Many parents who bring their child through our Podiatry Centre are concerned that they may have chosen incorrect shoes in the past.

They are worried that the shoes may have contributed to the problems their child is now experiencing in the feet or legs.

To assist parents in making the best choice we have put together  FEW ideas worth thinking about before purchasing shoes…….

How to choose the most appropriate shoes for your child……………

When Purchasing shoes for any age:

• Always get the size refitted each time; not only could your child’s feet have grown in size and / or width, but sizes vary amongst shoe maufacturers.
• It is best to buy shoes in the afternoon when you child’s feet are likely to be warmer and to have spread more through daily activity.  You will then be buying shoes when the feet are at their widest.
• Always have you child walk around when trying on shoes, as the feet will elongate as they stand.  Also walking in the shoes will give you an idea of any tight spots or areas which are slipping.
• When standing there should be a thumb space between the child’s longest toe  ( which isn’t always the big toe) and the end of the shoe uppers.  This allows ample growth room.
• When standing the child should be able to wriggle the toes freely and you should be able to ripple the leather over the toes.  This indicates the depth in the forefoot  is ample.
• Your child should wear the socks normally worn in the daytime.  If stockings are worn on the day of purchase, but thick sports socks are normally worn, then of course the shoes will be firmer.
• The shoes should be approximately the same shape as your child’s feet and should be made from a “last” to suit your child.  Your podiatrist will be able to tell you what type of shoe last your child needs.
• The sole of the shoe should be firm and only bend across the ball of  the  foot.  This also helps to limit excessive motion and allow the foot to act as a good lever.
• The upper should be of good quality, good breathing leather.

Are boots or shoes better for a growing child?

• We have all heard reasons for and against wearing either of these shoes.  Here are a few factors to go on when next trying to decide between the two.
• Children under the age of two have very flexible joints, feet and quite thin heels.  With the normal ” oxford” type of shoe, they simply tend not to stay on the foot well, no matter how good the shoe is.  It is primarily for this reason that the boot is typically recommended for this age group.  The uppers of the boot should be soft so as to not limit the ankle joint range of motion.  You may be concerned that the softness or flexibility of the boot will give any support to the ankle, and that they are not therefore much different to the oxford style.  However it is the foot posture which causes most instability in the ankle, rather than the shoe itself.  An inner support or insole would help in correcting any excessive instability.

Notes to remember:

• Worn our “hand me down” shoes are a definite “no-no”. The first owner has his or her own walking habits and WILL, therefore, wear the soles, uppers and inners in a particular fashion.  The second person then will be forced to wear and walk in the same way as the first person.
• While it is true that various aspects of the shoes can assist with an excessive motion problem, shoes themselves are not corrective devices.  If you suspect the need for correction, then please make an appointment at Total Care Podiatry.
• If you are continually faced with fitting problems or excessive or abnormal wear or distortion of uppers, this would be primarily due to the feet and not the shoes.  These would be indicators that is is time to see us at Total Care Podiatry.
• Dress-up shoes should be just that; for dressing up only and only worn occasionally.  A good fitting lace-up shoe worn most of the time is ideal for growing feet.  Not all “fashion” shoes will suit your children’s feet so be realistic.
• Our feet were made to walk on soft uneven terrain and doing so actually helps strengthen the muscles on the foot and leg.  However, with all the hard flat terrain about, it is best to protect your child’s feet from wanting to contour to this type of surface.
• Before the crawling stage, it is best to leave the child’s foot as free as possible, so that no restrictions are placed upon it – and it is allowed to develop freely.

WARNING : This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional podiatric advice. Treatment will vary between individuals depending upon your diagnosis and presenting complaint. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a Podiatrist.

It would be fair to say that people demand greater versatility from their athletic footwear than their sporting apparel. One would not expect to wear their netball skirt for horse riding, but yet this is being demanded of modern athletic footwear. If your schedule looks something like netball Monday, tennis Wednesday, aerobics Friday and golf Sunday – do not despair, but think carefully about what you are demanding of your footwear.

In a perfect world (or in the world of athletes), everyone would have a different pair of athletic shoes for each different activity they participate in, as the biomechanical demands of each activity vary significantly. For example, tennis places great emphasis on side-to-side movements, walking entails forward progression, while netball uses a combination of both as well as pivoting. The features of a shoe should not only fit the foot, but also the activity for which it will be used.

With hundreds of athletic shoes available it is important that you choose the appropriate shoe for your feet and activity – this does not necessarily have to be the latest and greatest model chocked full of gimmicks, but most importantly, it should be appropriate for your foot type. The three main foot types you will hear people talking about are; the excessively pronated foot (flat foot); the neutral foot; and the excessively supinated foot (high arched foot). As the foot functions differently dynamically versus statically, a ‘foot print’ may not be a true indication of your foot type.

There are a few essential properties that need to be specifically designed for each type of foot.

The first is a midsole of the shoe: This predominantly determines the level of cushioning that a shoe can provide. Athletes with flat feet should use a midsole of dual density that is firm on the inner arch of the foot. Athletes with high arched feet require extra shock absorption and should choose a shoe with a soft midsole that still provides stability on the outer border of the foot. The most suitable midsole is imperative as pronation control and cushioning are still considered to be the key concepts of injury prevention.

The other feature that should be considered for specific foot types is the amount of curve in a shoe from heel to toe. Straight lasted shoes give more stability and support and are recommended for flat feet. A curved lasted shoe is suggested for high arched foot types.

In-between these two types is a neutral lasted shoe. This is for a foot that requires midfoot support, but not too much controlling support in the rearfoot.

Curve last compare to a straight last

The features to look for in a shoe regardless of foot type are:

• A firm heel counter: (the area wrapping around at the back of the foot),
• Forefoot flexibility, Curved last compared to a straight last
• A wide toe box and
• Breathe-ability.

A firm heel counter enhances rear foot stability, while forefoot flexibility allows for a natural toe-off phase of gait. The rigidity of the heel counter can be tested by squeezing the back of the shoe, while forefoot flexibility can be tested by simulating the natural walking step (i.e. place the shoe on a surface, grasp the rear of the shoe with one hand, lift the rear a couple of inches off the surface). Only minimal force is needed to simulate the step and the shoe should flex under the ball of the foot.

Forefoot flexibility           Testing the heel counter

Breathe-ability cannot be ignored as sweaty moist environments can lead to blisters, irritation and general discomfort. Another point to consider is the fact that female feet are simply not scaled down versions of male feet, but rather different in a number of shape characteristics, hence gender specific shoes should be considered when available.

So, when selecting a shoe for a particular activity, please remember that you are not only fitting the shoe to your foot, but also to your activity. It has been shown that shoes tested in conditions for which they were not designed exhibited frictional characteristics that may have safety implications. Thus suggesting a cross trainer may very well be used for aerobics and netball, but would not be suitable for golf.

a running shoe and a cross trainer

A running shoe and Cross Trainer

In summary, the essential points to remember when choosing an athletic shoe for exercise are:

• Standard features – firm heel counter, forefoot flexibility, wide toe box and breath-ability.

• Foot type dependant features – level of support and cushioning of midsole and the amount of curve.

• Playing surface of your particular activity and the movements involved.

Remember, if you are unsure about a shoe’s suitability, whether it be appropriateness for your foot type or your sporting activity, your podiatrist may advise you.

For further information please contact Total Care Podiatry in Geelong