A new school year is right around the corner, and for many kids and parents that means it’s Back to School shopping season. If your kids treated their school supplies well last year, you may not have to invest in new backpacks or folders, but even if they were good to their shoes, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to pick up a new pair because their feet continued to grow over the summer. In this blog, we share some tips for picking out a new pair of school shoes with your child.
Back To School Shoes
When it comes to buying new shoes, especially for kids and teens, it’s imperative that you do so in store. Shoe brands and styles fit differently even if they are designated the same size shoe, so what fits in a 7.5 in one style may actually fit better as an 8 in another pair. If you buy online, you won’t know exactly how they fit your feet until they arrive in the mail days or weeks after your purchase. Many people don’t want to go through the hassle of returning a pair, so they may be tempted to keep a pair of shoes that doesn’t fit perfectly just to save themselves some time. This is why it’s important to buy or at least try on shoes in store so you know your exact size and how each potential pair fits your feet.
Another reason why it’s important to buy shoes from a store as opposed to buying online is that you can see how the shoe contours to your child’s feet. Simply getting a shoe that is long enough to accommodate the foot is only part of the equation. You also want one that is supportive of their arches, their flat feet and their foot width. An in store associate can help ensure the shoe you’re looking at fits correctly in all the right places.
When buying shoes for the school year, make sure you get a pair that can handle the task at hand. We know that your kid is going to opt for a fashionable option, but if it has cheap soles or a high heel, that’s not going to be a comfortable option for traversing the school hallways. They are going to put thousands of steps on their shoes each and every day, so make sure comfort and fit are prioritized over fashion trends or flashy designs.
Lastly, if you have your smartphone handy when at the store, consider doing a little online research about the shoe. Check out what others are saying about the durability and design of the shoe, because a flimsy shoe could put your child’s feet in danger for injury. Make sure it has some positive reviews online, and if that’s not available, ask the shoe associate at the store about the brand and style to see if they have had any issues with the shoe.
If you follow the above tips, we’re confident your child will be off to a great start this Back to School season. For more tips, or to talk to a foot specialist about a foot concern you have, contact Dr. Silverman today at (952) 224-8500.
