If you have school-aged kids, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say the timing of growth spurts is never convenient. Just as we’re heading into the final term of the school year, suddenly their feet have grown again. It’s one of those slightly frustrating parenting moments because ideally, you want fresh new school shoes ready for September… not right at the end of the summer term.
But of course, we can’t exactly pause their growth. Kids’ feet keep growing whether the timing suits us or not.
This year, I decided to just go with it and get N a new pair from Start-Rite Shoes now rather than waiting, especially because I know that due to the quality these shoes will still look great ready for Back to School in September.
Why I Chose Start-Rite
We’ve used Start-Rite many times before, so they are my go-to choice for school shoes and one thing that always stands out is how well their shoes hold up. N’s pair from last September still look in great condition even after a full school year of daily wear. That’s no small thing when you think about how much kids actually use their school shoes – easily over a thousand hours across the year.
So when I was invited to be part of their back-to-school campaign, it felt like a natural fit. The idea is simple but clever: get the shoes ahead of the summer term, let the kids properly wear and test them, and with a little care, they’ll still look perfect come September.
The Shoes We Picked
We went for the Wish black leather riptape school shoes in size 3, and they’re exactly what I was hoping for.
As kids get older and their feet get bigger, it can actually be surprisingly tricky to find those classic, traditional school shoe styles. Everything starts shifting toward more grown-up designs, often with laces. But I’m not quite ready for that yet.
Riptape is just so much more practical. It’s quick, easy, and still looks really neat and smart. Plus, these are genuinely cute while still ticking all the uniform boxes.
Also these particular shoes are very comfortable with a padded ankle, which is great.
Built to Last (And Look Good Doing It)
One of the standout things about Start-Rite is the quality. These aren’t shoes that fall apart after a term, even if your child is active in the playground. The leather is durable, they keep their shape, and they still look smart even after regular wear.
The box also came with polish, which is such a helpful touch. A quick clean now and then makes a huge difference, and it’s nice having everything you need included.
They also feature Air-Rite technology, which helps keep feet fresh and comfortable throughout the day. That’s especially important for long school days when kids are constantly on the move.
Getting the Right Fit
Sizing can vary slightly compared to other brands, because they also have a width fitting, so it’s definitely worth checking before you buy. If you can get into a store for a proper fitting, that’s always ideal.
But if not, Start-Rite now offers a really handy tool called SizeWise, which lets you measure your child’s feet using your phone at home. It’s quick, easy, and takes a lot of the guesswork out of ordering online.
If you do want to go for in-store measuring, you can find this at many John Lewis stores or it’s also available in over 400 independent shoe shop retailers.
And getting the right fit really does matter. School shoes aren’t just part of the uniform – they support growing feet and developing bodies. Poorly fitting shoes can affect movement and posture over time, so it’s worth doing properly.
The End-of-Year Growth Dilemma Solved
What I love most about this approach is that it actually solves that awkward end-of-year timing issue.
Yes, N needed new shoes now. But because these are so well made, I’m confident they’ll still look just as good in September. That means I don’t need to buy another pair just weeks later, and that’s a win all round.
Sometimes the easiest solution is just to trust good quality. Instead of trying to perfectly time growth spurts (which never works), it makes more sense to choose something that lasts.
If you’re in that same position right now, debating whether to replace school shoes so close to the end of term, I’d say go for it. With the right pair, it’s not wasted at all.
Start-Rite really does deliver on durability, comfort, and classic style. And having shoes that can carry through from summer term straight into the new school year takes one thing off the never-ending parenting to-do list.
If you want to take a look at their full range, they have one of the biggest selections of fitted school shoes available, with options to suit different foot shapes and styles.