Buying new
school shoes can be a tricky business. Check out the handy guide for finding the best school shoes for your child in our
School Shoes article.
Children grow out of their shoes very fast, so on a tight budget it’s often hard to justify expensive shoes, especially when similar looking versions are available for half the price. Unfortunately while these cheaper versions may ‘do the job’, they’re not necessarily providing the best environment for your child’s feet to grow and develop.
Children’s feet are in a constant state of flux, with bones, muscles and ligaments continuously changing and growing until your child is about 14 years old. Even then, once the foot mechanics are fully developed, your child’s feet will still grow in length until they are about 18. Shoes that provide poor support or are incorrectly fitted, can mold your child’s feet and contribute to numerous foot, gait and posture problems in later years.
Children’s feet get a literal hammering as they run, jump, skip, dodge and slide, and with 26 bones, 19 muscles, and 107 ligaments in each foot, it is no surprise they need support.
Size
When you are buying shoes for your child, don’t just go by the size printed on the sole. Make sure your child is there to try them on, and if you can, get an assistant to help you fit them correctly. It is common for children (and adults) to have one foot bigger than the other, so give your child a chance to walk around in both shoes to try them out. The shoes should be comfortable from the outset, so you should not rely on the ‘he’ll break them in’ theory.
A child’s shoe should be 18mm longer than their foot, a little less as they become teenagers. If you are buying shoes from a specialist shop they will have a gauge to get this right, but there is a way you can measure it yourself. Simply measure your child’s foot from the heel to the longest toe before you leave home, and then cut a strip of card approximately 2 cm wide and as long as your child's foot. In the shoe store you can put the card into the shoe and slowly slide the card forward until it hits the toe, then take note of the gap between the strip and the back of the shoe.
The width of the shoe is also important. Specialist shoe stores stock shoes in varying widths, so you can make sure they are wide enough for your child’s toes to wiggle about.
Practicality
If your child has a uniform, then the school will have already decided what shoes are appropriate. However if your child does not have a uniform, the practicality decision is up to you. Keep in mind that the playground is an active place, even for the quietest children, and they will be expected to participate in all sorts of activities during the school day.
Heels (no matter how small and kitten-like) are not safe or practical, and slip-ons or jandals also make it difficult to run about. Sneakers or sports sandals are the most comfortable and practical options for growing feet.
Also consider your child’s age and stage of development. If they cannot yet tie their own laces, then either spend some time teaching them or buy them shoes with elastic laces, Velcro or buckle fasteners. Your child’s teacher may very well have the patience of a saint, but stopping to tie 27 pairs of laces every time they leave the class may be pushing the limits.
Comfort and Support
Getting the right support is essential for growing feet, and generally speaking the more you pay, the better you get. Look for shoes that have a flexible sole, so that the shoe actually moves and bends with your child’s foot. The upper should also be supple, so avoid hard plastic or synthetic materials that stay rigid or crack. Synthetic materials also contribute to smelly feet, as they do not allow moisture to evaporate or escape.
The Achilles heel should also be supported, so look for shoes that have a notch (or heel tab) at the back where the Achilles can sit. A cushioned tongue in sneakers will help to dispense shock when jumping or running, and soft edged straps on sandals will help to avoid basic discomforts like blisters and chaffing.
If your child appears to have an unusual way of walking, have them checked out by a podiatrist or physiotherapist. They may be able to suggest specific exercises, or provide special inner soles to give your child the support that they need.
Durability
I know that children grow out of shoes pretty fast, but you still want shoes that will last the distance. Make sure that the seams are well stitched, with no gummy adhesives or bulky ends where the thread finishes. Check that any eyelets are well secured, and that the sole is firmly attached to the upper.
What about socks?
Socks, like shoes, need to fit correctly. Granted they’re stretchy, but they will only stretch so far, and ones that are too small can cause as much discomfort as ill fitting shoes. Avoid nylon socks which can compress the foot and cause sweating, and watch out for bulky seams that can rub young feet. Cotton or woollen socks are your best option as they help to absorb perspiration and prevent chaffing.
Where can you buy school shoes and how much will they cost?
If your child has a school uniform, your school will be able to tell you where to purchase your shoes. If you are permitted to choose shoes within certain guidelines, then you’ll be able to find them at a wide range of stores.
Large department stores like Farmers, K-Mart and The Warehouse have children’s shoe departments, but their staff may not be trained to fit your child’s shoe correctly. You will most likely need to assess the suitability yourself, in which case you can use this checklist as a guide. Generally speaking, shoes from a department store will be less expensive than specialist shops, but this isn’t always the case. Expect to pay $25 - $45 for a good pair of primary school shoes, and up to $80 for teenagers.
Specialist shoe shops will be able to help fit your child's shoes correctly, and many provide brands that come in half sizes and various widths. Specialist stores often have a podiatrist on hand to answer any curly questions, or at the very least they are able to refer you to one they recommend.
Shoes from a specialist store are often more expensive, but this is because you are paying for expert advice on choosing the right shoe for your child. Specialist shoe stores pride themselves on quality, and usually that is what you get. At a specialist store you can expect to pay $45 - $80 for primary school shoes and up to $140 for intermediate and secondary school. Specialist shoe stores are listed under ‘Footwear Retailers’ in the Yellow Pages of your phone book.
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Labelling
Article School Shoes written by Kerri Tilby.