How to pick the right school shoes for your child, according to our Podiatrists?

As the mid-school year nearly approaches, it is important to start thinking about reassessing those school shoes that were purchased at the start of the year, reassessing the comfort and fit for your children. Even though it feels like it was only a couple of months ago that you were paying out hundreds for new school shoes, it is important they are reassessed regularly and according to our Podiatrists vital that children are properly fitted into their school shoes by an expert.  When you think about and take into account the number of hours those little feet are spent crammed in shoes all day, it is no wonder comfort and correct fit are key.
 
To check your children’s school shoes are still fitting appropriately, ask your child initially if they are comfortable in their shoes for the whole day. Check the fit to make sure there is sufficient room between the end of the toe and the shoe – as a rule of thumb there should be approximately 1cm or a thumbs space between the end of the toe and the shoe. Check the sole of the shoes for wear patterns and make sure the sole is not overly worn and still providing sufficient cushioning and support.
If new shoes are needed here are a couple of key points to help the purchasing of new school shoes be as stress free as possible:
 
Come Prepared:
 
Make sure you bring along the type of socks your child would normally wear to school, to ensure the fit is accurate, don’t rely on the try on socks the store has as these can be different thickness and alter the fit to what is normally worn by your child at school.
If your child wears foot orthoses, make sure you bring these along and these are correctly fitted into the shoes during the fitting process.
 
Don’t rush it:
 
Due to the large investment involved in school shoes, make sure you set sufficient time aside to go school shoe shopping, do not rush it. Involve your child in the decision-making, as it is them who have to wear the shoes and try to make it a relaxed, positive experience for them. Allow the sales consultant the time to correctly measure and fit your child into their chosen pair shoes and allow them time to walk around the shop to gather the comfort of the shoe, without feeling pushed or rushed into a decision.
 
Forget the old myth of “wearing a shoe in”
 
The comfort factor is one of the most important for school shoes for a child, remembering how long they are in their shoes for during the day and remembering kids don’t walk but run most of the time. Forget the old myth that you will wear them in and they will be comfortable. A high quality, well fitted shoe should be comfortable straight away and there should be no suffering through blisters or sore heels when new shoes are purchased, your child should be able to notice the comfort of a shoe on the initial fitting to aid in their decisions. 
 
 
Get the right fit!
 
Try to avoid the age old idea of if we get you a couple of sizes up, you will grow into them by the end of the year. Little Johnny does not want to be walking around in new school shoes that resembles clowns and further to that they can be detrimental to your child’s foot health.
A shoe that is too big can cause the foot to move around and create friction and movement contributing to blisters and callous formation.
Stick to the shoe that is the right size and comfort for your child at the time and reassess the fit, wear and tear and size on regular basis, to reduce the risk of foot deformities later on in life.
Talking to one of our Podiatrists a father of two young school age children he says it is important to have his children correctly fitted into their school shoes and to look for school shoes that are made of the highest quality material as he knows it helps aid in comfort fit and longevity to optimise foot health in growing children.
 
Our Podiatrists are more than happy to help you out with any advice you may need in regards to school shoes for your children.
 
The Foot & Ankle Clinic
11 Gray St, Ipswich QLD 4305
(07) 3281 3186
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