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

[Lilyladles]

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?

What were they allowed to wear/required to wear before the change?

The way you've phrased it sounds like a new option added to the existing ones, so I can see how it might represent a drop in standards but not the other things, as the children could just wear the same shoes are before.

Trainers are highly engineered to be good for feet. Lots of development work: typical school shoes, not so much. I have to disagree.

Yes, either PE/football type shorts or a skort in warm weather.

Obviously DD is rebelling by saying she wants to wear a blazer and pleated skirt but that's a different battle

You get well fitting shoes and poorly fitting shoes. These may be any type of shoe. If they are wearing trainers that are bad for their feet or don't fit properly, it's most likely that they are wearing school shoes that are equally bad for their feet and ill fitting. If they are doing this because they are short of money, then ALL their shoes are likely to be cheaper, and so may be lower quality. Cheap black trainers might well be cheaper than school shoes.

I never understand when people describe trainers as "hard-wearing".

Trainers are often largely fabric and have lots of mesh etc that let the rain in. Leather shoes, properly polished, are much more water resistant in British weather.

Trainers also often have softer soles that wear down faster than good quality leather school shoes, as they are designed for absorbing impact when playing sport, not durability.

They are designed to be good for feet when playing sport - so shock absorbing, stability etc.

That's not the same as being designed for durability and weather resistance.

Not to mention a lot of trainers simply don't look smart.

They go well with my jeans...or shorts...or whatever. I'm considering this as a new top to wear, but we aren't allowed to wear slogan t-shirts to school. 😂 I teach History.

I'm all for comfort. Trainers are more comfortable than leather shoes. I love this for your kids.

Love it!

I also don't understand why black leather shoes would be "ill fitting" any more so than trainers? Have you seen modern school shoes? They generally have wide toe boxes, and robust soles. Leather gives/stretches etc to give a better fit than fabric trainers, & leather is also breathable, so moisture etc can escape.

People just think trainers look cooler & are easier and don't like the cost of leather school shoes because their kids won't want to wear them outside school because they aren't trendy.

I wear trainers to work all day. I think trainers much more sensible for school. Teens can play football, run about, encourages them to be active

This sounds like a great plan: we are trying to keep young people more active so having footwear that makes that easy for break and lunch, plus the journey there and back, seems super sensible. Life's too short for sore feet. Very few employers now seem to insist on the grown up version of 'school shoes' so it seems pointless for schools to tow this line. Mine wears black converse which met school's shoe criteria at least on paper and have a super squidgy heel thing which suits her feet but I'd have her in black proper trainers in a flash. I wear something very like a trainer for work myself these days.

What's with all the low level shit stirring on here lately.

Who cares? Why do you want teens to 'look smart' at school? For what?

Trainers are GREAT for their feet and a decent pair of trainer is cheaper than a decent pair of shiny leather shoes.

I wear trainers to work most days now too,.most people do, with work trousers and a smart blouse. I'm able to maintain better foot, ankle and back health because of it, previously injuries from my hyper mobility had me off about 2-3 times a year. Since trainers every day, nothing.

Ds' school allows the 6th form to wear plain black trainers, as long as they do not have obvious brand logos on.

They are practical, tidy, comfortable and supportive. I don't see a problem.

I actually think it's really sensible. In what way are trainers bad for your feet?

DS's school had a stupid rule that school shoes had to be the type you'd wear for a wedding. Black trainers would be far more practical.

I also think that if they are just black with no obvious logo, they are smart enough.

My DBIL owned a children’s shoe shop for over 30 years. He says trainers (good ones) are best for kids’ feet. An NHS podiatrist told me the same

Ds has been wearing the same pair of plain black men's ASICs for the last four terms. The soles are wearing thin now but the they're still tidy and comfortable. They are as durable as a pair of Clark's black lace ups for the same price.

Tennis players wear trainers all day every day whether playing matches or training. I haven’t noticed any of them limping. 🙂

Trainers today a very different fromthe unsupported plimsoles or Dunlop green flash that were all that were available years ago.

Just buy proper shoes?

DS's school had a stupid rule that school shoes had to be the type you'd wear for a wedding.

God that's crazy, why would they do that to kids?

I think it's fine, my son has been wearing trainers for school most of the time, I think he only had shoes for a couple of years in year 3 and 4 at most. Been all the way through high school and nothing wrong with his feet. He used to play football at lunch so other shoes would have got damaged.

They are better for the feet. More room to move, actually properly washable (which is a massive boon for parents of teenage boys), wider toe box that can properly encompass growing feet.
As for more expensive are you insane? It costs me £90 at the start of the year and then £60 around Easter to properly shoe my two boys. Plus an extra £120 for trainers for each of them.
Far cheaper, safer and better for their feet to wear trainers every day