NON uniform school - shoes, and anything else I've forgotten!

[drspouse]

DS is going to a non-compulsory-uniform school (starting Y3), I am pretty sure we have enough trousers, joggers, he wants a logo jumper and he has a couple of others (M&S school uniform sweatshirts in random uniform colours are perfect), but I'm puzzling over what to do for shoes - we have a great kids shoe shop but the most robust ones seem to be the black school shoes.
I am not massively keen on him wearing black leather school shoes (partly aesthetics, I know, but they just look odd with joggers) but he is very hard on shoes and I'm not sure what else is out there. He currently has a pair of trainers he likes but he wears them so much that despite being hard wearing/washable etc. I'm worried they won't last the winter. Do you just buy school shoes anyway if your child doesn't have to wear uniform? Also he needs non-marking shoes for PE and these were supposed to be them!

And is there anything I've forgotten? They have a lot of outdoor space and do a lot outdoors so we'll get him a new ultra waterproof coat!

Wellies?
Waterproof trousers maybe?

I would go for the standard school shoes - they will be designed for the type of treatment they will get at school.

dc have hiking shoes (waterproof) for wet days in winter.

They say bring wellies when asked (rather than leave them at school), and we have those.
I think we have waterproof trousers but best to check, yes.
Hiking style might well be a good idea. It would ease the wear on his current shoes - he always wears out his shoes rather than growing out of them.

Send him in his trainers for the first few days whilst you check out what the other dc are wearing then you could buy him him new shoes/trainers/whatever at the weekend.

That's a good idea, they aren't imminently in danger of falling apart though we have yet to go on holiday.

If you want leather have a look at some of the trends in Vans or Converse - they do some leather styles

Get him some indoor trainers and some going to school and playtime trainers as well as some wellies.

Also invest in some good quality trainers like Geox or similar rather than cheap supermarket type ones as they will last. These ones are on sale on Amazon in most sizes!

Geox is a good shout. They are mainly trainers but hard wearing, heavier and less spongey than most trainers and some of them look a bit less trainery too. You could get him leather boots for winter (eg
www.clarks.co.uk/c/Comet-Rock/p/26138441 ) but your point on the joggers still applies.

I think the plan to wait a bit is spot on though.

We are at a non uniform school and the children wear all sorts of shoes depending on budget, taste and feet!

Kickers are good and “go” with joggers, trousers and skirts.

Angulus, Bissgard, Geox, Froddo are some of the brands. Then there are places like M&S and Next. Then the supermarkets.

My children tend to have a pair of winter boots, a pair of trainers, a pair of summer sandals and wellies. They wear them in and out of school.

Kickers might work well. He broke some Geox last year!

Decathlon hiking type shoe. Robust. Last forever.

Send him in in trainers and suss out how things are - if they're putting them into wellies for anything outdoorsy then there's no need to worry really. Otherwise I'd just go for basic walking-type trainers possibly and if he's hard on his shoes just go for whatever's easily replaceable or going to be as durable as possible (I tend to go for easily replaceable for DD2 who can manage to rip straps completely off shoes with how she walks - since she can destroy shoes indiscriminately regardless of the price I just go for basic and replace)

I’ve just seen this brand suggested on another thread. indestructible leather shoes with a years guarantee for around £40. The Brooklyn style would look good with joggers or jeans.

www.treads-shoes.com/boys/school-shoes/brooklyn

Thanks all, we will try the trainers first, not only will we see what others wear but we'll miss the end of holiday scramble at the shops.

My DC went/go to a non uniform primary and most children wear trainers of some sort. Kickers, DMs, Geox, Converse are all popular but so too are unbranded black trainers. Sandals are allowed but only if the toes are protected e.g. Salt Water Sharks.
They are expected to change for PE but those wearing trainers anyway, also use them for PE.

Pencil case and contents? Water bottle?

We have water bottles coming out of our ears, I don't think they are required to take their own pencils? Is this a thing now in primary?

No probably not, just prompting in case you do need it

Ah good point.
No I'm pretty sure we don't.

My lot wear trainers to school. As do most of the other kids.