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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think schools should not allow students to wear black trainers all day, every day?

239 replies

Lilyladles · 08/06/2026 15:52

My child's high school is allowing students to wear black trainers all day. I think this is bad for their feet, more expensive for parents, and a drop in standards.

AIBU?

OP posts:
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5
Single50something · 09/06/2026 17:57

I think its a far better idea than hard old school shoes. Much better for playing at break etc I would much rather wear trainers all day than work/school shoes.

Enko · 09/06/2026 08:05

NamelessNancy · 08/06/2026 16:10

Do you think generations of kids in other countries have ended their school years with damaged feet due to wearing trainers?

As somone who grew up in a country where we didnt use school uniform. Trainers were not the overall fall back. There was a wide variety in what type of shoes children wore. (And teachers for that matter)

In the UK it seems to be either formal shoes trainers or van type shoes not a lot else.

I personally loathe trainers they overheat my feet and I have never found them "comfy" I find them restricting

I worry that this leads to a lot of children in cheap illfitting shoes that later in life will give a lot of foot issues. I am obviously also aware that a more formal shoe can do the same.

CandidRaven · 09/06/2026 07:57

My daughters school allows black trainers and I think it's fine, a lot more comfortable and she's able to wear them for PE which means we save money because we don't have to buy separate footwear for that.

badkitty · 09/06/2026 07:43

I wish my school would allow kids to wear trainers - they have a 2 mile each way walk to school and back, would be much better for them (and before anyone says, yes they could wear trainers to walk in and then change at school but they can’t be bothered to carry their other shoes).

FeelingALittleWoozyHere · 09/06/2026 07:37

MikeRafone · 09/06/2026 06:18

Yep, they are bad for not just your feet but posture, knees and back if worn long term, which they weren't intended to be for. trainers are for sports wear and running not for walking and everyday use

Show quote history

Source please?

Theseagullsarenowclouds · 09/06/2026 07:33

You'd better tell my back and posture then. I only own trainers. Got rid of my office shoes in the pandemic.
I expect to be crippled any day now......

MikeRafone · 09/06/2026 06:18

basoon · 08/06/2026 22:07

Surely they are not bad for their feet? Your other points are ridiculous

Yep, they are bad for not just your feet but posture, knees and back if worn long term, which they weren't intended to be for. trainers are for sports wear and running not for walking and everyday use

basoon · 08/06/2026 22:07

Surely they are not bad for their feet? Your other points are ridiculous

GFBurger · 08/06/2026 22:07

So much better for their feet, can definitely cheaper as trainers tend to last longer than ‘school shoes’, and they can double up for PE.

I don’t understand why schools aren’t permanently in a PE kit. The whole blazer, tie, shirt thing AND having to buy a PE kit they wear for an hour or so a week is very annoying. Some kind of PE kit and trainers would provide a uniform and be comfortable to learn in.

mumumental · 08/06/2026 22:01

@bootsonotherfoothave you had teenage girls? That would never have worked in our house. They usually feel “comfortable “ in whatever they consider fashionable this month!

Malbecfan · 08/06/2026 21:57

I’m a teacher and wear them all day. I’ve worn trainers every school day for the last 2 years. My comfort is the most important thing and if people don’t like it, that’s an issue for them.

beautifuldayforit · 08/06/2026 21:53

bootsonotherfoot · 08/06/2026 16:02

I think children should wear what they’re comfortable in. Why should someone else dictate what you wear on your feet for goodness sake. Schools need to back off with their rigid policies.
its all just conditioning children from a young age to conform without questioning, just as the government needs them to so start young and they won’t know any different just as their brainwashed parents didn’t.

Did you see the Alice on your travels?

Thumber · 08/06/2026 21:51

franksmama · 08/06/2026 20:28

Much better for their feet. I wasn’t allowed to wear trainers for my bar job after spending the whole day in theatre clogs on my nursing placement. I developed plantar fasciitis in both feet which lasted six months and I was crippled. Long live the trainers!

Plantar Fasciitis is a bitch isn’t it 😫😖😣.

Yetanotherone12 · 08/06/2026 21:03

TheKeatingFive · 08/06/2026 20:47

I strongly recommend you don't stray into any tech/creative industries workplace. You'll get the shock of your life.

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Or academia 🤣.

i now work in a very traditional “suit and tie” job, but even that has relaxed into “business casual”. For example high heels on women are rare, and thought inappropriate generally.

TheKeatingFive · 08/06/2026 20:47

Lordofthebantams · 08/06/2026 20:34

I completely agree. Trainers look very untidy. They are for walking, sports and gardening.

I hate seeing polo shorts instead of proper shirts as well.

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I strongly recommend you don't stray into any tech/creative industries workplace. You'll get the shock of your life.

Lordofthebantams · 08/06/2026 20:34

topcat2014 · 08/06/2026 18:26

It is a drop in standards and speaks to low aspirations. What's the rest of the uniform like? Polo's?

I completely agree. Trainers look very untidy. They are for walking, sports and gardening.

I hate seeing polo shorts instead of proper shirts as well.

PrayForPlagues · 08/06/2026 20:34

I’m a secondary teacher, have been for 20 years or so. I wish my school would relax the uniform policy so kids could be comfier. I don’t understand the fascination with dressing kids up in shirts, ties & blazers like wee mini business men. I’d much rather have my female students in leggings and a hoodie than the tiny bum—hugger skirts that mean I frequently can see their pants.

franksmama · 08/06/2026 20:28

Much better for their feet. I wasn’t allowed to wear trainers for my bar job after spending the whole day in theatre clogs on my nursing placement. I developed plantar fasciitis in both feet which lasted six months and I was crippled. Long live the trainers!

Thumber · 08/06/2026 20:12

Keepoffmyartichokes · 08/06/2026 20:03

My son goes to a school where they can wear black trainers he has leather Nike ones and they still look smart. No losing his shoes getting changed for PE, they can play footy at break comfortably it's a win win. And his Nikes were £50!

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My son’s nike’s were £35. This is compared to the £70 clarks shoes we nearly purchased 😱😱😱😱😱

JLou08 · 08/06/2026 20:04

They're not bad for feet.
They're not more expensive in my experience either. I've tried lots of brands of school shoes and none have been as durable as trainers.

Keepoffmyartichokes · 08/06/2026 20:03

Ablondiebutagoody · 08/06/2026 16:36

I agree and what's the point of looking smart in blazer, shirt, tie, trousers......then putting on a scuffed up pair of trainers? It looks shit.

My son goes to a school where they can wear black trainers he has leather Nike ones and they still look smart. No losing his shoes getting changed for PE, they can play footy at break comfortably it's a win win. And his Nikes were £50!

Thumber · 08/06/2026 20:01

How GHASTLY!

ByRoseBiscuit · 08/06/2026 19:57

topcat2014 · 08/06/2026 18:26

It is a drop in standards and speaks to low aspirations. What's the rest of the uniform like? Polo's?

Hilarious

Glittertwins · 08/06/2026 19:47

Trainers are far more supportive than shoes and harder wearing too. I’d rather mine were allowed to wear them for school as their feet would not have ached as much.

BestieBunch · 08/06/2026 19:43

Both my teens wore Nike AF1’s from yr 5/6 until yr11, they always looked smart were good hard wearing sturdy footwear. I never had to worry about DD wearing silly heels etc. My DS now wear them for work and college. Both my teens have good healthy feet as far as I’m aware - not squashed in heels or winklepickers.
If anything the whole school more or less wore AF1’s, they all looked smart and matched.