Secondary school shoes advice

[Magpiesalute]

Just looking for school shoes for my son who’s moving up to secondary school. Do all the boys have lace ups at this age, or are ones with a Velcro strap acceptable? Don’t want him to be picked on for babyish shoes, but he doesn’t seem keen on any lace ups he’s tried! Thanks wise mumsnetters!

Loafers??

Best tip? Buy a really cheap pair, from shoezone or similar. Then, after the first few days, he can tell you what they're all wearing and you can buy something like that. And you've got a spare pair in the house for weird, show emergencies should they arise!

I don't think velcro will be common btw, but you just never know!

shoe emergencies...

Mines trying loafers this year as he thinks Velcro looks babyish, but he’s also lazy (his words). but due to injury there’s a chance mine will be in trainers so we aren’t going to be popular

Hmm not keen on the look of loafers but that might just be the answer.

He does still just fit his old school shoes (although they’re pretty trashed) so we could send him in those until he finds out what the others are wearing.

Black leather trainers such as converse or vans are what everyone wears round here. School allows these brands as long as black leather and they're very hard wearing - I've bought some for myself for work as I've been so impressed with how long they've lasted

Really depends on the school. Can you ask on a local Facebook group/ask a friend with an older child what they tend to wear?

Mine is going in to year 10 and has worn velcro all the way through. He has dodgy feet and pretty much the only shoe that fits and doesn't cause pain is the hush puppies jezza. His friendly school shoe from reception onwards!

And does he have any friends going too? He can ask them. Some might have older siblings and know.

Loafers don't provide support and are useless for football in the playground, etc. Just as bad as ballet slip ons for girls.

All the boys round here wear brogue type lace ups as anything trainer-y isn't allowed

And I'm told Velcro is a complete no no and loafers are 'girly'

Yh OP you really need to find out what is acceptable at your school. I know plenty of schools where Vans are not allowed (tho I don't have an issue) so check the school website. Ours had a pic of what was OK, anything remotely trainer like was out. IME if I am honest most lads (when I was a teacher) wore lace-ups. Not necessarily super smart (tho once you get to bigger 11-12 sizes there is little choice) but something like this yes I know MN hates Clarks

DS1 wore velcro ones in first and second form of secondary school (we're in Northern Ireland) so I know we label the years differently. He decided they were too young going into 3rd form and is now in lace up brogues. Our school would not allow leather trainers.
He's not a particularly cool kid though and has never given a toss what others think.
In your position I'd polish his existing ones until he decides what he wants

@NeverDropYourMoonCup

Loafers don't provide support and are useless for football in the playground, etc. Just as bad as ballet slip ons for girls.

Aw crap I hadn’t thought of that! off to find mega wide shoes for DS.

Ok, thanks everyone! Really appreciate your thoughts. I need to keep looking at lace ups I think. The school don’t allow ones that look trainer-ish.