Let’s be honest: dads aren’t always known for their footwear game. A lot of us find something that works, wears it into the ground, and then replaces it with the exact same thing. If it ain’t broke, and all that.
But becoming a dad has a way of dragging you into situations you never expected—school runs, muddy hikes, weddings where you have to look smart but also chase a toddler around a National Trust lawn. And for every one of those scenarios, there’s a different kind of shoe that can make your life just that little bit easier.
So here it is: a completely reasonable, tried-and-tested guide to the six pairs of shoes every dad actually needs in their wardrobe. Not a fashion flex. Not a style-over-substance roundup. Just the right shoes for real life with kids.
Everyday Trainers
This is your bread-and-butter shoe. The pair you instinctively reach for when you’re doing the nursery run, popping to the shops, or getting dragged to soft play.
The trick is finding the balance between comfort and not looking like you’re still in your PE kit from 2001. Something low-profile, supportive, and breathable. Bonus points if it’s wipe-clean, because somebody is definitely going to spill juice on your feet at some point.
I’m a fan of anything that doesn’t scream “midlife crisis runner” but still supports my ageing arches. Think New Balance, Adidas Gazelles, or the sort of Nikes that don’t make you look like you’re trying too hard.
A Pair of Waterproof Outdoorsy Boots
There will come a time—usually about 12 minutes into a planned “quick walk”—when your children veer off the path, discover a bog, or decide to build a dam out of gravel. You’ll need proper boots for that.
Not full-on hiking boots unless you’re scaling peaks, but something with decent tread, waterproofing, and ankle support. Walking boots, hiking shoes, or even some of the better waterproof trainers will do the job. Just don’t make the mistake I once did of trusting a pair of canvas Converse through a wet woodland trail. Rookie error.
And no, wellies are not the answer here. No one under 6 wears wellies unless they’re a farmer or going to Glasto.
Smart Shoes for Work and/or Weddings
You’re going to need to look presentable sometimes. Weddings, christenings, funerals, parent-teacher meetings—events where turning up in beat-up trainers might earn you side-eye from the in-laws.
That doesn’t mean squeezing into stiff leather shoes that feel like medieval punishment devices. These days, loads of smart shoes are made with flexible soles, cushioned insoles, and soft uppers that don’t require a six-week breaking-in period.
Brogues or derbies in brown or tan are surprisingly versatile and go with anything from chinos to a proper suit. Just avoid anything too pointy or shiny—you want “I’m a grown-up,” not “I’m going to a nightclub in Essex.”
The Holiday Shoe for Warm Weather
There’s a fine line between “ready for summer” and “tourist who forgot what decade it is.” Somewhere between flip-flops and socks-and-sandals lives the perfect dad holiday shoe.
I’m talking about something breathable, lightweight, and comfortable enough for hours of wandering around a zoo, but not so flimsy that you’ll regret it after day two.
A decent pair of sliders or sport sandals (think Teva or Merrell, not supermarket specials) will earn their keep. Or, if you’re not quite ready to go full sandal, canvas slip-ons or loafers can get you through sunny days without terrifying the locals with your toes.
Exercise Trainers
Even if you only manage to go for a run once every couple of weeks, or occasionally do that thing where you do five push-ups and then lie down for ten minutes, it still helps to have a dedicated pair of exercise shoes.
Wearing your everyday trainers for workouts means they’ll wear out quicker, and let’s be honest, they probably already smell suspicious. Plus, proper support matters. Running shoes are different from weightlifting shoes, which are different again from cross-trainers.
You don’t need anything fancy, but something that feels right when you’re moving fast or lifting half your bodyweight. And if they motivate you to exercise even a little more often, they’re worth it.
A Pair of Scruffs
This is the pair you don’t mind trashing. Gardening? DIY? Taking the bins out in the rain while holding a screaming toddler and a nappy bag that’s definitely leaking? These are your shoes.
They are usually an old pair of trainers which haven’t had the laces untied for 5 years or so, but they could be battered boots, or those strange hybrid clogs you swore you’d never wear but somehow ended up buying at the garden centre. It doesn’t matter what they are—as long as they’re quick to put on and you don’t mind if they never fully recover from whatever mess they encounter.
I often use mine to stamp down the recycling before bin day, and they have splodges of paint on them from rooms decorated many many moons ago. I haven’t quite worked out if they are older than my youngest child, but they’re still in service.
It’s Not About Style—It’s About Survival
You don’t need 25 pairs of shoes to survive dad life. But these six pairs give you enough range to tackle most situations without looking like you’ve just been dragged backwards through a ball pit. They won’t give you shoe storage nightmares either.
More importantly, the right shoes make your life easier. They help you keep up with your kids, feel a bit more human in moments where chaos reigns, and occasionally make you look like you’ve got it together—even if your socks don’t match and your lunch is half a breadstick and a Pom Bear.
So if you’ve been meaning to upgrade your footwear but putting it off because, well, everything else gets in the way—consider this your sign. Your feet do a lot for you. Might be time to return the favour.
