August is a hectic time, and it’s easy to forget important details in the back-to-school rush. But one detail that really matters is the sort of shoes you pick for your child. Badly-fitting shoes can cause discomfort and even injury, but following a few simple tips will help.
Use a Professional Fitting Service
It’s tempting to go to the nearest discount shoe store and just take a good-looking pair of shoes off the shelf. However, this risks giving your child shoes that aren’t suitable for his or her feet. Since that can damage young, growing feet, it’s better to do things properly.
- Make sure the assistant who fits your child’s shoes is trained and will measure both the length and the width of your kid’s feet.
- If you can’t find shoes that fit your child, it could be a sign of underlying problems. Ask your podiatrist to check whether this is the case.
Choose a Breathable Material
Kids are always active, which means their feet tend to sweat a lot. Shoes that don’t let them breathe will put their feet at risk of conditions like fungal infections and blisters – as well as causing odor and slipperiness!
- Leather is a good natural choice, since it’s flexible and durable. It can take a little breaking in, and it may cost a little more than other materials.
- Canvas shoes make a good lightweight alternative. They’re inexpensive and often machine washable – ideal if your child likes to get muddy!
Check for Width as Well as Size
Even if shoes are listed as being the correct size for your children, they can still cause harm if they’re too narrow. Because kids’ feet are still developing, overly tight shoes can cause bone, muscle and nerve damage.
- Children’s feet often vary in width as they get older, so don’t just assume the correct width fitting will be the same as last time you bought their shoes.
- When you visit the shoe store, get your child to try on shoes you’re thinking of buying and walk around a little. Ask if they’re pinching them.
Be Careful with Fashionable Styles
As they get older, kids tend to become increasingly aware of what kinds of shoes their favorite sports stars, actors or celebrities wear. They may try to talk you into buying shoes that look nice, but aren’t friendly to their feet.
- Avoid shoes with high heels, except for occasional events like formals. Young children should have heels measuring only an inch or so.
- Look for shoes with plenty of wiggle room for your child’s toes. Narrow, pointed toes can make problems like ingrown toenails more likely.