Ideal shoes and bag for DD starting secondary (who has a 60 minute trek each day!)

[CroqueMademoiselle]

Hi,

I'd be grateful for any advice with the above query - particularly from parents of children living rurally who have a bit of a trek to get to school each day.

My daughter is 12yo and starting secondary in just a few weeks. She is entitled to a free bus pass for the village bus into town due to us living so far from the nearest school. It is a bit of a rubbish journey each way:

1. She will need to walk approx 10-15 minutes down our private road which is very stony and bumpy (similar to attached picture) to get onto the 'main' road to the bus stop.

1. She will be on the bus for approx. 30 minutes

1. She will need to walk approx. 15 minutes through the town centre to arrive at school once the bus drops her off (this is the closest stop to her school).

Unfortunately I need to leave at 7am and won't arrive back until 5pm for work (in the opposite direction from school) so cannot drive her.

Her school handbook stipulates: 'school shoes must be dark and sensible'. So that leaves us a bit of scope! She, of course, would like something fashionable but I reckon she'll also need something more like a trainer for this amount of walking. Also something for the rain. Any recommendations? And would boots be permitted for the winter? That road of ours is a nightmare when the snow is here.

I thought DD might be more comfortable with a backpack with some form of padding for her shoulders (will be carrying everything in her bag each day as no lockers) but she would prefer a shoulder bag as it's easier to navigate down the really cramped corridors (she said she kept accidentally hitting people with her backpack on induction days - especially when lining up in the canteen). Any recommendations for a comfortable but stylish and rain-resistant shoulder bag?

Thanks for any advice.

Not sure you necessary need trainers (although I presume you mean hiking shoes), what about dm’s shoes like this-
www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/p/21997001

I would be looking at goretex trainers or walking shoes.
And with that amount of walking, I'd insist on a backpack else she will wreck her back. She can always lengthen the strap and wear it over one shoulder in the corridors.

She could wear sensible walking shoes on the way and change into sth fashionable (and light and tiny) when she gets in.

Eastpac are fashionable ISH...I think they do a waterproof version? I'd go doc martens all the way for footwear

Eastpak are comfy too. They have a sort of padded inside at the back which is good so books etc don't jab into you.

doc martens for shoes? cool but very sturdy.

Will she have a locker or somewhere to leave school shoes in school? That way she could wear whatever is necessary for the conditions on the commute, and change into "school shoes" when she gets there.

Plenty of professionals do it!

I’d be thinking brogues for shoes I think. They seem to be fashionable again.

I was going to suggest Dr Martens too or Kickers. Clark's have some with nice chunky soles too.
Like the idea about keeping other shoes at school though

These type of bag are very trendy at the Secondary school my DC is going too. V expensive but I've heard they usually last the whole 5 years and we're designed for school children to carry their books miles to school. I've been given a fake for my DD. My DS has got a Under Armour one which is lasting well.

https://www.surfdome.com/Fjallraven-Kanken-Classic-Backpack/sd5019858.htm?colour=Deep+Forest&sku=640695&productid=178550&gclid=CjwKCAjw-ITqBRB7EiwAZ1c5UHfdEYjwFJTxCApdZCByEP5kyZMf-JLxtZeZQ5e-1Njp--CAsjv9RoC524QAvDBwE

I'm a form tutor and I store a pair of walking trainers for one of my pupils. He changes into them on the bell for his hike home.

Doc Martens
Converse backpack.(or similar...dd1 has one, it is comfortable, fits everything, has lasted well, good range of colours)

Could she not cycle down and up your driveway to cut out some of the walking?

Thanks so much, everyone! have trawled the internet based on your suggestions and DD has her heart set on a patent pair of DMs:

www.schuh.co.uk/womens/dr-martens-lyric-spin-lace-shoe-patent-black-flat-shoes/1349087040/#

and this bag:

www.schuh.co.uk/accessories/bags/backpacks/hype-backpack-with-bottle-holder-blue-and-red-backpack/7512229970/

I'm not sure about the bag in terms of size or comfort but she doesn't like any of the other ones I've shown her.

Unfortunately the road has too many large boulders randomly spread along it (tractors up and down it everyday spreading things out) and she's had accidents each time she's tried cycling it. I asked about storage space during the parent visits on induction days and was told there is nowhere for kids to keep things. Their belongings must be kept in their back at all times. Keeping a spare pair of shoes at school would have been ideal - particularly for winter when she'll likely need boots for that road.

Those patent DMs are a thing of beauty! We've always found patent more hardwearing than normal leather.

DD has had a hype backpack for a couple of years for school and still going strong. Not sure how supportive it is for heavy books as she's only had to walk a very short distance with a few things in. The are quite popular for secondary according to DS

We got a decent pair of Asics Trail &Mizuno Wave both super comfy&supportive..other actually wears hiking shoes.Not cheap but built to last&dry out quick if necessary.The only thing i insisted on was a backpack with padded straps that could be used as an o/n bag for kipping at mates houses..DC chose style/brand but we are at an independent school with no uniform requirements in Oz.