Fresh from winning Drapers Kids’ Footwear Brand 2025, Start-Rite Shoes is introducing 28 new styles across its primary and secondary school collection. Available via independent retailers, large multiples and online, the business continues to grow its distribution channels while investing in technologically advanced footwear.
Commenting is Jennifer Tyley, Start-Rite’s marketing and ecommerce director
“Start-Rite Shoes enable kids to embrace the world at their feet. Our podiatrist 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, a Mary Jane style with floral decoration, and Charlotte, a T-Bar with similar floral detailing. Also entering this category is Luxe, a smart T-Bar patent with delicate punch detailing and retro styling.
In primary girls, Bella is a Mary Jane with a statement bow and breathable air flow technology, non-marking soles and flex grooves. Hermione provides a classic Oxford-entry style shoe with brogue detailing, enhanced protection to the upper, and superior framing for the foot.
A key 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.
Highlights include 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. Milan also joins the secondary girls’ selection, a modern take on a classic loafer with a slightly elevated heel available in black leather or a patent finish.
New primary styles for boys are Quad, a contemporary children’s shoe design in a double rip-tape trainer style with 360° bumpers packed with Start-Rite proprietary technology and reflective details. Also, 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 is Study, a Mary Jane with subtle punch detailing and a rip-tape strap, and Novel, a T-Bar with a non-marking sole. Both styles have Dual-Fit insoles to adjust the width.
For further information on Start-Rite Shoes, please click here.