In collaboration with Start-Rite Shoes.
Buying school shoes can feel like one of the biggest back-to-school jobs. Children wear them for around eight hours a day and approximately 195 school days each year, so it is important to find a pair that is comfortable, supportive and strong enough to cope with busy school life.
Over the years, I have experienced everything from children growing out of their school shoes surprisingly quickly to shoes coming home covered in mud after only a few days. It can be tempting to buy them with lots of growing room and hope they last for as long as possible, but shoes that are too big can be just as uncomfortable as shoes that are too small.
New research commissioned by Start-Rite Shoes has highlighted some of the difficulties parents face when choosing school shoes. Read on for some useful fitting advice and the chance to win a pair of Start‑Rite school shoes plus a shoe care bundle (worth up to £85):
Are we buying the right size school shoes?
Start-Rite commissioned OnePoll to survey 2,000 UK parents ahead of the 2026 back-to-school season. Although fit was the top priority for parents, the results showed that many families still find it difficult to judge whether a shoe fits properly.
The survey found:
- 61% of parents buy shoes slightly too big
- Around three million parents rely on the traditional thumb test
- 38% do not consider the width of the shoe
- Four in ten children say their shoes hurt
I can understand why parents buy a larger size. School shoes are an expense, and nobody wants to replace them again a few weeks into term. However, too much extra space can allow the foot to move around inside the shoe, leading to slipping, rubbing and discomfort.
Start-Rite Brand Trainer and fitting expert Callum Linger recommends concentrating on the correct fit now rather than simply sizing up. Durable soles, reinforced toes, adjustable fastenings and a quick fit check during the term can all help school shoes last well.
Look beyond the thumb test
The thumb test has been used by families for generations, but it should not be the only way you decide whether a shoe fits.
A good fit check should consider:
- The length of the shoe
- The width around the foot
- Whether the heel remains secure
- Where the shoe bends
- How comfortably your child can walk
Ask your child to walk around in both shoes rather than only trying on one. Watch their heels as they move. If a shoe slips at the back, it could be too big, even if the length appears suitable.
It is also worth asking specific questions. Rather than asking, “Do they fit?”, ask whether the shoes feel tight around the toes, whether the heel moves and whether anything rubs. Children sometimes say shoes are fine because they like the style or want to finish shopping quickly.
Remember to check the width
Length is only one part of shoe fitting. According to the Start-Rite survey, 38% of parents do not consider width when buying school shoes.
A shoe that is the correct length may still be uncomfortable if it is too narrow. It can begin rubbing within days, especially when it is worn for a whole school day. If your child has high arches, as mine do, it is also important to check that the shoes fit comfortably around the circumference of the foot and do not feel tight across the top. Start-Rite school shoes are available in whole and half sizes with a choice of width fittings, helping parents find a more precise fit for different foot shapes.
Check where the shoe bends
A school shoe should bend where the foot naturally bends, near the toes. If it folds through the middle, it may not support the foot’s natural movement in the right place.
This is particularly important because children’s feet and walking patterns are still developing. The bones in our feet do not fully form during early childhood. They continue to fuse and mature as children grow into teenagers and young adults.
Our feet also cope with a surprising amount of force. Walking can place around twice our body weight through the foot, while running can increase this to three times our body weight. A well-designed shoe needs to protect the foot while still allowing it to move naturally.
Choose a fastening that works for your child
The best fastening depends on the individual child. Laces can provide a secure fit when they are tied correctly, while adjustable straps are practical for children who need to put on and remove their shoes independently.
Whichever style you choose, the fastening should hold the foot securely without feeling tight. Adjustable fastenings can also help maintain a comfortable fit as feet grow.
Measure children’s feet at home
An in-store fitting can be helpful, but it is not always convenient or possible, especially during the busy summer holidays.
Start-Rite’s online SizeWise measuring tool helps parents measure their children’s feet at home before ordering. There is also a useful Check the Fit guide to follow when the shoes arrive.
Remember to measure both feet, as one may be slightly larger than the other. It is also sensible to measure again rather than automatically ordering the same size as your child’s previous shoes.
Start-Rite school shoes
Start-Rite has been caring for children’s feet since 1792. In the 1940s, the company pioneered the idea of shaping children’s shoes around the structure of a child’s foot instead of simply producing smaller versions of adult shoes.
Its school shoe soles change as the sizes and widths increase, taking account of the way children’s gait develops. Selected styles also include Air-Rite technology, which allows air into the shoe while helping to keep water out.
School shoes need to cope with far more than sitting quietly in lessons. They are worn for running across playgrounds, climbing steps, walking to school and whatever else the day brings, as you don’t always have the chance to change them straight after school.
Start-Rite puts its shoes through extensive testing before they reach the shops. Prototype styles are flexed underwater 30,000 times, tested for 500,000 steps and worn by children in real-life situations. Rip-tape fastenings are opened and closed more than 5,000 times, which will sound reassuring to anyone whose child is constantly taking their shoes off and putting them back on again.
Start-Rite school shoe giveaway
Start-Rite Shoes is giving one reader the chance to win a pair of Start‑Rite school shoes plus a shoe care bundle (worth up to £85).
To enter, please complete the Gleam Widget below.
Win a Pair of Start-Rite School Shoe & Shoe Care Bundle!Closing Date: 26 August at 11:59 PM (so the winner can get their new shoes before school starts!). Please read the full terms and conditions before entering. Good luck!
A final back-to-school fit check
Once you have found a pair your child likes, take a few extra minutes to check the length, width, heel grip and flexibility. Make sure your child walks in both shoes and ask whether they feel comfortable in several different places.
It is also worth checking the fit again during the term. Children’s feet do not grow to a timetable, and a pair that fitted well in September may feel very different a few months later.
Choosing properly fitted school shoes may take a little more time, but considering how many hours children spend wearing them, it is time well spent.
You can find the full collection of Start-Rite school shoes online.
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Excited to enter this giveaway! Start-Rite shoes are brilliant for kids’ foot health.
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They are! Good luck! 🤞🏻
Great tips on finding well-fitting school shoes! The Start-Rite giveaway sounds wonderful.
Great advice on finding well-fitting school shoes! The Start-Rite giveaway sounds wonderful.
Great tips on choosing the right school shoes! Very helpful guide.