Best school shoes and brands that’ll survive the year

Start-Rite takes our top spot, particularly for younger children starting infant or primary school. The Angry Angels range is also well received by tween and teen girls, with smart, on-trend designs that appeal even to the most fashion-conscious kids. 

Mumsnet users praise Start-Rite for its well-cushioned designs, which stay comfortable even for active kids. The lightweight, flexible soles also give growing feet plenty of freedom to move. 

Start-Rite caters well to different foot shapes, with up to four width fittings, including options for narrow, wide and extra-wide feet. There’s also a broad range of traditional designs that satisfy even the strictest school uniform policies.

Start-Rite shoes sit in the premium price bracket alongside brands such as Clarks, but Mumsnet users reckon the sturdy construction and sizing options justify the upfront cost. These hard-wearing shoes are far more likely to make it through the school year than cheaper pairs.

Mumsnet users feel they’ve found the ‘sweet spot’ with M&S, offering high-quality school shoes without the price tag of premium school shoe brands or the gamble of supermarket designs.

M&S has a broad range of styles in-store and online. With Mary Janes, brogues, loafers, trainers and easy-fasten riptape designs, there’s plenty to suit different tastes. Its school shoes also come in a wide range of sizes and four widths: narrow, standard, wide and extra-wide. 

M&S school shoes have been designed to last. Antibacterial Freshfeet technology helps keep odours at bay and your child’s feet fresh for longer, while scuff-resistant finishes and soft linings keep your child’s feet comfortable and supported right through to the afternoon bell.

It's worth noting that M&S’s traditional leather school shoes generally receive more positive reviews from Mumsnet users than their trainer-style picks, with some of the latter showing premature signs of wear. 

Clarks school shoes remain a trusted choice by many Mumsnet users thanks to their comfort and wide range of fit options. While they’re generally more costly than high street brands, reviewers particularly value the in-store foot-measuring and fitting service, especially for younger reception and preschool children who may not be able to describe how shoes feel easily. 

Mumsnet users love the variety of shoes at Clarks – from traditional leather shoes to sporty designs and school trainers, making it easy to find shoes that meet school uniform rules while still appealing to strong-minded children.

Clarks offers whole and half sizes, along with multiple width fittings (depending on the style), so you can get a more precise fit as your child’s feet develop. Thanks to cushioned insoles, padded collars and flexible soles, Mumsnet users found Clarks shoes comfortable right from the first wear – ideal for active kids who walk to school or enjoy running or playing outside. 

With many styles costing significantly more than supermarket or high street alternatives, however, the biggest criticism is that some choices, particularly the non-patent designs, don't seem to last as long as they once did.

A premium option that's particularly popular with secondary school and older primary school pupils, Dr Martens are praised by Mumsnet users for their sturdy, long-lasting school shoes that stay looking great across the entire school year, or even longer if your child's feet don't significantly grow.

Secondary school pupils love the iconic leather looks, which often comply with school uniform policies, while still appealing to teenagers. Their designs with zips are also handy for tweens, making them easier to put on during those manic mornings before school.

The trade-off is that the Dr Martens school shoes don’t come cheap, especially in larger sizes. They’re also heavier than most school shoes, and require a little breaking in so they’re comfortable before that first walk to school at the start of the term. 

Although expensive to buy, parents often feel they work out cheaper because they don't need to be replaced mid-year. 

Ideal for children who might resist wearing structured leather school shoes, Geox’s comfortable trainer-like designs are frequently recommended by parents for active children or those whose feet get hot and sweaty by the end of the school day. 

These lightweight designs feature breathable sole technology, helping to keep feet cooler and drier, even in summer. While Geox don’t offer a range of width fittings like Start-Rite and Clarks, reviewers claim the flexible uppers are comfy from day one, with no adjustment period required. 

Due to the premium price, we recommend you check your school's uniform policies carefully before you buy – some of Geox’s sportier designs may not be accepted as standard.

Mumsnet users love Kickers for their high-quality, classic leather school shoes, ranging from patent Mary Janes to leather T-bars and brogues. You’ll also find plenty of rip-tape styles that younger children can manage themselves.

These iconic school shoes do need breaking in, but Mumsnet users praise the thick leather uppers, which resist scuffs, and grippy rubber soles that don’t feel slippery when the weather turns cold.

The main niggle is the limited fit choice. Kickers offers one width and only selected half sizes, leaving far less wiggle room when you’re trying to find the right pair.

As well as selling premium brands like Clarks and Lelli Kelly, NEXT also offers an extensive size range and a broad range of its own school shoe styles.

Parents frequently recommend NEXT because it's easy to find school shoes for children of all ages, from Reception through to secondary school. 

The wide choice of loafers, T-bars, brogues, Mary Janes and school trainers means there’s something for most school uniform requirements. Mumsnet users also praise NEXT for its half sizes and extra-wide (H) fittings, which can be hard to find in stock at other high street retailers.