I’ve wasted hundreds on school shoes and this is the only brand my boys can’t destroy

WHEN it comes to shopping for my kids’ school shoes, nothing pains parents like finding shoes that will last. After years of watching my boys absolutely destroy school shoes, I’ve learnt the hard way that not all pairs are created equal. My son George admiring his Kick Lo shoes Kickers back-to-school shoes range But there’s one brand I keep coming back to… Sign up for the Shopping newsletter Thank you! Kickers shoes manage to survive my three little wrecking balls the whole year – whilst other brands are in tatters by the end of the first term. While I’ll be the first to admit that Kickers might cost a bit more than your average high street pair, the old saying really does ring true: if you buy cheap, you’ll definitely end up buying twice. Forget the faff of dragging the kids to the shops for a shoe fitting – Kickers’ clever Measure at Home tool lets you work out their size from the comfort of your own sofa. You simply measure their foot length and pop in their age and gender to get a personalised size recommendation. For those of us who tend to be a bit chaotic with last-minute back-to-school prep, there is some brilliant news: you can snag next-day delivery and free standard shipping when you spend more than £60 at Kickers. The Kickers school shoes I really rate As a former parenting writer, I’ve put countless school shoes to the test. Most read in Shopping The shoes below are hands down my top picks – they look incredibly sharp, can handle anything, and simply refuse to scuff. Junior Unisex Tovni Twin Leather Black Tovni Twin shoes are great for younger children Junior Unisex Tovni Twin Leather Black, £50 at Kickers If you’ve got little ones who haven’t quite mastered the art of tying laces yet, the Tovni Twin is a fantastic shout for both boys and girls. What I really love about these is the laid-back, casual look; they’re stylish enough to satisfy even the most fashion-forward kids, while still being smart enough to keep the headteacher perfectly happy. While some of the online feedback is a bit mixed—I even spotted one parent saying their son wasn’t a fan—I found them to be absolutely brilliant when I put them to the test myself. Junior Unisex Tovni Lacer Leather Tovni Lacer is a great relaxed option for older children Junior Unisex Tovni Lacer Leather Alternative Black, £35 (was £50) The Tovni Lacer is a smart, easy-to-wear school shoe made with a leather-alternative upper, giving little feet a polished look without the traditional leather. It has a classic lace-up design that makes it easy to pair with their school uniform, while the sturdy construction is made for keeping up with busy school days. The leather-alternative finish also makes it a practical option for parents looking for a fuss-free school shoe that still looks the part. Junior Unisex Kick Lo Leather Junior Unisex Kick Lo Leather Black lasted my four-year-old the whole school year Junior Unisex Kick Lo Leather Black, £60 at Kickers The Kick Lo shoes are my go-to school shoe for primary school-aged boys. The Kick Lo has remained a firm family favourite for years, largely thanks to that iconic, chunky aesthetic that makes them instantly recognisable on the playground. Crafted from premium leather, these beauties are built to last but also keep things breathable and lightweight for busy little feet. It is definitely worth keeping in mind that since these require tying, they might be a bit tricky for the younger ones to master. I’ve found that a solid double knot usually does the job, but if your little one needs to swap footwear throughout the school day, you might find these aren’t the most practical choice. Comment now