Getting off on the right foot with Start-Rite shoes
With Harry due to start school this September, the thought of buying four lots of school shoes is a little daunting! Over the last decade of having a school aged child, we have tried pretty much every brand of school shoe out there and had a real mix of good and bad experiences. From the year when Lewis went through three pairs of school shoes in the first term, to the time one pair lasted him the entire duration, we’ve tried and tested them all. But one brand we haven’t yet tried, despite hearing great reviews from others, is Start-Rite.
Experts in footwear since 1792, Start-Rite produces a range to suit all ages and all needs. From cruisers to school shoes, they believe that shoes should support, not only a child’s developmental needs but also their lifestyle needs. The ranges promise protection for intrepid adventures, combined with niggle-free comfort and flexibility and vow to give our children the freedom to go where they want, how they want.
The children were so excited to choose their new school shoes, with Harry choosing the Extreme Pri style and the girls both choosing the same style – Pump.
When the shoes arrived I was impressed with just how well made they appeared, with ultra flexible lightweight soles and tread patterns designed with specific usages in mind. I had been a little worried about how Harry would cope wearing school shoes, having spent his life so far in light weight pumps and boots, but I needn’t have worried. With enhanced protection around the toe, heel and side of foot to cater for growing children and levels of activity, the shoes look so sturdy, without being cumbersome.
- Double industry standards on stitch strength, D-rings and super strong nylon bonded threads.
- All prototype shoes need to look as good as new after the equivalent of 100,000 steps.
- Shoes tested on 13 different surfaces, aligning to children’s daily adventures (two is industry standard).
- Waterproof shoes tested by flexing 30,000 times while immersed in a water tank.
- Children trial every new style over a three month duration.
- Riptapes and opened and closed 5000 times.
The girls shoes, Pump, are certainly a little daintier than the boys choices, and yet equally sturdy and long lasting.
In a gorgeous patent leather with a rip tag fastening, it’s good to know that the girls will have no issues putting on and taking their shoes off each day, whilst their feet are still fully supported.
The girls were particularly excited by the butterfly details on the toe, something which I think is a lovely touch. Although there are school uniform restrictions at school, I think these small details are so important to children and a way of really expressing themselves and their choices, whilst still confirming to school policies.
I also love that the shoes have a really sturdy sole with a deep tread to ensure they are suitable for all surfaces and all weather conditions. My girls are constantly coming home from school with plasters on their knees, having skidded on the playground, and I’m hoping to see far less of that this year with a far sturdier tread.
The children couldn’t wait to try on their new shoes and, although there are still over three weeks to go, they were so reluctant to take them off!
With the Extreme Pri shoes costing £52.99 the shoes are a little more expensive than I would usually pay. That said, having made the mistake of buying cheaper shoes in the past, I am a firm believer of the saying – buy cheap, buy twice!Â
The girls shoes, Pump, retail at £47.99 and again, are the higher end of what I would expect to pay for school shoes but, having compared them to the brand we bought last year, and the state those same shoes were in just a few weeks down the line, I am hopeful that the price reflects on the quality and durability of the shoes.
One things for sure, the children are over the moon with their new school shoes and whilst I can’t predict on how they will fare, I am hopeful that we have finally found school shoes that, not only look great, but are well and truly Dove-proof!!
** We were gifted these items for the purpose of our review. All words and opinions are my own **
These shoes sound amazing. My boys can be so rough on shoes. My oldest starts kindergarten in a week and we haven’t gotten new shoes yet. I’ll have to see if we can find some of these.
These shoes sound amazing!! My boys are tough on shoes and these seem to have everything I’m looking for.
Start-Rite make great children shoes – I’ve bought them before for my daughter and been very happy with them!
Those boys shoes look super tough! My son had a hole in his shoes on the last day of school! Ill definalty be buying better ones this year
I love start-rite and have just scored some lovely ones in the sale 🙂
We love Start-rite they always wear so well and even lasted longer than a leading highstreet store everyone talks about for uniforms!
These look like very comfortable shoes and perfect to start the school year.
These shoes look very nice! We do not have a school age child but we do have a toddler who will be moving up in shoe sizes very soon so we will be doing some shoe shopping too!
Monkey had a pair a few weeks before the end of term (I was trying to make his old pair last…) and so far the have really stood up to the battering. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another pair. I am very impressed. They look so cute together such a lovely photo xx
Why I’ve never heard about that brand? It’s too early for my son to go to school but I will need to check them next year 🙂 They look so stylish and sweet:)
These shoes are too cute! I need to see if I can find some for my kids!
Those shoes look super comfortable! I will have to look into purchasing a pair for my son as well.
Kids’ shoes go through a lot. High quality is so important! These look stylish and sturdy.
I love all of these! They look cute and stylish, but the soles seem very sturdy. Perfect for extremely active kids. The Pump ones are probably my favorite.
Those shoes look great and sounds better for children as them are rough while playing ???
Those shoes look very durable and comfy. Something my oldest definitely needs! He goes through so many shoes it’s not even funny.
I never heard that brand before. I’m pretty sure your kids they excited to wear their shoes for school. 🙂
Wow. Looks a good shoes for my boys and I’m sure they would love this too.
We’re Start Rite fans here too. Our school as a strict uniform policy so they always need good-quality black shoes to see them through. It’s amazing how some cheaper brands can fall apart. I’m always happy to pay the extra for decent ones that will go the distance. So to speak. 🙂
Those shoes look so cute and perfect for school, I love the strappy shoes as it can be adjusted anytime when needed. Thanks for introducing the brand to us.
Looks like a durable set of shoes that will last a long time. One thing I love about this is how lightweight it looks which is a huge factor when it comes to buying stuff. Nice choices.
This post makes my heart so happy. My daughters are grown now but they had a new pair of Stride Rite shoes every year when they were young. I do not see many stores selling them anymore but I am happy the brand is still successful.
Awesome shoes, im sure its comfy. School stuff are coming back which kinda missed it at the point where i look at my little brother and sister going to school.
How lovely are these shoes. Specifically love the ones with the laser cut stitched butterfly detailing – very cute x
Those sound like quality shoes that can handle the daily beatings kids can give. The butterflies are a SUOER cute touch!
I would be willing to pay a higher amount too if the durability is as sure as this. Love the butterfly design on the girls’ s chosen shoes!
These shoes look really practical and stylish for Kid’s shoes. I used to love wearing Velcro. I probably would have liked my shoes back then even more if they’d been black.
this is really a nice brand and my daughter loves them too. really worth the money!
All of those start right shoes look pretty great. I know they would have been nice to have when my daughter was younger. I really like the girls pair of shoes. They are pretty cute.
Definitely love the lightweight factor of these particular line of shoes. They look so durable and high quality
This is a great brand for children shoes. I’ve had them before for my girls and was very please.