Back to School Shoe Shopping
Back to school shopping is commonly a time when parents purchase new footwear for their children. This purchase, regardless of the time of year is an important decision. Shoe shopping may seem like a no brainer but there some important factors to take into account.
Take your child to the store with you to try on shoes. This will give them the opportunity to try on different shoes to find the ones that fit their feet best. Learning how to correctly choose well fitting footwear is an important life lesson.
The right feels good but the left is a little tight? Our feet are rarely exactly the same size. Always choose a size where both feet feel good, even if one foot has a little more room.
Buy shoes that are ready to wear. Footwear should be comfortable right out of the box. Never torture yourself “breaking in” shoes as this can be painful and result in injury.
Will the child be wearing their new shoes with socks, tights, orthotics? Be sure to take these items to the store for try on as they can affect the fit of the shoe.
Ask a store associate to measure the child’s feet when buying shoes to make sure the size is correct. Shoes that do not fit properly can cause foot problems. Sock size should be taken into account as well!
Remember that children’s feet grow quickly. They may grow into a new size every few months. Keep an eye on how their footwear is accommodating their changing feet. Also be sure to look at the soles as uneven wear can be a sign they may need podiatric care.
Buy new. While a pair of hand-me-down shoes might look perfectly fine visually (and help the pocketbook) their may be issues you can’t see. The original wearer might have worn an area out or wore them to an uneven fit. There can also be bacteria and fungi that can spread.
If you think your child may need the help of a podiatrist or would like to schedule a consultation to make sure they are putting their best foot forward give us a call. Dr. Hosey treats patients from infant to centenarians!
