School Shoes... It's a Science

1. Why it's Important to have the Right School Shoes
2. Getting the Right Fit... School Shoe Fitting Tips
3. Important School Shoe features
4. Interesting Foot Facts!

1. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE RIGHT SCHOOL SHOES!

Children spend around 30 hours a week in their school shoes - that's in excess of 15,000 hours during their school years! And when you consider that in the first 11 years of a child's life their feet grow 17 full shoe sizes (and continue to grow until they're 18 years old), you'll realise how critical it is for children to wear school shoes specifically designed to support the needs of their growing feet.

Correctly fitted school shoes help reduce the risk of injury, improve comfort and enhance performance. All school shoes in the Pro-Fit range are embedded with technical features that set them apart from other school shoes, providing children with the support they need during their critical growth phase - from the steel support shank that allows greater motion control, to the heel counter that provides additional support to fragile ankles.

Pro-Fit school shoes are also extremely durable, with scratch-resistant leather, hard-wearing rubber outsole and high-abrasion lining as standard inclusions in every shoe. And Pro-Fit's 'Multi-Fit system' helps every child secure the perfect fit by providing three layers of removable innersoles to accommodate different foot types, allowing for multiple fitting options and the insertion of prescribed orthotics.

From the classroom to the playground, Pro-Fit school shoes have been designed to keep active, growing feet comfortable and well-supported throughout the school day. Simply put, Pro-Fit school shoes are built to perform

To view the Pro-Fit school shoe range, click here!

2. GETTING THE RIGHT FIT... SCHOOL SHOE FITTING TIPS

1. Buy shoes that fit properly!
· Correctly fitted shoes can help promote correct bone and muscle development and prevent life-long foot and leg problems.
· There are a number of lacing techniques available which will help customise the fit of the shoe - seek out trained staff at quality shoe shops to teach you the different techniques.
· Never put your child in hand-me-down shoes - they mould the child's foot to someone else's shape and can cause problems. Two pairs of feet are never the same shape!

2. Measure both feet
· Most people have one foot that's longer and/or wider - often at least a half-size difference. So try both shoes on!
· Don't buy your child's shoes too large thinking they'll grow into them. Overly large shoes can allow your child's foot to roll over in the shoe during play, causing injury.
· The widest part of the foot should correspond with the widest part of the shoe.
· There should be a space the width of your child's thumbnail between the end of the shoe and the tip of the longest toe on the longer foot. Your child should be able to wriggle their toes freely. The heel should be snug, but comfortable.

3. Know your child's foot type
· Every Foot is Different. Just like adults, children each have different walking styles. Take a look at their old shoes and you may see a tell-tale pattern of where they wear out first. To compensate for the added pressure on different parts of their shoes, manufacturers have developed a variety of shoes to suit different foot types. Matching the shoe with the individual foot means added comfort, shoes that last longer and less chance of injury.
· If your child has flat feet (around 50% of children), they may roll inwards excessively (overpronate), which causes strain on ankles, legs and hip joints.
· If your child has high arches (around 20%), their feet may not roll enough (supinate), which can send a severe shock up through their legs.

4. Buy the right type of shoe
· Shoes offer varying degrees of stability, cushioning and internal and external support features in the heel and arch areas for different foot types.
· Avoid shoes that lack the necessary cushioning and support, as children's bones are still growing and are vulnerable to shock.
· Don't buy a certain style purely on the look of the shoe - make sure your child tries on a few styles and appreciates the difference in the fit and feel of each shoe.

5. Buy a shoe that lasts
· Look for outsoles made of rubber.
· Don't compromise on quality - which means cushioning, support comfort and durability!

3. IMPORTANT SCHOOL SHOE FEATURES

Support
Watch your child play in the backyard and you'll see why a stable shoe is so important. Look for a firm heel counter and a contoured midsole, which will allow their foot to sit right down inside the shoe. For additional support, extra eyelets will allow variable lacing techniques to help customise the fit.

Durability
All parents will know how tough kids can be on shoes. Look for outersoles made of rubber or polyurethane for longer wear. Double-stitching, especially around the toe area, will also add to the life of the shoes.

Comfort
Don't allow too much room for growth. Oversized shoes can cause your child's foot to roll over in the shoe and are also more likely to wear out. Shoes that are too tight can also harm their feet, so check for signs of irritation and make sure they are able to wriggle their toes freely. Having your child's feet measured regularly, regardless of the wear on their shoes, is a great way to ensure the correct fit.

Cushioning
Children's bones are still growing and vulnerable to shock, so cushioning is very important. Children's shoes should have adequate midsole cushioning and feel comfortable as soon as they are put on!

4. INTERESTING FOOT FACTS!

· The foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles and tendons!
· A child's foot is constantly evolving. In the first 11 years a child's foot grows about 17 full shoe sizes and continues to grow until they are 18 years old.
· Children spend 30 hours a week in their school shoes. That's in excess of 15,000 hours during their school years!
· The average person will walk up around 128,000 km over a life time. That's enough to go around the circumference of the earth three times.
· In a pair of feet there are 250,000 sweat glands that produce around 500ml of perspiration daily.
· 25% of all bones are in your feet. When these bones are out of place, the rest of your body probably is too When walking, each time your heel lifts off the ground it forces the toes to carry one half of your body weight.
· Around 40% of Australians will experience some form of foot problems in their lifetime

Brought to you by Pro-Fit School Shoes, www.pro-fitshoes.com.au