Parents are praising a pair of school shoes from Decathlon that they say are comfortable, durable, and affordable, with one parent revealing they buy the same pair every year for their son. The Lightweight Rip-Tab Shoes Soft 140 are currently reduced by 33 per cent, dropping from £14.99 to £9.99 on the sports retailer's website.
The shoes, described by Decathlon as 'the perfect choice for sport or the playground', have earned a 4.8-star rating online. One parent, Rakesh, commented: "Before the school starts I get the same shoe for my son every year. It's comfortable and lasts longer compared to other shoes I have bought before. I have bought it for the third time."
Features and Availability
The Lightweight Rip-Tab Shoes Soft 140 come in sizes 8C to 5.5 and feature rip-tab straps and laces, making them 'easy to get on and off', according to Decathlon. They are available in smoked black, navy blue, royal blue and white, as well as watermelon pink and pearl pink. The smoked black version is waterproof, adding to their practicality for school use.
Other parent reviews highlight the shoes' suitability for children with specific needs. Kimberly wrote: "I have an autistic son who struggles getting shoes on and also has wide feet. These are great as they are affordable and offers independence as he can get them on himself and fasten the Velcro straps. Can see these being a repeat purchase."
Durability and Comfort Praised
Another parent, Gareth, noted the shoes' longevity: "My kid says they are comfy. They are very light, and still look good after eight months. He will put grow them before they fall apart." However, not all reviews were entirely glowing. Daniel wrote: "Well made an well priced. Not the most durable shoe, but then I don’t think it’s designed to be. Very comfortable from day one."
The price cut is part of Decathlon's 'Middle Aisle' event, which offers time-limited discounts across a range of products in UK stores, on its website and app. The current selection focuses on school-ready trainers, backpacks, and water bottles. To reassure families, the initial Back to School prices are locked in for six weeks, covering the entire summer holiday period through to Sunday, August 30.
Other Back-to-School Deals
Alongside the shoes, Decathlon is offering the Adidas 27.5L 3 Stripe Logo Backpack, reduced from £24.99 to £14.99, available in purple, black, and light ochre. The Adidas Kids' Rip-Tab Trainers Advantage in black are now £19.99, and the QUECHUA 0.8L Ecozen Flask 500 is reduced to £3.99 in teal blue, old pink, and apricot orange.
For families seeking alternatives, Clarks has the Torridon Vibe Kid Shoes from £30 in black, with sizes ranging from 7 to 12 for smaller feet and 13 to 8 for larger sizes. Marks & Spencer sells the Kids' Leather Riptape School Shoes priced between £28 and £32, available in sizes 8 small to 2 large, with standard, narrow, and wide widths.
