During the back-to-school season, one of the most important purchases on any parent’s shopping list should be a pair of properly fitting school shoes.
Before making your purchase, consider these 6 tips for getting the right fit and the right shoe for your child:
- Growing Room
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- There should be about 10-14mm of space between the end of the longest toe and the end of the shoe insole. Always remove the shoe insole and have your child stand on it to check there is enough space.
- Measure both feet for length and width
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- Most people have one foot slightly longer or wider than the other, always get fitted to the larger foot;
- Check for toe wiggle
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- Your child should be able to move their toes freely, without touching the end of the shoe;
- Buy shoes at the end of the day
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- Our feet hold a little more fluid at the end of the day and take up a little more space in the shoe;
- Take your school socks with you
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- Some school socks can be quite thick and may affect shoe fitting and comfort;
- Check shoe fit regularly
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- Young children grow constantly and sometimes in rapid spurts and it can be surprising to realize that the shoes you had fitted at the beginning of the school year are too small by mid-year. For younger children, it’s best to check shoe fit every school holidays. For high school students, check shoe fit at least twice per year.
If you are concerned about your child’s foot posture or you need guidance in choosing school shoes for your child, you should visit our experienced children’s podiatrist at Foot Health Clinic, we care about kid’s feet!
