Review of Start-Rite School Shoes: Monkey went through several pairs of school shoes in Year 1. I think this could be because he has discovered football. Which he plays almost every playtime and lunchtime by all accounts. So I am trying to get organised before September and school shoes are firmly on our list to replace. Which is why I was so pleased when Start-Rite got in contact to see if we would like to put a pair of their AW18 range the test.
Monkey opted for the style ‘Bolt’. Which I really liked too as they are a casual school shoe which fits well with the rest of his uniform. Available in size S10 through to L4 and in four different width fittings from E through to H. If you are worried about fit when ordering online then Start-Rite has developed a great app which is free to download visit 3D Measure App to find out more.
- Shop – shop the full collection in the app, find what you are looking for quickly and easily using the filter options. Which are age, size, width, colour, price, or category. It’s even possible to set up a wish list to buy at a later date.
- 3D Measure – shop with confidence using their innovative measuring system. Simply print off a grid and take a few photos to measure your child’s feet and get their Start-Rite shoe size.
- My Family – allows you to track and save your children’s shoe sizes as they grow. Its possible to shop by child and view styles only available in their size. The app will also send you helpful reminders when it’s time to re- measure their feet.
The key features of the Bolt shoes are:
- Riptape fastenings enable adjustability, easy wearing and a more comfortable fit.
- Enhanced protection around the toe, heel and side of the foot are more scuff resistant and help the shoes last for longer. This is key with his new desire to play football constantly.
- Removeable, moulded footbeds and anti-bacterial mesh linings enable feet to breathe and remain fresher.
- Reflective panels for safety in low light conditions.
Things I love:
- Monkey likes them – to be honest this is probably the most important thing because trying to get him to put on school shoes every day that he doesn’t is a nightmare.
- The amount of testing that goes in at prototype stage – Start–Rite tests every prototype to ensure it never gives up and looks as good as new after the equivalent of 100,000 steps and that riptape fastenings remain ‘sticky’ after 5,000 openings. This is a big deal for us since many of Monkey’s shoes have had the same sort of openings and they don’t last.
- The leather is dyed through which should help with the scuffing issue surrounding the football obsession.
- I like that it is a British family business which has been going for over 226 years.
Start–Rite shoes are designed to give children the freedom to go where they want, how they want.
I don’t normally buy Start-Rite shoes but our experience of them in the last few weeks of term have led me to think differently in the school years ahead. First and foremost Monkey likes them, they still look smart and to date have held up well against the football.
Not only do they make great shoes which are super comfortable. I really like the ethos of the company and some of the campaigns they run. One very close to my heart launched on the 24th July where Start–Rite Shoes has joined with the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation to launch the #KidsWalkTall campaign to help raise funds for the anti-bullying charity.
The campaign aims to empower children and encourage self-confidence as part of their journey through school as they learn more about who they are and who they might be tomorrow. This is highlighted in a short film where children share their thoughts on school life, the friendships they’ve made, the struggles they face, and how it’s good to be different.
To support the campaign, Start–Rite are asking parents and carers to share the campaign film on their Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages. Each time the film is posted publicly with the hashtag #KidsWalkTall, Start–Rite will donate £1 to the anti-bullying charity. What a brilliant campaign and one I am more than happy to support.
Start-Rite has given my readers the chance to win a pair of new school shoes for their little ones. All you need to do is enter via the Gleam application below and please note the T&Cs. Many of the entry options include the #KidsWalkTall campaign.
Win a Pair of Start-Rite School Shoes
- Competition is open to residents of the UK aged 18 and over
- There is no cash alternative offered
- One winner will be drawn at random and will receive a voucher to use on the Start-Rite website to purchase a pair of children’s shoes
- The giveaway will close on the 27th August at midnight, the winner will be notified through Twitter
- The Winners will be asked to provide a full postal address and email address
I have some other giveaways running at the moment so please check them out in the Blog Giveaways Page above.
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This post is written in collaboration with Start-Rite we were sent the Bolt shoes in return for an honest review.
60 Responses
These look just right for just starting school. Easy to put on and look great quality. Would be ideal for my grandson starting school in September. Thanks for the chance to win some
perfect giveaway for back to school time
These shoes would be ideal for my grandaughter
Great for my nephew starting school in September
Fab prize, kids grow out of their clothes so quickly. I don’t have any children but would love to win this prize to donate to charity, to go to Romania.
I was brought up wearing Start-rites and I believe they are the best for growing feet! Sadly they are a bit out of my budget but would absolutely love to win some for my little boy Gabriel who is starting school for the first time in September x
These would be great for my grandson.
These look great quality, i struggle to find school shoes that last
Perfect for back to school in September.
Start-Rite seem to have got it right. A trendy design but comfortable and hard wearing which should stand up to the punishment little boys can inflict on their footwear.
These shoes look soooo comfortable and such good quality, perfect for going back in September x
fab giveaway x
These look great and I love that they are supporting a cause that affects so many children!
Will be great for the return to school!
would be perfect for my grandson in September if l were the lucky winner
BE great for my son fingers crossed
Lily and Ella both had these shoes for school last year
Lily’s actually lasted nearly all year until her feet grew.
The shoes still look like new
Great shoes x
Lovely prize, thank you!
I am definitely in the ‘good school shoe camp’. Kids wear them all day and they should be well made and well fitting.
fab giveaway these look great quality xx
Fantastic prize for this time of year, with all of the many back to school items we all have to get, thanks for sharing
wonderful prize, perfect for school
ideal for my little Grandson!
These would be great for my grandson for when he returns to school
Lovely prize
What a great giveaway. Would love to win a pair for my daughter. ?
Fingers crossed- my son would love these
Fantastic giveaway! Perfect for back to school time.
perfect for us, with 3 here and 1 on the way, I always seem to be buying shoes!!
My Granddaughter seems to go through so many shoes, so these would be perfect for her, a quality shoe which will last
Great prize!
These would be perfect for my daughter for back to school ?
My grandson mnaged to wear out many school shoes last year but these ones look really durable and might suit him better!
Perfect timing for back to school!
wonderful prize would be delighted to win
Look fantastic
These look really good – nice and comfy!
Fantastic quality shoes. Perfect for my son for school
Love the walk tall campaign
Would love some shoes for my children
id love these for my nephew
It’s amazing how many pairs they can get through in a school year.
Would be great for my nephew, thanks for the opportunity
They look like really good shoes, great quality, that would be fab to win 🙂
These shoes look really strong and able to withstand a good workout!
Always found start right shoes where the best for my sons, would be great if grandchildren wore them as well
Thanks for the great prize and competition. Good luck everyone!
This is such a fab prize and it would come in so handy with school starting soon.
These would be a great help
Little one’s about to start school so these would be perfect.
Perfect for my little one, sturdy and well structured shoes
Good anti-bullying campaign. Children don’t always have to suffer bullying nowadays as we had to in the 1960s and 1970s. I would love to win a pair of Start-Rite school shoes for my 8 year old grandson who plays football and wrecks most shoes
They look great do they provide much support around the ankle?
Lovely shoes. Just a shame they closed our local start rite stockist!
Love the anti bullying campaign and your review of the shoes
What a great prize. I think our son is on a growth spurt at the moment so I’ve been leaving it as late as possible before buying replacement uniform items.
Perfect for my daughter – she just went up a size!
lovely giveaway thank you x
Fantastic prize… Would be brilliant for my daughter Sheriah when she goes back to school
Great prize. Just what is needed at this time of year.
great giveaaway