The Best School Shoes This Season

For all parties involved this school year looks a little different. Some of us are in limbo between virtual and in-person schools, others are homeschool professionals, and still, some are deciding what is the best option for them. No matter where you find yourself this year, we can all agree that little feet need little shoes to take them on adventures whether across the street or the schoolyard. Below you will find the best school shoes to carry them on epic journeys across mountains, to the sea, or simply in our backyards.

Table of Contents

The Best School Shoes

Brooks Running

Now is the time to step up your student’s running game when thinking about back to school outfits and what goes on your student’s feet. When your athletic student needs to put one foot in front of the other, quickly and comfortable, look no further than Brooks Running.

Their Men’s Revel 4 Running Shoe is sleek, stylish, and is a high-performing shoe for the runner in your household. Not only does it have a modern look to pair with their back to school outfits, it gives the wearer a springy ride, making them feel as if they could go on and on for miles! It’s a neutral, lightweight shoe for an energizing run your student runner cannot wait to run out!

For those long-distance runners who may be training cross country and need a shoe that gives back some energy, the Men’s Bedlam 3 will do just that. Now 20% lighter, the runner will feel the energizing “spring” with every stride. Don’t let the springing effect fool you though, the traction and stability that your body naturally needs, is also embedded within these gem of a running shoe. For the student athletic going back to school this year, give them the best support on and off the track – because these definitely make outstanding walking shoes for campus life.

Now, if your student athletic prefers a snug fit that is lifted, soft, and incredibly breathable, then the new Men’s Levitate 4 will suit them just fine. With the updated arrow-point pattern on the outsole, you’ll experience a full range of motion from heel to toe extremely quickly, giving the runner the springy-lightness that gives back energy for your runner.

Since it is also 20% lighter, the DNA AMP midsole technology allows each step to spring off the ground for a quick energy return. This means your runner actually feels energized to keep running – and that’s how you win the race. Find your best school shoes with Brooks Running.

Freshly Picked

New kicks are a must when it comes to back to school gear for kids and this year is no different. Whether your little ones are heading off to pre-school, kindergarten, or even staying home to learn this fall season, Freshly Picked has something for everyone. From slip-on sneakers for your older child to high tops perfect for pairing with jeans as the weather cools, we love Freshly Picked and all their styles for babies and children for this upcoming season.

An easy back to school style, we love the Freshly Picked Slip-On Sneaker crafted of lux full-grain leather with a structured rubber sole for stability for our older kids. A back pull tab and stretchy elastic openings allow for easy on/off ideal for weekends in the park, the vacation days of late summer, or the cooler school days of early fall. Another favorite for fall is the Classic Sneaker made of genuine leather with durable leather soles, a back pull tab, and stretchy elastic laces that make it easy for little feet to slip in and out of while still fitting snug and secure.

Finally, new for school this year is the Freshly Picked Leon Sneaker. This all-new high top is too cool with its all-leather design, premium rubber outsole, elastic laces, and signature easy on/off design. Perfect for growing toddlers these sneakers are great for pairing with everything from jeans to cords this fall allowing parents to easily dress up or down their little ones will still keeping them superbly comfortable and quick on their feet. Little boys and girls alike will love the fit and style of these new sneakers for all of their activities this fall. Be sure to use code: FPxdailymom for 20% off your order, now through August 15th!

TOMS

Back to school usually means new gear. And what kid doesn’t get excited about new school shoes? TOMS has all the shoes any kid could want in fun, fashionable styles, patterns, and colors. Girls who love anything glittery and shiny will love the Multi Gradient Glitter Print. It’s the style of TOMS shoe that started it all – the classic design – with a fun glittery rainbow design. And who says you can’t wear white after Labor Day? The White Iridescent Woven is comfortable and non-slip, with a special iridescent off-white sheen that goes with any new outfit.

Cloudy days aren’t all doom and gloom. Deck junior out in a fun pattern like the Drizzle Grey Cloudy Day Print and they’ll put a smile on everyone’s face. However, if they aren’t into patterns, or want a style that’ll work with most outfits, the Drizzle Gray REPREVE Melange Knit is the most basic gray slip-on. It’s an earth-friendly update to the classic shoe, made from recycled plastics.

And let’s not forget our awesome teachers! TOMS has just launched a new Once Upon A Farm Apple Print, perfect for the head of the class (or even mom!) but also comes in smaller versions for all the Teacher’s Pets or Mini-Me’s. Little kids just love matching styles, but whatever the pattern or color, TOMS will get all kids off on the right foot this year.

Pediped

Back to school means it’s officially time to upgrade your little ones’ school shoes! School shoes should not be something that you have to replace throughout the school year, they should be built to last. Pediped has the perfect school shoes that are built for all the miles your children will put into them. With their soft rubber soles that mimic the shape of children’s feet, they are the kind of school shoes your kids will want to wear all the time.

Pediped shoes for first-time walkers are truly incredible school shoes for toddlers. With their grip-n-go and flex rubber soles, these shoes provide your little one with the best flexibility while protecting their little feet as they bump into everything. And can we just talk about how adorable the first walker’s line is?! The Flora Navy is not only so comfortable for your toddler’s feet, but the little embellished florals simply radiate cuteness!

If your little one loves rainbows and is all things girly, then they’re going to absolutely fall in love with the Dorothy Opal school shoes! Imagine your little one prancing around in these as if she’s dancing on a cloud! Pediped‘s shoes are also built with a removable insert! This means that if your child is in that weird “in-between sizes” stage, you can simply remove the insert and still have a comfortable and durable shoe!

The Dani Navy Nubuck are the perfect on the go school shoes. While still retaining it’s super stylish sneaker look, it has all the benefits that Pediped has to offer for your little boy or girl! Your kids can run around in these shoes all day and you won’t have to worry about them ruining their school shoes while riding their bike after school. Pediped is one of the best brands for back to school shoes for the durability and comfort alone, but their styles are all so unique and cute your kids will be picking out an endless amount of styles!

Stride Rite

Stride Rite has long been a favorite among parents everywhere! Known for their classic styles, wide variety of sizes, and shoes to support all children’s feet – from early walkers and beyond, Stride Rite has made it their mission to support healthy foot growth and development in children. Their new back to school collection this fall is no different, designed to be even more inclusive, Stride Rite has introduced their all-new Journey Collection of sneakers in medium, wide, and extra-wide adaptable sneakers to make sure every child can find their perfect fit.

For our big boys, we love the Stride Rite Made2Play® Nox sneaker for keeping them cool, comfy, and quick on their feet. With an Ortholite memory foam insole, antimicrobial lining, flexible outsole, and hook and loop closure for easy on/off, these machine washable sneakers are a must when it comes to footwear that is up to all the challenges of our adventurous kiddos.

New to Stride Rite’s Made2Play® collection is the Journey Sneaker, available in medium, wide, and extra-wide adaptable widths. These machine-washable sneakers feature an Ortholite memory foam insole for comfort, removable layered insoles for adjusting the depth of the shoe, a pull tab for easier on/off, and either a loop and hook closure or laces for a more adjustable fit. The Journey is also APMA approved and provides an on-trend and stylish look along with a truly adaptable fit for all children. No matter what look or fit your child needs or wants, Stride Rite can be trusted to provide durable and high-quality footwear that will keep up with all the courageous kids.

New Balance

School is an adventure, perhaps even more so this year. Whether you are homeschooling, virtual schooling, or in the classroom, one things is certain: there will be more time spent outdoors. We may know not what is around the corner with COVID-19, but it seems outdoors is a safe bet. New Balance offers the perfect shoes to take your kiddos on a one of a kind exploration into the great unknown.

No back to school outfit is complete without back to school shoes. There is so much to love about New Balance. For the adventurous young lady in your life check out the Fresh Foam Tempo. These shoes are made for those who love to run and be active. The super comfy midsection made from plush fresh foam will keep their feet comfy all day long. They are both stylish and practical.

For that little man, you will love the Fresh Foam 880v10 for both its style and durability. These shoes offer unparalleled comfort, support, and style. The Hypoknit upper provides an amazing fit that offers zonal function, tactility, and depth texture. These shoes are made to be lived in, played in, and taken to the max. Let your little run wild in the Fresh Foam 880v10.

Don’t worry we aren’t done exploring yet, the Fresh Foam Crag, will take you even further. These shoes are the perfect trail shoe for those off-road adventures. They are made with a stylish AT trail upper sole. They combine the Fresh Foam feel into a softer, lighter feel to carry little legs on up those extra miles. In other words- these shoes are made for exploring.

Koolaburra by UGG

Comfy, cozy, cuddly footwear sounds like a dream come true. Koolaburra by UGG is exactly what the leading lady in your life is looking for in-school shoes. Koolaburra are shoes that your little one will want to were every single day because they are not only comfortable but also adorable.

Girls can do any and everything they put their minds too. But who says you can’t excel at school and look good while doing it? There is something is to be said about a girl and her shoes. The Victoria Short is a wonderful little boot for taking on the world. Composed of their soft, signature suede and sheepskin duo these the perfect boots for fall.

The Kids Victoria Tall are simply stunning. Composed of three perfectly tied little bows along with plush sheepskin and faux fur, creating a fluffy little piece of heaven for your daughter’s feet. Durable soles with a suede outside make a lovely statement piece.

See Kai Run

From your newest walker to your most experienced, See Kai Run has the shoes they need. Each pair is approved by the rigorous standards of the American Podiatric Medical Association, meaning they are designed to for growing feet. See Kai Run shoes are flexible allowing for proper alignment, gait, and stride amongst growing feet.

Not only do these shoes have remarkable standards for design, but they are also pretty darn cute. Check out the Stevie II Pink Glitter for the first walkers. They are flexible, lightweight, and padded for comfort. They are easy on and easy off with velcro straps. Their full rubber outsole allows for early gripping for those first few steps. Step out in style with these adorable school shoes!

Running, playing, and exploring that is how children should spend their time. The Dane Gray Blue is perfect for all of those things and more. Designed for all-day comfort your little one will love romping around in these adorable kicks.

The show-stopping design of the Oh Joy! Matty Superstars will leave your little man stepping out in style. These shoes are designed with soft flexible materials plus a cushioned removable footbed allowing for all-day wear with no complaints.

Another perfect pair to add to your wardrobe is the Matty Gray Camo. The subtle Camo design with teal piping will work well whether you are dressing up or dressing down. They are both stylish and functional. This fall you can’t go wrong with See Kai Run, all the little feet in your life will thank you.

Billy Footwear

This school year may look a tad bit different, and the pandemic may have changed a lot of things, but it did not stop our kids’ feet from growing. In fact, if your children are anything like ours, their feet seem to make that final leap into a new size just before the first day of school. As such, we’re prepared with two new pairs of high top sneakers from BILLY Footwear.

BILLY Footwear offers a universal design that accommodates a lot of special needs (including kids struggling to tie their shoes, those with sensory issues, etc) by incorporating zippers that go along the side of the shoes and around the toe, allowing the upper of each shoe to open and fold over completely. No more Velcro. No more stuffing your feet into shoes. Just easy and comfortable. Available in super fun designs as well as traditional bright color options like the Toddler Red High Tops and Kid’s Blue Jersey Classics, Billy’s shoes are our favorite school shoes for this year and beyond.

Sperry Shoes

While a lot may be changing this year with regard to how our kids learn, one thing has stayed the same: buying new shoes for the school. There’s just something about buying a new pair of sneakers that makes getting back into the swing of things feel right. Perhaps your child’s feet grew over the summer or their shoes from the spring look a little worn. Either way, Sperry has you covered with on-trend school shoes styles your child will love.

First up and new this season, the Striper II LTT Sneaker in white leather is a throwback to the ’90s, embracing the nautical trend many of us wore as kids. A secure lace-up fit and a plush memory foam footbed ensure your child’s feet are comfortable whether they’re spending hours in the classroom or running in the backyard. And, the white leather exterior makes cleaning easy. They’re perfect to wear with school uniforms as well as the bold primary colors kids love wearing.

If white shoes scare you, check out the Bodie Sneaker in gunmetal. Designed for active kids, the Bodie is durable yet casual. The nautical-inspired laces allow for a snug fit, while a memory foam footbed will keep your child comfortable all day long, even if they’d rather be spending the day playing video games.

Finally, for your little ones, we love the Spinnaker Washable Sneaker. Sperry knows that learning can get a little chaotic. As such, this machine-washable shoe is the perfect antidote for messy playtimes and soggy days on the playground. When your kiddo gets dirty (because we know they will), just strip them down, and throw their clothes and shoes in the wash. Easy peasy.

Ariat

Do you have a tiny cowboy in the making? Whether you have a Western-loving child or just a cutie pie who looks good in boots, Ariat offers a wide range of comfortable boots for children and adults. The Twisted Tycoon Western Boot is featured with stitched detailing patterned on soft leather.

Every pair of boots offers support and cushioning with a removable insole that can add up to a half size for growing feet. Set on top of a durable and flexible outsole, these are the perfect boot to wear around the house or off to school. If you are looking for a boot that is comfortable, durable, and will always be in style, check out Ariat’s online selection to find your kiddo (and maybe you!) a pair today.

SHOP:
Twisted Tycoon Western Boot
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
Ariat | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Native Shoes

Trying to find easy to clean, comfortable school shoes? Look no further. Adding Native Shoes school shoes to your back to school purchase is a no brainer! The Charley Child sandal is great for everyday wear to cushion the feet, providing comfort in the sole, and by adding in the hook and loop straps your kiddo is ready for all kinds of adventure. Let’s not forget to mention how lightweight these shoes are with an assortment of colors ranging from regatta blue to princess prink.

If toe exposure is not part of your kiddos back to school outfits desire, try the Jefferson Block Child shoe. These adorable soles make mom and kiddo happy with their hand washable, odor resistant qualities, and their great assortment of colors. Every kid would jump at the ease of getting these shoes on and taking them off. Native Shoes makes all seasons easy to choose shoes with their plethora of styles and colors throughout the school year! Your kiddo will be killing the back to school shoe style and comfort game with these cool kicks!

The Children’s Place

You can’t start a new school year without a few pairs of new shoes. Boys especially tend to go through shoes quicker as their rough and tough tendencies sometimes wear through them at a faster rate. For quality sneakers that are built to keep up with your growing toddler, The Children’s Place covers all your bases. Comfort, style, protection, and versatility are just some of the traits their footwear is known for. The Uniform Running Sneakers are simple yet trendy and will be a daily worn shoe. The upper mesh allows for breathability while the rubber sole provides ultimate stability. These sneakers are available in navy and black.

The Mesh Running Sneakers are going to be your more stand out option. The graphic design and the olive-colored tone add flair to any outfit. Made with the same materials, these school shoes will keep your little guy’s feet supported and safe. With the elasticized laces and velcro strap, these sneakers are very easy to put on and easy to take off.

Havaianas

Whether you are homeschooling, full schooling, blending, or whatever your little ones need school shoes that can carry them from summer into fun. Kids love shoes that are easy to slip on but durable enough for play. Add in some fun characters and designs from Havaianas and your little one will quickly fall in love.

Have a Marvel fan in your family? Check out the Spiderman Flip Flop sandal. For the animal print lover in your life try the Animal Flip Flops in Ballet Rose for a subtle walk on the wild side. These shoes are easy on and easy off and perfect for all-day adventures.

Komuello

Komuello shoes are like not any others! The cotton sock-like top enwraps little feet to make sure these adorable school shoes stay put. They are made with super elastic fabric that allows for easy on and off. Designed with little feet in mind, they are made with tiny air holes in the soles for breathability. Plus the sole is made of slip-resistant rubber, so your little one can explore without inhibition. You can’t go wrong with Komuello.

SHOP:
Flat Black Stripe
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
Komuello | Facebook | Instagram

Blowfish Malibu

Back to school shoe shopping is the best! Why not treat your mini to some sweet new sandals, perfect for the transition between summer and fall? With Blowfish Malibu’s popular Granola-B sandal, she’ll exude effortless style in her back to school outfits to meet the teacher and open house this year.

The faux-leather strap includes an adjustable buckle, while the braided detail on top adds an element of fun. She’ll especially love the faux-cork insole, which is cushioned for maximum comfort.

Eco-conscious mamas will enjoy the fact that this style is registered Vegan by the Vegan Society. The Granola-B from Blowfish Malibu is also available in toddler, kids and women’s sizes. Twinning anyone?

Shoes don’t just complete a look, they allow an outfit to take you places. Keep those feet moving this school year with these awesome shoe finds. No matter where the road takes you, comfortable school shoes will go a long way. What school shoes will you be adding to your list?

WANT TO READ MORE?

Looking for more ways to expand your back to school wardrobe, shoe game, or learning this fall? Check out all our back to school finds here.

The Best School Shoes This Season

The Best School Shoes

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