ad. If you’re anything like me, buying school shoes is one of those back-to-school jobs that always comes with a little bit of hope… and a little bit of dread.
Hope that they’ll last the term.
Dread that they’ll be scuffed, uncomfortable or already looking tired after a few weeks.
With three children, we’ve tried our fair share of school shoes over the years. Some have looked great on day one but haven’t stood up particularly well to everyday school life. So, when Start-Rite asked us to try a pair of their Wish school shoes, I was genuinely interested to see whether they lived up to their reputation.
First impressions
The shoes certainly looked the part straight out of the box. The leather felt soft yet substantial, with lovely little details like the appliqué flowers giving them a smart but child-friendly look.
The rip-tape fastening is easy for little hands to manage independently, while the padded ankle support and removable footbed immediately made them feel more premium than many school shoes we’ve bought in the past.
One thing that really stood out to me is that Start-Rite doesn’t simply make smaller versions of adult shoes. Their footwear is specifically designed around the way children’s feet grow and move, with different sole designs as children develop.
The importance of getting the right fit
Something I hadn’t really appreciated before is just how much children’s feet continue to develop throughout childhood.
Children spend around 195 school days every year wearing their school shoes, often for eight hours or more each day. That’s a huge amount of time, so getting the fit right really matters.
Whenever possible, I’d always recommend having your child’s feet measured by a trained shoe fitter. If you can’t get to a store, Start-Rite also has its excellent SizeWise digital measuring tool, which allows you to measure feet accurately at home before ordering.
How have they stood up to everyday life?
The real test, of course, isn’t how shoes look on day one. It’s how they cope with real life.
Running around the playground, climbing, jumping, scooting, walking to school, PE days and everything in between. I’m pleased to say these have held up brilliantly.
Even after plenty of wear, the patent leather has stayed looking smart with a quick clean using the patent restorer provided by Start-Rite. The soles still look in excellent condition, the rip-tape fastening remains secure and they continue to look school-ready rather than looking tired halfway through the term.
The shoes also feature Air-Rite technology, designed to allow air to circulate while keeping water out, helping feet stay cooler and more comfortable throughout the school day.
Are Start-Rite shoes worth the money?
For us, yes.
School shoes are something children wear almost every weekday for much of the year, so I’d much rather invest in a pair that’s comfortable, properly fitted and built to last than replace cheaper shoes halfway through the school year.
Knowing that Start-Rite rigorously tests every design before it reaches the shops certainly gives extra confidence too. Their shoes are flexed underwater thousands of times, tested over hundreds of thousands of steps and worn by real children before launch.
That attention to detail really shows in the finished product.
Final thoughts
After trying the Start-Rite Wish shoes, I can absolutely see why the brand has such a strong reputation.
They combine comfort, thoughtful design and impressive durability, while supporting healthy foot development during some of the most important growing years.
If you’re currently shopping for new school shoes, they’re definitely worth considering. You can browse the Start-Rite school shoe collection and learn more about the free SizeWise foot measuring tool, finding the right fit for your child.
And one final reminder that has definitely stuck with me: good quality leather shoes deserve looking after. A quick clean and polish every now and then really does help keep them looking smart for much longer.