During the back-to-school season, stores worldwide offer a wide variety of shoes, and it is important to make the right choice to protect your child's physical health. Keep in mind that children's foot bones do not fully fuse until puberty, so their feet may lack muscle strength and be prone to hypermobility. For this reason, durable and supportive shoes help protect their feet as they grow, according to doctors and specialists in the following information.
Measuring the Width and Length of Your Child’s Feet
Most schools follow a uniform policy that suits the customs and culture of the country. School uniforms often require formal shoes—usually black—for regular school days, and black or white sports shoes for physical education classes.
It’s not only children who are at risk of wearing ill-fitting shoes. A 2018 study found that between 63% and 72% of participants wore shoes that did not match the width or length of their feet. Published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, the official publication of the Australian Podiatry Association and the College of Podiatry, the study highlights that your child may spend between 7 and 10 hours daily in these shoes, so comfort is important.
Width is the most common issue. Schools require children to wear formal black shoes, which may be very narrow at the front. Tight shoes can cause long-term toe deformities and short-term ingrown toenails. Therefore, it is always recommended to wear comfortable and wide shoes. Sports shoes are ideal because they provide width, flexibility, and arch support. Unfortunately, many schools do not allow sports shoes except for PE days, insisting on formal shoes. Although doctors disagree and believe that plain black sports shoes without logos could be suitable for school.
Doctors’ Tips for Choosing the Right School Shoes for Your Child
Some podiatrists recommend the following:
- Avoid buying canvas or regular sports shoes as they do not provide enough support and padding. Instead, opt for leather shoes with laces or velcro, or sports shoes that allow ventilation. Natural fibers help reduce foot sweating and decrease the risk of ingrown toenails. They also maintain skin health and protect against athlete’s foot.
- Do not choose the wrong size or shape of shoe, as your child may develop blisters, sores, or foot disorders such as bunions, corns, or calluses.
- Ingrown toenails, especially on the big toe, are common in early adolescence, mainly due to ill-fitting shoes that press on the toes.
- Measure both the length and width of your child’s feet to choose the most suitable shoe, paying close attention to width.
- Always measure both feet because it is common for one foot to be larger. Choose the size of the larger foot.
- Avoid buying shoes that are too small or too large. Some parents buy slightly tight shoes expecting the child to get used to them, while others buy larger sizes anticipating rapid growth.
- Involve your child in the shoe selection process.
- Ensure there is about a thumb’s width of space between the end of the longest toe (usually the big toe or second toe) and the front of the shoe.
- Regularly check your child’s shoes for unusual wear and tear. Excessive wear on the heel, toes, or sides may indicate a problem with your child’s gait and should be evaluated by a specialist.
- Look for signs of inflammation around your child’s nails or red pressure marks on the small toe joints, ankle bones, or the back of the heel, which may indicate the shoes no longer fit.
- Choose shoes that do not twist at the sole to provide midfoot support. If the shoe twists, it means your child’s foot will also bend and twist excessively. The shoe should only bend at the front.
- Opt for laces or velcro that make it easy for children to put on their shoes and adjust tightness for better support, reducing heel slippage.
- When trying shoes, remove the insole and have your child stand on it for a more accurate measurement. Make sure toes have about a thumb’s width of space from the end of the insole for proper movement.
- Ensure shoes have a thick padded sole with good grip.
How to Choose the Right Sports Shoes for Your Child at School
Are Shoe Prices Reasonable?
Although children and parents may have strong preferences about design and price, it is important to talk to your child and ask about their comfort with the shoes they try. Children should be part of the shopping decision.
Have them walk a few steps to check for any problems. Avoid rushing the purchase; take your time to find the right shoe, especially since the perfect pair may cost a decent amount.
For parents shopping, shoe prices range from 50 to 500 Saudi Riyals. Why are some shoes more expensive?
Firstly, quality materials can vary greatly. More expensive shoes are stitched rather than glued. So, look for a good shoe that fits your child well because foot problems can last a lifetime.
When Is It Time to Buy New Shoes?
You can tell if your child’s shoes are too tight if there is no gap between the big toe and the front of the shoe or if you notice red pressure marks on their feet. Buy new shoes immediately.
Also, worn-out soles affect shoe stability and grip, making them slippery. If the shoe shows signs of wear or the sole is worn through, it’s time to replace them.
Some shoes use cardboard as a final layer in the sole to maintain shape instead of expensive polyurethane. Check that the lining material is breathable to reduce odors from excessive sweating, which is especially important in the hot Gulf summers.
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