Choosing school shoes can feel overwhelming - sizes, styles, uniform rules, materials, fastenings… the list goes on. And with kids wearing their school shoes for an average of 15,000 hours a year, getting the right pair really matters.

At Shoes & Sox, our Expert Shoe Crew works with thousands of families each year, and we’ve identified the most common mistakes parents make when buying kids school shoes and how to avoid them.

1)       Choosing the Wrong Size (Especially Width!)

Kids’ feet don’t just grow in length they grow in width, too. Many parents focus only on size, missing the importance of width, toe room and heel fit.

What happens when the fit is wrong:

- Blisters

- Overcrowded toes

- Heel slippage

- Shoes wearing out too fast

 Book a FREE Fit Check with our Expert Shoe Crew or use our Size Guide to get the right length and width

2)       Buying Shoes with No Growing Room, or Too Much

A good school shoe should have 10–12mm of growing room.
Too little room = pain and premature wear.
Too much room = tripping, slipping and lack of support.

Tip: Always check the toe gap and heel stability.

3)       Ignoring Foot Support

Kids spend hours walking, running and standing at school. A shoe with poor support can lead to discomfort and improper foot development.

Key features to look for:

- Firm heel counter

- Durable sole

- Supportive insole

- Quality leather or breathable materials

Internal link suggestion:
Shop our Back-to-School range designed for performance and comfort

Buying Shoes Without Considering the Uniform Policy

Nothing is worse than a last-minute uniform surprise. Some schools require:

- All-black shoes

- Leather uppers

- Lace-up from a specific year

- No coloured sport shoes

Tip: Double-check your school’s uniform guide before purchasing.

4)       Switching to Laces Too Early

Many parents feel pressured to transition early but kids need time to learn laces confidently.

If your child isn’t ready:

- Choose self-fastening straps

- Practice at home with our Shoes & Sox Learn to Lace tools. Ask our Expert Shoe Crew for a handy free lace-up card next time you visit us.

Internal link suggestion:
Link to When to Move from Velcro to Laces blog

5)       Overlooking Durability for Style

We know kids are tough on shoes, running, climbing, dragging feet, kicking balls.
Cheap, fashion-only styles won’t last.

Choose brands known for durability:

- Harrison

- ROC 

- ASICS

6)       Not Allowing Time to Break Them In

Brand-new leather can feel stiff at first.
Buying school shoes early (hello, December!) allows kids to break them in gently.

Tip:
Have your child wear their new leather school shoes for 30-60 minutes a day in the lead-up to school starting.