A round-up of all the gear your kid needs for school this year.

Thanks to our brand partner, Rebel

Your memories of Christmas lists, shopping centre trawling and late-night add-to-carts (while crossing your fingers those presents arrive in time) might still feel super fresh, but get yourself together — it's time to hit the shops again as we prep for back-to-school. 

And with three school-aged boys, I'm looking for a shopping solution that will get me sorted in one place, on a reasonable budget and with gear that will actually last the year. Enter: rebel. 

If you're looking for THE one-stop destination for all things back-to-school, rebel is your go-to. From shoes they can play hard in to sturdy backpacks, cool clothing and non-leaky water bottles — they've got it all.

It's not only incredibly convenient, but the free rebel Active membership program also offers great perks. You'll get a $20 credit when you spend $100 or more on shoes, earn points with every purchase (which you can redeem at any balance) and enjoy exclusive member discounts.

With school expenses likely to pile up quickly before the term has even begun, there is nothing better than realising your total is going to be less than expected thanks to those sweet, sweet member points.

So, let's get stuck into all the gear your kids will need for the new school year.

Shoes made for busy kids. 

Image: rebel/Mamamia.

Last year, my eldest boy achieved a milestone I wasn't ready for — he officially outgrew the kids' shoe sizes and moved into adult men's shoes. Six months later, his feet are well and truly bigger than mine.

So, shopping for school shoes now means finding footwear for three sets of feet, spanning both the kids' and adults' shoe sections. But that's no sweat, thanks to rebel which caters to everyone — from my sweet six-year-old to my rapidly growing 11-year-old (with my eight-year-old in between).

And rebel's shoes are excellent value, with kids' shoes starting from $59.99 and seniors from $79.99 for Active members. 

The Nike Star Runner 4 Next Nature GS Kids Running Shoes ($69.99 for Active members) are my pick of the kids' shoes — with a classic black and white colourway, these are made for running, jumping and playing, and are comfy enough to wear day after day. 

For bigger kids, the Asics GEL Contend 9 Women's Running Shoes and Asics GEL Contend 9 4E Men's Running Shoes are great value at $99.99 or just $79.99 for rebel Active members. They come in all-black to comply with any black shoe uniform requirements, and will give your growing kids the comfort, cushioning and support for those long school days. 

It's in the backpack. 

Image: rebel/Mamamia.

Backpacks have to work hard — lugging school lunches, drink bottles, library books, hats and, in my kids' case, soccer balls, handballs and whatever else they insist on taking to play with at lunchtime. 

The Puma Phase Set ($29.99 for Active members, saving you $20) is a classic backpack with extra padding for comfortable carrying and a sleek and simple design that they won't age out of. It includes a side mesh pocket for drink bottle storage and a bonus attached pencil case so they can keep everything they need exactly where they need it (and avoid it ending up in lost and found).

Help them keep their (lunch) cool with the Nike Patch Lunch Tote ($44.99 for Active members) — it has a six litre capacity, so it's ideal for keeping their lunch and snacks cool throughout the day on those hot Term One and Term Four days.

Hydration station. 

Image: rebel/Mamamia.

Not all water bottles are created equal. Whether you're looking to stay hydrated on a budget or looking for an "all the bells and whistles" water bottle that will last you several school years, rebel have a huge range of options for all different pricepoints.

So, my pick for this year is the Hydrojug Sport Water Bottle ($44.99 for Active members who get 10 per cent off Hydrojug products) — it's created from durable food-grade stainless steel and will keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours. But the clincher for me is its leak-proof design, because if a water bottle doesn't hold water then what's the point? 

For younger kids, the Frank Green Reusable 595ml Water Bottle ($49.99) is super cute with a variety of colours, and they also pass the leak-proof test. Hallelujah. 

Brilliant basics. 

Image: rebel/Mamamia.

Please tell me. Where do all the socks go? By the end of the school year we're always running low, so I'll be stocking up on these New Balance Quarter Crew Socks (3pk $19.99 or $14.99 member price). They're a great all-rounder sock, with a blend of cotton polyester, elastane and elastodiene, for easy movement and just the right amount of stretch. 

And I'll also be grabbing a couple of these Under Armour Junior Youth Athletics Tees — at just $19.99 each or $14.99 when you buy two or more, they're a perfect base layer and all-round training t-shirt.

Become an Active member and shop all your back-to-school gear at rebel.

Offer ends February 3, 2025. Excludes socks, football and basketball shoes. Bonus credit is valid for 30 days. Full T&Cs apply. Visit rebelsport.com for details.

Feature Image: rebel/Mamamia.

That time of year again? Parents, we've got all your back to school essentials covered, from school shoes and backpacks to sports gear and accessories. At rebel, we know how busy the back-to-school period can be and are here to help. Whether you're needing our staff to help find the perfect fitting shoe or looking for a backpack big enough to fit all the essentials needed for the classroom through to the sports oval, our huge range of Australia's best brands and sporting equipment will mean you can tick off all your back-to-school shopping needs in the one spot. We're here to help your little ones get ready for their biggest and brightest year yet, and make your life a little easier!