It’s surprisingly easy to make mistakes when shopping for kids' shoes. While a new pair of shoes might look cute, feel comfy and soft, and check all the boxes you need, it might still not provide enough space for your child’s growing feet.
Parents should spend a bit more time inspecting the way kids' shoes are built, rather than focusing solely on their design- the way they look. In today’s guide, we’ll detail some of the most important verification steps to help you determine whether the new footwear you have your heart set on is a secure choice.
Here are our suggestions for you to include in your buying checklist.
1. Find the Spot Where the Shoe’s Sole Flexes
Start by checking the sole’s flexibility point. The optimal shoe is flexible enough to align with the foot’s movement, yet doesn’t bend excessively. Press the shoe’s toe against the surface you’re on to see if it naturally folds.
Ideally, the highlight of the footwear’s flexibility should center on the shoe's forefoot, especially the ball of the foot. This is important because children’s feet normally bend as the body pushes its weight off when walking or running.
Shoes with flexible soles allow this kind of natural movement rather than fighting it. Meanwhile, if the fold occurs around the shoe’s middle part, your child might not receive the level of support he needs. That’s why it’s essential to check the shoe construction, not just its cushioning.
After all, not all soft, well-padded shoes are well-designed. As a quick test, you could bend the shoe and see where the flex appears. Make sure it happens towards the forefoot, not underneath the arch.
2. Verify the Footwear’s Heel Cup for Boosted Stability
Next, go to the back part of the footwear and use your fingers to hold the heel cup while giving it a slow squeeze. This is known as the pinch test, which helps buyers assess how well-constructed the heel area is.
You’ll obtain less stability with a counter that folds in on itself right away. At the same time, supportive heel designs keep the footwear securely in place and firmly around the child’s feet. Good heel stability is especially helpful for active children who frequently play, run, walk, and jump.
The idea isn’t to buy a rigid shoe that keeps the foot firmly in place but doesn’t allow it to move freely. Instead, your focus should be on purchasing shoes with the proper heel structure, so that the foot stays comfortably inside the footwear.
3. Choose Shoes That Come with Enough Toe Room
Finally, you must also check the shoe’s front part to make sure it has enough space for your little one’s growing toes. Try the new shoes on your kid’s feet and ask him to stand tall while you gently press around the toe box with your fingers.
There should be around half an inch left between the end of the shoe and your kid’s longest toe. For shoes with removable soles, you should do this test without the soles as well.
Still, shape matters as much as length, so choose a more anatomical, rounded shape, rather than a pointy or narrow one. That way, your child’s toes will be able to spread as they wish without cramping together.
Too little toe room can cause discomfort and pressure, especially for kids’ developing feet. By the way, you should re-check the fit of your little one’s footwear on a regular basis, because you’ll be surprised how quickly he can outgrow his current pair of shoes.
Your On-the-Go Buying Checklist
Don’t worry if you don’t have the time to do a complete shoe inspection. Just remember these three aspects:
|
What to Check |
What You Want |
|
Heel |
Firm and supportive |
|
Sole |
Flexible at the forefoot |
|
Toe box |
Approx. 0.5 inches of space left |
Obviously, a proper fit requires a bit more than just these three quick tests, since new shoes must be comfy right from the start, without needing to be broken in. Hence, parents must pay attention to any potential issues such as blisters and redness. Those mean you need to reconsider the current fit of your child’s shoes.
Final Thoughts – The Best Shoes Have Optimal Construction
These details matter to the Dream Pairs Kids representatives, since they create and sell footwear designed for everyday comfort, especially for growing feet. The ideal choice is a shoe that features a natural level of sole flexibility, a supportive heel construction, and an anatomically shaped toe box.
Before purchasing a new pair of shoes for your kids, make sure to do these three tests we detailed above. Better yet, inspect the shoes your child owns now; there’s a high chance you’ll be surprised by the conclusion.
When it comes to kids’ shoes, the prettiest design isn’t necessarily the greatest option. All you need are a couple of seconds for the flexible sole, heel stability, and toe room tests. Finally, don’t forget about the overall shoe construction inspection.