Step Into the School Year With Properly Fitting Shoes

(NewsUSA) - As the summer heat abates and the back-to-school rush intensifies, parents are hitting the stores to get their kids dressed for academic success.

According to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans spent $6.6 billion on back-to-school shopping at family clothing stores in August 2005, the last year that data is available.

When it comes to shopping for new shoes, quality and comfort are key factors. But with so many styles and brands to choose from, finding a pair of shoes that sets your children's soles at ease can seem like a daunting task.

The American Podiatric Medical Association offers the following tips to keep in mind when you take your kids shoe-shopping:

* Listen and learn. Don't be overbearing when shopping for your children's shoes; let them voice their preference and opinion. Letting a child have a say in the shoe-buying process promotes healthy foot habits down the road.

* Shop later in the day. Feet tend to swell during the day, so it's best to shop for your child's shoes in the afternoon.

* Comfort comes first. Shoes should be comfortable immediately, so if your child says a pair of shoes is uncomfortable, don't bank on a break-in period.

* Always buy for the larger foot. Feet are seldom precisely the same size, so be sure to measure both of your child's feet and then buy shoes that best fit the larger size. Also, make sure that your child is trying on shoes with socks or tights, if that's how they'll be worn.

* Test the shoes you are considering. Once you've found a pair of shoes that you and your child agree upon, do a quick series of tests to make sure that the shoes are high-quality and won't harm your child's feet.

First, pinch both sides of the shoes' heel counter, that back part of a shoe just above the sole. The heel counter should be firm and resistant to collapsing.

Next, check for toe flexibility. The shoe should bend with your toes. It should never be too stiff or bend too much.

Finally, select a shoe with a rigid middle. Hold the shoe by both ends and try to twist it. A high-quality pair of shoes should never twist in the middle.

For more information on foot care, visit www.apma.org.

"Article By: NewsUSA"