Back-to-School Shoe Shopping Tips

Topic at a Glance

School shoes should fit comfortably to prevent problems with your kid’s feet.
Ensure there is enough space in new shoes for your child’s toes to wiggle.
Shoes should have a stiff heel counter and midsole and a wide toe box.
If your child shows signs of being uncomfortable, it may be time to replace their shoes.

It’s that time of year when kids start heading back to school. And with each new school season comes back-to-school shopping for supplies, clothes, and shoes.

Having the right shoe gear for your child is as important as having the right equipment for their sports or the right supplies for their projects. Today, we share with you tips on what makes for a good shoe, how to properly size for your child’s foot type, and when you should replace shoes, along with other helpful tips to keep your child’s feet healthy and happy from the playground to the gym!

For more expert help with your feet, contact Bluebonnet Foot and Ankle Institute in Austin, Texas.

Why Proper School Shoes Matter

Finding the proper size sounds pretty obvious, but when it comes to young kids, they may not tell you that their toes are hitting the front of the shoe until you’ve noticed their toe is sticking out of their shoes!

Educating kids on when to inform parents that their shoes are either uncomfortable or they’re outgrowing them can help prevent ingrown toenails or toenails that turn dark or fall off from chronic irritation or rubbing against the shoes. Children grow at different rates, and it’s not uncommon for their shoes and sock sizes to increase every few months.

Finding the Right Shoe Size for Your Child

The following tips can help achieve the best and most comfortable size.

Choose a reputable shoe store with a lot of options and staff who can help select pairs that fit properly.
Shop with your kids so they are present to try on the shoes and provide feedback on what they find comfortable. Shoes should feel good when they walk in them. If a pair seems wrong or would require a break-in period, skip it.
Shop towards the end of the day when feet are most swollen or at their widest.
Ensure there is some room for toes to wiggle. A good guide is to leave about a thumb’s width in front of the longest toe to account for growth, since feet can grow quickly over six months.
Bring the type of socks they most often wear along with orthotics or inserts to ensure they properly fit. Sometimes, you may have to increase by half a shoe size to accommodate these inserts or prescribed orthotics.
Avoid hand-me-downs, since shoes wear out and can mold to the previous owner’s foot structure. This may affect your child’s foot placement, and they may not fit properly. Sharing shoes can also result in transmission of foot infections like athlete’s foot or plantar warts.
Look for signs of irritation. Tight shoes can cause blisters and ingrown toenails.

Always abide by the larger foot. Not everyone’s feet are equally symmetric, and one foot may be slightly longer or larger than the other foot, so always accommodate the larger foot.
Early morning or late afternoon visits can help avoid long waits during August and September. Many shoe stores also offer fitting appointments during the back-to-school season.

Balancing Style and Foot Support

How do you overcome the battle between what’s considered “cool” versus what is functional?

Knowing what features to look for in a shoe can help you reach a compromise with your child and allow them to pick the color or look they want to achieve, as long as the shoes fit these guidelines:

Look for a stiff midsole. This will provide the maximal support as the foot strikes the ground and reduces the propensity of the foot to “pronate” or roll inwards, which can cause arch pain and fatigue. A good way to assess this is to bend the shoe and ensure it doesn’t bend, and evaluate the thickness of the exterior sole in the middle of the foot.
Look for a stiff heel counter. This is the back of the shoe and can easily be assessed by squeezing the heel area; if it is soft, it will not provide the stability you want and can allow the foot and heel to roll inwards, causing midfoot and heel pain.
Make sure the front of the shoe or toe box is not too narrow. Good shoes should naturally accommodate your child’s foot shape; if your child has a wider forefoot, consider an extra wide. A wide toe box is also recommended for children with flat feet.
Avoid excessive flexibility of the toe box or front of the shoe. Repeat the bend test in this area; there should be slight flexibility, but not excessive enough to roll up the shoe. The more cushion in this area, the less likely they will experience pain along the padding or ball of the foot and less likely to have stress across the joints of the forefoot.

When It's Time to Replace School Shoes

Why should you replace their shoes if they haven’t outgrown them? For the same reasons you replace your car tires when the treads are worn. You should replace your child’s shoes if there is excessive wear and tear and the treads are visibly wearing down.

A good way to assess this is to look at the shoe sitting on a flat surface from behind; if either edge of the shoe is worn, or the shoe easily rocks back and forth when you tip it, then it’s time to replace the shoe. Loss of structure can compromise stability and cause the foot to compensate, resulting in foot pain and fatigue.

If you feel that you are having to replace your child’s shoes sooner than normal or the wear pattern doesn’t seem normal, consider making an appointment with a podiatrist to have their foot structure assessed and determine if they need orthotics or similar supportive devices.

What Are the Signs That Your Child May Be Having Foot Problems?

Pay attention to their behavior, pattern of activities, or their complaints. Your child may tell you when something hurts, but sometimes, problems can present initially as fatigue or discomfort, and children may not communicate this with you. Consider making an appointment with one of our podiatrists:

If your child suddenly chooses not to participate in activities or sports.
If your child is limping or walking differently.
You may notice that they are asking to be carried or picked up or ask to sit down frequently.
They may complain that they’re tired or their legs or back are sore.
They are developing blisters, ingrown toenails, or irritation to the arch, mid-foot, or ankle.

These signs may indicate that there may be associated foot problems that can affect their daily routine and patterns.

Schedule a Foot Evaluation Today!

At Bluebonnet Foot and Ankle Institute, in Austin, Texas, we are here to help you and your child take steps in the right direction to start off a great school year!

If you need help or want to discuss in detail the right shoe gear with one of our podiatrists, or feel that your child may need a foot evaluation, call us at 512-394-5108 or visit us at www.bluebonnetfootandankleinstitute.com to schedule an appointment online.

Medically reviewed by Liza Chabokrow, DPM

How do I know if my child's school shoes fit properly?

A properly fitting shoe should feel comfortable immediately. They should have about a thumb’s width of space in front of the longest toe and allow the toes to wiggle freely.

How often should children's school shoes be replaced?

Children’s shoes should be replaced whenever they become too small, lose their support, or show excessive wear on the soles or heel. Since children’s feet grow quickly, it’s a good idea to check the fit every few months.

What features should I look for when buying school shoes?

Choose shoes with a stiff heel counter, supportive midsole, and wide toe box. You could also look for a durable outsole and adequate cushioning. These features help improve stability, comfort, and foot alignment throughout the school day.

Can wearing the wrong shoes cause foot problems in children?

Yes. Poorly fitting or unsupportive shoes can contribute to blisters, ingrown toenails, arch pain, heel pain, fatigue, and changes in the way your child walks.

When should my child see a podiatrist for foot pain?

Schedule an evaluation if your child frequently complains of foot or leg pain.