With kids growing so quickly, most parents get used to regularly updating their child’s wardrobe to cater to their growth spurts and the lifestyle changes that come with that.
However, one outfit essential that can be more challenging to purchase and often more expensive, too, is kid’s shoes.
When it comes to buying shoes for kids, parents should keep a few things in mind to ensure that their little ones’ feet are healthy and comfortable, no matter their age.
Flexibility
When you have young children, especially toddlers, it’s vital to outfit them in shoes that provide enough flexibility of movement. Youngsters have feet that are still growing and changing and are, as a result, more susceptible to damage than our own adult feet.
As such, you don’t want to impede the development of your child’s feet by putting them in shoes that are too stiff and unyielding and stop the foot muscles from doing their required work. Instead, pick footwear with bendable soles.
The soles need “give” rather than being rigid so that your child’s forefoot doesn’t have its movement restricted. If you choose the wrong shoes, your child’s ability to skip, run, climb, and otherwise play and move freely will be impacted.
Talk to shoe store salespeople for help if you need clarification on how much flexibility the shoes need for your child’s age.
Breathability
Breathability is essential, too, when picking out footwear for your youngsters. Look for products made from lightweight, more natural, and breathable materials that are more porous and let air circulate in and out of the shoe. Kids tend to sweat a lot when they’re running about, and their feet, in particular, can sweat heavily, so having the right shoes can help avoid issues.
For young children, select footwear made from canvas, cloth, leather, or the newer well-constructed mesh materials, instead of hot rubber or heavy plastic options. Choose shoes with insoles made of absorbent materials, too, where possible, to help avoid the products getting stinky and wearing out so quickly.
Focus on Stability More than Fashion
While it’s natural to want to outfit your kids in the cutest outfits possible, from the top of their heads to the toes on their feet, beware of choosing footwear based solely on fashion.
It’s vital to focus on the stability that will help your children to walk, run, and play safely and securely and help their feet, ankles, and other body parts to stay stable and grow well.
Instead of choosing shoe designs that are a child’s-size equivalent of adult Converse, cowboy boots, Crocs, flip flops, and the like, which aren’t helpful for kids who are learning to walk and get stronger with balance and foot placement, pick footwear with good grip rather than smooth soles.
You might choose shoes with non-skid rubber soles with ridges (but no deep grooves that can catch on surfaces and trip the little ones) or well-made kid’s Jordans and shoes of that type with good grip and secure fastenings.
Avoid placing your youngsters in anything that will let them slip and slide as they move about, or slip-on or backless shoes that don’t offer proper support or stability.
The Right Fit
Of course, one of the most important things to consider is the shoe’s fit. Children’s feet grow quickly, and it’s essential that shoes fit correctly to avoid discomfort, blisters, and other foot problems.
Please don’t wait too long to put your child in new shoes as they grow or buy footwear that’s much too big for them because you want them to have the chance to grow into the products.
You must understand how to measure shoe size to help your child move correctly in their shoes. For example, measure their feet when they’re standing up with their toes flat rather than curled up under them. Plus, put socks on your child before they try on shoes since this will make a difference in how firm or loose products are.
You can also use your thumb to understand whether shoes fit well. You want to see about a thumb’s width (or approximately half an inch) between your child’s big toe and the inside of the shoe’s front. Get your child to walk in the shoes, too, and watch them to see if the footwear seems to slip or ride up and ask them how the products feel.
Final Words
Take your time searching for the right kids’ shoes, and don’t settle on footwear that isn’t right just because it’s super cute or a great deal. There are many online and in-store options, so if you’re patient, you’re sure to find products that check all the right boxes.
