START-RITE REVEALS “CHILD-PROOF” FOOTWEAR WITHIN EXTENSIVE SCHOOL SHOE 2025 COLLECTION

Fresh from being awarded Drapers Kids Footwear Brand 2025, Start-Rite Shoes introduces 28 new styles across its primary and secondary school collection. Available in independent retailers, large multiples and online, the business continues to grow its distribution channels, while investing in technologically advanced footwear, that puts children first.  

Jennifer Tyley, Marketing & eCommerce Director at Start-Rite Shoes, explains:

“Start-Rite shoes enable kids to embrace the world at their feet. Our podiatrist¹ and parent approved school shoes protect developing cartilage, support joints, ligaments and tendons, reduce the risk of injury and enable healthy growth. A child wears their school shoes for more than 1,200 hours each year, so our footwear needs to be durable and entirely school-proof. From sprinting past the school gates to spontaneous sports at lunchtime, our shoes are built to last, and protect, until the child grows out of them.”

Launching into the first school shoes collection are two modern takes on classic Start-Rite designs that have been thoroughly ‘child-proofed’: Emily, is a Mary Jane style, with floral decoration and Charlotte, a T-Bar with similar floral detailing. Both styles designed on bespoke child-shaped lasts, for natural movement, combining rip-tape fastening with padded ankles and leather linings, are complemented with a unicorn footbed. Also entering this category is Luxe, a smart T-Bar patent with delicate punch detailing and retro styling. A perfect cross-over style for school days and occasions.

In primary girls, Bella is a Mary Jane with a statement bow, and breathable air flow technology Air-Rite, non-marking soles and flex grooves, and Hermione provides a classic Oxford-entry style shoe with brogue detailing, enhanced protection to the upper and superior framing for the foot.

An exciting addition to the primary category is a selection featuring chunky, yet lightweight PU sole units, in leather and patent options for younger girls exploring fashion styling. Cosmos a chunky Mary Jane style with understated brogue detailing, Locket a chunky T-bar style featuring glitter footbeds and heart detailing and Luna, a black patent closed lace-up.

Also introducing Milan into the secondary girl’s selection, a modern take on a classic loafer with a slight elevated heel, available in black leather or a patent finish.

New primary styles for boys are Quad, an exemplary example of contemporary children’s shoe design in a double rip-tape trainer style with 360° bumpers packed with Start-Rite proprietary technology and reflective details and Parker a double rip-tape durable shoe with a plain upper on the new lightweight PU sole unit.

Extending the Simply by Start-Rite collection, with a £45 price point is Study, a Mary Jane with subtle punch detailing and a rip-tape strap, and Novel, a much-loved T-Bar with non-marking sole. Both styles have Dual-Fit insoles to adjust the width and find the perfect fit.

Other enduringly popular styles leading the collection for durability and comfort are Strike, a hardwearing primary style with double rip-tape fastening and reflective features, and for older boys Academy, provides a sharp lace-up silhouette, packed with intelligent biomechanics.

In the hardwearing RHINO collection Warrior, is incredibly popular for its super durable double rip-tape trainer style, and Glitch, never fails for active boys who prefer a lace-up.

In the girls category, combining good looking charm with enhanced durability and protection choose Twizzle, a patent first school shoe with bow and seam detailing, padded ankles and heel bumpers, and Star Jump a T-Bar with flower details and a glittery footbed, packed with enhanced details to protect very active little girls. Samba, a classic smart Mary Jane style for secondary girls with a padded ankle, Brogue, in primary and secondary sizes, a smart and stylish classic lace-up, and Impulsive, a chunky sole lace-up shoe with brogue detailing and fashion appeal. Each of these styles continue to be highly popular in the Start-Rite School Shoes collection.

Ends

Editors notes

FOOTNOTE:

1.      Karen Randell, Clinical Director of Randell’s Footcare in Norfolk.

About Start-Rite Shoes

A British family business for eight generations, Start-Rite Shoes has helped children explore in comfort and confidence for over 230 years. Proudly specialist in little feet, Start-Rite shoes are carefully crafted to support every movement with stability. Its shoes are endorsed by podiatrists, and informed by the biomechanics of how uniquely children’s feet move, giving reassurance of knowing you can trust and totally depend on every pair.

Contact: 

Meg Cookes @ Vista PR on mgc@vistapublicrelations.com 

Georgina Morgan @ Vista PR on glm@vistapublicrelations.com