School Shoe Shopping

Its that time of year again when the shoe shops are filled with parents and kids getting uniforms and shoes in preparation for the new school year.

“Do they feel too tight? Where’s your toe in them?”
Parents doing their utmost to ensure they don’t pay for shoes which the child will claim hurt them inside 20 minutes of wearing them. Shoe shop assistants helping and measuring feet. The surprise at the till when 3 pairs come to pretty much what you paid for your first car. It can be a stressful time.
What matters?
Fit, support and quality.
A good shoe retailer will help with fit, having feet measured can really help out of the measure is experienced and the child is compliant. Make sure the measurement is taken with the child standing, as some feet can increase up to a size when weight bearing. Try on and walk around for at least 3 minutes, not just 6 steps. Hopefully these shoes are going to be in service for a good while, taking a few minutes in them now is time well spent.
Support, do the shoes fasten, slip ons will not offer the same support as a fastening shoe. How easy is it to bend the shoe, a childs day time shoe should offer plenty of support in the midfoot but still flex at the ball of the foot.
A quality shoe will outlast inferior products, and generally take more abuse in the playground. Price and quality don’t always match, make sure the materials are high quality and that the construction is solid.
Looking after your children’s feet is giving them a great start. Most foot deformities are caused by ill fitting footwear, be at the forefront of your child foothealth which will hopefully last for life.