The Shoe Must Fit! Back to school shoe shopping advice.

After the fun of summer, it’s now time to think about back-to-school! For parents faced with kids’ changing tastes and opinions, navigating back-to-school shopping can be a stressful process. Buy him the wrong backpack, or her the wrong jeans, and they will be the uncool kids on the bus. More importantly, there is one area of back-to-school shopping where a wrong move could have long term health effects for kids—shoe shopping. Foot health is directly related to overall health, no matter your age. Proper footwear is essential to foot health, so it’s important for parents to ensure kids go back to school with a good foundation on their feet. Shoes are one of the most important back-to-school purchases parents will make. A poor choice of footwear can lead to foot pain, blisters and even hammer toes, bunions and other deformities that will be with them for life. Children’s feet change and grow with them, and parents may find they need to update their kids’ shoes and socks every few months to accommodate this growth. Shoes that don’t fit properly can irritate the feet and affect how well a child walks, runs, and plays, and also how they concentrate in school. Here are some tips to improve the back to school shoe-shopping experience! • Always buy new—never used—and never hand-me-down footwear. Sharing shoes can spread fungi like athlete’s foot. What’s more, children’s feet are as unique as they are. A shoe that fits one child comfortably may not fit another child as well. Plus, shoes that have been worn tend to conform to the foot of the wearer and may be uncomfortable or change the walking pattern for the next person to put them on. • Test the shoe before allowing a child to try it on. Check for a stiff heel by pressing on both sides of the heel counter; it shouldn’t collapse under the pressure. Bend the shoe with your hands to ensure it will bend with your child’s toes; it shouldn’t be too stiff. Try twisting the shoe; it should be rigid across the middle and never twist in that area. • Go shopping together. Shopping with your child ensures you can have his or her foot measured professionally, and that your child can test the shoe for a proper fit, give you his or her opinion of it, and learn from you the finer points of buying a good shoe. Kids who learn how to select a comfortable, supportive shoe may be less likely to make wrong footwear choices as adults, which could save them a lot of discomfort. • Remember to shop for shoes later in the day when feet are at their largest, and always buy for the larger foot. Having your child’s feet measured will help identify which foot is larger. Additionally, remember to have your child wear the type of socks or tights he or she will most likely wear with the shoe. • If the shoe has a removable insole, pull it out and have the child stand on it in the store. You will be able to clearly see if it fits your child’s foot shape. There should be at least a 1-2cm gap between the child’s longest toe and the end of the shoe, and all the toes should sit comfortably on the insole. Watch for the little toe falling off the side – the shoe will be too narrow. • Avoid buying shoes that need a “break-in” period. Footwear should be comfortable right away. Once the school year is underway, keep an eye on your child’s shoes—active kids may wear out footwear faster than adults. It is normal to wear down the sole at the outside part of the heel first. If you see excessive wear on the sole at the inside of the heel or at the fore-foot, your child may have a gait or alignment problem which needs to be checked. • Be vigilant for signs of irritation, such as your child always wanting to remove one or both shoes, or redness on the toes. The footwear may no longer fit properly, especially if it’s been a few months since you bought the shoes. Finally, be sure children wear shoes that are appropriate for their activities. If your daughter plays sports, she should wear a good athletic shoe designed for that sport. If your son is a runner, he’ll need a good running shoe. For daily wear when kids do a lot of walking, choose a good, supportive shoe with a thick sole and laces or straps to keep them firmly on the foot. Keep slip-ons, sandals, flip-flops, and heels for occasional wear only. If your child complains of foot pain, gets frequent blisters, or experiences an injury, take him or her to a foot specialist (Chiropodist/Podiatrist). Chiropodists and Podiatrists are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat ailments of the feet. If your child is experiencing foot problems, our Chiropodists at Body and Sole can help. Call for an appointment 613 258 5508.