Back-to-school shoe shopping guide: how to save time and find the right fit

One minute it feels like the summer holidays have only just started. Next, the back-to-school shop is back on the agenda.

Of all the things to organise before the new term starts, school shoes are one of the items worth getting right. They need to be comfortable enough for long days in the classroom, sturdy enough for playground adventures and supportive enough for growing feet.

The tricky part? Finding the right pair without the queues, guesswork or last-minute surprises.

The good news is that a little planning can make the process much easier. Knowing when to shop, checking sizes before you buy and taking advantage of fitting services can all help save time and reduce stress.

Retailers such as Clarks also offer a range of tools designed to take some of the guesswork out of school shoe shopping, from in-store fitting appointments to at-home measuring gauges. Add back-to-school offers and some of Clarks' lowest-ever back-to-school prices into the mix, and you could save yourself a considerable amount of time and money before the new term begins.

From knowing when to shop to understanding what makes a great school shoe, here are four simple ways to make finding the right pair quicker, easier and less stressful this year.

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

Before you start your back-to-school shopping, take a few minutes to assess what actually needs replacing. Children can have impressive growth spurts over the summer, so a pair of school shoes that fit perfectly at the beginning of the year may suddenly feel a little snug by September.

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?

It's also worth checking your school's footwear policy before buying. Some schools have specific requirements around colours, styles or whether trainer-style school shoes are permitted.

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

2. Shop before the last-minute rush

Every year, the final weeks of the summer holidays seem to disappear faster than expected. Leave school shoe shopping until the very end of August and you're more likely to encounter busy stores, longer queues and fewer options in your child's size. 

Shop too early, though, and there's always the chance your child will have a sudden growth spurt before September. For many families, the middle of the summer holidays is the sweet spot: early enough to avoid the rush, but close enough to term time to shop with confidence. 

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. Booking fittings in advance lets you skip the notorious late-August queues while still benefiting from a professional fitting. 

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, especially over the summer holidays, and a shoe that feels fine one month can suddenly feel uncomfortable the next. 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 just days before term starts.

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.

Back-to-school 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 historic price drops across the back-to-school 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 ahead of a new term, getting the right fit from the start can help take some of the stress out of back-to-school season.

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 an end-of-summer tradition. 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.