Shoe Shopping Tips

DO...

• Shop in the late afternoon or evening - feet swell over the course of the day.
• Size their feet while they're standing up and fully weight bearing. There should be 1 to 2 cm (about one "Mum's thumb-width) of room at the front of the shoe and the widest part of the shoe should match the widest part of the foot. Good shoe brands may also have cleverly built-in three to six months' growth room for each shoe.
• Have them walk around for a few minutes wearing the shoes with normal socks. Make sure the heels don't slip out.
• Make sure the insoles are made of absorbent material. You may want padded insoles but most kids don't need arch support. Feel the inside for staples and irregularities.
• Invest in a good pair of sneakers for daily wear. This pair will take a lot of pounding. Leather holds up better than vinyl, and stitching lasts longer than glue.
• Look for sturdy, thick but flexible soles that are not sticky. Also, trace your child's feet and compare the outline with the sole of the shoe.
• Choose leather, canvas or the newer mesh (rather than plastic) materials to allow foot to breathe..
• Consider shoes that make a squeaking sound - they encourage the child to walk and allows you to track their movements!

DON'T...

• Overspend on the cutest, trendiest designs as kids outgrow shoes quickly.
• Buy shoes more than one size too large for your child. They can cause him to trip and develop foot problems. Many kids have two different sizes - buy the pair that fits the larger foot best.
• Make kids wear hand-me-downs. They are moulded to the original owner's feet.
• Buy heel! While they may look cute, always avoid heels on children's shoes as they are particularly bad for proper foot development. Flat soles make it easier to begin walking. For older kids, heels should be no higher than 2cm as this can cause the foot to slide forward, cramping the toes.

pre-walkers (crib to 9mths)

• Wait until your child starts to walk. Healthy, well-developed feet come about from learning to walk barefoot. Warm booties or skid-free socks will do.
• When it's time for baby's first shoes, take your well rested, recently fed child to a quality kid's outlet such as Clarks at United Square, where staff are specially trained to fit children's feet.
• Measure the length and width of both feet. many infants have an extra wide foot and may need a special size. Good shoe companies like Clarks have footwear ranges that cater not only to the stages of foot growth, but sizes that come with different widths too.
• Footwear should be soft and pliable to let new walkers feel the ground.

walkers (9 mths to 2 yrs)

Once your child begins walking, a sturdier shoe is needed.

• Opt for breathable, flexible and soft natural leather innersoles. Their feet sweat twice as much as an adult's.
• It is not true that high-top shoes support ankles better. Leather or canvas tie shoes are also more secure and stay on better.
• A smooth sole is less likely to "grab" the floor, which may cause falls.
• Make sure there's a 1cm space from the toes. Most early toddlers (under 16 months) grow more than one-half a foot size in two months.

runners (2-3 yrs)
Toddlers from age 16 to 24 months grow about half a foot size every three months. From 24 to 36 months old, they grow about half a foot size every four months. Get a firmer, but still flexible shoe or bootie. A lightweight shoe is a good idea since they really dash about a lot at this age.

school-goers
A firmer, flexible shoe and possibly athletic type shoes are common. Children over three years grow about half a foot size every four to six months. At this age, you can choose from athletic shoes, sandals, hiking shoes, etc.

when to change their shoes
Children will require new shoes every three to four months. But look out for:

• Worn areas or stressed seams - eg if sides are bulging, they're probably not wide enough.
• Toes that bend upwards are also a sign of shoes that don't fit properly, and worn out toes or heels can also mean it's time for a new pair of shoes.
• Calluses, sores or other foot problems (you may need to consult a doctor)
• If your shild keeps removing his or her shoes, they may be uncomfortable.

Extracted from Simply Her / November 2005