Back to School Shoe Buying Basics
Back to School Shoe
Buying Basics
It’s that time of year again. The ringing of the class bell means students across the nation are heading back to school, trading in their sun block and swimsuits for books and backpacks. It is also time for parents to help their children select the all important back-to-school shoes.
The California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) recommends that parents use a discerning eye, and remember that comfort should always come first when helping their child sift through the new and exciting footwear styles of the season. Keep these tips from CPMA in mind when shopping for new shoes:
- Buy shoes in the afternoon. Feet tend to expand throughout the day.
- Examine the shoe itself. It should have a firm heel counter (stiff material on either side of the heel), adequate cushioning of the insole, and a built-in arch. It should be flexible enough to bend where the foot bends—at the ball of the foot, not in the middle of the shoe.
- The child’s foot should be sized while he or she is standing up and fully weight-bearing.
- Always have both feet measured for length, and if they are two different sizes, shoes should be chosen that fit the larger foot best.
- Ask if the shoe salesperson is a trained shoe fitter.
- A newly fitted shoe should be approximately ½ inch longer than the longest toe. The child should be able to comfortably wiggle his or her toes in the shoe.
- Have the child walk around the store for more than just a few minutes wearing the shoe with the type of sock that they will be wearing with the shoe. Ask the child if he or she feels any pressure spots in the shoe. Feel the inside of the shoe for any staples or irregularities in the glue that could cause irritation. Examine where the inside stitching hits the foot. Look for signs of irritation on the foot after the shoe is worn.
- Avoid slip-on shoes. Shoes should be held on the foot with laces, straps or Velcro ® fastenings.
- Heel height should be no more than 1.5 inches, and lower for younger children.
- The heel should have a broad base and be made from a shock-absorbing material.
- Natural material uppers are best i.e. leather
- The toe area of the shoe should be toe-shaped, and also deep enough to allow the toes to move freely and not be squashed.
- Pick shoes that do not need a "break-in" period. The shoes you purchase should be comfortable right away. If shoes are too tight, they can cause blisters, calluses or corns. This is critical for children with diabetes.
- If your child wears prescription orthotics - biomechanical inserts prescribed by a podiatric physician - you should take them along to the shoe fitting.
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