One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
As the school holidays draw to a close, buying new school shoes is probably on your “to-do” list before Term 1 begins.
As both a parent and a podiatrist, there are three factors in my mind when choosing a school shoe:
My kids need to be comfortable - and I need to have peace-of-mind that the shoe is supporting their growing feet;
My kids will be wearing school shoes for the majority of their week - so they need to be adaptable to all types of conditions and activities; and
The shoe must be sturdy and durable - because I don’t want them worn out in the first five minutes!
Children’s feet are constantly changing through each stage of their development. From the outside, it seems like their feet keep getting bigger and bigger. How do they seem to grow out of brand new shoes magically?! But on the inside - their bones aren’t just growing - they’re also maturing (ossifying).
“A school shoe that fits correctly will provide an excellent foundation to support healthy foot growth and development.”
It can be a complete mine-field knowing what school shoe is best for your child’s foot. Why are some brands so cheap? Why are others costly? Why are there so many types of fastenings (buckles, Velcro, laces)? How do I get the correct sizing? Are sneakers an appropriate school shoe? Where is the best place to buy shoes?
Arghhhhhh, so many questions!
A long time ago (in the late-'80s), when Mum said that we were going shopping for "school shoes," we automatically assumed that she was taking us to David Jones to buy black leather shoes.
At the old (now-knocked-down) Rundle Mall DJs, we would all line up on a platform, and the sales assistant would measure us one-by-one for new shoes. It was a military-type operation that our family went through every January!
Luckily, I have the following simple tips to help get you through school shoe shopping this January:
Some schools specify the type of shoes required as part of the uniform. However, many now have a more general policy on footwear requirements, so the choice is vast. Sneakers/trainers are an excellent option if the uniform policy allows for it.
Here are my top seven recommendations for choosing the right school shoe:
A correct fit is THE most important factor in choosing a school shoe, so you need to take the kids' shoe shopping with you! I strongly recommend buying school shoes from a store expert in fitting kids' feet.
Locally in Blackwood, you will find Fairley's Shoe Store; at Westfield Marion, there is The Athlete's Foot; while located in North Adelaide, you'll discover Ollie Ashenden Children's Shoes. I can personally recommend all three stores as I use them for my kids.
Pick up the shoe and bend/twist it. The shoe should only bend across the ball of the foot, and not flex or twist further back through the sole. Shoes that bend or twist too much will not provide enough support.
School shoes should only have a small heel. For school, avoid shoes with higher heels, no heel (such as ballet flats), or gimmicks such as rollerblades or flashing lights built into them – as all of these elements can change the way your child's foot functions inside the shoe. If your child insists that they need such a shoe, only buy them for "special use" on the weekends.
Choose a fastening that suits your child. If your child struggles to tie laces, stick with Velcro or buckle fastenings for school shoes until they are comfortable tying their own laces. Avoid slip-on shoes without any fastening, as these will not provide appropriate fit or support. In the clinic, we sometimes see teenagers who don't tie their laces for fashion reasons! Encourage them to always tie their laces as not doing so is essentially the same as wearing a slip-on shoe.
Leather uppers provide breathability and durability and can be a better choice than synthetic uppers. Leather uppers also keep feet drier in the wetter months (not a consideration many of us have in January!). Just a quick note on leather uppers – some kids can find them initially uncomfortable until they are worn-in and softened up.
Consider the weight of the shoe. Some (particularly leather) shoes can be quite heavy, which will slow down your child during the day. Try to opt for a light-weight shoe that will not impede your child's mobility.
Does price matter? School shoes can become very expensive, especially if you are buying for more than one child. Choice.com.au has an excellent review on How to buy the best school shoe that compares different brands' price points.
Because Fit Feet = Fit Kids!