A guide to buying children's shoes
Children should ideally have several pairs of shoes. One pair of school shoes, one pair of at-home shoe which can be a pair of trainers. For general foot health it is important to get them to change their shoes once they get home. A pair of trainers, sports specific if needed, a pair of sandals for the summer and a pair of wellingtons!
We have a budding ballerina in our household and so after school activities bring their own shoe requirements. Dance alone accounts for three extra pairs of shoes for daughter number one alone. (Tap, Ballet and Character!) Make sure football boots are not too small, despite requests to keep them snug and studs are not causing any unexplained foot pains.
School shoes in the UK are governed by school uniform policies and have to be dark coloured. As a result there is a limited range of styles available in dark colours as this is a UK requirement only. Many European children wear brightly coloured shoes to school. So bear this in mind when you go shoe shopping and are limited in your options. For us as a family, we opt for the brightly coloured shoes for at-home styles as it makes a nice change from their school shoes. They also need plimsolls for school PE, if your child needs additional support within a shoe then do ask for permission for them to wear trainers for PE as these offer the foot far more support than the pump style.
Sandals are widely available and these are easy for parents to buy without being professionally fitted as you can see the whole foot. Ideally go for styles with a heel cup to them, i.e. not just a strap for children. This is especially useful if you need to use orthotics but in general, sandals with a heel cup just fit better.
Flip flops are fine, great for going swimming and the beach. Also jellie shoes can be great for walking in the seashore etc. Both styles are very cheap and for limited use are very useful; just keep some blister pads handy in case they start to rub.
Boots are fine just not too high. I still remember seeing a 7 year old walking around Legoland in high heel cowboy boots!
So once you have decided on the style go for well made designs, strapped on ie laced, buckled or velcro. For Reception aged children like our son we need shoes with a Velcro fasten as he is too young yet to tie up his own laces and these factors need to be taken into account as they grow independently.
Check there is enough depth in the shoes as too shallow a toe area does not allow toes room to wriggle.
Shoes to avoid
- High heels for girls, not a good idea as you are potentially damaging the growing foot.
- Slip on shoes, especially for school as the child’s foot needs to work extra hard to keep the shoe on and long term scrunching of toes is not good for developing feet.
- Over ornate slippers, just stick to the classic neutral types.
And finally: their last pair of shoes is bare feet, just as a reminder of how important it is to get feet to grow naturally.
If you need any advice on shoe buying then do ask your Supplefeet team.
Foot pain is not normal; see a Supplefeet Podiatrist to get a full assessment and to sort out your foot problems and concerns -
020 8367 9292.