Hard-Wearing and Scuff Resistant School Shoes

Identifying hard wearing school shoes can typically be harder than first thought. Don’t worry though, this blog will provide you with all of the information and features to look out for, avoiding any unwanted stress during the hectic back-to-school season.

What Makes A Hard Wearing School Shoe? 

First things first, you need to know what features to look for. When deciding if a school shoe is hard-wearing or not, look to identify if it meets the following criteria:

• Rubber Bumper
• Easy to Clean and Maintain
• Leather Uppers
• Injection Moulded Sole
• Build Quality and Price Trade-Off

Read more about the Top 5 Features of Hard-Wearing School Shoes

There is a really important compromise to consider between hard-wearing shoes and shoes that are just hard on your feet. We all know that wellie boots can take a beating, however, they can be really bad for your feet over extended periods.

Thankfully there are some great hard-wearing school shoes available. The best of them make use of clever designs, carefully chosen materials and top manufacturing techniques to minimise the potential drawbacks of hard-wearing materials. We think about the placement of stitching, the use of soft leathers in the right places and the soft but strong inner linings when picking our ranges. Some of these make shoes more expensive, but provide a great fitting, comfortable shoe that breathes really well and can stand up to some serious wear, tear and scuff resistance! Here are our recommendations for this upcoming school year.

Begg Shoes are one of Scotland’s longest-standing independent shoe retailers having been established in 1866. Six generations of the Begg family later, the business now boasts a team of footwear experts – many of whom are fully qualified from The Society of Shoe Fitters.

Hard-Wearing School Shoes for Boys

1. Geox New Savage Tex, £59

The Geox Savage is robust and hard-wearing, with additional overlay panels and reinforced toe bumpers for durability. The rugged design offers fantastic durability and grip for a range of activities. Plus, the velcro fastening means they are super quick to put on during the busy morning routine.

 2. Superfit Storm Shoe Gore-Tex, £69.99

At the higher end of the price scale is Superfit’s Storm Shoe. Featuring a Gore-Tex membrane, these waterproof school shoes for boys are designed to keep feet 100% dry, whatever the weather. Gore-Tex is also breathable so maintains a cool and comfortable climate for little feet. We also love the toe rugged toe bumper that can handle serious hard wear.

3. Clarks Scooterspeed, £48

The Clarks Scooterspeed is a great value leather school shoe, with tough wearing features. The breathable textile lining has been treated with Agion technology which prevents odour-causing bacteria to help keep little feet fresher for longer. The rubber sole has a grooved design for additional traction and the all-important toe bumper protects the shoe from wear and tear.

4. Primigi Ten, £49

This lesser-known brand offers high-quality construction and great value for money. Predominantly manufactured in Europe, Primigi school shoes use highly durable PU sole materials for excellent wear and tear.

5. Start Rite Tarantula, £48

The Start Rite Tarantula is ideal for budding adventurers. Featuring a cool spider and web design on the rip tape, these school shoes are certain to meet the demands of the playground. Made from soft black leather with a flexible sole and cushioned footbed, this is a great addition to our 2023 collection.

 

Hard-Wearing School Shoes for Girls

1. Lelli Kelly Meryl T Bar, £59.99

This girls’ patent school shoe has a robust, chunky sole that will stand up to the ravages of the school day. The Meryl T Bar has a patent leather upper which is easily wiped clean and cushioning around the collar and footbed to provide a comfy fit throughout the day.

2. Primigi Gabriella Colinne, £49

Combining a sporty silhouette with pretty laces and smart patent leather upper, the Italian kid’s brand Primigi brings us the Gabriella Colinne. The chunky rubber sole unit is hard-wearing, whilst the rounded toe is ideal for active feet.

3. Geox Casey Lace, £57

Geox are well known for their harder-wearing shoes and these school shoes are just that. The chunky sole unit offers additional traction whilst the patent upper is easy to maintain. Geox also combines a perforated sole with a breathable membrane to allow natural temperature regulation to stop sweat from building up throughout the school day.

4. Start Rite Leapfrog, £45

The newest addition to our school shoe collection, the Start Rite Leapfrog is a smart and stylish black leather school shoe. In addition, the handy rip tape strap and breathable textile lining make these an excellent value-for-money option that competes with Clarks when it comes to quality.

5. Primigi Olea Mary Jane, £39.99

Simplistic yet stylish, this school shoe from Primigi can certainly endure the demands of school life. Featuring a smooth black leather upper, a secure Velcro strap and a grooved outsole make these both comfortable and supportive.

6. Superfit Bill Gym, £19.99

Whether you call them indoor shoes, gymies or plimsolls, these Superfit school shoes are an ideal choice for long-lasting gym shoes. Superfit uses high-quality materials which are lightweight, flexible and longer lasting than cheaper alternatives. The key difference is in the sole, which uses injection moulding instead of cheaper glue, to bind the shoe together more strongly allowing them to stand up to the wear and tear of gym class.

Top 5 Features of Hard-Wearing School Shoes

1. Rubber Bumpers

Some of the best examples of street and skate-inspired shoes for kids can be found in our kid’s Geox range. A rubber bumper on the front and back helps protect feet from bumps and scrapes. It is important to fit these shoes well, as the hard rubber toe cap needs to be snug enough to protect toes but not so tight that it restricts movement. We recommend having a qualified fitter check the fit every time you buy a new pair of these shoes.

2. Easy Clean & Care

Keeping shoes clean can be a challenge, and it can shorten the lifespan of your shoes if you’re not careful. Shiny patent leather shoes are easy to wipe clean and don’t require polish. However, if your shoes are made of a different material, it’s important to check the care instructions before cleaning them. Some shoes can be damaged by washing machines, so it’s best to hand-wash them or take them to a professional cleaner.

3. Leather Uppers

When shoes are going to get scuffed, it’s important to choose a material that can withstand wear and tear. Cheaper man-made leather uppers may seem like a good option, but they are often not as durable as real leather. Real leather is a flexible and breathable material that is great for healthy feet. It is also more resistant to scuffs and scratches. If your shoes do get scuffed, you can polish them back to near-perfection.

4. Injection Moulded Soles

Sounds clever and it is. The soles are injected in by a machine and the bond is way tougher than glue. The Polyurethane material used is also much harder wearing than rubber or resin soles and even better, it’s lighter and more flexible. Check out our Primigi Kids shoes for PU choices and usually pretty similar in price to Clarks, which does not use this technology.

5. Build Quality & Price

We work hard to source quality and value for money in our kid’s shoe range. Generally, a higher price means higher specification and that often means both stronger and lighter materials are used. Leather that has been carefully selected – not just the cheapest – is naturally tougher but also more flexible. Little details like a premium Velcro will last a little longer. A cleverly designed sole unit will wear a little harder but remain flexible and supportive (not just stiff and hard). Every stitch and spot of glue will be done with more care and attention when the quality control bar is set higher.

All of these subtle differences mean that paying more can be well worth it in terms of hard wear. Don’t be afraid to pay more for shoes that can and will look good, and feel good, for longer. It is worth noting that designer labels and high-fashion styling can cost a lot more, but not wear very well at all. Ask us for advice if you are not sure, we’re happy to help and advise.