I’m a podiatrist and these are the biggest mistakes parents need to AVOID when buying school shoes for their children

Contains related content. The products in this article have been selected by our writers. If you make a purchase through the links on this page, Daily Mail Australia will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.

Children wear their clothes for an average of 15,500 hours every year school shoes – so selecting the right pair is one of the most important decisions parents make.

Making sure they have done that the right fit and support While they run, skip and jump in the playground, play sports and walk or cycle to school is key to their comfort and well-being.

The prospect of buy school shoes that are not only comfortable and supportive, but also durable enough to last all year can be tricky, especially if your child going to school for the first time.

To help parents and caregivers navigate this big milestone, Daily Mail Australia spoke to podiatrist Kate McArthur City foot clinic in Sydney to learn the most common mistakes made when buying school shoes – and how to avoid them.

Failure to have your child fitted professionally

Even if you think you know your child’s shoe size, guesswork or holding a foot against the sole of the foot will often result in an ill-fitting shoe, which can negatively impact your child’s foot development.

‘A common mistake we see is that children give shoes the ‘right size for now’. The problem with this is that they grow out of them and you have to buy a new pair of shoes,” says Kate.

‘Tight shoes can cause damage to the toenails (ingrown toenails are the most common) and can cause blisters on heels and toes,’ says Kate, while too big causes the child to grab with his toes, resulting in pain and fatigue.

‘Children’s shoes need room for the feet to grow – my tip is to recommend one size larger and add an insole to thicken the shoe while it is the larger size, then remove the insole when the feet of your children grow a few months later. This allows the extra length and width that is needed during the year to be achieved.’

A professional shoe fitter will ensure that you find the perfect balance for your child’s foot. Shoes & Sox has a wide choice of sizes including half sizes and different width sizes for each foot.

Buy cheaper shoes more often, instead of quality once

The consequence of buying shoes for ‘now’ is that the child will inevitably grow out of them within a few months.

“Parents buy really cheap shoes to avoid having to buy more shoes throughout the year,” says Kate. “The problem I have with this is that kids tend to have huge backpacks and lug all their books and stuff around all day.

‘As a podiatrist, I believe that having a supportive, torsionally stable shoe (usually leather) with a strong heel counter and sturdy rubber soles for traction and abrasion resistance provides the foundation for supporting your children’s feet.

‘Because cost is an issue that affects many households, take advantage of shoe store sales and promotions.’

Buying shoes in January gives children time to break in leather shoes by wearing them in short intervals, ensuring a comfortable start to the school year

Wait until January to buy school shoes

Most people wait until the last few weeks of the school holidays before buying school shoes, hoping to wait out any last-minute growth spurts.

Podiatrist Kate McArthur from City Feet Clinic in Sydney shares the most common mistakes when buying school shoes – and how to avoid them

A well-fitting pair of shoes solves this – and if you buy them more than a month before school starts, children have plenty of time to break them in.

Leather shoes In particular, they can feel stiff at first, so if you wear them for short intervals of 30 minutes to an hour over a number of weeks, they will gradually adapt to your child’s foot.

This not only prevents blisters, but also extends the life of the shoe as it will gently form and stretch rather than becoming damaged during the first few wears.

Another bonus of buying early? Shoes & Socks has discounted all black leather school shoes and black sports shoes at full price shoes by 20 percent plus an additional $10 off during the entire month of December only. This includes top brands such as Clarks, Harrison, Ciao, Bobux and more.

Shoes & Sox has marked down all full-price black leather school shoes and black athletic shoes by 20% plus an additional $10 off during the month of December only. This includes top brands such as Clarks, Harrison, Ciao, Bobux and more

The emphasis is on fashion over function

As they approach the tween years, children often long for the trendiest styles. But forgetting to check that your chosen pair is made of high-quality materials with the most supportive structure and durability is a common mistake.

A shock-absorbing sole made of rubber or EVA to cushion the foot, and good grip, are essential for all-day comfort and safety for active children.

Natural, breathable materials keep sweat and odors out, while well-structured shoes provide the right amount of support to prevent injuries.

Fashion-conscious kids needn’t worry, though, as Shoes & Sox has a huge range of the coolest brands, including Nike, Reebok, Skechers, Asics, and the expert staff can help you find a pair that’s both supportive and stylish. is. “You get to know the brand that suits your child’s foot and makes it much easier to buy shoes every year,” says Kate.

Visit your nearest Shoes & Sox store today for a FREE expert fitting or book your appointment online and skip the line.