How to Choose School Shoes for Your Child: A Practical Guide for Kenyan Parents

Every new term brings the same question at home: will last term's shoes do, or is it time for a new pair? School shoes take more wear than almost anything else your child owns. They walk to school, run at break time, stand in assembly and splash through puddles in the rainy season. A little care when you choose them saves money and sore feet later.

Start with fit, not price

The best school shoe is one that fits well today and leaves a little room to grow. Before you buy, measure your child's feet, ideally in the afternoon when feet are slightly larger after a day of walking.

When your child tries shoes on, check these points:

• Toe room: about a thumb's width between the longest toe and the front of the shoe.
• Heel grip: the heel should not slip up and down when your child walks.
• Width: the sides should not press or bulge. Children's feet vary in width as much as in length.
• Comfort straight away: a good school shoe should not need breaking in. If it rubs in the shop, it will rub at school.

Avoid buying two sizes up to save money. Shoes that are too big can make children trip and shuffle, and they wear out unevenly.

Choose the right materials

Most Kenyan schools ask for black shoes, so the choice is usually about material and fastening.

• Leather or leather-look uppers polish well and stand up to daily wear.
• Rubber soles give better grip on wet paths and classroom floors than hard plastic.
• Stitched soles tend to last longer than soles that are only glued.
• Padded insides help with comfort over a long school day.

Buckles, laces or Velcro?

The right fastening depends on your child's age.

• Younger children often do best with Velcro straps or buckles, so they can take shoes on and off without help.
• Older children who can tie laces well may prefer lace-ups, which can be adjusted for a snug fit.

Check your school's uniform list first, as some schools have rules about styles.

Make them last the term

A few simple habits keep school shoes looking neat for longer:

1. Polish them on Sunday evenings so they are ready for the week.
2. Let wet shoes dry naturally at room temperature, stuffed with newspaper. Avoid drying them right next to a jiko or direct heat, which can crack the upper.
3. Keep a second pair if you can, so each pair has time to dry fully between wears.
4. Wipe off mud straight after school before it hardens.

When to replace them

Check your child's shoes every few weeks. It is time for a new pair when:

• the toes are pressing against the front;
• the sole is worn smooth or has a hole;
• the heel is badly worn down on one side;
• your child complains that their feet hurt.

If your child often complains of foot pain, walks unusually or has redness or swelling that does not settle, it is worth asking a doctor to take a look.

Shopping for the new term

Try not to leave school shoes until the last weekend before opening day, when everyone is shopping at once. Buying a week or two early gives you time to swap sizes if needed.

Browse our children's shoes for school-ready pairs in a range of sizes, and see our delivery information for orders around Kikuyu.