School shoe shopping guide: how to save time and find the right fit

Whether your child has had a growth spurt, worn through their current pair or simply needs something more comfortable, finding the right school shoes shouldn’t mean queues, guesswork or unnecessary stress. The right pair needs to be comfortable for long classroom days, sturdy enough for playground adventures and supportive of growing feet.

A little planning can make the process much easier. Knowing what to look for, checking sizes before you buy and taking advantage of fitting services can all save time and take some of the stress out of finding the right fit.

Retailers such as Clarks also offer a range of tools designed to help, from in-store fitting appointments to at-home measuring gauges. Add some of Clarks' lowest-ever prices into the mix, and you could save yourself a considerable amount of time and money when a replacement pair is needed.

From checking the fit to understanding what makes a great school shoe, here are four simple ways to make finding the right pair quicker, easier and less stressful.

1. Check whether your child's school shoes still fit

School shoes can need replacing at any point in the year. A growth spurt, a change in season or the everyday wear and tear of classroom and playground life can soon make a once-comfortable pair feel snug or look past its best. Taking a few minutes to check your child’s current shoes can help you spot when it’s time for a new pair.

Start by checking your child's current shoes:

• Do they still fit comfortably?

• Are the soles worn down?

• Are there scuffs or damage that can't be repaired?

• Will they need separate trainers for PE or sports clubs?

A little preparation before you shop can help you avoid unnecessary purchases – and make the whole process feel much more manageable.

2. Make time to try new shoes properly

When your child suddenly needs a new pair of school shoes, it can be tempting to pick the first suitable option and move on. But allowing a little time for them to try shoes on, walk around and tell you how they feel can help you find a pair they’ll be happy to wear every day.

If you're planning a trip to the shops, booking a fitting appointment ahead of time can make the process much smoother. Clarks offers free pre-bookable in-store foot measuring appointments, where trained fitters measure your child's feet and recommend the best size and width. It gives you time to focus on how the shoes feel as well as how they fit.

Can't make it to a store? Clarks' foot gauge (a simple measuring tool that helps you check your child's shoe size and width at home) allows you to measure their feet before ordering online. Better still, purchasing a foot gauge currently comes with free standard delivery.

3. Don’t guess when it comes to shoe size

Children's feet can grow surprisingly quickly, and a shoe that felt fine a few months ago can suddenly become uncomfortable. That's why measuring before you buy is one of the simplest ways to avoid uncomfortable shoes, unnecessary returns and the frustration of discovering something doesn't fit properly once your child is wearing them every day.

Drawing on almost 200 years of footwear expertise and decades of research into children's foot development, Clarks offers whole sizes, half sizes and multiple width fittings across much of its kids’ range. That means you're far more likely to find a shoe that fits comfortably from day one.

After all, school shoes are often worn for more than 35 hours a week. Many styles on offer feature cushioned footbeds and breathable linings to help keep feet comfortable, while the range includes everything from traditional leather shoes to trainer-inspired designs that still meet many school uniform requirements.

It's something many parents value too. As Mumsnet user Sanityisamyth explains: "I always bought DS Clarks shoes as they were actually designed to fit children's feet. A huge amount of research went into ergonomics. I still buy him Clarks now - school shoes and trainers aged 10 as he says that supermarket ones are uncomfortable."

4. Choose shoes that can handle everyday wear

School shoes go through a lot over the course of a term. From playground games and wet weather walks to everyday classroom wear, they need to cope with far more than simply getting your child from A to B. They also need to meet school uniform policies, with smart designs that they’ll actually want to wear - some schools have specific requirements around colours, styles or whether trainer-style school shoes are permitted.

Costs can soon add up, particularly if you're shopping for more than one child. While it's tempting to choose the cheapest option, better value often comes from buying shoes that are built to last rather than needing to be replaced halfway through the term.

Clark’s school shoes are designed with durability in mind, undergoing rigorous wear testing and featuring premium leathers and practical details such as scuff-resistant toe protection to help them stay looking smarter for longer.

Looking after them properly can help extend their lifespan too. A leather care kit can help keep school shoes polished and protected, while a trainer care kit is useful for freshening up PE trainers after muddy sports sessions or busy days outdoors.

As Mumsnet user worcesterpear says: "I found Clarks the best for mine, partly due to the leather and partly due to fit."

Mumsnet user pitterypattery00  adds: "My son (Year 1) is on his third pair of Clarks school shoes since starting Reception. I've always got ones with a 'toe bumper' - works brilliantly, zero scuffs."

For children who are particular about style, Clarks’ As Seen on TV collection is another useful place to browse, bringing together featured styles alongside a number of school-friendly options.

Money-saving tip: If you're buying more than one pair – or replacing both school shoes and trainers at the same time – check for offers before you shop. Clarks currently offers Buy 3 Pairs, Get the 3rd Pair Half Price, which is useful if you're buying for siblings or planning ahead for the next size up.

Why so many families return to Clarks year after year

When you find a pair of school shoes that fit well, last well and your child is happy wearing, it’s easy to see why many families stick with the same brand year after year.

For almost 200 years, Clarks has focused on designing footwear for growing feet, combining generations of footwear expertise with precision fitting and features that support children's comfort throughout the school day. 

Parents choose Clarks for reasons including:

• Precision fitting and podiatrist-approved shoes, with whole sizes, half sizes and multiple width fittings across much of the children's range.

• Nearly two centuries of footwear expertise, with shoes designed to support growing feet through every stage of childhood.

• Long-lasting quality and durability, thanks to premium leathers, rigorous wear testing and practical features such as scuff-resistant toe protection.

• All-day comfort, with cushioned footbeds and breathable linings designed for children who spend more than 35 hours a week in their school shoes.

• Convenient shopping options, including free pre-bookable in-store fitting appointments and an at-home foot gauge for confident online shopping.

• School-ready styles, with designs that meet school uniform policies while still offering styles children actually want to wear.

• Great value, with competitive prices across the school-shoe range and offers such as Buy 3 Pairs, Get the 3rd Pair Half Price.

As Mumsnet user NuffSaidSam says: "They have loads (school shoes that look like trainers) in Clarks in the school shoe section. They also cover the whole foot so much better for wet/muddy/cold weather as well."

Whether you're buying a first pair of school shoes or replacing a well-loved pair during the school year, getting the right fit from the start can help take some of the stress out of everyday school routines.

About Clarks

We know that kids need their shoes to be so much more than just shoes. They’ve got to be dream-big boundary breakers, super-brave journey takers, and everyday memory-makers. And from supporting their very first steps to sparking imaginations on the playground, our 170 years of expertise in children’s feet makes sure kids have everything they need for the happiest and healthiest start in life.

In 1836, the launch of our iconic Kids’ range set a new standard for children’s footwear. We were the very first brand to give growing toes space to develop, inventing half-sizes and width fittings – and of course, the unforgettable Clarks Kids foot gauge. Launched in the 1940s, this groundbreaking measuring tool prioritised foot health and a proper shoe fit (not to mention marking a milestone moment that many grown-ups still remember now!).

Through the 1950s we became a trusted name in children’s footwear, debuting our first-ever TV adverts, educating parents on the importance of foot health, later engaging kids directly with super-fun campaigns and collections. School shoes became a cultural staple in Britain, with getting fitted for a new pair becoming a familiar family milestone. Generations of kids have grown up in Clarks, and nostalgic ranges like Clarks Commandos from the 1960s, and Magic Steps and Hardware from the 1980s, are cherished by many. Today, we’re still taking leaps to create shoes that capture children’s imaginations – from relaunching the Clarks CICA silhouette via our metaverse Roblox game to inspiring kids to wear their power in our Netflix Stranger Things collaboration.