Your kids will spend the majority of their formative years wearing school shoes. During this period of growth and learning, it’s so important that they are supported from the feet up. Ensuring your child is wearing properly fitted, sturdy school shoes is the foundation needed to encourage them to be active while looking out for their health—growing bodies need strong shoes designed for everyday wear.

With so many styles on the market, it’s hard to know which style will suit your needs and provide the most comfort and support to your child. From V-strap school shoes, T-Bar school shoes, Mary-Jane school shoes, and lace-ups, the options seem endless.

The Athlete’s Foot experts have rounded up the most popular styles of school shoes and put them to the test. Whether they are heading to high school or starting their first day of primary we’ve outlined the key advantages of each so you can make an informed decision when purchasing the shoes your child will live in for the next year.

It’s a good idea to first check your school’s uniform policy. Some schools may enforce a lace-up shoes-only policy, while others may welcome any style of black school shoe.

V-Strap School Shoes

If your child’s fine motor skills are still developing, V-Strap shoes will ensure that they are able to keep their shoes snug with minimal stress. Once they’ve mastered tying shoelaces, they can move onto a different style of shoe. When purchasing a pair of V-strap school shoes, make sure there is plenty of toe room for growth!

T-Bar School Shoes

The T-Bar school shoe borrows from the classic T-Bar sandal. They usually feature a buckle and a slight heel raise.

The slight heel raise has it’s advantages as it promotes a more neutral walking gait, completely flat shoes may result in your child’s toes clinging to the shoe.

Mary Jane School Shoes

The defining feature of the Mary Jane school shoe is the strap across the top of the foot. It makes for easy and secure fastening. Just like the T-Bar school shoe, Mary Janes often offer a slight heel to provide that all-important stability.

Lace-up School Shoes

When it comes to overall support, lace-up school shoes offer the best support if they are laced and worn correctly. Educating your children on the importance of tying shoelaces correctly (rather than just tucking them in or letting them fly free) will give your kids the opportunity to put their best foot forward.

Understanding that school shoes are the most important shoes your child will wear will help you make the right decision. Shoes that are ill-fitting or the wrong size could potentially cause problems later down the line and even into adulthood. A child’s foot grows and changes up until the age of 18, so wearing shoes that are not fitted properly could potentially cause issues with foot growth.

Still can’t decide what style of school shoes you’re looking for - visit our online School Hub to check out all the styles from one place.

Unable to get to a store, or prefer to be fitted from the luxury of your own home? Contact our Fit Technicians directly through MyFit Virtual.

Our in-store teams are highly trained to kids fittings, booking in advance is essential - find your nearest store and book an appointment.