One of the biggest mistakes parents do is to use hand-me-down sneakers for kids. Whether it’s from an older sibling, friend or cousin, this is just wrong, since the human feet develop the most at a young age, and by wearing older sneakers, you’ll basically ‘mould’ your child’s feet according to the child who has worn them first. This is quite wrong, especially if the previous kid has some kind of feet deformities. So, for the best of your child, shop for brand-new footwear regardless of the type.
Nowadays the choice for kids sneakers is huge which gives you the freedom to pick just the right model for your child’s needs and your own budget. Ideally, you should measure your child’s feet and choose a half-size up since this can add to his comfort. Choosing the wrong sneakers can lead to long-term foot problems in later years, which is why you should do everything you can to choose properly fitted sneakers and footwear for your child.
Types of Sneakers to Consider
Shoes certainly are an essential item for everyone, not just kids, however, sneakers for children are an irreplaceable type of footwear. They can be used daily and regardless of the occasion which is why nowadays you can choose from the large selection of kids sneakers. All of them range in type, appearance, style, colour, material, design, sole and insole which speaks volumes about them. This allows you to pick just the right model for your child which will provide him with the needed protection from the elements.
High-Top Sneakers
High-top or high-ankle sneakers are types of sneakers in which the top part extends slightly over the ankle. Even though they’re mainly used for sports, mainly basketball, paediatricians recommend them for infants and toddlers since they can hold their feet tight and snug. This extra material around the ankle can give your child extra support and protection which reduces the chances of ankle injuries like extreme inversion.
No-Tie Sneakers
Also known as slip-on sneakers, these are the most commonly used types among smaller children. These sneakers are extremely easy to put on and take off which can significantly speed up any daily routine. With sneakers like these, you’ll no longer have to wait for your child to try to tie his shoelaces even though he doesn’t know how to do it. This will save you some precious amount of time for which you’ll be grateful. These shoes can come in different materials and styles, and some of them can even come with laces that have no function. Instead, they usually have an elastic band on the inside to make putting on and taking off as smooth as possible.
Low-Cut Sneakers
Low-cut sneakers are considered lighter than high-top. It’s said that they can also enable children to be faster which increases their range of motion. If your child is already grown up, you can invest in a pair of low-cut sneakers as well since they are perfect for daily use, They’ll allow him to walk and run faster, which will reduce the chance of knee injuries. These sneakers are also perfect for promoting muscle activity in the ankle and foot complex which makes them the perfect choice for kids. But even if your child is smaller, you can invest in a pair of lower-cut sneakers for special occasions. There’s nothing more stylish than seeing your little one rocking his white snow-like sneakers.
Sneakers Fitting Tips
While measuring your child’s feet and comparing them to the store’s sizing chart is one of the best ways to shop for children’s sneakers, in some cases, you won’t be in a position to do this. This mainly goes to those unplanned shopping trips to the stores. And since children’s feet can grow drastically from month to month, you should learn about some other tricks that can help you choose the right fit.
The Thumb Measurement
Well, this is one of the oldest and most commonly used tricks to measure children’s sneakers and shoes in general. To make sure that the sneakers are secured length-wise, you’ll need to put your thumb inside the heel part of the sneakers and see if it fits snuggly between the heels and the back of the shoe. Keep in mind that there should be a space between your baby’s ankle and the shoe in order to avoid heel pain and blisters. You can also use your thumb to press down with it the front part of the sneakers and see if there’s any space or none left between your child’s toes and the end of the shoes.
Measure Both Feet
This may sound strange to some of you, but the truth is that one foot can be a bit larger than the other. This is quite common for children and adults, so when measuring the size of your child’s feet, make sure to measure both of them and pick sneakers and shoes according to the size of the larger one.
Buy Sneakers at the End of the Day
The last thing you can do is shop for sneakers at the end of the day. That’s because, at the end of the day, your child’s feet can swell a bit, so this is the right time to shop for comfortable sneakers.
