Lace Up or Buckle School Shoes?

Lace up and buckle school shoes are both versatile and stylish options for school shoes, but their suitability differs for different children and young people. 

Finding the right pair of school shoes is so important for the confidence of every child, both in terms of helping them feel comfortable in the style they’re presenting, and the fit and support provided by those shoes. 

Lelli Kelly shop has a range of lace up school shoes and buckle school shoes which we know has something for everybody. We’re here to help you decide which type is perfect for your child, by answering when each option is the right choice, and comparing the benefits of each closure type.

When lace up school shoes are the right choice

Lace up school shoes are perfect for school kids who are very active because of their durability and support. Lace up shoes are often more formal looking shoes, so are ideal in schools with stricter dress codes! 

They’re ideal for children who want the independence of being able to tie their own laces, and they match perfectly with dresses, skirts and trousers alike, making them a gorgeous versatile choice. 

When buckle school shoes are the right choice

Buckle shoes can be ideal for younger children who are still not fully confident tying their own laces, but want to take a step up from velcro school shoes. They’re still a very smart option like laces, but provide a little bit more versatility. 

They’re great also because they’re typically a little bit easier to take off and put on, and can offer adjustable fit based on buckle tightness. Essentially, buckle shoes are a great middle ground between velcro and laces, helping kids to build confidence. 

Lace up vs buckle school shoes

Let’s compare some of the features of lace up shoes vs buckle shoes:

- Independence - Whilst there’s no ‘right option’ in terms of independence, we’d recommend lace up shoes for more independent children confident in tying their laces. On the other hand, if your child is still building their confidence, buckle school shoes are a great option. 

- Fit and support - Buckle shoes offer a very secure fit, but their adjustability is slightly lower than lace up shoes because it depends on the number of holes punched in the buckle strap. However, they are still relatively adjustable. Lace-ups can be loosened and tightened at any section all the way up the foot, making their fit and support slightly better.

 

- Safety - Lace-ups can come undone and become a trip hazard; this is not the case with buckles. However, as long as you teach your child not to walk or run around with untied laces, you should not experience any issues!

- Durability - Both types of shoe are very durable, and should not break. But bear in mind that broken or frayed laces can be replaced, whilst a broken buckle can’t be. 

- Developmental - Both fastening buckles and tying laces are important developmental skills, but tying laces is slightly more advanced. This doesn’t mean that one type of shoe is better than the other, but you should consider the current level of development of your little one. 

Lace up school shoe options

 

The first option for lace up school shoes are the Lelli Kelly Kimberly Black Patent Brogues. These school shoes are very smart and feature a stunning punched hole brogue effect, and are crafted from flexible leather for ultra comfort. A padded footbed adds to this comfort, and leather lining makes them breathable but strong. 

 

A slightly different choice are the Lelli Kelly Maria Lace Up Black Patent School Shoes, which are a bit chunkier and sturdier. Made from glossy black patent leather makes these gorgeous shoes really stand out, and a thick outsole unit is great for shock absorption. Despite being a bit bulkier, these shoes are still extremely comfortable thanks to a padded footbed. 

Buckle school shoe options

 

Lelli Kelly Frankie SNR Navy School Shoes come with adjustable buckle fastening and are one of our most popular choices. The navy blue colour is extremely vibrant and classy, and that class is added to with a beautiful navy bow embellishment. A chunky black rubber sole unit completes this look excellently. 

 

Finally, our Lelli Kelly Jennette Black Patent T-Bar School Shoes offer a t-bar design if that’s your preferred choice. With contrasting pink leather lining to offset the rest of the shoe, these shoes are a very fashionable option. These black school shoes are perfect for their flexibility, durability and adorable comfort.