Getting the Right Pair of School Shoes for your child.

It’s that time of year again when the long school holidays are drawing to a close and parents all over the UK are entering into battle with their kids over what shoes are appropriate for school. Apart from the blazer, kids’ school shoes are probably the most expensive thing you’re going to have to buy and we’re well aware of that fact that what parents think are “sensible shoes” are the ones which kids will probably turn their noses up at. No parent wants to be dealing with a full-on meltdown over school shoes, but we also know there’s a lot of confusion about what sort of shoes are going to look after growing feet, but will tick the fashion boxes too.

Comfort, Support and Flexibility

When you’re dragging a reluctant child around the shops looking for that perfect pair of school shoes, keep three key concepts in mind – comfort, support and flexibility. 

Comfort – obviously a good pair of school shoes needs to be comfortable as a child will be wearing them for 7 hours a day or more. A skilled fitter will be able to suggest the right style of shoe for your child’s foot but advice can be hit or miss, especially at this time of year when shops are so busy. As a parent you can do some basic checks too. Shoes shouldn’t slip off the ankle, and you shouldn’t be able to see gaps between the shoe and your child’s foot. Press on the toe to make sure that there’s a gap between the toe and the shoe. Factoring in a little growing room is wise, but not at the expense of a properly fitting shoe.

Support – this is the main issue with a lot of fashion shoe brands, especially for girls. Ballet flat style shoes are the main culprits as they have no built-in support for the foot at all. Walking for extended periods in ballet flats is known to contribute to foot pain problems and conditions such as plantar fasciitis. Look for a style of shoe which has adequate cushioning and shaping under the sole of the foot rather than being completely flat. Keep the ballet flats for weekends and nights out – not as everyday wear for school. 

Flexibility – this is especially important in younger kids, whose feet are still developing quickly. Shoes should have soles which are bendy and flexible enough to let their feet move in a natural manner when running or jumping. Don’t be afraid to pick up shoes in the shop and bend the soles! Leather’s also more flexible than synthetic alternatives, and has the added benefit of keeping your child’s feet fresher during a long day at school. 

Are great school shoes going to cost a fortune?

They don’t have to. It’s easy to stick to the tried and tested big brands which specialise in school shoes, but if you keep in mind the mantra of “comfort, support, flexibility” you can use this to evaluate supermarket and high street shoes too.