Start-Rite Shoes Review

Reviewed by Lisa

When I was young, my parents always took me to Clarks to buy me my school shoes as they were widely deemed to be the best available at that time. One of their main selling points was that they had width options for fitting as well as length. When it was time for my own children to need shoes, I started to do the same, until someone told me about Start-Rite. I hadn’t heard of this company before, but as they also offered different width sizes as well as length, I thought it was time to try them out! I was pleasantly surprised with the result. I ordered my son some school shoes from the ‘Simply’ range that were named ‘Learn’, and they arrived 2 days later. They turned up in a sturdy brown cardboard shoe box, as you would expect, with paper protecting them inside, and the whole box being placed in a plastic bag. I didn’t have to sign for them which was a downside as the delivery driver just left them behind my bin. Once opened, I found that they look smart and they seem to be good quality, so I feel assured they will last him even when he is playing football in them at break time!

Made from leather, these shoes seem sturdy, and they also have padded fabric around the ankles for ultimate comfort. The soles look as though they have good grip, but they seem to be made of plastic rather than rubber, while it doesn’t specify what it is on their website. They have a double velcro fastening, and the top strap has a loop holding it to the tongue to help it stay in place – great for those learning to put their own shoes on. The front of the shoes looks well protected against scuff damage as well, but we will just have to wait and see on that one!

The Start-Rite sizes do differ a little from Clarks therefore I would say that it is important to measure your child’s feet using one of their measurers – you can get a free paper one online. I didn’t do this as I had read online that Start-Rite generally come up a little bigger than Clarks shoes in length, but smaller in width, therefore as my son measured 13.5G in Clarks, I ordered a 13H from Start-Rite. Fortunately they fitted very well. He has worn them for a few days now and has found them to be comfortable, which is the main point!

Start-Rite sell all different types and styles of shoes, not just school shoes, and I think they are very competitively priced. They also have shoes from babies upwards, plus they have a vegan range and sell school backpacks, as well as providing helpful advice on their website. I would definitely consider ordering shoes from them again due to the good customer service, quality of shoe, and it being slightly cheaper than their main competitors. This is provided that the plastic sole lasts as long as his previous rubber ones, which only time will tell.

Rating: 4/5

RRP: £36

This product can be purchased from Start-Rite at Affordable school shoes from Start-Rite (startriteshoes.com)