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5 signs it’s time to buy new shoes for your little sprog.

by Kidsports Philippines December 14, 2018

Claim it, we want to make amazing shoes kids can wear forever. Inevitably, though, your little sprog will need new shoes and this isn’t a once-in-a-blue-moon occasion. Kids’ feet have a habit of growing - fast - and kids have a habit of running their shoes into the ground. Good on them, we say, shoes should be taken on adventures and splashed in muddy puddles. But those well-loved kicks may also bring some boo boos to your kid’s feet and surely have to retire one day, so here are 5 signs it's time to buy new shoes for your child:

1.Their feet have grown

Outgrowing their shoes might be an obvious sign your child needs a new pair, but there’s a good reason we’re including it! As adults, we can barely stand up in shoes if we’ve put them on the wrong feet, but younger children just aren’t bothered by it. This is because the nerve endings in kids’ feet don’t fully develop until they’re about 5 years old. They can’t feel the pressure on their feet that tells them they’ve muddled up their lefts-and-rights, just like they can’t feel when their feet have grown too big for their shoes.

What to look for in your next pair:

Your youngin’ might not give you a hint that their shoes feel like the right size. So get your child fitted in store or use a sizing guide to work out the best size for them. Once you’ve got your new pair, keep tabs on their foot growth - kids can go up a whole in a matter of months.

2.There are holes in the soles

Check the weight of the shoe. If you think it might be a little on the heavier side, this could be the reason behind the damage. When kids wear heavy shoes, the soles tend to drag along the ground, eventually wearing through the rubber to create holes.

What to look for in your next pair:

If there are holes in the soles of your kid’s shoes, they will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. This kind of wear leaves feet vulnerable to environmental elements such as water seeping into the shoe, and it means the shoes can’t protect against things like stones and glass on the ground. When shopping for a new pair, look for shoes that are lightweight, flexible and that boast durable soles.

3.The lining is worn

There’s a myriad of reasons why kids ought to wear their correct size, and worn lining is just one of them. Worn lining is most commonly noticeable on the heel inner. You might notice holes in the lining or stitching that has come undone. This kind of wear could be the result of ill-fitting shoes that were perhaps bought a size bigger than the child’s actual shoe size. This is something many parents are guilty of, as kids grow out of their shoes too quickly for anyone’s liking. In too-big shoes, kids’ feet tend to slide around creating friction between their delicate skin and the lining of their shoes. Wear and tear doesn’t just occur on the shoe lining, it also occurs on the skin in the form of blisters.

What to look for in your next pair:

Shoes should last for as long as their wearer can fit them, so if you notice damage to the lining it could be a sign to look for quality in your next pair. Wearing the correct sized shoes can also prevent such damage. Getting your child expertly fitted into a new pair of shoes will mean they can strut their stuff in the size that’s meant for them. They’ll be more comfortable, they’ll find walking much easier, their foot development will benefit - and the shoes’ lining won’t wear from excess friction.

4.You notice blisters on their feet

Blisters are caused by friction between skin and another surface. Shoes that fit properly keep blisters at bay, but if your child is in ill-fitting shoes - either too big or too small - they might be vulnerable to the painful boo-boos. Whether caused by larger shoes letting feet slide around too much or smaller shoes fitting too tightly around the heel, blisters are nasty and they’re a definitive sign you need to get your child into some new shoes ASAP.

What to look for in your next pair:

Look for shoes that have a soft, gentle lining that won’t feel coarse against a child’s delicate skin. Breathable and ultra soft, consider leather shoes which, as well as being kind to kids’ skin, draws out moisture to keep feet dry and less prone to blisters. And, of course, get your child fitted in store or use a sizing guide to make sure they’re wearing shoes that fit.

5.They’re doing more activities

As kids move through the development stages, from crawling, to cruising, to walking, to running, to flying acrobatics (or maybe soccer), their footwear needs change. Particularly when they’re learning to walk, kids need their shoes to be up to the challenge!

What to look for in your next pair:

Before they’ve taken those memorable first steps, babies should be barefoot as often as possible. When they do wear shoes, they should be soft, lightweight and flexible enough to scrunch up in your hand. Once they’re a bit more confident on their feet, look for a shoe that’s still lightweight and flexible enough to bend in half, but that has a sole durable enough to withstand light walking. When your not-so-little one has discovered the joys of walking, running and playing, flexible and lightweight shoes should be on your radar, but make sure the soles can withstand all that activity! Kidsports range was designed specifically for active kids, so when it’s time to buy new shoes for your child, head over to kidsports.ph to find a great pair for your little adventurer!