Children all over are now back at school, or starting school again in September. As well as buying all the equipment they’ll need to take to school with them, no doubt they will also need some new clothing – especially shoes! But with kids growing so quickly, it’s often tempting to buy cheaper shoes, which can lead them to be badly fitted. That doesn’t mean that a very expensive shoe will be a better fit, but it means that it’s important to do your research to find a pair of shoes that fit your child perfectly. The consequences of ill fitting shoes when children are developing can lead to problems with walking and posture – so well-fitting shoes really are essential.
Even if your child doesn’t complain about their feet hurting in older shoes, it doesn’t mean that they still fit them properly. It’s best to check their shoes for worn areas and split seams – it’s also worth watching your child walk in them. If they are struggling to walk, or are walking on tiptoes all the time it’s probably best to check their shoes and see if they are too small. When it’s time to buy new shoes, try going to a retailer who specialises in children’s shoes. They will be experienced when it comes to dealing with tantrums, and they will also know how to accurately measure children’s feet.
When your child is getting their feet measured, to get the most accurate size its best if they are standing up. As feet can swell over the day, take your child shoe shopping in the afternoon so the shoes will fit them comfortably at the end of a long day. The types of shoes you buy will obviously depend on you and your child’s tastes, and also what the shoes are for. But to help get a good fit, the best sort of shoes for kids are ones that have a fastening system such as laces or Velcro. Slip on shoes and backless shoes are more likely to slip off and not provide adequate support. Always check the soles of the shoes you’re looking at. Shoes which have a good grip on the sole will prevent your child from slipping and sliding whilst they’re running around.
To save buying lots of different shoes for different occasions, it’s best to purchase a shoe for your child that will look as good at school as they would on a day trip out. Many brands such as Lelli Kelly shoes for girls and Geox shoes for boys have many different types of shoes that will suit all occasions – whilst providing a comfortable and supportive fit for your child. However, if you like a pair of shoes that your child isn’t particularly keen on, refrain from buying them. They will only get pushed to the back of the cupboard and refused to be worn!
It may seem a difficult task to find a great pair of shoes for your child due to all the choice there is out there, so maybe check online and pinpoint a few different ones that you can try when you get to store. This will save you time wandering round the store with your little one aimlessly looking at all the shoes there are on offer. You will find the right pair eventually, and once you know what sort of shoes suit your child, the formula will be easier to stick to for future purchases.
