Back to School: The Best School Shoes for Growing Feet

You’d think school shoes would be the easy bit.

But every year, it’s the same: sore feet, worn-down soles, shoes that get ditched in favour of trainers the moment they’re home. 

The issue? Too many school shoes are made to hit a price point, not to last. And when durability, comfort and proper support are missing, the result is predictable: shoes that wear out, don’t fit properly, and rarely make it past the first term. This guide isn’t about trends. It’s about helping you choose shoes that actually work shoes your child will wear, walk in and get through the year with.

What School Shoes Are Supposed to Do and Why Most Fall Short

Children wear their school shoes more than any other pair. Five days a week. Eight hours a day. Indoors and out. They’re expected to walk, sit, run, climb, kick and stand all in the same pair. And yet, while many brands say their academic shoes are made for long days, real-world wear tells a different story.

Instead, they’re:

• Often shaped without enough room for natural toe splay or proper heel support
  

• Made from synthetic uppers or plastic-coated leathers that don’t let feet breathe

• Too narrow at the toes or too loose at the heel
  

• Styled with bulk or stiff finishes that prioritise cost over comfort
  

• Sold by size alone, which may not guarantee a comfortable fit for every child
  

It’s no wonder they don’t hold up. And that’s not just inconvenient, it can cause real issues for growing feet.

What Makes Young Soles Different?

Young Soles doesn’t just make school shoes. We design them for children who actually move.

The Back to School collection is built around practical details that matter: supportive soles, high-quality leather, flexible structure and consistent sizing from EU20 to EU40. The shoes are designed in East London and made in Europe with materials that are made to last.

Don’t just take our word for it — Young Soles was awarded Best: School shoes for style by The Independent, and holds a 5-star review to match.

Whether it’s a classic brogue, a Mary Jane shoe, or a clean-lined trainer, each style starts with one question: how will this feel on a child’s foot after six hours in the classroom?

Style Spotlight: The Rosie T-Bar is a great example – lightweight, flexible and soft from first wear. It combines subtle vintage charm with everyday ease for younger children.

What You Should Look for — A Checklist for Parents

1. Fit Comes First

Most discomfort in school shoes comes down to bad fit. Children need space to move and grow — but not so much that the shoe slips.

Look for:

• A thumb’s width between toe and tip
  

• Heel support that holds but doesn’t rub
  

• Flex in the sole behind the ball of the foot
  

• No ‘breaking in’ period — they should feel comfortable from day one
  

Young Soles custom-designs every pair on child-specific lasts. That means they’re shaped for real feet, not European averages or scaled-down adult styles.

Pro Tip: Shop in the afternoon when feet are slightly swollen – it gives a more accurate idea of how the shoes will fit after a full school day.

2. Grip That Works

Slippery corridors. Playground tarmac. Wet leaves. School involves more varied terrain than you’d think.

Young Soles uses natural rubber soles on our black uniform shoes and back-to-school trainers, giving children reliable grip without heavy treads that slow them down.

3. Breathable, Durable Materials

Cheap leather-look shoes can trap heat and cause rubbing. Young Soles uses full-grain leather and breathable vegan alternatives that mould to the foot and keep feet cooler through the day.

Shoes like the Sidney Brogue Boot balance brogue-style detailing with a breathable lining and flexible rubber sole – ideal for kids who want something classic with personality.

4. Fastenings That Do Their Job

Whether it’s hook and loop, buckles or laces, the fastening should be secure and simple for your child to manage.

Take the Penny T-Bar: it looks like a classic buckle shoe but cleverly hides a hook and loop fastening for stress-free mornings and independent dressing.

Did You Know? 

Many Young Soles styles disguise hook and loop fastenings behind traditional buckles – so children get independence and style in one.

Do I Need More Than One Pair?

That depends on your school’s policy.

Most require formal black uniform shoes for day-to-day wear. You might also need separate trainers for PE or after-school clubs. Young Soles makes both and each type is designed with the same approach: build it properly, use materials that last and keep the fit consistent. That means one brand, multiple uses and far less trial and error.

What Happens When You Get It Right

A good pair of school shoes will:

• Fit comfortably from the first wear
  

• Support natural movement without rubbing
  

• Stay secure throughout the day
  

• Survive the playground and the classroom
  

• Last the term (and sometimes longer)
  

And most importantly: your child won’t ask to take them off the moment they get home.

What to Avoid — Even If It Looks Right

• Shoes that are “close enough” in size
  

• Styles that favour looks over comfort
  

• Fastenings your child can’t manage independently
  

• Flat soles with no grip
  

• Cheap materials that crease, crack or smell by half-term
  

If a shoe looks great but won’t survive wet grass, stairs and a game of tag — it’s not the right choice.

The Real Cost of Buying Twice

It’s easy to think a cheaper pair will do. But most low-cost shoes need replacing long before the year’s out. That adds up. One well-made pair that fits properly will almost always cost less in the long run — in time, money and complaints.

Quick Tip: Even the best school shoes need looking after. A weekly wipe-down and polish can help extend their lifespan well beyond one term.

The Bottom Line

You want your child to feel comfortable, stay safe and focus on learning not sore feet or undone shoes. A properly made pair of school shoes makes that easier.

Young Soles’ Back to School collection gives you children’s footwear that fits, lasts and follows school rules without compromising on comfort or style. If you’re shopping for black uniform shoes or back-to-school trainers that actually support growing feet, this is the place to start.