Lots of families try cheaper shoes from supermarkets and fast fashion retailers and also shoe specialist brands, and we have seen that generally the quality brands have far outlived any other alternative to provide greater value for money in the long-term.

Some of our customers have told us that when they have brought supermarket own brand school shoes and they looked significantly worse for wear after just six weeks of school – approximately 30 days of wear. Potentially they could last the term, which is approximately 65 days. Whereas the comparative branded shoes like Clarks and Start-rite which added better support and foot health were going strong at the six-week mark and they are confident they will last the full school year of 195 days.

Foot Health is important

Children don’t always understand what is happening with their feet and comfort until it’s a problematic blister or pain. Yet our children’s feet really take on the weight of every active school day.

Feet develop throughout the 18 years from birth to adulthood with important stages happening throughout. It is said that a child’s gait is as individual as its fingerprint and a child’s gait develops till it is 16 years old. As a parent there is a limit as to how much information you can take-on – here are some of my top tips for buying school shoes, picked up by talking to the shoe-fitting experts.



Do not be embarrassed at all in asking to ensure there is growing room in every pair of shoes you buy. This is an investment you are making, and it needs to pay off for you.

We know that this is an investment into the children’s foot-health – and at this stage of their lives it is an important one. And just like every good investment you need to look after it.