For many parents, buying that first pair of school shoes is the moment it all starts to feel real. The uniform has been tried on, the book bag is ready, and suddenly your baby, who only yesterday refused to wear anything but wellies, is getting ready for their first day at school.
And while the uniform may be non-negotiable, school shoe styles have changed dramatically in recent years. More families are looking for footwear that supports their child's growing feet, and helping families find the right barefoot school shoes is something we've done every day for many years.
Some new starters have tiny feet and need tiny shoes. Some need sensory-friendly footwear that has minimal fuss and soft linings. Some have feet that struggle in traditional school shoes. Some want their shoes to be vegan-friendly, and some insist on sparkles. They all need healthy footwear that can survive a September heatwave and November puddles.
Here's what we recommend.
For tiny reception feet
The challenge is finding a school-compliant shoe in a small size that still feels like the flexible footwear they've been wearing through nursery and preschool. Here are our top picks for smaller-sized school shoes.
Plae Emme Black Mary Jane School Shoes
Froddo Barefoot First Step Boots
For children who don't want to wear shoes at all
Sensory sensitivities can mean the difference between a child feeling comfortable and ready to learn and finding it hard to concentrate throughout the day.
Many shoes come with distractions like thick seams, stiff materials, heavy soles, tight toe boxes, or they just feel weird. For sensory-sensitive and neurodiverse children, the right footwear can also make school mornings easier and help remove one more hurdle from the day.
Be Lenka Kids Scoot Black | Barefoot School Sneakers
For children with wide or extra-wide feet
Reception is often the point where parents discover their child's feet don't fit the standard high street mould. If you've previously been told your child's feet are 'too wide for school shoes', don't panic - your child's feet are perfect! There are now more genuinely roomy, foot-shaped shoes available than ever before.
Vivobarefoot Kids Gobi Chelsea Boots
For families who prefer vegan-friendly footwear
Finding vegan school shoes used to mean compromising on fit, flexibility or weather resistance. Thankfully, that's no longer the case. Each Vegan Friendly shoe in our collection is clearly labelled, and you can find clear information about what we mean by 'vegan friendly' in our Terms and Conditions
For our good old British weather
Let's be honest, the first half term can include anything from blazing hot sun to torrential rain. Reception children spend a lot of time outdoors even before factoring in the walk to and from school. Forest school sessions, outdoor learning, muddy playgrounds, and wet grass all put school shoes through their paces.
We've made it easy to find that practical all-rounder shoe that can handle the school day.
Bobux Alpha Becky T Bar school shoe
Common Tread Lace-Up School Shoes
The question we hear most often
Will they look enough like school shoes?
However important the fit is, nobody wants a battle with the school office! The good news is today's barefoot shoes are far smarter than many people expect.
Whether you are looking for a classic Mary Jane or T Bar, a traditional lace-up, or a trainer style with Velcro, there are now barefoot alternatives from most of the brands for children in our collection.
Honest advice for parents of new starters
If you are buying your child's first school shoes this August, try not to focus on what they will grow into. Focus on what fits now.
School days are long, especially in the first months. Your little one will be climbing, sitting cross-legged, running, jumping, crawling under things and spending much of their day playing. The best school shoe is usually the one they barely notice, so that they can learn and play comfortably and confidently through every part of their day.
Starting school is a huge milestone for us. For them it's mostly about making friends, exploring new spaces and finding out where the best puddles are! A good pair of shoes just helps them get on with the important stuff.
More Help
We’ve created a space filled with advice to help you get the very best from your barefoot shoe shopping. From detailed sizing guides, resources and blogs, to tips on making the most of our delivery options, you’ll find it all in The Advice Hub.
If you’d like a little more tailored support, do get in touch. Our Customer Service team love talking all things barefoot and are always happy to help.
We hope you love your purchase, but if something isn’t quite right, we offer free returns. For full details, please see our Returns Policy.
