School shoes

[Thefajita]

Boring subject I know. My 8 y/o DS is an avid playground footballer and gets through shoes quickly. We’ve tried the ones with toe bumpers but the rubber falls off/apart, plain leather ones but they scuff too easily and need polishing constantly to look half decent. Tried various brands/prices but doesn’t seem to make any difference.
i’m considering buying plain black Astro trainers instead as they might be better when playing football. Does anyone know if these are ok for frequent use? Or any other tips on decent shoes? Thanks very much.

What brand are you buying? I would probably just go with the leather and polishing as it only takes ten minutes and you should be able to train him up to do it himself by eight I would think!

Good point about getting him to polish them- he has done so previously.
in his first couple of years at school we bought Clarks which lasted well, but now he plays so much football they seem to get battered. We’ve also tried start rite, John Lewis and george.

Clarks are poor IMO but startrite usually fine. I'd give him the responsibility for polishing (with help) or provide a cheap pair of trainers for break/lunch (if allowed).

Adidas Tensaur (sp?) are fab and last so long. Great for football playing kids.

We found Geox very hard wearing for our youngest very active boy. We chose a style with a rubber end and they last all year.

We get ricosta shoes with the bumper. They get scratched and tatty by the end of life but the hold it together and polish up lovely

Our school let's you take in trainers so they can change into them at break time. Makes shoes last a bit longer. Is that an option?

Thank you all, I’ll look up all of your suggestions. Unfortunately @mondler the school actively discourage taking in anything non-essential, as I guess it saves things go missing etc.

Geox with toe bumper

For regular football use and general school play time, Skechers and Petasil will be great. https://www.elevateyoursole.co.uk/collections/childrens-trainers