How To Choose The Right New Kids Sports Shoes

If your child is in a sport or even just active, he or she may need new sports shoes. Kid's feet grow rather quickly especially between ages four and twelve when feet can grow a half size or more every six months or even faster. It is important for the growth and health of those young feet to choose the right kids sports shoes. But your child will probably also want shoes that are cute or cool as well.

Before You Spend a Lot of Money

Because kid's feet grow so fast, it is important to show some restraint when choosing their shoes. You don't want to spend a lot of money on one pair of basketball shoes only to have to replace them a few months later, even before they have a chance to show wear.

If there are younger children it can be tempting to hand the shoes down, but that would be a mistake. Shoes set themselves to the feet's specific morphology, and they are not the same for any two children. Moreover children's feet do not grow at the same rate, so the younger child may actually have the larger feet.

Choosing the Right Size and Fit

A child's shoe should fit securely with about a thumb's width of space between the toes and the end of the shoe. There should be nothing that is pinching or hurting the child. Don't assume that the shoe will "stretch out" or get broken in and be okay because it is likely that they will cause blisters and pain before that ever happens.
A shoe made out of certain materials will not stretch out - like rubber or plastic - the fit it has will be the fit it will have, for the life of the shoe. Leather is a better material for shoes, as it breathes and sets itself to your child's foot. If your child has specific foot issues, it is best to seek the help of an associate who can give you advice about proper support and fit considerations.

Including Your Child in the Decision

While you are footing the bill for these shoes, your child is the one who will be wearing them. Make sure that they are included in choosing those shoes, at least to some degree. Set a budget before going to the store and discuss the kind of shoes that will and will not be allowed to be purchased that day.

If your child is playing a team sport, make sure that there are no requirements for style or color that must be adhered to. Some parents may choose to buy two pairs of sports shoes if they can afford them so that the team shoe can be kept for that sole purpose.

A plain shoe can be jazzed up inexpensively with cute laces. Laces can be changed to match outfits quickly and easily. Before you agree to plain white shoes, think about how your child cares for shoes and other items. If you know they will be filthy in a week, it might not be worth it. Plain black shoes can be boring, but will hide the dirt for far longer.