If like many parents you are currently agonising over what pair of school shoes will suit your child, the following tips may help.
What’s important when choosing school shoes?
It’s essential to remember that whatever shoes you buy, your child will be wearing them for as many as eight hours a day, five days a week. Comfort should therefore be first and foremost when buying school shoes. It’s not an exaggeration to say that uncomfortable footwear can negatively affect their academic performance, as it can be distracting or even painful.
Durability is another important factor, particularly if your child is very active. There’s no precise equation for how long school shoes should last, but if you pay attention to what materials they’re made of (more on this below), you can make sure that you’re not shoe shopping again before the term’s over.
Style should also be taken into consideration, and as a parent you shouldn’t overlook how the appearance of your child’s shoes may affect how they feel about themselves. Browsing through adidas’ shoes for school range, you’ll find many that are both stylish and comfortable.
Picking the right style for your child (and their school)
Perhaps the most important question to bear in mind is what shoes are ok to wear with a school uniform. The first, vital step is to consult the footwear guidelines issued by your child’s specific school. This may have been posted or emailed to you by the school, otherwise you should be able to find it on their website. As a general rule though, you should aim for relatively plain black or white shoes without distinctive logos.
Of course, it’s also important to go with a style that your child feels comfortable wearing, and that goes with the latest trends. Popular boys’ school shoes tend to include black trainers or trainer-like shoes, while popular girls’ school shoes often feature a small heel, or boot-like qualities. Again, make sure that you check with the school’s guidelines to see what is allowed and what isn’t. Take a look at adidas’ school shoes range for the latest styles.
Finding the right size school shoes
School shoes will only ever be comfortable if they fit properly, and as children’s feet are constantly growing this can be a challenge. As well as comfort, getting the right size is essential to ensure that your child’s feet continue to grow correctly.
You can calculate your child’s correct shoe size quite easily with just a piece of paper and a pen. Simply get them to step onto the piece of paper and place their heel directly against a wall behind them. Mark where the end of the longest toe is on the piece of paper, and then do the same for the other foot. You can then measure the distance from heel to toe in CM or inches, and compare this to a sizing chart to find the right fit. When shopping for adidas school shoes, you can access a size chart from each product page.
Why materials matter
There is a big difference between a quality pair of shoes and a cheap and low-quality pair. A large part of that difference usually comes down to what they’re made of. Many good, durable shoes are made of leather or a similar alternative, making them hardwearing and comfortable. This may be combined with a rubber outsole which absorbs shocks when running about, and provides enhanced comfort. It’s worth spending a little more for shoes made from durable and comfortable materials, as otherwise you’ll soon find yourself buying a new pair one way or another.
Buying shoes for PE and sports
As there are different demands on your child’s feet in PE, you’ll also need to buy them a dedicated pair of PE shoes. Some schools may have slightly more relaxed rules when buying shoes for PE, but again, make sure you check their guidelines first.
The best PE shoes for school are those that allow the foot to move freely, while also providing plenty of support, and these are generally those which have been specifically designed for sporting activities. For example, adidas’ laceless Rapidarun shoes feature a running shoe design that adapts to your child’s foot, while Cloudfoam cushioning in the midsole absorbs the shocks of tearing about on the field.
If your child will be playing football, rugby, or a similar sport, it is often school policy that they must wear studded boots or trainers to ensure their safety. adidas have a range of good PE shoes that fit these criteria, including Predator and Nemeziz football boots.
Features to look out for when buying school shoes
With a vast amount of choice available when purchasing boys’ and girls’ school shoes, it can be hard to make a decision. Aside from making sure that the fit and appearance is good, you should also look for shoes that have features which suit your child in their own unique way. For example, are lace-up or laceless shoes best for your child? Will they benefit from footwear that features extra grip designed for active kids? Our range of black adidas school shoes even includes footwear with sophisticated stabilising torsion systems, to give their step extra bounce in the playground or on the way to school.