Start-Rite Shoes is drawing attention to the importance of professionally fitted school shoes, following new research that suggests many children could be wearing footwear that is too large or poorly fitted.

The survey by Start-Rite found that 61% of parents admit to buying school shoes “slightly too big so their child could grow into them.” Meanwhile, 31% rely only on pressing their thumb against the big toe to check fit, and 38% do not consider foot width when buying school shoes.

Karen Randell, clinical director of Randell’s Footcare, warns that poor footwear choices during childhood can increase the risk of long-term foot problems.

“Poor footwear choices during childhood significantly increase the risk of long-term foot deformities and chronic pain,” she says. “Footwear, especially in the developing foot, is crucial for healthy development.”

Randell says issues linked to poorly fitting footwear can include ingrown toenails, corns and calluses, chronic heel pain and nail trauma. She also highlights that ill-fitting shoes during the growing years can contribute to longer-term structural problems, including clawed toes, hammer toes and overlapping toes.

Start-Rite’s research also indicates that four in 10 schoolchildren have complained that their shoes hurt. Despite 72% of parents saying they know badly fitting footwear can affect a child’s knees, hips and spine, the brand says many still choose larger shoes in the hope of extending wear.

 

 

Callum Linger, brand trainer at Start-Rite, says this approach can prove a false economy.

“The instinct to save time and money by buying shoes half a size to a full size bigger for ‘room to grow’ can end up costing more in the long run,” he says. “When shoes don’t fit properly, the foot moves unnaturally inside the shoe, which can rub the skin sore and create wear and tear in areas of the shoe not designed for pressure.”

The survey further found that a third of parents buy three or more pairs of school shoes for their child each year. For retailers, Start-Rite says the findings reinforce the value of fit expertise, width choice, guidance around growing room and access to accurate measuring tools.

Linger adds that Start-Rite school shoes are designed with calculated growing room while holding the foot securely at the ankle and allowing the toes to move comfortably at the front of the shoe. The brand is also directing families to its in-store fitting services, online Check the Fit guide and SizeWise digital measuring tool.

Additionally, the brand cautions against relying on pre-loved school shoes, noting that footwear moulds to the gait and movement of the child who originally wore it. Start-Rite found this trend was most common amongst reception-aged children, with 47% wearing pre-loved school shoes, compared with 42% across primary school and 35% in secondary school.

For further information on Start-Rite school shoes and fitting support, please click here.