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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think Teenage boy school shoes aren’t fit for purpose?

60 replies

Obeseandashamed · 27/08/2025 23:01

I have a 13 year old with size 9/10 feet. A few of the boys in his class also have similar sized feet so he’s not a complete anomaly. We’ve been looking for school shoes and there seems to be nothing age appropriate out there in his size. Clarks only had one style available in his size and they were too narrow on the toe so not ideal. The other styles were far too grown up for a 13 year old. Everything in schuh, office & next wouldn’t suit a teenage boy who loves to play sport at break/lunch times either as they didn’t seem durable and/or were too grown up. His school won’t allow anything that looks anything remotely like trainers so I will have to resign myself to buying him dress shoes that I know will have to be replaced on a monthly basis 😅 I probably am being unreasonable and probably also exaggerating with envisaging monthly shoe purchases but I needed a rant as it’s a bone of contention in our household at the moment. If anybody had any recommendations for trendy but long lasting shoes suitable for school, please share them!

OP posts:
PoshDuckQuarkQuark · 28/08/2025 21:33

likeafishneedsabike · 28/08/2025 19:44

Nike courts. They are made of leather so no one can tell me they are trainers.
I am not putting him in a pair of ridiculous dress shoes or a pair of oversized little boy Clark’s/start-rite shoes. He will wear shoes befitting of a teenage boy in 2025 - ones that don’t make him look a knob.

Nike Courts are way too trainer like and are not permitted at DS's school!! They have the sporty air holes in the top and a Nike tick down the side. He'd get sent home in these!

I teach at a school that requires just black footwear so loads of the kids wear these.

user2848502016 · 28/08/2025 21:43

Silly when schools won’t allow trainers, my DD is allowed as long as they’re plain black. Can’t see what difference it makes to their learning really, probably helps it because they’re comfortable!

ElphabaFlies · 28/08/2025 21:45

Clarks Outlet, men's shoes with decent thick rubber soles. £54. Miles better than the £40 Next ones which were basically dress shoes and lasted 6 weeks.

Rollercoaster1920 · 28/08/2025 21:54

The Lee cooper shoes in sports direct are leather, wide and cheap.. side 12 was available for my monster.

grumpymummy72 · 28/08/2025 22:05

My son’s M&S leather men’s shoes have lasted a full year - which his Clarks ones never did - and he still plays football.

likeafishneedsabike · 29/08/2025 07:31

PoshDuckQuarkQuark · 28/08/2025 21:33

Nike Courts are way too trainer like and are not permitted at DS's school!! They have the sporty air holes in the top and a Nike tick down the side. He'd get sent home in these!

I teach at a school that requires just black footwear so loads of the kids wear these.

It’s so silly. Young male professionals in 2025 wear trainers! Schools need to review the policy for the 21st century.

cuttinganotheronion · 29/08/2025 07:38

Completely agree! My 12 year old has size 9 feet and doesn’t want to wear ‘estate agent shoes’ (his words) as he wants to play football every lunchtime but the school won’t allow trainer style school shoes. I got Kickers Tonvi shoes which are probably on the cusp of what he is allowed but I’m hoping his too long school trousers will hide them

PlumpAndDeliciousFatcat · 29/08/2025 08:39

likeafishneedsabike · 28/08/2025 19:44

Nike courts. They are made of leather so no one can tell me they are trainers.
I am not putting him in a pair of ridiculous dress shoes or a pair of oversized little boy Clark’s/start-rite shoes. He will wear shoes befitting of a teenage boy in 2025 - ones that don’t make him look a knob.

'Being made of leather' is not the defining criterion to distinguish between shoes and trainers!

likeafishneedsabike · 29/08/2025 08:56

PlumpAndDeliciousFatcat · 29/08/2025 08:39

'Being made of leather' is not the defining criterion to distinguish between shoes and trainers!

The school may say the same. The name ‘Courts’ suggests indoor sportswear so I could be back reluctantly buying school shoes again before long.

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