Unlike many adults, kids don't really enjoy shopping for shoes. But at the rate they outgrow them, trying shoes on is absolutely essential for growing feet. Here are some tips that will help you be certain that your children's shoes fit properly, and remove some of the nightmare elements of shopping for kids' shoes.
When to Buy New Shoes for Your Child
Unless your child complains that they are uncomfortable, you may not know when it's time for a new pair of shoes.
It's a good idea to periodically check your children's shoes to make sure what they're wearing is still working for them.
Look for particularly worn areas, or stressed seams. If the sides are bulging or wearing out more quickly than the rest of the shoe, then they may not be wide enough. Toes that bend upwards are also a sign of shoes that don't fit properly, and worn out toes or heels can also mean it's time for a new pair of shoes.
Shopping Tips for Children's Shoes
If you're child is particularly not into shoe shopping, look for a store that specializes in children's footwear, as the staff should be well-versed in how to deal with the reluctant shoe shopper.
Soles should be sturdy and thick enough to protect the feet from pain and injury, but the sole also needs to be flexible too so that it will bend with the foot.
Once you've found shoes that fit and are appropriately designed for a child's feet, allow your children some input as to which shoes they would like, involving your child will make them more eager to go shoe shopping.
Getting the Right Fit in Kids’ Shoes
Have your children’s feet measured when buying shoes, Feet should be measured while standing, and always have both feet measured. Since one foot is usually larger than the other, buy shoes to accommodate the larger of the two feet.
When your child is wearing the shoes, and their feet are fully extended (watch for toe crunching!), there should be a bit of room between the edge of the shoe toe and the edge of your child’s toes - about a half inch.
Are Hand-Me-Down Shoes Okay?
One of the highest expenses is clothing, of course, since kids grow so quickly. To help reduce the costs of shoes, in particular, you may wear second-hand shoes on your kids. But, are hand-me-down- shoes damaging your children’s feet?
Unbreakable Rule: Throw Away Well-Worn Children’s Shoes. It’s obvious that shoes that are well-worn should not be handed down to another child. No one can argue about that. But, what about good-used children’s shoes that show little or no wear? Are these kind of hand-me-down shoes damaging your children’s feet? Medical experts say you should absolutely not wear hand-me-down shoes on your child. Period. Their reasoning? They say that since your child’s feet are growing and developing, s/he needs shoes that are properly fitted especially for them. There should be growing room between the longest toe- not the big toe- the longest toe and the end of the shoes. Yet, the shoes should fit properly in length and width. Hand-me-down shoes that are too large can cause foot and leg problems.
Another argument these experts present, is that, no matter how little children’s shoes are worn, the feet make imprints in the inner soles. Then, when the shoes are passed down to another child, their feet will not have the proper support they need. Afterall, no two children have feet that are alike. So, by being worn even a little, the shoes are broken in, or molded, to only fit the original owner. And, after that owner has outgrown the shoes, they should be tossed out since no other child’s feet can properly fit into the shoes.
For more information and help with choosing shoes, contact Hawley Lane Shoes in Stamford and Norwalk and other locations around CT.
