You can never start too early with school prep, so if you want to tick shoes off the list, we’ve done the hard work for you. Whether you’re after a diddy first pair of shoes for your new-starter or looking for some tween-approved treads for secondary school kids, our round up of the best school shoes has got you covered.
Getting the sizing right is crucial, particularly as school shoes are worn so often. I’d recommend getting your child’s foot measured properly in store (most shoe shops offer this service for free) or use an online guide to measure at home. Always fit to the larger foot and leave around 1.5cm space between the end of the longest toe and the end of the shoe, to prevent toes getting squashed.
The goal is to find a pair of school shoes that your child will grow out of before they destroy them, so look for styles that are robust enough to handle whatever the school day throws their way. Scuff-resistant designs, and durable soles are all worth their weight in gold.
Depending on the age of your child, they will have different priorities when it comes to the perfect school shoe, but I’m sure one thing they will all agree on is that the shoes have to feel comfy. Features like padded ankle cuffs, breathable materials and wide toe boxes are all things to look out for. Also, if you’re shopping for little kids, it’s best to go for easy on/off fastenings like Velcro straps, and leave the laces until they can master these independently.
As a mum of two school-aged kids, I’ve bought a lot of school shoes over the years – some that have lasted far better than others – but every pair here get my (and my testers’) seal of approval.
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The best kids’ school shoes for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Clarks Lock Magic: £46, Clarks.com
- Best budget buy – Asda George Black Leather Double Strap School Shoes: £18, Asda.com
- Best for durability – Start-Rite rhino Sherman: £65, Startriteshoes.com
- Best lightweight – Young Soles Rosie T-Bar: £68, Youngsoles.com
- Best barefoot style – BGreater Henson: £46, Bgreatershoes.com
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Clarks Lock Magic
Rating: 5/5
Best: kids' school shoes overall
Why we love it
- Huge size range
- Cute key detail on buckle and sole
- Easy to get on and off independently
Take note
- Slightly narrow fit
The Clarks lock magic shoes are a thing of beauty. With sparkly gold star details, a gold key charm on the strap, sparkly gold inner foot cushion and key motif on the sole, they bring all the fairytale magic, while still being a perfect choice for busy school days. My Year 2 tester fell in love instantly and they definitely delivered the all-important kid-appeal.
It’s hard to find fault with these school shoes. They offer all the support to encourage healthy foot development, with a delightfully springy PU foam footbed and soft padded ankle collar, and feature a secure riptape strap to help your child get a nicely secure fit. I liked that the long Velcro strip offered a wide range of fittings, and my little tester was able to get these on securely, easily. Perfect for young children to put on and take off themselves, they make a brilliant first school shoe, as well as appealing to older school kids – the ultimate all-rounder.
The Microban odour control is a nice touch to help keep the shoes fresh – these performed exceptionally well during the heatwave – and you can pick from matt or patent leather. I do feel these come up just a touch narrower compared to some of the other shoes we tried out, but as they are available in a wide fitting it’s pretty much a non-issue.
Key specifications
Buy now £46, Clarks.com
Asda George Black Leather Double Strap School Shoes
Rating: 4/5
Best: budget school shoe
Why we love it
- Secure Velcro straps
- Comfortable
- Great value
Take note
- Sole not as grippy as others tested
These affordable school shoes look and feel like they’re built for anything your child can throw their way. With a sturdy upper made from leather, as well as toe bumpers and a chunky sole, they certainly are more durable than you’d expect for a pair of shoes coming in at under £20.
My Year 1 tester took his job seriously, putting these shoes through their paces during outdoor learning sessions and plenty of time spent on the playground. I was initially a little hesitant about the soles, which don’t have the same level of grip as some of the other school shoes we tested, but there was no slipping over, even when running in the school hall.
The double Velcro strap fastenings held securely and the tab at the back of the shoes was useful to help my young tester get these on and off themself.
They are similar in design to the Bobux Scoot, although they Scoot is more lightweight and flexible – hence the difference in price. But with a cushioned inner sole and padded ankle support, these are a brilliant budget alternative that should go the distance.
Key specifications
Buy now £18, Asda.com
Bobux Scoot
Rating: 5/5
Best: school shoes for younger boys
Why we love it
- Flexible sole
- Soft leather
- Name tag on Velcro strap
- Protective toe cap
Take note
- On the pricier side
With a crowd-pleasing sporty style and made from premium leather, these great-looking school shoes would work for all-age primary school kids, but it’s the easy fastenings and next-level comfort that make these ideal as a first pair of school shoes.
The double hook-and-loop Velcro straps (which come with space for you to write your child’s name on) were easy for our Year 1 tester to use themself – I particularly liked how long the straps were, which meant they would comfortably fit wider feet even if they shoes themselves don’t come in different width options.
Something that really stands out with these Bobux shoes is the ridiculously comfy, squishy insole, that provides plenty of support for active kids as well as being podiatrist approved. The shoes are part of the brand’s Kid+ range, which is specifically designed for active children. They’re flexible enough to work as PE shoes and the sole is extra-grippy, so they’ll be able to do laps of the school hall to their heart’s content.
They are on the pricey side, but are fantastic quality and you can feel confident these shoes are supporting your child’s growing foot shape all school-day long.
Key specifications
Buy now £66, Johnlewis.com
Dr. Martens Junior 8065 Softy T Leather Mary Jane Shoes
Rating: 5/5
Best: kids' school schools for style
Why we love it
- Cool design
- Secure double Velcro straps
- Flexible leather upper
Take note
- Expensive
Ticking all the boxes for comfort, flexibility, durability and style, these ridiculously cool shoes from Dr. Martens were a firm favourite with me and my testers. The double Velcro strap fastenings – disguised as buckles – were easy for my primary-school age tester to do herself and gave a really personalised fit.
The signature yellow stitching is such a cool touch but at first I was unsure whether such a chunky style shoe would be lightweight enough or flexible enough for school age kids to bomb around in. I was wrong. Made from supple leather, the softy T Mary Janes were surprisingly light and beautifully unrestrictive, making them a comfy and sensible choice for school days. They are also ridiculously durable – these will be outgrown before they fall apart.
Interestingly, these shoes were the ones that got the thumbs up across the widest age group, with everyone from Reception-age to our secondary school testers rating the style. I believe they are worth every penny, and would have taken my best buy spot if it wasn’t for the higher price tag.
Key specifications
Buy now £70, Drmartens.com
Start-Rite rhino Sherman
Rating: 5/5
Best: school shoe for durability
Sizes: 1-9
Width fitting: Narrow, standard, wide, extra wide
Why we love it
- Durable
- Choice of widths
- Scuff-resistant heel and toe bumpers
Take note
- On the pricier side
Need an indestructible school shoe? This is the ultimate ‘handle anything’ shoe that can survive even the most adventurous kid. I’ve been a fan of these shoes for a couple of years now and really believe they are the tanks of the school shoe world. After almost a full year’s worth of wear, our rhino shermans are still going strong – making cost per wear a bargain.
The chunky non-marking sole features a deep tread and there’s plenty of padding around the collar. The removable insole adds extra cushioning, as well as helping to keep unwanted smells at bay, and the breathable linings worked a treat during a spell of very hot weather.
They are only available in a lace-up design, so are best suited to older kids who can tie their own laces, but if you’re shopping for an older child who spends their lunch breaks playing football or running around with their friends, these are the school shoes you need.
Key specifications
Buy now £65, Startriteshoes.com
Next Chunky Mary Jane
Rating: 5/5
Best: school shoes for younger girls
Why we love it
- Easy Velcro fastenings
- Choice of finishes and colours
- Wide size range
- Robust sole
Take note
- No narrow width fittings available in black patent
There’s so much to love about these gorgeous high street school shoes, from the cute design to the budget friendly price. I loved the juxtaposition of the chunky sole and the sweet bow detail, but my Year 2 tester was particularly taken with the shiny patent finish, glittery stars on the sole and butterfly pattern on the inner cushioning.
The padding around the ankle collar made sure there was no rubbing, and the footbed was perfectly springy and soft, as well as breathable thanks to the micro-fresh treated lining (no smelly shoes here, even during summer term).
My favourite detail was the faux-buckle strap, which is actually Velcro, meaning my tester could get her own shoes on and off easily, making the morning school run rush far less stressful.
I know patent leather is a pain for scuffing, but we’ve come back to this shoe style three years in a row now and I am consistently impressed with how little the toe wears – partly thanks to the chunkiness of the sole. Lightweight, pretty and durable, these are excellent quality, great value kicks.
Key specifications
Buy now £26, Next.co.uk
Kickers Klapton
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: school shoes for older boys
Why we love it
- Versatile, cool style
- Robust, grippy sole
- Durable thick laces
Take note
- Not available in smaller sizes
- Expensive
With a chunky, sporty look, these shoes were crowned “the coolest school shoes” by my testers. Managing to be fashionable and still school-shoe appropriate, I also loved the look of these black sneaker-style leather shoes – but thankfully it’s not a case of style over substance. The Klapton shoes from Kickers are made from smooth leather, with a flexible yet supportive fit (the ankle collar padding and inner sole feel seriously comfortable and premium).
The sole is thick, with excellent tread and reinforced toe and heel detailing, making these a super durable choice. While they are on the pricier side, as your child gets older, they don’t whizz through shoes sizes quite as quickly, so I feel these really are worth the spend.
Key specifications
Buy now £75, Kickers.co.uk
Young Soles Rosie T-Bar
Rating: 4/5
Best: lightweight school shoe
Why we love it
- Excellent quality
- Very lightweight
- Wide size range
- Durable sole
Take note
- Buckle fastening
- Expensive
I’m a sucker for traditional-style school shoes and instantly fell in love with the classic punch detailing on the toe of these super-cute T-bars from Young Soles. I wasn’t the only one – my primary-school-age tester loved the look of these, too.
Two things that stood out immediately were the wide toe bed, providing plenty of room for growing feet, and how unbelievably lightweight the shoes were, despite the fantastically chunky and grippy sole.
The shoes feature a buckle rather than a Velcro fastening, but as this is attached to a stretchy strip of elastic rather than leather, my tester found it a lot easier to do up and undo herself. Coming in a wide range of sizes, starting at just 5.5 (EU22) and in a choice of colourways including black patent leather, these are such an adorable first school shoe.
I really rate this independent brand’s dedication to sustainability, with these shoes made in Europe using locally sourced Leather Working Group-approved ethical leather, which I found to be reassuringly breathable during a heatwave.
Key specifications
Buy now £68, Youngsoles.com
M&S Kids’ Leather School Shoes
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: school shoe for older girls
Why we love it
- Wide size range with half sizes
- Choice of widths
- Odour protection
- Stylish design
Take note
- Limited grip on sole
Finding a shoe that gets the approval of a hard-to-please tween or teen and fits with school regulations is quite the task, but these stylish loafers from M&S are the perfect “best of both worlds”.
The patent leather and fringed detailing got the thumbs up from our older tester, as did the slight heel (which is high enough to feel a bit grown-up, but low enough to not interfere with comfort or safety). I was so impressed with the wide size range on offer, with half sizes and a choice of widths to help you get the perfect ft – a crucial consideration when you opt for slip-on shoes.
Our tester loved how comfortable the shoes were – the collar padding and super-squishy inner sole made these a dream to wear all day. I appreciated the Freshfeet technology, that kept these smell-free during heatwave and the breathable lining which stopped my tester’s feet getting too sweaty in sweltering temperatures. Such great value.
Key specifications
Buy now £34, Marksandspencer.com
Dr. Martens Junior 1461 Softy T Leather Shoes
Rating: 5/5
Best: gender-neutral school shoe
Why we love it
- Yellow stitching adds a cool touch
- Very well made
- Comfy air-cushioned sole
- Easy to clean
Take note
- Expensive
Featuring everything that makes Dr. Martens shoes so excellent, but shrunk down into a kid-friendly package, the softy Ts are one of my favourites for older kids. Of course there’s the signature yellow stitching around the sole, which my Year 5 tester absolutely loved, and the air-cushioned sole which made these very comfortable for all-day wear and playtime at break, but instead of the more rigid leather you’d associate with Dr. Martens’ adult line, these shoes are made from soft and flexible Romaria leather.
While they look sturdy – and certainly feel robust enough for everyday wear – the shoes are lightweight, so perfect for both primary and secondary school-age kids. That said, they only come in a lace-up design, so best suited to children who have mastered the art of tying their laces independently.
My tester has received numerous compliments from other parents, teachers and school mates, who all love these stylish shoes. I think they are well worth the investment.
Key specifications
Buy now £70, Drmartens.com
BGreater Henson
Rating: 5/5
Best: barefoot-style school shoes
Why we love it
- Supports natural foot development
- Breathable material
- Very durable
Take note
- Doesn’t go up to larger sizes
When your child is going to be wearing their school shoes five days a week, you want to pick a pair that will help support long-term foot health, and I have been completely won over by these barefoot school shoes from BGreater.
Designed with a wider toe box and thinner sole than traditional shoes, barefoot shoes give your child’s foot space to grow and develop unrestricted. Visually, the Henson shoes look like any other school shoe, just a little wider around the toe area, and despite the thinner sole (which helps kids feel the ground underneath while still being protected) my tester thought these were “so comfy”. One of my testers had never tried barefoot shoes before but was instantly on board and they quickly became the shoes she reached for on repeat. After reading the research behind barefoot shoes, I’m also a convert.
The sole is super-grippy and the shoe itself is very flexible, making these ideal for kids of all ages who love being active. The Velcro strap and elasticated laces gave a fantastically supportive fit, and I liked the little touch of the half-smiley faces inside the shoes (up to a size 13) top help young kids put the right shoe on the right foot easily.
Key specifications
Buy now £46, Bgreatershoes.com
Clarks Lumen Hero
Rating: 5/5
Best: PE trainers for school
Why we love it
- Good choice of colours
- Very supportive
- Lightweight
- Great value
Take note
- Only one choice of width fitting
I’ve bought many pairs of school PE shoes over the years and always come back to Clarks trainers. The brand’s Lumen Hero trainers are – hands down – the best PE shoes I’ve found, and it’s been a struggle to convince my daughter to try and save these for school rather than everyday.
Every design detail is made with kids in mind, from the pull tab at the back to help get the trainer on and off, to the reinforced toe and heel. The trainers are so lightweight with a flexible sole and plenty of inner cushioning which my Year 2 tester made good use of during games of tag and tree climbing after school.
The riptape strap and elastic laces kept the trainers on securely and were easy for my tester to get on and off quickly herself. She loved the lime green and pink colourway – “SO cool” in her words – and it definitely made them stand out (less chance of being lost at school), but the Lumen Hero also comes in six other colourways including plain black if your child’s school has uniform restrictions.
I can’t get over the quality of these trainers, particularly for £25. And the best bit? They are machine washable and came out looking as good as new after a spin.
Key specifications
Buy now £25, Clarks.com
What are the best kids’ school shoes?
Of course it all comes down to personal style and budget, but my favourite kids’ school shoes are the Clarks lock magic, which deliver on comfort, adjustability and fit all wrapped up in a gorgeously nostalgic style and affordable price tag. If your budget can stretch, the Dr. Martens softy T Mary Janes are a perfect pick for all ages of school children, from new starters to stylish teens. And, if you’re after an indestructible school shoe for active kids, I’d 100 per cent recommend the rhino sherman from Start-Rite, which are worth every penny.
How I tested kids’ school shoes
I rounded up a group of primary- and secondary-school-age kids, ranging from Reception up to Year 7, to test out a mix of school shoes over the course of a month (in some instances, far longer). My testers got to work, putting each pair of shoes through some real-life testing on the school playground, playing fields and throughout the school day, to give their opinions which they genuinely rated. They shared their thoughts on how comfy the shoes were and whether they liked the look of them. I considered everything from how easy they were to get on and off independently to durability and value for money.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Sarah Dawson is a writer with a great deal of experience when it comes to recommending the best parenting buys and products for kids. As with all IndyBest reviews, Sarah's testing process involves assessing how the products fare under real-world use, factoring in their quality, and any potential pitfalls. By calling in assistance from younger testers when writing this article, she was able to see how different each pair of school shoes went down with kids.
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