It’s Time for Back-to-School Shoe Shopping

All over Manhattan, children, teens, and parents are starting to prepare for back to school, and few rituals are as constant over the years as the annual quest for new shoes for beginning the new academic year. At Goldsmith Podiatry, we place great importance on footwear—buying the right shoes is perhaps the single biggest step you can take to protect the health of your child’s feet. Study up on the tips below so you can ace your shoe shopping trip.

• Avoid Harmful Short Cuts—so not everyone is as excited about shoe shopping as we are! However, even if hitting the shoe stores with your children is an outing you dread rather than looking forward to, it’s important not to settle for hand-me-down shoes or footwear purchased online without leaving your family room! Try on shoes to ensure proper fit. Trying to wear someone else’s shoes is likely to lead to foot pain and possibly injury. And, once worn, shoes conform to the foot of their wearer.

• Revisit Old Injuries—if your youngster has suffered an ankle sprain, fracture, or podiatric sports injury in the past, make an appointment at our Upper West Side office by calling 212-877-1002 so our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina Ruff can do a podiatric checkup on your child. The foot doctor will check the previous injury and can make footwear and other recommendations for protecting the vulnerable area.

• Get Feet Measured— proper fit is one of the most important components of a shoe shopping excursion. Make sure your child gets both feet measured, and don’t be surprised if one foot appears to be a little bigger than the other. It is normal. Buy shoes in a size that’s comfortable for the larger foot.

• Check for Fit—have your child wear the type of socks they plan to use with the shoes you buy. There should be at least a thumb’s width between the end of the longest toe and the front of the shoe. The toe box should be roomy enough that all toes can wiggle freely. The heel counter should be snug but not rubbing. Have your child walk around the store a bit. Check feet for any red marks or irritations after they remove the shoes.

• Shop Late in the Day—feet swell the longer you’re on them. Shopping in the late afternoon or evening ensures your children’s shoes will feel comfortable all day long. Add dinner out or an ice cream stop when the shopping is through to reward parents and kids for a successful shopping trip!