Kids Shoes Fit And Function



by Sasha Barry


The muscles and bones of children are growing constantly causing them to outgrow their clothing and footwear regularly. Their increased activity levels from jumping, skipping, running, or just exploring the sound of scuffing their shoe on the cement decreases the life of their footwear even more. Feet support all those growing parts and it vital to support the feet with properly fitted footwear. Kids shoes need to be refitted to their new growth and then replaced often.

Footwear should be Replaced How Often

Children do not grow slowly over a long time, their growth comes in spurts. Due to this they will probably need new footwear every three to four months. When a foot does not have adequate space to stretch out and grow it can cause calluses, bunions, ingrown toenails, hammer toes, and several other foot problems. They need to be exchanged for new ones long before blisters show because the shoe is so small on their foot.

How to Select a Pair that Fits Properly

Feet come in a variety of shapes and sizes and so does footwear. It is important a child is present to put the shoe on their foot as sizes vary by the maker. Ask your child to jump, walk, and run in place in the shoes. When a child complains of any part poking in their foot or you see other signs, such as tugging at a shoe, then it is not a proper fit for them. We commonly check the length of a shoe but the depth and width are just as important for proper fit.

What to Look For

A quality shoe will be constructed from breathable material on the upper part to allow the foot to breathe. Their feet perspire a lot. The insole should also be of an absorbent material. The outer sole needs to provide a certain level of traction, flexibility, and cushioning.




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