Buying a 'Healthy' Shoe Crucial During Back-to-School Shopping Season

By Edwin Hart III, DPM

I don't know about you, but with the recent cool temperatures here in Pennsylvania this past week I was reminded that summer is drawing to a close, at least for those of school age. Summers no longer seem to drag on like they did when I was a kid, they just seem to fly by.

So once again we are faced with the task of purchasing school backpacks, laptop cases, and all the other stuff on our back-to-school shopping lists. Like me, I am sure your list includes the names of important supplies and fashionable new clothing options for your children. It may be as "easy" as pushing a button like the Staples® commercial indicates and seamlessly drop items into our online or store shopping cart, but for a big item like children’s shoes, it should be more time-intensive than simply picking a brand name off a store’s shelf.

According to results taken from American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) surveys among adults aged 18-49, 18 percent of males and 65 percent of females have not had their feet measured in the last five years. Wearing an improperly fitted shoe often leads to foot problems such as plantar fasciitis and tendonitis, so it’s particularly important for children – whose feet are still in the developing stages – to always have their foot measured by a shoe store professional. As a parent you need to insist on your child being measured for the correct fit.

Remember that not every child’s shoe on the market is a healthy choice, and a high price is not indicative of quality. You should have your child’s foot size professionally measured before purchasing a shoe, paying close attention to three footwear aspects: a stiff heel counter, proper toe flexibility, and proper rigidity. Doing this drastically reduces the chance of injury in young feet and increases your child's comfort with school activities.

To help parents understand the basics of buying a healthy shoe, the APMA has assembled a list of important shoe-buying tips, as well as an easy-to-remember "1, 2, 3 Test." The tip sheet and "1, 2, 3 Test" can be viewed in PDF format by clicking here.

Several company’s footwear products on the market for children have recently received the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance, including Chaco's kids sandals, See Kai Run's Smaller Collection and Reebok’s Versaflex Collection of Toddler Footwear. APMA’s Seal program recognizes products that set the benchmark for footwear and foot care industries. Evaluated by a committee of APMA podiatric physicians, these products are proven to allow for normal foot function and promote quality foot health. For a full listing of Accepted children’s products, please click here.

Remember as with any issue related to your child's foot health or your own, talk to your podiatrist. Your podiatrist is the health care provider best able to advise you on issues related to your feet. If you don't have a podiatrist in your area or don't know of one, feel free to consult our "Find a Podiatrist" link on this web site. I hope you and your children have a successful school year and great foot health.