best buys

How to buy correctly fitting school shoes for your child - and why it's so important

This page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.

If you watch your child run, skip and jump through their day, you'll realise how important a good pair of shoes is!

But, did you know that, according to a recent survey by the College of Podiatry, over a quarter of children are wearing the wrong size shoes?

And, that 56% of parents don't measure their children's feet before buying them shoes?

Ouch!

Our pick of the best school shoes - whatever your budget

The results came after 2,000 parents were surveyed about their buying habits when it came to their children's shoes.

It was also discovered that when it came to possibly the most important shoes of all, those worn for school, only 47% of parents took their children to a shoe shop with a proper fitting service.

Some parents were happy to buy these at well-known retailers like Clarks and Start-rite (who have trained fitters), but with some pairs costing upwards of £35, many parents instead turned to supermarkets or cheaper shops on the high street.

Pairs bought off the shelf like this won’t be fitted properly, which is often when the problems outlined in the survey arise.

So, why is it so important that children wear correctly-fitting shoes?

Dr Stewart Morrison, a podiatrist from the College of Podiatry and The University of Brighton, commented:

'It is worrying that so many children are wearing shoes which either don’t fit them properly or are not suitable for everyday wear.

'Wearing the wrong size or type of shoe in the short term causes blisters, rubbing, bruising and calluses, but in the long term it could affect foot development and result in musculoskeletal issues in the future.'

'Children’s feet are still growing and are more susceptible to damage than adult feet, so it’s really vital to ensure they are wearing shoes which fit them well – in width as well as length – and that are suitable for age, as well as the task they are wearing them for.

How can you find shoes that fit properly if you're on a budget?

With 34% of parents saying that budget played a big part in choosing where they shopped for their children's shoes, there seems to be a choice between paying a premium for a correctly fitting pair or taking a gamble.

There's great news though, as chain store Marks & Spencer has a shoe fitting service across 36 of their stores.

With prices starting at £20 in their school footwear range, and with many styles in half sizes and different widths, they're providing a real alternative for cash-strapped families.

Another idea is to measure your child's feet yourself, so you can track any growth spurts and clearly see whether they need a new pair or not.

Marks & Spencer, as well as other stores including Next and Start-rite have printable shoe fitting charts online so you can work out what size your child needs before hitting the shops, and make a more informed choice.

Just remember that all brands' sizes slightly differ, so always try the shoes on your child before you buy, and don't just assume they'll fit.

Always try to buy leather, as it will soften and mould to your child's foot, and avoid slip-on styles that won't grip as well.

Read on:

Netmums Newsletters

Yes, please! I want the best parenting news around

*By signing up you accept Netmums' Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.