There are a lot of myths when it comes to kids growing up. Therefore, there are also a lot of myths about kids’ shoes in the footwear industry. Despite good intentions, myths are often just fairy tale talk. In addition, we are more inclined to believe something if it is written down.
And over time, it becomes difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. For that reason, parents often wonder if they are making the right choice when it comes to their kids’ shoes.
In our blog, we are going to discuss the 5 most common myths about shoes that have circulated for years. Let’s dive in!
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#1 Buy Bigger Shoes So Kids Can Wear them Longer
So probably the most common myth about kids’ shoes is this one. Even though this might sound good in theory, in practice, it’s nothing like that.
The tale goes something like this: if you buy them bigger size shoes, they will wear them longer and eventually grow into them. Again, sounds good and, honestly, cost-effective, but let’s see why this is a mistake.
Clothing and kids’ shoes cannot be grouped. While bigger clothes are often fine for kids, bigger fitting shoes will not provide the needed support. This will mostly result in kids’ feet sliding in their footwear or oftentimes coming off of their little feet. Oversized shoes can also pose a trip hazard, are prone to risky injuries, and can even shake up kids’ confidence about their physical abilities.
Remember, this implies to all types of kids’ shoes, from those summer footwear to winter boots.
#2 Second-hand Shoes are Fine
Often, families with two or more kids are prone to this myth. And we understand why. Sometimes your first kid outgrows new shoes so fast, that your second child can use that hand-me-down.
This is not the best option because each kid’s foot is different and their shoes are molded according to it. When you pass those used, already-molded shoes to another kid, there’s a big chance they won’t fit even if it’s the right size. Also, even if they fit, there is a chance that after some time the shoes will become uncomfortable and make blisters.
Try it yourself, try someone else’s shoes and you feel the bumps, creases, and digging in of the insole. The reason for this is that the shoes are molded to fit that other person’s foot, not yours. Kids’ shoes are no different. While some kids will have bigger feet, someone will have wider feet or different foot anatomy in general.
In this case, even your kids will not have the same footbed. If you decide to go with this theory, there is a big chance that shoes will cause poor foot development, blisters, sore feet, and even poor body posture.
#3 The Sturdier the Sole, the Better the Support
A lot of parents think that sturdier soles are better, especially for those first baby shoes. But, let us ask you something, have you ever walked in a pair of clogs?
When we walk, our feet move a lot and are very flexible. And, when it comes to kids’ feet, they are actually more flexible because their bones are still not fully developed. As a matter of fact, kids’ feet are still cartilage.
This is why kids’ shoes need to be more soft and flexible instead of sturdy. That’s why many pediatricians recommend for new walkers be barefoot or opt for those barefoot shoes.
Babies and younger kids should wear soft-soled shoes that allow them to feel the different surfaces underneath their feet. This means that kids should wear shoes with sufficient flexibility and a good rubber sole to prevent slipping when they are playing and running around.
#4 Shopping Online is a Risk
Everything online can be a risk to a certain degree. This means that if you are shopping in an inconvenient, unverified, and unreliable shoe store, can be questionable.
Luckily, there are many, many, reliable, and great-quality online shoe stores, e.g., Nike, Adidas, where you can find amazing deals for your little one. Also, these stores usually have a size chart with the exact numbers and measurements for each pair of footwear they offer. To match the size of your kids’ feet with the size of the shoes you want to buy online, all you have to do is use the Footmeter.
The whole process will become much easier since you can measure your kids’ feet reliably and accurately with online one click! And before you know with, you will be scrolling done that sizing chart to find the perfect match.
No more dragging your kids around shoe shops and dealing with unnecessary kicking and screaming. Online shopping makes it easy for any parent to buy the right size of your kids’ favorite shoes without worrying about them not fitting. And do not forget that if you are still uncertain about the shoe size, you can always contact the retailer for additional information and advice. One more advantage is that even if you somehow miss the size, almost all online stores offer return options.
#5 Opt for Cheap Footwear Since Kids Will Outgrow them Anyway
Probably one of the most popular myths about kids’ shoes. Yes, kids grow up fast and so do their feet. And there is a big possibility that kids will outgrow their shoes before they got a chance to rip them. For that reason, parents usually opt for cheaper shoes. We understand that and it is a reasonable thing from the costing side. However, oftentimes, these low-quality shoes can cause some issues that are much harder to correct later in life.
The problem is that these shoes do not have the right soles, the right comfortability, and support, and very often do not have insoles at all. Also, these poorly made shoes do not protect kids’ feet nor adequately aid in certain situations. They are usually constructed from poor-quality materials like plastic that will crack or split before you know it. This, it is expected that these pair of shoes will probably last a week or two and you will need to make another purchase.
In most cases, the idea of saving money on shoes is lost because you have to replace the same shoe in the same size just a few weeks later. Which, at the end of the day, will cost you the same as if you bought the quality shoes in the first place.
If you opt for good-quality shoes, your kid will have the proper support while the suitable materials will allow kids’ feet to breathe and prevent stinky feet. Also, these shoes will last much longer and they will have the proper rubber soles for better flexibility and coordinated foot movement.
As a result, all of these features contribute greatly to promoting good foot development and preventing any further foot complications.
In Conclusion for Myths About Kids’ Shoes
Myths about kids’ shoes are omnipresent in our society. While some love believing in them, others do tend to discuss them and even agree that these are just misconceptions.
For that reason, we decided to make this blog and clarify the most common myths about kids’ footwear. We can’t deny that the majority of them can be justified, there are reasons that we actually should not do that. All we have do is play smart!
