Decathlon has launched a new 'Middle Aisle' across its UK stores, website and app, offering limited-time discounts on back-to-school essentials. Among the standout deals is a pair of Adidas Kids' Advantage Rip-Tab Trainers reduced to £19.99, down from £20.99. The price is locked in for six weeks from 20 July to 30 August, covering the entire summer holiday period.
Parents praise durability and value
Parents have hailed the Adidas trainers as a reliable and affordable choice. One reviewer said: 'Bought for my five-year-old. Easy for him to put on and take off his shoes quickly and by himself.' Another added: 'My son usually wears out his sneakers very quickly, and I was starting to get fed up. I tried the Adidas brand and I'm delighted with my purchase. They offer a wide selection and a variety of colours. I've finally found shoes that last!'
A third parent noted: 'A reliable choice; we buy them again for every new size. My son can't stand most shoes; he has wide feet, but with these, there are no problems and no excessive sweating.' However, one review cautioned: 'They are easy to put on. However, the front breaks quickly if they slide across the ground a lot.'
Features and availability
The trainers come in black and children's sizes 9.5C to 1.5. They feature a durable rubber outsole, water-repellent easy leather upper, and triple rip-tab fastenings, making them easy for younger children to put on independently. The shoes are designed to withstand everyday school wear.
Decathlon's Middle Aisle also includes other back-to-school bargains. The Adidas 27.5L Backpack has been reduced from £24.99 to £15.99, available in four colours with room for A4 folders, books and PE kits. Decathlon's Kids' School Shoes 140 are now £9.99, down from £14.99, saving 33%, and have earned a 4.8-star rating from over 13,700 customer reviews. The Kids' Playventure Yard Shoes are reduced from £19.99 to £14.99, developed in partnership with 11 healthcare experts for optimal cushioning, flex and torsion.
Comparison with other retailers
Elsewhere, M&M Direct offers Skechers Junior Boys Dynamight Day School Trainers at £19.99, reduced from £44.99, with memory foam cushioning. Clarks' Lumen Hero Kid trainers are available at £25, described as an 'everyday, easy-to-wear trainer' blending underfoot support with child-friendly practicality.
Decathlon says the Middle Aisle initiative responds to growing demand for affordable alternatives, with 45% of consumers actively seeking budget-friendly buys and 'dupes' without compromising on quality. The retailer aims to rival supermarket middle aisles, such as Aldi's, and help parents manage the financial anxiety of the autumn term return.
