The most indestructible school shoe brands as recommended by parents

And if you're looking for more back to school ready ideas, check out our roundups of the best water bottles, pencil cases and name labels.

The most indestructible school shoes at a glance

• Best for a grippy sole: Geox Arzach Junior, £52.50
• Best for younger kids: ToeZone Ethan, £28
• Best high top pick: Kickers Junior Unisex Tovni Hi Leather Black, £52
• Best Easy-On shoe: Bobux Quest - Kid+, £59
• Best stylish fit: Doc Martens Junior 1461 Softy T Leather Shoes, £70
• Best lace-up option: BGreater Nims Shoe, £44.05

The most indestructible school shoe brands

1. Geox

They might be on the expensive side, but Geox shoes are sturdy and stand up to the school day. As parent tester Rose-Elizabeth noted, "My son trips up, kicks the floor, scrapes his toes constantly and his Geox still look ok once polished!"

As MFM writer Emily noted in her list of the best school shoes for girls and boys, "Geox has the most limited range available on our list and the shoes are amongst the most expensive but we think the technology used and the features included make the shoes worth it."

MadeForMums recommends: Geox Arzach junior, from £52.50

Best for a grippy sole

The Arzach junior shoe from Geox is made from a mixture of leather-effect and plain leather combining durability and comfort. The rubber outsole provides excellent grip that's great for schooldays and beyond.

Available from: Geox, John Lewis

2. ToeZone

ToeZone is a particular favourite here at MadeForMums and our Top Testers Club agrees. Parent tester Aileen noted that her daughter had ToeZone shoes and they lasted all year. They're reasonably priced and offer a fantastic range of styles.

MadeForMums recommends: ToeZone Ethan, £28

Best for younger kids

For the price, the ToeZone Ethan is a fantastic, long-lasting shoe that's perfect for younger kids. It's scuff-resistant and padded making for a sturdy and comfortable shoe that's easy to fit on those chaotic mornings before school.

Available from: ToeZone

3. Kickers

The Kickers range is reasonably priced and includes a wide array of styles making it a great pick for the new school year. They're also very sturdy, as noted by parent tester Stephanie, who says, "I think Kickers last pretty well. My son's feral and they hold up pretty good!"

As MFM's Emily noted, "The quality is undeniable and the durable soles and leather uppers are sure to last. A lot of their shoes have some other great features too such as cushioned foam beds, mesh linings and padded heel collars to make sure that the shoes are comfortable for your child."

MadeForMums recommends: Junior Unisex Tovni Hi Leather Black, £52

Best high top pick

Built using durable, matte leather, the Kickers Junior shoe is a great unisex pick that provides a comfortable and stylish look. The high-top design looks cool and the subtle branding makes it a great pick for children of all ages.

Available from: Kickers, Amazon

4. Bobux

Bobux were another favourite of our Top Testers with mum GC saying, "My daughter has had patent Bobux ones for a year, she spends most of her time kicking balls and climbing trees and they still look fantastic and haven't worn away at all."

MadeForMums recommends: Quest - Kid+, £59

Best Easy-On shoe

The Quest - Kid+ comes with a shock absorbent innersole that's ideal for active children, providing a comfortable shoe without compromising on durability. The single strap on the Quest also makes it easy to get these shoes on in those early morning rushes to school.

Available from: Bobux

5. Doc Martens

If you're looking for hardwearing shoes that also look cool then Doc Martens are a great pick. "I got my daughter Dr Marten’s this year," mum Rachael says, "and it’s the only time she’s not gone through multiple pairs in a year."

MadeForMums recommends: Junior 1461 Softy T Leather Shoes, £70

Best stylish fit

Doc Martens aren't just good, well-built shoes they're also very cool. The stylish design has endured for years and they're to go to shoe for many thanks to their uniquely chunky sole. The Junior has been designed with school in mind, placing durability and comfort at the forefront all without compromising on their iconic look.

Available from: Doc Martens, Schuh

6. BGreaterShoes

Another reasonably priced brand picked out by our Top Testers was BGreaterShoes. Mum Wendy noted, "They have a wide-toe box design and are so comfortable that my girl can't go back to any narrow-fit shoes now."

MadeForMums recommends: Nims Shoe, £44.05

Best lace-up option

This incredibly versatile lace-up shoe comes with a toe bumper for added durability. The all-leather materials not only look smart but also add to the toughness of the shoe making them an ideal fit (pun intended) for the new school year.

Available from: BGreaterShoes

Pics: Brand websites

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• Back to school uniform shopping: the ultimate checklist
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