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Back-to-School Shoe Essentials: A Complete Guide

Expert Advice

Back-to-School Shoe Essentials: A Complete Guide

Aug 15, 2024

The new school year is full of new school supplies, new clothing and crisp new shoes. With all the options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which back-to-school shoes are essential to your kids’ wardrobe. Here’s how to pick the best shoes for school, whether your child is a teen, tween or grade-schooler.

Types of School Shoes

How many pairs of shoes do you need to buy for your kids? Well, it depends on the school’s dress code, personal style and after-school activities. Your preschooler, for instance, may just need a solid pair of running shoes, while your 16-year-old just a high-heat launch shoe or some kicks to rock with a dress. 

Types of School Shoes

Lifestyle Shoes

Versatile and comfortable, casual sneakers are good shoes for school that do it all. 

  • The Nike Dunk, for instance, gives kids of all ages and sizes a retro feel while incorporating modern colorways into this heritage Swoosh silhouette with its colorblocked upper. The “Baltic Blue” men’s Nike Dunk Low SE adds bright blue color saturation to any back-to-school look. 
  • Similarly, the Air Force 1s are a constant favorite for generations of school kids. They’re comfortable and timeless, and you can usually find them in tonal whites or black, ideal for kids who need to meet dress code requirements. 
  • The Air Max Dns reimagine Nike’s Air-Sole unit, instead relying on tubes of Air in varying pressures. These futuristic kicks come in a range of sleek colors, from neons to whites. 
  • If you need trendy shoes for teens, try the boldness of the adidas Samba XLG or Gazelle Bolds, both of which feature a thicker platform sole. 
  • The Nike Cortez TXT also exudes retro style but with a wider toebox and even more durable materials. 

Running Shoes

Whether your kid is dressing out for P.E. or just needs a pair of running shoes to burn off some energy, they can wear these styles for extracurriculars or as their everyday sneakers. 

  • The P-6000 silhouette is a chunky, ‘90s-style running shoe silhouette your kid can wear to run laps or play gaga ball. 
  • In addition to their insane comfort, ASICS, like the GEL-NYC or GEL-1130 promise all-day comfort and a late-’90s/Y2K aesthetic. 
  • Looking for a pair of preK runners? The Saucony Shadow 6000 is a throwback to the pre-millenium decades, thanks to beefed-up comfort, sturdy outsoles and a suede-mesh upper.

Slip-Ons or Slides

Slip-Ons or Slides

Swimming practice, hours of study sessions or ACT/PSAT days or a fun day at the park call for comfy slip-ons like the cozy UGG Tasmans or the Crocs clogs’ supreme durability and ease of wear.

Sports Shoes

Need sports shoes for high school football and track or elementary basketball? We’ve got you covered with a full lineup of sneakers, cleats and spikes for any sport. 

  • PUMA soccer cleats can carry your kid through firm ground and artificial turf pitches. 
  • Training for a 400 meter or weightlifting in the gym requires shoes with a stabilizing presence, like the Nike Free Metcon 6.
  • Football shoes for teens with an Air Jordan silhouette? Your kids will love the Air Jordan 1 Low TD cleats in a “Bred” rendition. 
  • When basketball season starts, your kid will need the right underfoot tech. Choose from a range of brands and silhouettes, like the Under Armour Curry 3Z7 or the Nike Ja 1.

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