Catholic School Shoes – Affordable, Durable, and They Fit Wide Feet!

July 19, 2022 Back to School Shoes Juan Pablo Valenzuela 0 - Comments

Are you having a hard time figuring out what types of shoes you need for your child’s Catholic school? Does the school dress code catalog recommends brown bucks with a red outsole, saddle shoes, or tan Sperry topsiders and you have no clue what these shoes are? Certain schools provide catalogs with images of the shoes but don’t specify where parents can get them. I will show you the best Catholic school shoes based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.

When it comes to the uniform policy for Catholic schools, it’s all about the shoes. Most Catholic schools don’t allow sneakers to be worn during the school day. However, some do allow solid all black sneakers with a non-marking outsole. I will show you a list of those too.

Consider that children’s feet come in all different shapes and sizes, and this also applies to the shoes! The list of Catholic school shoes I have put together is available in different widths (medium, wide) to accommodate different foot shapes.

Each Catholic school dress code might be a little different, but most of them require:

  • Dirty Bucks
  • Sperry Topsiders
  • Saddle Shoes
  • Solid colored dress shoes with a total heel no higher than 2 inches

Let’s dig right into the best Catholic school shoes that are all capable of accommodating children with wide feet. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.

Best Catholic School Shoes

Take a look at the description below each shoe to find out important information such as what foot shapes that shoe can accommodate, the material the shoes are made of, the type of closure, and the shoe size you should order to allow for the correct amount of growing room.

Number 1: Dirty Buck with Red Outsole

The Dirty Buck is one of the most popular back to school shoes. However, they are made by many different shoe companies and their quality varies by each brand. The Dirty Buck by Sperry is most recommended and extremely popular. Popularity aside, this is a classic shoe and this brand ensures the best fit with the most child-proof quality.

  • Order the shoe style Polo by Ralph Lauren on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • 100% leather
  • Lace-up closure
  • Full welt stitching
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

Number 2: Sperry Topsider

Sperry “boat shoes” are very versatile since children can wear them to school or on formal occasions. There are several different styles made by Sperry, but the style that I recommend below is the one approved by most schools.

  • Order the shoe style Lanyard by Sperry on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • 100% leather
  • Cushioned insoles with additional padding at the heel
  • Lace up closure for secure fit
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

Sperry Topsider with Velcro Closure

  • Order the shoe style Gamefish Jr. by Sperry on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • 100% genuine leather uppers
  • Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
  • Alternative closure with fixed lace for easy on/off and adjustability 
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

Number 3: Mary Jane

There is a shoe called Claire by Stride Rite that is the most popular Mary Jane shoe for Catholic schools. This shoe is made out of leather and traditionally comes in black, navy, and brown and fits medium, wide, or extra wide feet. The quality of this shoe is outstanding and your daughter will outgrow the shoes before anything happens to them.

  • Order the shoe style Claire by Stride Rite on Zappos
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • 100% leather
  • Padded collar for comfort
  • Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

Number 4: Saddle Shoes

Private and Catholic schools tend to require these shoes as part of their school uniform code. Saddle shoes are made by several different shoe companies, but the style below made by the shoe company School Issue is the most supportive, comfortable, and durable one.

  • Order the shoe style Varsity by School Issue on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • 100% leather 
  • Firm heel counter provides stable lateral support
  • Breathable leather lining
  • Lace-up closure
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

Number 5: Uniform Shoes by New Balance

New Balance manufactures a specific shoe style that is designed to meet the standards of most school uniforms. The shoes below provide leather uppers with open mesh for breathability.

  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • The ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
  • Padded collar for comfort
  • Velcro closure
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • The ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
  • Padded collar for comfort
  • Lace-up closure
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • The ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
  • I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • The ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
  • Padded collar for comfort
  • Velcro closure
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • The ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
  • Padded collar for comfort
  • Lace-up closure
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • The ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
  • I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size

Are Leather Shoes More Durable?

Absolutely, leather shoes tend to be more comfortable and durable than any other type of shoe material. They also tend to provide better breathability.

Is It Safe to Order Your Kids Back to School Shoes Online?

You can order your kids’ shoes online as long as you know your child’s exact foot shape and length. Otherwise, you will end up buying shoes in multiple sizes and returning the shoes back and forth.

What About the Physical Education Uniform?

Find out which gym shoes your child should wear to physical education class.

The Challenges of Finding Shoes for Catholic Schools

Families of children who attend a school with a uniform policy have a harder time shopping for shoes, as they need to meet stricter dress-code guidelines.

There are a lot of different shoe companies that make school shoes, and while they all might look alike, remember that different companies make shoes differently. It’s important that you provide your child with a pair of school shoes that meet the school uniform policy and that are comfortable and durable at the same time.

Let me know in the comments section below if you are having a hard time finding a specific pair of shoes for your child. You can also help me make this resource even better by adding your Catholic school shoe recommendations as well!