Here’s How to Get the Best Back to School Shoes for Kids

It’s time for kids to get back to school, and that means it’s also time to start searching for the right school shoes. Do your child’s summer shoes still fit? The start of a new school year is still a good time to invest in a new pair of kicks for the kiddos. But not just any pair will do—there’s a lot that goes into picking proper school shoes.

Of course, the children will want pairs that look good and are on trend. And parents are concerned about pricing, since kids’ feet grow so fast that you’ll likely be shoe shopping again in months. However, there’s something you both need to worry about: finding supportive school shoes that will keep kids’ feet healthy and happy during the semester.

Now, this seems like a no-brainer if your child outgrew the last pair of shoes you bought. But guess what? Even if the kids’ shoes still have enough room for their feet, the pair may need replacing. That’s because some shoes wear out before they’re outgrown. And failing to replace a worn-out pair can leave your child with foot pain, or even unable to hit the playground or athletic fields.

Want to make sure your child starts the school year on the right foot? So do we! And, to help make sure that’s what happens, our office is sharing some crucial tips for finding school shoes that will make kids and parents smile. But first, let’s quickly review the signs of worn-out children’s shoes.

How to tell if School Shoes Need Replacing

If you notice any visible sign of wear on your child’s shoes, that’s a clear sign they need replacing. Holes are an obvious red flag, but you should also check the shoes’ midsole for creases. Why would creases be a problem? When they appear on the bottom of a shoe, that indicates that the inner padding of the shoe is shrinking. If that’s happening, the school shoes won’t do well with shock absorption. As a result, your children may complain about foot or heel pain.

Another spot to examine is the outsole of your child’s shoe. It sits directly beneath the toe box. Here, wear and tear shows itself in the form of shallow treads. And that’s a problem because it means the shoe’s grip is wearing out, leaving your children vulnerable to slipping.

Now, in some cases, worn-out shoes won’t show any visible signs of damage. But they could still be damaged in ways that you can’t detect. As such, Dr. Lisa Brandy has one clear rule for school shoes: if your child says that his or her school shoes are hurting, believe what they’re saying. Then, take them out to pick a new pair, using the following six rules for finding the right school shoes for their feet!

6 Rules for Buying Perfect School Shoes for Children

We know that children like to have a say in what they wear, so we suggest letting them be the boss about the brand or color of their kicks. However, as the adult in the room—and the one who’s following this back-to-school shoe shopping cheat sheet—you have to have the final say in regards to the fit and structure of the shoe. Here are the rules to make the right selection.

1. Children should only wear new shoes.

Every child’s foot functions differently. As a result, a pair of hand-me-down shoes won’t every fit a child’s foot properly, even if the size is technically correct. To ensure comfort and avoid foot concerns, always purchase new school shoes for your child, allowing the kicks to conform to the wearer’s unique foot structure.

2. Pre-test supportive school shoe features.

Before you let your youngster try on—and fall in love with—a new pair of shoes, scan the pair for these critical features: A stiff heel, bendable toes, and rigidity in the midfoot (it should offer strong resistance when you try to twist the shoe.) And just to help you avoid in-store arguments, avoid brands such as Vans or Keds. None of their styles will meet these criteria.

3. Bring children with you when shopping for school shoes.

Every brand and style of shoe fits differently, and you child’s feet grow quickly, so they should be measured by a professional every time you’re ready to get new shoes.

4. But make the trip at the end of the day.

Even children’s feet are prone to swelling throughout the day. As such, you should shop at the end of the day, when kids’ feet are the largest they will get. Otherwise, school shoes that fit well at breakfast may be uncomfortable by the time the final bell rings.

5. Forget about a breaking in period for school shoes.

Here’s the deal: shoes that fit properly should feel comfortable the very first time they’re worn. If they seem like they need breaking in to feel comfortable, that’s a sign you should look for a different pair for your child.

6. Some kids may need more than one pair of shoes.

It’s important that you pick shoes that will match your child’s activity levels. If you’ve got a budding basketball player, it’s probably worth getting one pair of shoes for the court, and another for the classroom. Not only will this help your child avoid sports injuries, but it will also extend the usable lifetime of each pair of shoes you purchase!

School Shoes and Home Shoes are Fine, but Never go Barefoot

If there’s one thing the pandemic taught us, it’s this: spending tons of time at home—without wearing shoes—can lead to loads of foot problems, for kids and adults. We suggest investing in supportive slippers to keep children’s feet supported at all times. This is a great way to keep germs out of your home, without allowing your children’s foot health to suffer.

At the end of the day, happy feet is the goal for children’s feet—pain is not a normal part of growing up. So, if your child’s feet are hurting—in or out of those school shoes—don’t wait for the pain to go away. Instead, make an immediate appointment in the office. We’ll quickly correct any concerns so that your child can walk, learn and play in comfort!

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