AD | Ready for September in Start-Rite Engineer School Shoes

Collaborative post

When we first introduced Freddie’s Start-Rite Engineer school shoes, I was intrigued to see how they would stand up to the reality of being worn by an energetic school boy. Because let’s be honest, there’s a big difference between a pair of school shoes looking great when they first come out of the box and still looking good after a few months of playgrounds, PE lessons, school trips and everything else that happens during the school term.

Still smart for September 

So, now we’re looking ahead to September and Freddie starting Year 4, I thought it was time for a little update. I have to say, I’m genuinely impressed. The shoes are still in excellent condition.

After everything they’ve been through, I really didn’t expect them to look quite as good as they do. Freddie is an active boy, and his school shoes have certainly had plenty of opportunity to get scuffed, battered and generally put through their paces. Yet the Start-Rite Engineer shoes have held up remarkably well.

When we first received them, I loved how smart they looked. They had that classic school shoe appearance without looking overly grown-up, and Freddie was happy to wear them which, as any mum will know, is half the battle when it comes to getting children ready for school! Fast forward through to the end of the school year and that first impression has definitely lasted.

Shoes with durability 

One of the biggest things I look for in children’s school shoes is durability. School shoes are not exactly a small investment, especially when you’re buying them year after year, so I want to know that I’m getting something that can withstand the everyday wear and tear of school life. The Engineer shoes have certainly done that.

They’ve been worn regularly throughout the school term and, while they have naturally picked up a few signs that they’ve been worn, they’re still in really good shape. There’s no feeling that they’ve reached the end of their life after one school year, quite the opposite.

In fact, when we started talking about getting Freddie ready for September, I realised we didn’t actually need to replace his school shoes. That’s a pretty big win in my book. Freddie will be starting Year 4 in September, and these are the same shoes he’ll be wearing when he walks back through the school gates. I love that we can simply give them a good clean, check they still fit comfortably and they’re ready to go again.

Of course, children’s feet grow quickly, so fit is always something I’d recommend checking before the new school year. But providing they still fit properly, I’m really pleased that we’re not automatically having to buy another pair of school shoes just because a new academic year is beginning. And from a mum’s perspective, that’s one of the things I appreciate most about finding a pair of shoes that can genuinely last. Start-rite offer a brilliant shoe size checking service on their website called SizeWise, if you don’t have a local professional shoe size service locally, it’s something we did for Freddie’s feet. It’s always worth checking the shoes still fit right and feel comfortable. 

There’s also something reassuring about knowing that Freddie has been wearing them comfortably throughout the year. School days are long enough without uncomfortable footwear becoming an additional issue, and he’s never complained about them. For me, that’s one of the best endorsements there is. So, would I choose them again? Absolutely. 

When we first shared our unboxing, I was interested to see whether the Start-Rite Engineer shoes could live up to the promise of being a good school shoe for an active child. Having now seen them through the term, I can confidently say they’ve impressed me.

Smart and comfortable school shoes 

They’re smart enough for school, comfortable enough for everyday wear and, most importantly, they’ve proved to be durable. As a mum, I’m always looking for products that offer good value without compromising on quality, and having a pair of school shoes that can go from one academic year into the next certainly ticks that box. So, while I might be getting the school uniform lists, school bags and everything else ready for September, there’s one thing I don’t need to add to the shopping list this year. Freddie’s Start-Rite Engineer school shoes are ready for Year 4. And after a school term of being put through their paces, I’d say that’s a pretty impressive result.

Gifted collaboration with Start-Rite Shoes. All thoughts and opinions are our own.