School shoes need to be smart and practical but above all, comfortable. The wrong pair of school shoes can cause blisters and discomfort, which will put a downer on your kid's day!
We've put together some top tips to help you choose thebest school shoes for kids this year.
Your child will probably outgrow their school shoes
School shoes last a year, but kids grow quickly. If your child's feet look tight in their school shoes after only a few months, time for them to move up to the next size.
If you think your child might need new school shoes before their current pair wears out, then consider getting them measured more than once during each term or even monthly!
As your child grows,boys' school shoes or girls' feet will undergo several changes. The most noticeable of these is the growing process itself: between the ages of 6 and 14, children can expect to add up to 2cm in height and 1cm in width. But there are other factors that are also important with picking the best school shoes for kids this year (and every other year).
Timberland Sprint Trekker Jet Black Leather Kids Mid BootsCompare the feet
As well as getting bigger during childhood, your child's feet will change shape too. Researchers have found that foot size can vary by up to 1cm between left and right feet, meaning that it's important not only to measure them individually but also to note how they compare with each other.
Check whether a foot seems larger than its counterpart because this could show an underlying condition such as clubfoot or flatfoot syndrome where the arch has not properly formed. Often that's because of either genetic reasons or biomechanical issues such as pronation (a tendency towards rolling over onto the outer edge).
Choose leather where possible
If you can, opt for leather shoes. Leather is more durable than fabric, and it's also water-resistant. This means that they will last your child longer, saving you money in the long term.
Leather also allows your child's feet to breathe better than other materials, which helps prevent odour buildup (avoiding smelly school shoes). Leather is more comfortable to wear because it moulds to the shape of your foot over time-this means no pinching or rubbing!
Leather shoes are easy to clean with soap and water or wipe down with disinfectant wipes if needed!
Flexible soles promote healthy natural foot movement
Petasil Vorto 6033 Boys Black Vegan Leather Lace Up School ShoesShoes with flexible soles are the best because they promote healthy, natural foot movement. This helps the foot to function as designed and allows it to move naturally. If a shoe's sole is too rigid, it can prevent your child from walking properly on their feet.
Make sure they fit well and the child can wiggle their toes!
Your child's feet should be able to move freely, up and down. If the shoe is too tight or too loose, this will cause blisters on their toes or heel cracks (or both).
The foot should not be able to move side to side. Usually this means that there is extra room in the front of their shoes because kids' feet grow out first. If a foot moves side to side in the shoe, I'd say it would be too wide and therefore in need of a narrower shoe.
The very last thing you want is for them to move up and down AND side-to-side-this would mean that they don't meet any of our other best school shoes criteria above!
Choose one of the best school shoes wisely
Find the rightschool shoes for your child's feet. Before the new term starts is a great time to have your child's feet measured and make sure they fit well. This way, they can enjoy their new shoes all year round!