Buying Children's Shoes- Ideas for Parents

By Dr. Gary Prant, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S.

Parents often complain about the high costs of children's shoes - "$50.00 for these tiny shoes? They're only going to be worn out in six months!" Almost every salesperson has heard this.

Think about it though: Your kids will walk and run several hundred miles in a few months. Their soft and developing foot structure needs protection and support against the hard surfaces they will pound on. The same workmanship that goes into adults' shoes goes into children's shoes. Quality, comfort and cushioning, stability and long lasting protection don't come cheaply.

So, consider spending a bit more than you had planned. After all, most parents own at least several pairs of shoes, yet their children wind up with only one or two pairs at a time. Even though your children will outgrow their shoes relatively quickly, your buying the better quality shoes will be worth it in the long run.

Your children's feet have to last them a lifetime — 120,000 miles or more!

Here Are Some Things To Consider:

An experienced salesperson will measure the widest part of the foot (at the ball) with the child standing.
The longest toe shouldn't touch the end of the shoe.
The heel counter should be firm for support and not flimsy.
The sole of the shoe should bend easily at the ball of the foot and not in the mid-arch area.
If a dress shoe doesn't bend easily at the ball of the foot, then a slight in-toe or out-toe gait can be markedly accentuated. (Many of the girls' dress shoes exhibit this problem.)
When buying dress shoes for boys or girls, consider that they may still do lots of running around in them. Therefore a dress shoe with a rubber sole may be better for their feet.
Today's good quality running shoes are excellent for children! They provide solid support and cushioning, stability and padding and are generally longer lasting. Avoid flimsy canvas sports shoes.
If you buy shoes with velcro instead of laces, get the best quality available, otherwise stability will be compromised.
Don't "hand down" shoes from child to child. Biomechanical foot imbalances affect shoe wear patterns and then the next child's feet will be adversely affected.
Flat feet need the best quality shoes and an evaluation from your local podiatrist to determine the function of your child's bone structure during walking.

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