Kids spend more than six hours a day in their school shoes – that’s approximately 1,200 hours over a year – so it’s vital that kids wear comfortable, well-fitting school shoes that allow their feet adequate room to move and breathe. Feet come in all shapes and sizes, and not every shoe will be a good fit for every child, but there are six important things to consider when buying school shoes – it’s called the six-point checklist:
The six-point checklist:
Check there is enough room for the foot to grow. The biggest toe should be about a child’s thumb-width away from the end of the shoe. Any closer and your child will outgrow the shoe very quickly, any further away and the shoe will be far too big.
Is the shoe wide enough for the foot? Shoes that are too narrow will put a lot of pressure on the sides of the feet, causing problems like calluses and blisters.
Is the shoe deep enough for the foot? Shoes should not be too tight across the top of the feet as this can restrict movement, be very uncomfortable and may cause ongoing foot problems.
4. Ankle support
The ankle bone needs to be firmly supported by the shoe. Shoes should not dig in or rub the ankle in any way.
5. Heel grip
The heel of the foot should fit snug against the heel of the shoe without being too tight or too loose.
6. Watch them walk
The final way to check whether school shoes are the right fit is to watch your child walking around in them! Make sure that your child walks naturally and easily in the shoes and that the heel of the shoe is not slipping up and down.
When buying school shoes for kids it’s always a good idea to seek the help of a trained shoe fitter, who will use a specially designed measuring instrument to determine the best size and shape of shoe for your child’s feet.