Believe it or not, even though it seems like summer just started, back to school season is right around the corner. If you’re like most people, once the the calendar turns to August you start to think about back to school shopping. While pencils, folders and highlighters may be the obvious school essentials, odds are your growing child also needs a new pair of shoes. Below, we share some tips for ensuring you buy the right shoes for your child this back to school season.
Back To School Shoe Shopping
If you’re going to be buying new shoes for your kid or children this year, keep these tips in mind:
Buy In Store – Although it may be slightly cheaper or more convenient to buy online, you don’t have the benefits of trying on the shoes before your buy when you purchase online. Considering how fast your child’s feet grow at this age, and the size differences between manufacturers, you’ll always want to make sure your child can try on the shoes before buying.
Err On The Big Size – This is a pretty common sense point, but it’s worth pointing out. When fitting your child’s feet, always err on the side of the shoe being too big instead of too tight. We’re not saying you should buy a half a size or a full size larger than what’s comfortable, but your child’s feet are only going to get bigger, so if they are in between sizes, opt for the bigger shoe so that there’s less chance of restriction issues as they continue to grow.
Professional Fit – Another perk about shopping in-store is that you can have your child’s foot professionally measured and fit to a shoe. This way you’ll know that they are getting something that will be comfortable for their foot size.
Consider Extracurriculars – A lot of schools require that children have a pair of gym shoes to change into for gym class, so don’t just assume the shoes you purchase for your kid will double as a supportive athletic shoe. Find an athletic shoe that will support their foot during movement and activity to keep them protected while they are running around in gym.
Rubber Soles – Children are typically very active, and their shoes can wear out quicker than normal. Not only will rubber soles help protect against wear and tear, but they provide extra cushioning and shock absorption for active feet.
Be Careful About Hand-Me-Downs – We get the appeal of saving money by re-purposing an old pair of shoes from an older sibling, but there’s no guarantee that it will fit right, even if they appear to be the same size. Really measure their feet and see how their foot fits inside hand-me-downs before assuming that the old pair will work for them this school year.
Ask Your Doctor – If your kid is going in for their yearly physical, or they are seeing a foot specialist for a visit, ask them to take a look at your child’s feet and provide some footwear guidance. Some kids would benefit from arch support, while others need a wider toe box. Parents may not be able to identify these signs as easily as a medical professional.
For more tips on buying shoes for your child this back to school season, reach out to Dr. Silverman in the comments section below with your questions.