6 Smart Shoe Shopping Tips for Back to School
Wearing shoes that are well-made and fit correctly is one of the best investments you can make in your child’s podiatric health. At Goldsmith Podiatry, we know that the summer is fast approaching its end, which means school will be starting soon for our Manhattan patients. We want to help parents study up on shoe shopping know-how so they can ace this very important purchase. Here’s a cheat sheet with 6 tips to help you go to the head of the class.
Get your kids used to wearing shoes again. If your child has spent a significant part of the summer in flip-flops, slippers, or barefoot, any regular closed-in sneakers or shoes will most likely feel uncomfortable. Reintroduce a few hours a day.
Have your children’s feet professionally measured. We all know how quickly children outgrow clothes and shoes. There’s a good chance their size has changed since the end of the school year. Be aware, however, that even once you have an “official” size, different manufacturers cut their shoes differently. Don’t be a slave to a number.
Get podiatric conditions checked on first. Did your child sprain an ankle or fracture their foot this summer? Do they have a chronic condition such as heel pain or flat feet? If the answer is yes, schedule an appointment with our podiatrist, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia by calling our Upper West Side office at 212-877-1002. The foot doctor will want to check on the current condition of their feet and may make recommendations for footwear styles that will be best for them.
Plan your shopping trip for late in the day. Many a child who buys shoes first thing in the morning starts complaining that they hurt as the day goes on. Feet are at their largest and most swollen after walking all day.
Evaluate fit carefully. Have your child try on both shoes while wearing the socks they will typically wear, and then let them walk around the store for several minutes to make sure shoes don’t rub or pinch.
Buy today’s size. As tempting as it might be, get the correct size shoe for your child now. Shoes that are too big can cause blisters and tripping accidents.
For more information on children’s shoes and other pediatric foot questions, feel free to contact us.