School shoes take more wear than anything else a child owns, worn five days a week, scuffed around the playground, and expected to last until feet outgrow them. So we build them properly, then we fit them properly. This guide covers what to look for, how to fit each foot correctly, and how CustomFit gives you five width fittings in a single pair.
Why Fit Matters Most
Fit is where most black school shoes fall down. A shoe in the right length but the wrong width either pinches or slips, and neither does a growing foot any favours.
Hush Puppies kids' black school shoes are durable leather shoes built for a full school year of wear, with genuine width fittings so growing feet are supported correctly. Selected styles use CustomFit with up to five width options and three sets of footbeds, alongside reinforced toes and non-slip soles for the classroom and the playground. That's where custom fit comes in, with up to five widths and three sets of footbeds to dial in the fit as the year goes on.
What makes a good school shoe?
A good school shoe combines a durable leather upper, a non-slip hardwearing sole, a secure fastening, and, most importantly, a width fitting matched to the child's foot.
Built for a Full Year
Durable leather shoes made for a full school year of wear, with reinforced toes and non-slip soles for the classroom and the playground.
Genuine Width Fittings
Not one width for everyone. Selected styles offer up to five width options so growing feet are supported correctly rather than approximately.
Fitted Properly, Not Just Made Well
So we build them properly, then we fit them properly. Three sets of footbeds let you dial in the fit as the year goes on.
What Makes a Good School Shoe
Six things worth checking before you order, and one of them matters more than the rest.
A Width Fitting Matched to the Foot
The most important of the lot. A shoe in the right length but the wrong width either pinches or slips, and neither helps a growing foot.
Custom Fit & Measure →A Durable Leather Upper
Leather that stands up to five days a week of wear and a full school year of playground scuffs.
Shop School Shoes →A Non-Slip Hardwearing Sole
Non-slip soles built for the classroom and the playground, on floors that see constant traffic.
Browse the Range →A Secure Fastening
Lace-ups, slip-ons and touch-fastening styles across the range, so the shoe stays where it should through the school day.
Kids CustomFit →Reinforced Toes
Reinforced at the point that takes the most punishment, because school shoes are expected to last until feet outgrow them.
Shop School Shoes →Three Sets of Footbeds
Selected styles include three sets of footbeds, letting you adjust the fit as feet change through the year rather than buying again.
Shop CustomFit →Featured School Shoes
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The Five Width Fittings
| Width | Fitting |
|---|---|
| D | Very narrow |
| E | Narrow |
| F | Standard, the yellow insole |
| G | Wide |
| H | Very wide |
Why Choose Hush Puppies School Shoes?
- Durable leather shoes built for a full school year of wear
- Genuine width fittings so growing feet are supported correctly
- Reinforced toes and non-slip soles for the classroom and the playground
- Selected styles use CustomFit with up to five width options
- Three sets of footbeds to dial in the fit as the year goes on
- All 3 insoles included free of charge on every CustomFit pair
- A different insole in each shoe for feet of different widths
- A printable measuring guide so you can fit at home before ordering online
School Shoes by Age
The range covers black leather boots, slip-ons and lace-up shoes, catering to both junior and senior children.
Junior School Shoes
Our junior range covers younger girls and younger boys, with the same durable leather uppers and non-slip soles as the senior styles. Selected pairs are CustomFit, so a younger child with a narrow or wide foot gets a proper width fitting rather than the nearest available size. Browse younger girls or younger boys.
Secondary School Shoes
For older students, the senior range runs to smarter lace-ups and slip-ons that still handle a full timetable and a busy playground. Look through older girls and older boys, or the full secondary school shoes collection.
Girls' and Boys' Styles
Both collections include black leather boots, slip-ons and lace-up shoes across junior and senior sizes. Shop all girls' school shoes or all boys' school shoes.
Beyond the School Day
Built for the school run and everything after it. The kids' range also covers trainers, boots and slippers, so the same fit thinking carries through to what they wear at home and at the weekend.
CustomFit: Five Width Fittings
CustomFit is our unique set of insoles designed to provide the most comfortable fit.
How does CustomFit work?
Each CustomFit school shoe includes three different insoles, which can be inter-changed to offer five different width fittings. Available for very narrow (D) to very wide (H) feet.
Three Insoles, Five Fittings
Three different insoles come with every CustomFit shoe, inter-changing to give five width fittings from very narrow (D) to very wide (H).
All Three Included Free
All our CustomFit shoes come with all 3 insoles free of charge. The yellow insole is inside the shoe, with two sets of insoles inside the box.
The Yellow Insole Is Standard
Is there a standard width option? Yes, we recommend the yellow insole. It's removable, so you can replace it with whichever suits the child's feet.
One Foot Wider Than the Other
1 in 3 children have feet that are slightly different in size. This is where our unique system comes into play. You can put a different insole in each shoe.
Look for the Logo
Not all our school shoes are CustomFit. We also offer a range of standard fitting school shoes. For CustomFit shoes, look out for our logo.
Adjust as the Year Goes On
Because the fitting changes by swapping insoles rather than shoes, keep the two spare sets in the box and adjust as feet change.
How to Measure at Home
We have designed a step-by-step guide on how to measure your children's feet from the comfort of your home, before ordering online.
Print the measuring gauge as shown on the Measuring Guide, then cut off the width measuring tape. Place the chart on a hard floor, and measure each foot length and width according to the instructions provided. Now you have the length and width measurement for each foot, and you can choose the right insole for each shoe.
What if the two feet measure differently?
Fit each shoe separately. With three insoles per pair you can put a different insole in each shoe, so each foot has the correct width fitting.
The full printable gauge is available in the CustomFit Measuring Guide, and there is more detail on Custom Fit & Measure.
Sizing and Conversions
Width is only half the picture. Length and the size conversion matter too, and one of them catches people out.
EU Conversions Vary by Style
Please refer to our size guide conversion chart, as the EU conversion is not the same in every style and it could be different when purchasing our footwear. If you're converting from an EU size you already know, check against the specific style rather than assuming one chart covers everything.
Where to Find the Charts
The kids' sizing guide covers children's sizes, and the general shoes sizing guide carries the full conversion chart. Use them alongside the width measurement from the CustomFit gauge for the complete picture.
Is the EU size conversion the same in every style?
No. The EU conversion is not the same in every style and it could be different when purchasing our footwear, so please refer to our size guide conversion chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a good school shoe?
A good school shoe combines a durable leather upper, a non-slip hardwearing sole, a secure fastening, and, most importantly, a width fitting matched to the child's foot.
How does CustomFit work?
Each CustomFit school shoe includes three different insoles, which can be inter-changed to offer five different width fittings. Available for very narrow (D) to very wide (H) feet.
Do I need to buy the insoles?
All our CustomFit shoes come with all 3 insoles free of charge. The yellow insole will be inside the shoe and two sets of insoles inside the box. The yellow is removable to replace with whichever insole is perfect for the child's feet.
Are all your school shoes CustomFit?
Not all our school shoes are CustomFit, we also offer a range of standard fitting school shoes. For CustomFit shoes look out for our logo.
What if my child has different width feet?
1 in 3 children have feet that are slightly different in size. This is where our unique system comes into play. You can put a different insole in each shoe, so each foot has the correct width fitting.
How do I measure my child's feet at home?
Print the measuring gauge from the Measuring Guide, cut off the width measuring tape, place the chart on a hard floor, then measure each foot length and width according to the instructions. You will then have the length and width measurement for each foot.
Is the EU size conversion the same in every style?
No. The EU conversion is not the same in every style and it could be different when purchasing our footwear, so please refer to our size guide conversion chart.
Ready for the New Term
Durable leather school shoes built for a full year of wear, with genuine width fittings so growing feet are supported correctly.
Built properly. Then fitted properly.
Shop School Shoes
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