At Brantano we have kept the collection deliberately practical. There are classic black leather shoes for the classroom, sturdy trainers for PE and playtime, and weather-ready boots for the colder, wetter half of the year, in boys' and girls' styles from infant sizes right up to junior. You will find easy touch-fastening for younger children still mastering their own shoes, traditional lace-ups for a smart, secure fit, and slip-on styles for rushed mornings.
What makes a good school shoe?
A good school shoe has a supportive, grippy sole, a hard-wearing upper that keeps its shape, a fastening the child can manage, and enough room to grow without slipping at the heel. Most schools also require a plain black finish.
The best school shoes get the boring things right. A supportive, hard-wearing sole that grips a wet playground. An upper that holds its shape and copes with daily scuffs. A fastening your child can actually manage, and enough room to grow without the shoe sliding around. Looks matter too, since most schools ask for plain black, but comfort and durability are what get a shoe from September to July in one piece.
Leather does a lot of that heavy lifting. It is naturally hard-wearing, it breathes so active feet stay fresher through the day, and it softens and moulds to the foot over time for a more personal fit. That is why the bulk of our classic school shoes are made from quality leather. Where a style is built for sport, you will find lighter, more breathable materials that suit constant running about.
Which brands does Brantano stock for school?
Brantano's school-shoe brands are Geox (breathable soles), Hush Puppies (supportive, kid-friendly comfort), Skechers (cushioning and durability), Pod (smart and hard-wearing) and Mirak.
We stock the school-shoe brands that parents come back for. Geox is known for its patented breathable soles, which help keep feet cool and dry through a warm classroom afternoon. Hush Puppies brings comfort and lasting resilience in supportive, kid-friendly designs. Skechers adds cushioning and athletic durability, which is why its styles are popular for PE and active days. Pod offers smart, hard-wearing options, and Mirak sits alongside them as a dependable school-shoe staple.
Shoes, trainers or boots: which does your child need?
Not every child needs the same shoe. For the classroom and more formal school days, a classic black leather shoe is the right call, smart enough for uniform rules and built to last. For PE lessons, sports clubs and busy playtimes, a school trainer gives you grip, cushioning and a secure fit. And as the weather turns, a school boot adds warmth and better protection against rain and puddles, with waterproof materials and sealed seams on the relevant styles. Most families end up with a shoe plus a trainer, and add boots for winter.
How should school shoes fit?
Measure both feet and fit to the larger one, leave a little growing room at the toe without the heel slipping, and check the width as well as the length.
Fit is the part worth slowing down for. Measure both feet, since they are often slightly different, and fit to the larger one. Leave a little growing room at the toe, but not so much that the heel slips, and check the width as well as the length, because a shoe that is the right length can still pinch across the foot. For younger children, touch-fastening makes independent dressing easier; older children usually get on well with lace-ups. Our size guide walks you through measuring at home, and if you are between decisions, our team is happy to help.
How do I keep school shoes lasting the year?
A little care goes a long way over a school year. Wipe leather clean and polish it now and then to feed the leather and cover surface scuffs. Let damp shoes dry naturally, away from radiators, so the leather does not crack. Where you can, rotate two pairs so each gets a chance to dry out and recover its shape. When there is less than roughly a thumb's width of room at the toe, or the sole has worn smooth, it is time for the next size up.
When is the best time to buy school shoes?
The honest answer is a week or two before term, once feet have settled after the summer but before the last-minute scramble. Measure in the afternoon, when feet are at their largest, and buy for the term ahead rather than the whole year, since children's feet keep growing and a shoe bought too big slides and rubs. If you have left it late, next-day delivery means you are not stuck. Popular sizes do sell through quickly in the back-to-school window, so when you already know the size, ordering early is the safer bet. Keep the box until the shoes have been worn indoors for an hour or two, in case the fit is not right, our easy returns make swapping sizes straightforward.
Why buy school shoes at Brantano?
Brantano is operated by Gardiner Bros & Co, a family footwear business, so shoes are genuinely our thing. You get free saver delivery on orders not quite right. New to us? Joining the Brantano Club gets you
FAQ section
Q: What sizes do Brantano school shoes come in?
Our kids' school shoes run from infant sizes up to junior, covering boys and girls. Availability varies by style and brand, so check the size selector on each product, and use our size guide to measure at home first.
Q: Are Brantano school shoes made from leather?
Most of our classic school shoes are made from quality leather, which is hard-wearing and breathable. Some sport-focused school trainers use lighter, breathable materials instead. The material is listed on each product page.
Q
Q: Can I get school shoes delivered next day?
Yes. Next day delivery is available at checkout, and saver delivery is free on orders over
Q: Do you sell school trainers and boots as well as shoes?
Yes. Alongside classic black leather school shoes we stock school trainers for PE and playtime and weather-ready boots for autumn and winter, for both boys and girls.
