With the kids going back to school next month, it’s time to start planning what they’ll be wearing on their feet. We know that they’ll want stylish looks. And that you’ll want shoes that are supportive, sturdy and, ideally, affordable. So how can you find school shoes that will make everyone happy? And, when you do find a promising pair, how can you guarantee that they’ll actually fit? It’s simple, really: just follow these back-to-school shoe-shopping tips from our Massapequa podiatrists! But first, let’s make sure that the kids really do need new shoes before that bell rings in September.
Do Your Kids Need New Shoes? ![a pair of children's feet in school shoes]()
If your kids can’t wiggle their feet into last year’s school shoes, you obviously need to go shopping. The same is true if their footwear has any visible holes or rips. But what are the less obvious signs that kids’ shoes need replacing?
Start by looking for creases in the midsole area—these will indicate that the shoes’ supportive padding is wearing away. (Meaning your children’s feet will be subjected to all the pressures of their daily walks and runs.) Also, check out the soles of the shoes—if treads look shallow, the shoes are at the end of their lives. Don’t replace them, and your child will be at a higher risk for slips, falls and injuries such as ankle sprains.
Finally, even if your child can still fit into his or her shoes, make sure there is at least a thumb’s worth of space between the end of the shoe and the start of his or her big toe. Without that wiggle room, the toes will slam into the shoe’s edge, increasing the chances that your child will develop an ingrown toenail. And, now that you can tell if you need to go shopping for new school shoes, here are the rules you need to follow when selecting a new pair, courtesy of Dr. Mark Gasparini and Dr. Novneet Chhabra, your podiatrists in Massapequa, NY.
How to Shop for Kids’ School Shoes: 5 Simple Rules
When you’re ready to select a new pair of shoes for the upcoming school year, things like color and brand are negotiable. (And a great place to start if your children want to get involved in picking their own footgear.) However, no matter how upset your child may be, some rules for school shoes should never be broken.
1. Hand me downs are not an option.
While children are notorious for outgrowing their shoes quickly, you can’t have a younger child wear an older one’s barely worn sneakers. You see, even if shoes have only been worn a few times, they will have already molded to the first wearer’s feet. As such, if you put your younger child in an older sibling’s hand me downs, he or she will get support designed for someone else’s foot. And that increases the odds of foot pain, heel pain or other chronic concerns.
2. Supportive shoes are a must
Sometimes, even a brand-new pair of school shoes won’t have enough padding to protect kids’ feet. As such, you have to look for shoes that are constructed properly. First, check out the heel—squeeze it from the sides and make sure it can resist that pressure. Next, try and twist the shoe from the middle—you want it to withstand this motion as well, suggesting it will provide stability to your child’s foot. Finally, place your fingers beneath the toe area of the shoes and push upward. The shoe should bend, showing there’s enough flexibility in the shoe to allow your children to move with ease throughout the day.
3. Don’t go shoe-shopping without your child.
Even though it can be a pain to shop with your kids, it’s very important to do so. And you can’t just browse together to try and find shoes online—you have to go to a brick-and-mortar store to find the right school shoes. But why are these rules so crucial? Well, even if you think you know your child’s shoe size, his or her feet should be re-measured before purchasing a new pair of school shoes to ensure proper fit. Plus, you should always have kids try on new shoes before making a purchase, in order to make sure that they actually fit comfortably on the very first wearing. Because any new pair of shoes should feel great right away—don’t think the fit will improve after a wearing-in period. And, if there’s any doubt as to the comfort of the shoes, just move and find another pair.
4. Make the shoe store your last stop of the day
Regardless of age, everyone’s feet experience minor swelling throughout the day. For that reason, it’s always best to shop later in the afternoon, once your child’s feet have already expanded slightly. By doing so, your child will be trying on school shoes when his or her feet are at their largest. And that will mean the pair you pick will feel comfortable all day, every day, all throughout the school year.
5. Pick out different school shoes and athletic shoes
If your child regularly plays sports such as basketball, football, soccer or tennis, he or she will need to switch out of school shoes before heading to practice. You see, while the rules we just provided offer general support for walking, running and hitting the playground, they may not support the sports-specific movements kids encounter during athletic play. So, without investing in shoes designed for game play, your child may be vulnerable to sports injuries.
Of course, even with the perfect pair of shoes, your child may eventually experience some foot pain. But you shouldn’t assume that the discomfort is something to outgrow—pain is not a normal part of growing up. So, as soon as kids complain about their feet hurting, reach out to the office by calling us at 516-804-9038 or by clicking here to request an appointment.