We know that to see kids' school shoes as a successful purchase, parents want the shoes to last as long as possible. Ideally, school shoes will last at least a full school year, or until your child has grown out of them.
We’ve pulled together everything you need to know about long lasting school shoes, including what you should look for, the toughest materials, and some of the most recommended styles when it comes to durability.
Hard wearing school shoes: What to look out for
For hard wearing school shoes, you should look out for sturdy soles, which are often quite thick. For example, school shoes with thick rubber soles tend to take a much longer time to wear down, as well as being excellent shock absorbers for your child’s foot health.
Another thing to look for are high quality construction methods such as reinforced stitching and seams, as well as sturdy toe boxes. Look especially in areas of higher stress such as around the heel area and between the sole and shoe material for a good stitching job, ensuring that the shoes won’t break apart after long-term use.
There’s no use in your school shoes being durable if they’re not comfortable too. That’s why you should regard comfort as equally important as strength. Shoes with padded linings and made from flexible materials, such as leather school shoes reduce rubbing and allow for a tight but forgiving fit.
Toughest school shoe materials
Leather school shoes and patent leather school shoes are a great first option for their toughness combined with comfort and breathability:
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Strength - Leather is a strong material which can withstand much stress without tearing or breaking apart. Leather shoes are ideal for withstanding the wear and tear of daily school life.
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Breathability - Leather is naturally breathable, meaning it can be worn for long periods of time without feet overheating and sweating, which can potentially damage the material.
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Easy to clean - It’s usually possible to use a damp cloth to clean leather school shoes. Keeping them clean easily prevents damage and lowers wear and tear.
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Weather resistance - Treated leather can be water resistant, which is great for soggy weather. Also, leather’s breathability means it can also be suitable for hot conditions too.
For the soles, rubber is usually the best choice when it comes to durability. A naturally dense material which absorbs a lot of shock and doesn’t wear down fast, rubber is perfect for school shoes.
Toughest school shoe styles
School boots are one very tough style, and that’s because of their reinforced construction methods and features to protect against wear and tear. One such feature is strong stitching and reinforced uppers and toe boxes. This means that even for more active kids, school boots shouldn’t become damaged very easily.
Another tough style are brogue school shoes, which are usually made using durable leather. Brogues are tough because, despite being more streamlined than boots, they offer a number of the same features such as reinforced uppers and high quality stitching. Rubber bumpers on the toe and heel also often absorb additional shock, which increases the longevity of these shoes.
Our toughest school shoe options
A school boot for boys which is especially tough is the Hush Puppies Boys Jezza Snr School Boot. Black leather uppers and a reinforced toe area make these tougher than the average school shoe.
With hook and loop fastening for an adjustable fit, these shoes will be comfortable on the feet for long periods of time, and a black rubber sole unit provides extra strength. Hush Puppies are widely regarded as a reliable school shoe brand, so you can rest assured these are a good option.
Now, a good choice of school boots for girls are Kickers Kick Hi Black Patent Leather school boots. These glossy patent leather school boots feature lace-up fastenings and are a highly sophisticated option.
They also don’t lack in the durability department, as triple stitching keeps them held together under lots of stress and for the long-term. To add to comfort, a soft padded footbed sits atop the thick leather sole unit.
A brogue school shoe which boasts extreme durability are the Hush Puppies Kada Snr Black Patent Brogue School Shoes. These are a trendy and classy brogue shoe built from high quality glossy leather, featuring lace-up fastenings and a padded sole unit.
Their strength comes in the sturdy rubber sole unit, which is thick enough to last for prolonged periods of time, as well as being securely stitched to the base of the footwear.