Summer is flying by, and if you haven’t already reloaded on school supplies, odds are you plan to head to the store with your child in the near future to stock up on back to school essentials. While much of the focus will be on traditional school supplies like pencils and folders, there’s a good chance that your child is due for a new pair of shoes, especially if they’ve done some growing during the summer.
Be wary of just letting your kid pick out any shoe that catches their eye, because some shoes will be more protective than others during the normal school day. Instead, we think you should focus on these four factors when working with your child to pick out a new pair of shoes as they prepare to head back for another year of school.
Four Focuses Of Back To School Shoe Shopping
If you keep these four tips in mind, we’re confident that you’ll be able to get your child into a stylish and supportive pair of shoes that will protect their feet this school year.
Comfort And Support Are King – The two most important factors when it comes to picking out a new pair of shoes are comfort and support, and you need to have a healthy dose of both. While Crocs or slippers may be comfortable, they aren’t very supportive, and an overly supportive work boot wouldn’t be the most comfortable for walking around school, so aim for a mix of both. Your child may have other factors in mind – brand, color, style, appearance – but make sure the pair they are considering is both comfortable and supportive of their foot. They’ll be in this shoe for at least eight hours a day, so they’ll need it to support their foot shape and provide comfort throughout the day.
Try Before You Buy – We know how easy it is to shop from the comfort of your couch at home, but it’s a good idea to go to a store when buying back to school shoes to ensure they fit correctly. Not only are kids’ feet growing rapidly at this stage in life, but shoe brand sizes different slightly, so an 8.5 in one brand may be smaller than an 8.5 in another brand. You may have intentions of returning a shoe that doesn’t fit properly, but sometimes people end up settling for good enough. Go to the store and pick out the shoe in person.
Allow For Growth – If your child is going through a growth spurt, consider buying shoes that are just a little roomier than normal. If you buy shoes that fit perfectly or are a shade too small, they may not fit your child’s foot after the first month of school. Err on the side of too big over too small so that the shoes will continue to fit them as they grow throughout the school year. Just don’t go way too big, as that can lead to trips or stumbles.
Consider Individual Needs – Finally, think about some of the factors that are unique to your child and keep them in mind when shoe shopping. Are they always running around? If so, a more athletic shoe may be ideal. Does their school have a specific dress code? Make sure any style you’re considering conforms to the code. Do they need a separate pair of gym shoes for the year? Grab another pair before you leave the store. It may sound obvious, but always be sure to consider the unique needs of your child when picking out the perfect pair of back to school shoes.
School will be back in session before we know it, but if you keep these tips in mind when picking out a pair of back to school shoes, we know your child’s feet will be protected for another year. And if pain or a foot injury develops, be sure to connect with Dr. Silverman by filling out this contact form.