After-School Shoes Made Easy with DC and Etnies

(Advertorial)

So, it’s the Saturday before school starts, after a fun (if not completely knackering) half term. The uniforms are washed, the homework is completed, but there’s one small problem… Jordan’s clearly been eating more greens than usual, because his toes are practically bursting through the seams of his shoes. Ah, growth spurts. Every parent’s favourite.

Shopping for kids’ shoes, in my humble opinion, is about a million times more stressful than shopping for clothing. While a dash round Asda with the trolley will generally sort out a quick wardrobe fix, getting a decent pair of kids’ shoes is a different matter.

Walk into the average shoe shop on a Saturday afternoon and you are greeted with tens of anxious parents, sweating with pulsating temples. What seems like a hundred children run around the place, throwing display shoes at each other, while you wait for a stressed shop assistant to measure as many pairs of feet as possible. It’s only when your little darling’s shoes are removed that you realise he’s managed to not only wear odd socks, but the only pair with a gaping hole big enough for a big toe to protrude out of. Perfect. And that’s before you have to spend half an hour to-and-froing with the assistant, trying to find a pair of shoes that is not only deemed acceptable by your offspring, but is also still in stock in his size.

It’s an annoyance of the highest order, especially when you get home and the chosen shoes that your little one absolutely loved seem suspiciously tight. If only there was something to take the pain away, aside from codeine?

Well, buying shoes doesn’t have to be horrendous. Why not skip the city centre altogether and not only shop for the best price, but also get your ideal purchase delivered to your door? Online retail is perfect for families who care about what they wear, but are on a budget when it comes to both spare time and their finances. The kids get the luxury of choosing from a host of styles while you stay in full control.

If you’re looking for a weekend and after-school shoe that will make your kid feel bang on-trend but also keep you satisfied with the quality and the price, skate trainers are an excellent choice. These shoes are made with extreme sports in mind, so they’re tough enough for a little rough and tumble. Not only that, but they often look just like their adult counterparts, which is a godsend when your child is in an awkward in-between stage and not wanting to look their age.

The skate veterans at DC have been in the business since 1993 and have been producing world-famous footwear that is standing the test of time, on the feet of both adult skaters and their fashion-conscious mini-me’s. Their trainers not only have attention-grabbing graphics that’ll have your child standing out on dark winter days, but boast a host of hard-wearing features. A sticky rubber outsole is perfect for gripping scooters and skateboards, or even just the playground tarmac. Made of synthetic leather with an anti-abrasion sole, these DC shoes will last and last, right until the next growth spurt is well underway.

Another brand worth paying attention to is Etnies, a well-established trainer-pusher that caters for both boys and girls, so nobody’s left out. Modelling their youth range on the same styles as their adult shoes, children with grown-up idols will enjoy not being forced to look like a kid. Their trademark padded tongues and collars will also ensure the most comfortable fit without making a single compromise on style. With a host of different looks available, you can opt for anything from a retro hipster high-top, to a casual low-top. Every kid will have something to smile about, which means less headaches and fruitless shuffling around from store-to-store.

If you’re worried about sizing, don’t be. Simply take the size of their school shoes and go a half-to-whole-size up, depending on how much growing room you want to be on offer. Still worried? Then purchase a cheap pair of insoles that will take the trainers half a size down, to stop unwanted slippage. The vast majority of online retailers also offer a simple return and exchange policy, to help amend sizing issues and last-minute changes of heart.

So, save yourself some stress and opt for some reliable trainers like Etnies or DC from an online store. Do something fun as a family instead of wasting your time on the High Street and await your kids’ excited faces when their parcel arrives in the post!