The end of the school term brings excitement, sunshine – and the small matter of back-to-school shopping. With costs creeping up, dress codes changing and expectations for comfort, durability, style and value all rolled into one, getting school shoes right is no small feat.
Trusted by generations of parents and school kids, Kickers returns with a Back to School range built for exactly that reality. And when the list is long and expectations are even longer, it helps to know one thing: You’ve Got Kickers. The new collection focuses on the four things families consistently ask for – all-day comfort, lasting durability, contemporary style, and prices that work for real households.
Heritage You Can Trust, Reimagined for Today
For 50 years, Kickers has been the brand parents come back to, recognised on the high street, in the playground, and in family households across the UK. The Kick Hi, Kick Lo and Kick T-Bar remain at the heart of the range, alongside a considered selection of new styles designed to meet the needs of both parents and kids today.
Comfort in Every Step: Upgraded OrthoLite Insoles Across the New Collection
Comfort sits at the heart of the new collection. Upgraded Ortholite insoles now feature across the majority of the new range, delivering breathable, cushioned support designed for busy school weeks.
Unlike standard foams that compress and pack down with wear, Ortholite is built to retain its cushioning properties throughout the life of the shoe. The comfort children feel on day one is the comfort they feel weeks, terms and seasons in.
Its open-cell structure allows air to circulate around the foot, helping reduce the heat build-up that comes with an active school day, while actively wicking moisture away to help keep feet drier through long hours of wear and reduce the humidity that can contribute to blisters and discomfort.
Removable and washable, they’re built to keep up with classroom, playground and after-school life.
From the Expert: Why the Right School Shoes Matter
To strengthen the comfort and support of the range, Kickers has partnered with leading London podiatrist Steven Thomas. Steven has independently reviewed the brand’s three most-worn franchises: the Kick Hi, Kick Lo and Kick T-Bar, along with the new trainer-inspired Klapton, assessing how each performs against the all-day demands of school life and the needs of growing feet.*
“School shoes are worn more than any other footwear – over 1,000 hours a year – so the fit, function and foot comfort matter far more than most parents realise,” says Steven Thomas, The London Podiatrist. “Across the Kick franchise and the Klapton, I found generous toe boxes, breathable leather uppers, wide grippy soles for stability, and structured construction that supports growing feet through the realities of a school day.”
Introducing the Klapton: Trainer Comfort Meets Classroom Smarts
Today’s secondary pupils don’t want to switch shoes the moment they leave the school gate. School footwear has moved decisively toward trainer-led styles, and for teens, the right shoe is the one that holds its own in the corridor, on the bus home and at the weekend. The Klapton is built for exactly that. It carries the look of a modern trainer with the durability, support and school-compliant detailing that parents come back to Kickers for, giving teens a shoe that feels like theirs while giving parents the reassurance that it’s built to last a full school year.
“The Klapton combines the look of a modern trainer with the durability and support needed for school life. It should suit most foot types, offers good breathability, and has the flexibility to accommodate custom insoles. A versatile, parent-friendly choice for secondary school students.” Steven Thomas, The London Podiatrist
Available in Lacer and Lo silhouettes, the Klapton features a rubber-sided outsole, signature Kickers stitching, tonal black Kickers tabs designed for school compliance, and a removable Ortholite insole for all-day comfort. Priced at £75, available in sizes 3-12.
Introducing Maisey: A Modern Take on a School Classic
The dream school shoe for the style-conscious teenage girl, the Maisey updates traditional school footwear with a sleek, fashion-led silhouette. It is designed for a confident, on-trend look that still works for everyday school wear.
Available in Mary Jane and T-bar styles in patent and smooth leather, Maisey combines a lightweight outsole, Kickers branding and a washable Ortholite insole. Priced at £85, available in sizes 3-8.
For primary girls, the new Wings Collection sits at the heart of the range, designed specifically for younger feet and the everyday adventures of early school years. Blending Kickers’ classic silhouettes with playful butterfly pins, delicate embroideries and standout detailing, the collection captures a cute but bold spirit that encourages self expression from the very first step.
Practical, comfortable and full of personality, Wings brings a fresh twist to back to school styling while staying true to the brand’s iconic design DNA.
The Track Pack: Built to last the School Year
Designed for the demands of active school life, the Track Pack is built to withstand everything the playground throws at it. Reinforced construction, including rubberised mud guards and protective detailing, ensures long-lasting wear through every term.
The Kick Track (Kick Hi £99, Kick Mid £75) uses tumbled black leather with debossed branding, while the Tovni Track (£62–£70) applies the same rugged approach across the Tovni range, available in toggle and lace options. Available in sizes 3–12.
Designed for Every Family: Accessible from £30
Recognising the pressure of back-to-school spending, Kickers has built the 2026 collection with a pricing architecture designed to make the brand accessible to more families. The range starts from £30, with entry-level styles offering classic Kickers design at an affordable starting price, alongside the core heritage and premium franchises.
When Back To School Kicks In, You’ve Got Kickers
Molly Mcgarry, Brand Manager from Kickers comments, “Back to School shopping is one of the most pressured moments of the year for families, and we’ve designed this collection to take some of that pressure off. We’ve focused on what really matters: comfort, durability, value and style, in shoes that parents can trust and that children and teenagers actually want to wear.
“Upgraded Ortholite insoles now feature across the majority of the range, delivering breathable, cushioned support designed for the realities of busy school days. The result is footwear built to last through the school year and beyond, keeping up with everything from classroom to playground to after-school life.“
Discover the new Kickers Back to School collection on their website and through retailers including Schuh, FootAsylum, JD Sports, Next, Very, M&S, Amazon and independent retailers across the UK.
