sturdy
- Comfortable
- Versatile style
Take note
- Pricey
- No choice of width settings
Sturdy, durable and high quality, these are the kind of school shoes that will last as long as you need them to. Our older testers were very into the lace-up boot style, but if you’re buying for younger kids who struggle with laces, you can get the this style in smaller sizes with a side zip, for easy fastening. The ankle support is a great feature for growing feet, and you can send your kids off to school knowing they’ll come home with dry feet in these boots.
Despite being the sturdiest-feeling pair of shoes we tested, they are also very lightweight, with a chunky, grippy sole that’s nowhere near as heavy as it looks. Also available in patent black and a choice of other (perhaps less school-appropriate) colours, we think these are the best boot-style school shoes around.
Buy now £70.00, Kickers.co.uk
Young Soles Martha bow Mary Janes
Best: School shoes for style
Sizes: 5.5-2.5
Width fitting: Standard
Why we love it
- Wide size range
- Flexible soles
- Removable bow
Take note
- No choice of width settings
- A little expensive
Kids get all the best shoes – just look at these beauties from British brand Young Soles. Every little stylish touch, from the punched brogue detailing to the removable leather bow, makes these shoes feel extra special yet still ideal for school days. One thing we noticed immediately is the wide toe bed, which gave our little testers feet room to sit comfortably.
The easy rip-tape fastening was easy for our Year 2 tester to manage, and the removable cushioned insole made these shoes feel beautifully breathable (good news when tested on one of the hottest days of the year). We love this independent brand’s dedication to sustainability, with these shoes made in Europe using locally sourced Leather Working Group-approved ethical leather. With a huge size range starting at a diddy 5.5 (EU22), this pair is a gorgeous pick for the primary school years.
Buy now £58.00, Youngsoles.com
Clarks crafton move
Best: School shoes for PE
Sizes: 10-8
Width fitting: Standard
Why we love it
- Good value
- Machine washable
- Comfortable
- Made using recycled materials
Take note
- No choice of width settings
We’re calling it – these are the perfect school trainers. PE trainers have to put up with a lot, and Clarks has taken all of that into consideration when designing this pair. The flexible sole features a deep tread to provide excellent grip, and the breathable inner kept feet comfy even during three-hour sports day on a sweltering June afternoon.
The reinforced toe has been a lifesaver in prevented these trainers from getting scuffed during testing, and we’ve found the elastic laces and rip-tape fastening give our tester a perfect, non-slip fit. The price is amazing, but what we love more than anything is the fact that these can be washed in the machine (on a gentle cold wash), which is a dream come true come muddy autumn school days. The trainers are also available in a choice of black, white or beige.
Buy now £25.00, Clarks.com
What are the best kids’ school shoes?
We love the chunky patent bow school shoes from Next, which impressed when it came to comfort, fit and style – not to mention price. For boys, we really rate the Start-Rite rhino Sherman shoes, which are incredible quality and built to withstand anything school can throw their way. If you’re on a budget, check out the Clarks dance beam and crafton move, which we loved for the kid-friendly design touches and support, at an affordable price.
For more back to school essentials, read our guide to the best kids’ water bottles
