Are you wondering if your children’s school shoes fit correctly? Are you looking at purchasing a new pair? Here are a few points to keep in mind!

Growing bodies, mean growing feet. Your children can spend around 30 hours a week in their school shoes. As your children start a new school year, it is important that they are wearing correctly fitting shoes. Whether they’re out running, skipping or hopping during their PE class or walking back and forth from home and school; they’re always moving!

 

Finding the right pair for your child

Comfort is key!! This phrase should be front of  mind when buying any shoes as there is no point in a shoe looking good but causing pain when they are wearing them. We appreciate that there are uniform policies in most schools that need to be adhered to but if you follow the tips below you should find something suitable for your child:

– Ensure their shoes fit properly (especially around the toes)

– Measure their feet regularly for width and length. Seeing a podiatrist or attending stores that offer this service (The Athletes Foot/ Active Feet/The Running Company) is advisable

– Toes should move freely and should not be squashed. Allow for about 1cm between the tip of their longest toe and the end of their shoe. The longest  toe is important as it may not always be the big toe!!

– Shoes should fit well around the heel, not too tight or loose

– Go shopping later in the afternoon to allow for any swelling- this is common after a long day and it’s important to get the best fit for when the feet are at their biggest

– Take the socks they will wear for school as the thickness will impact on the fit of the shoe. If they have orthotics, make sure to take these too!!

– Ensure the footwear has a fastening mechanism such as Velcro or lacing. A slip on shoe is not advisable- muscles have to work harder in these shoe types and they could lead to excessive toe gripping (which is implicated in foot pain/foot deformities)

 

Shoe Brand Recommendations

When choosing shoes it needs to be based on the needs of each individual; one shoe won’t suit everyone. That is why getting guidance from a Podiatrist is a great starting point as they can ascertain what features are required to enable comfortable walking and running. Some brands that we commonly recommend are:

– Ascent

– Clarks

– Bobux

– Asics

– Brooks

– Mizuno

– New Balance

Some less traditional options that focus on more ‘natural’ movement are available and are suitable in most situations. These include:

– VivoBarefoot

– Xero Shoes

Why visit a Podiatrist?

We recommend a check up with a podiatrist to ensure footwear is correctly fitting your children’s feet. Additionally, if your child is wearing out their footwear on the sides; walk on their tip toes, complaining of pain in their feet or have a history of tripping or falling, it would be advisable to seek professional advice. Podiatrists are also able to treat and diagnose many skin concerns such as hard skin and rashes. If you have any other general concerns or want more advice regarding shoes, feel free to give us a call on 94805522 to make an appointment or book online via our website.

 

by Mark Whiteside

 

 

 

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