Collection: Start-Rite

Start-Rite is a British children's shoemaker founded in 1792 in Norwich, making it one of the world's oldest continuously-operating shoe brands. For over 230 years Start-Rite has specialised in children's footwear — the brand holds the Royal Warrant for supplying shoes to the British royal family, and Princes William and Harry both wore Start-Rite as children. King Charles III also wore the brand as a child.

Start-Rite school shoes are the gold standard of the category. Every pair is built around extensive children's foot research — proper measurement at the heel, ball and toes, with multiple width fittings (F, G, H) on most styles. The brand pioneered the half-size system in children's shoes and continues to lead on developmental footwear research.

The range covers school shoes (the largest category), pre-walker shoes for babies (the brand's Cruiser and First range are designed specifically for the first walking stages), casual everyday shoes, party shoes, trainers, sandals and boots. Materials are predominantly leather, with attention to flexible soles that allow proper foot development.

Start-Rite sizing uses UK kids' standards. Sizing accuracy is critical — the brand's reputation is built on it. Always measure children's feet in-store before buying online. Cordners stores offer free Start-Rite-certified measuring; we'd particularly recommend in-person fitting for any child under five, when foot development is fastest.

Care: clean leather Start-Rites with leather conditioner every few weeks of heavy school wear. Patent styles wipe clean with a damp cloth. The reinforced toes on school shoes are designed to take playground impacts — they'll mark with age but rarely fail before the child outgrows them. Many Start-Rite styles can be passed down from older to younger siblings if cared for.

Cordners has been Northern Ireland's footwear specialist since 1937. Family-owned across three generations, we've built our reputation on three things: choosing the brands customers can trust, fitting shoes properly using trained staff and free in-store measuring, and standing behind every pair we sell. Our stores across Northern Ireland stock the widest range of footwear in the region, and our online store brings that same expertise to anyone in the UK and Ireland.

Every pair is sourced directly from the brand or its authorised UK distributor — what you order is 100% genuine and comes with the manufacturer's full warranty. Free 30-day returns means you can try at home with zero risk. If the size or style isn't right, send them back at our expense. Free standard UK delivery on orders over £79.99, with next-day delivery available on orders placed before 2pm Monday to Friday. Click-and-collect from any Cordners store across Northern Ireland is free of charge, with stock typically ready within one working day. Need sizing advice? Visit any Cordners store for a free fitting from our trained team, or chat to us online during business hours.