Buying the right school shoe
In a few weeks it will be that time of year again when kids go back to school – parents rejoice! But before they go back to school one of the most important things to check is their school shoes. The start of the school year is the best time of year to purchase new school shoes but do you know how to purchase the right school shoe?
Podiatry tips to purchasing the right school shoe
Here are some useful podiatry tips to purchasing the right school shoe.
- Bring your child’s uniform-issued school socks or stockings to ensure the
shoes fit well. - Make sure your child’s feet have been measured correctly for length and width, either at a store that offers trained assistants or by a podiatrist.
- Make sure your child can wiggle their toes freely in the shoes.
- We recommend allowing approximately 10mm or one finger width between the end of their longest toe and the end of the shoe.
- If in doubt and between sizes always choose the bigger size – kids feet grow.
- Make sure the shoes have adequate fatsening (e.g laces, buckle or velcro) to avoid slippage. Avoid slip ons.
Where to purchase your school shoes?
Our podiatrists highly recommend the following stores to get your school shoes properly fitted:
- The Athletes Foot
- Active Feet
- Shoes And Sox
When you should see a podiatrist before purchasing school shoes
If your child has any of the following we recommend getting their feet assessed by one of our Melbourne podiatrists before purchasing school shoes.
- Uneven shoe wear
- Difficulty with shoe fit
- Unsure which school shoe is best suited to your child
- Skin irritation, itching, lumps or bumps or hard skin on their feet
- Ingrown toenails
- Foot, ankle or leg pain
- Tripping or clumsy with their walking
- Assymetry with their walking
The podiatrists at our Melbourne foot clinic can ensure that you purchase the right school shoe for your child. They can also assess your child’s gait for any abnormalities and prescribe orthotics if they need extra support.
Unsure on which school shoe suits your child?
At our Melbourne foot clinic our podiatrists are experts in children’s foot care and can provide advice on the best school shoe for your child.
So if you require footwear advice for your child book an appointment with one of our friendly podiatrists today!