Buying kids' school shoes
Choosing the right school shoes isn’t just about ticking off the uniform list. It’s about protecting your child’s feet through years of running, jumping, and growing. But with so many styles and price tags on the shelf, how do you know what really matters?
We asked Professor Cylie Williams, a leading podiatrist and children’s foot health researcher, and Martin Pitman from children’s shoe brand Bobux, to share their insights. From the risks of poorly fitted shoes to the design features that actually support growing feet, they break down what parents need to know before the next trip to the shoe store.
About your kids' school shoes as told by podiatrist, Cylie Williams
What are the long-term risks if children consistently wear poorly fitted school shoes?
We don’t really know the long-term effects of poorly fitted school shoes, but we do see the short-term problems. Kids might tell parents their toes hurt, or they could get blisters or even ingrown toenails. Sometimes sore feet make them less keen to run and play. Shoes that are too big can also cause trouble, as they make it more likely to trip or fall.
How do school shoes influence not just foot health, but also balance, coordination, and participation in sport?
Shoe choices can feel very personal. For most kids, school shoes are mainly about protection, keeping feet safe on hot or hard surfaces, and shielding toes from being stepped on in a busy playground. For other kids who have developmental or health needs, shoes can play additional roles on top of safety. Shoes can support stability, work with orthoses, support walking and running faster, which helps kids join in and keep up with their friends.
What early warning signs can parents watch for that a child might need professional foot care?
We all get pain from time to time. However, if a child limps, has swollen joints, or regular pain in the feet and legs, they should see a podiatrist. These are important symptoms that might indicate an issue with a child’s lower limb health. Kids who are also fatiguing more than their friends or withdrawing from playing might also benefit from seeing a health professional about their lower limb health.
Why might a podiatrist recommend different shoe types for different children, even at the same age?
Just like we all have different body shapes, kids have different foot shapes, too. Children also enjoy different sports, activities, and even have their own preferences for colours or styles. Because of this, there’s a wide variety of footwear to choose from. Shoes can differ in how flexible the back is, how firm the sole feels, or even in the overall shape, and some of these features matter more for certain children and their foot health needs.
Sometimes shoes are also part of a treatment plan. A podiatrist might recommend certain styles because of their features, such as extra support or space for orthotics, the width of the shoe, or how firm the sole is. There are also shoes designed with accessible features, like zips, which can make it easier for children to put them on themselves.
Cylie Williams, Professor of Podiatry
Cylie is an educator and researcher at Monash University in Frankston, Victoria. She is the course director of the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree and is funded to undertake children’s lower limb research. Cylie maintains a small clinical role in private practice.
About your kids' school shoes as told by shoe expert, Martin Pitman
What are the top three design features that make a school shoe supportive for growing feet?
For growing feet that are constantly developing and enduring long days of activity, a supportive school shoe is non-negotiable.
The top three design features that provide this essential support begin with a firm, stable heel counter. This is the reinforced back portion of the shoe that cups the heel, preventing excessive side-to-side movement and providing crucial stability that guides proper foot alignment.
Secondly, a supportive structure embedded in the midsole is vital. It provides arch support tailored to a child's developing foot and prevents the shoe from bending in the wrong place, ensuring it flexes only at the ball of the foot for a natural gait.
Finally, a sturdy, non-marking sole with ample grip is fundamental. It offers durable cushioning to absorb impact from running and jumping, while its traction prevents slips and falls, providing a safe and stable base for all-day wear. Together, these three features work in concert to protect young feet, promote healthy development, and withstand the rigorous demands of the schoolyard.
How do school shoes need to change as kids transition from early primary through to high school?
School shoes are far more than mere foot coverings; they are silent witnesses to a child's growth, evolving significantly in form and function as students transition from their early primary years through to high school.
In early primary, the focus is overwhelmingly on robust durability, ease of use, and foundational foot health. Shoes for these tiny adventurers need to withstand relentless playground activity, countless scuffs, and rapid growth spurts.
Features like easy-to-manage Velcro fasteners are useful, allowing young children to achieve independence, while lightweight, flexible yet supportive soles are crucial for developing arches and promoting natural movement. Comfort is non-negotiable for little feet that are constantly exploring.
As children move into later primary and early high school, their shoes begin to reflect a more complex set of demands. While durability and support remain critical – now for longer school days, heavier backpacks, and more structured physical activities – an emerging awareness of style and peer influence enters the equation. Laces become more common, offering a more secure fit, and materials might shift to sturdier leathers or synthetics designed for longevity. The challenge here is balancing a uniform-compliant aesthetic with a child's budding desire for footwear that feels "cool" and contributes to their self-identity, without compromising on ergonomic design for growing feet and bodies.
By the time students reach senior high school, their school shoes need to be a sophisticated blend of resilience, comfort, and understated style. These shoes are expected to endure long hours, often with significant walking or standing, and must offer advanced support for mature, but still active, feet. Quality materials and craftsmanship become a priority, as teens and their parents seek a shoe that is an investment in both comfort and appearance, capable of lasting through intense academic years. While still adhering to school uniform policies, senior students often gravitate towards classic, well-designed models that offer a subtle expression of personal style, reflecting their growing independence and more discerning tastes.
The journey of a school shoe, therefore, mirrors the journey of the child: from simple, functional necessity to an integrated part of their nuanced identity.
What’s one surprising mistake parents and carers often make when it comes to sizing or buying shoes?
Among the myriad challenges of parenting, buying shoes for rapidly growing children often feels like a guessing game.
However, one surprisingly prevalent and well-intentioned mistake many parents make revolves around the seemingly simple "thumb test" for length. What seems like a logical check—pressing a thumb between the child's longest toe and the end of the shoe—is often profoundly misleading. The critical oversight is a child's natural reflex to curl their toes when pressure is applied to the top of their foot. This instinctive action can create the illusion of ample room, even when the toes are cramped and uncomfortably pressed against the shoe's front. Beyond just length, this test completely ignores crucial aspects like width, instep depth, and overall foot stability. A seemingly "correct" thumb-test shoe might still be too narrow, causing painful pressure points, or too wide, allowing the foot to slide and rub.
Instead of relying on this unreliable method, the more accurate approach involves professional measurement while the child is standing and weight-bearing, ideally at the end of the day when feet are slightly larger. A trained fitter will not only measure length but also width, and will feel around the entire shoe, ensuring there's adequate space without excessive movement, checking the heel grip, and feeling for pressure points.
Prioritising a proper, holistic fit over the deceptively simple thumb test is paramount for supporting healthy foot development, preventing discomfort, and avoiding long-term orthopaedic issues in growing children.
How can parents and carers tell the difference between a shoe that looks sturdy versus one that will protect a child’s feet all year?
Parents often face a common dilemma when buying children's shoes: distinguishing between a pair that simply looks sturdy and one that genuinely offers all-year protection and support. A shoe that merely appears robust – perhaps due to its chunky sole or heavy materials – can be deceptive. True protective qualities lie in specific design elements and construction rather than just bulk.
To tell the difference, focus on function over aesthetics. Firstly, a truly protective shoe will offer flexibility at the ball of the foot, allowing for natural movement, while remaining firm through the mid-sole to provide crucial arch support. Test this by trying to bend the shoe: it should bend easily where the toes meet the foot, but resist bending in the middle.
Secondly, check for a firm heel counter, which stabilises the heel and ankle. Squeeze the back of the shoe; it should feel rigid and unyielding, not soft or collapsible.
Thirdly, the toe box should be wide and deep enough for toes to wiggle freely, preventing compression and allowing for proper foot development.
Fourth, the sole needs a good grip to prevent slips and falls, but also possesses some cushioning without being overly rigid. Finally, prioritise breathable materials like natural leather or mesh, which help regulate temperature and prevent moisture build-up – a common cause of discomfort and fungal issues, regardless of how "sturdy-looking" a synthetic shoe might be.
Ultimately, a shoe that protects is one that fits correctly, supports natural movement, and is constructed from materials that combine durability with breathability, ensuring healthy foot development throughout the year.
Martin Pitman, a seasoned expert and strategic foresight of a highly accomplished engineering manager for MFG, boasting a 25-year international career
Bobux stands out as a pioneering children's shoe brand, renowned for its unwavering commitment to healthy foot development from the very first steps.
More than just footwear, Bobux offers a philosophy rooted in supporting the natural growth and movement of tiny feet, often drawing inspiration from the benefits of being barefoot. Central to their approach is the design of shoes with flexible soles, soft, breathable leathers, and anatomically correct shapes that allow for unrestricted movement, balance, and sensory feedback – all crucial for developing strong, confident walkers.
From their ultra-soft "Soft Soles" for pre-walkers, through "Step Up" for first walkers, "I-Walk" for confident cruisers, and "Kid+" for active older children, Bobux provides innovative, stage-specific ranges. Each collection is meticulously crafted to support the unique needs of a child's foot at different developmental milestones, combining podiatrist-approved science with durable materials and stylish designs, making them a trusted choice for parents seeking comfort, protection, and optimal foot health for their little ones.
