The feet take quite a pounding during walking. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, an average day of walking puts a combined force of several hundred tons on the feet.

With so much stress and risk for injury, it’s important to protect the feet. We’ve come a long way from the animal skins and wraps used to protect the feet in ancient societies. Today's are sophisticated and trendy, providing protection, comfort, support and style. The American Apparel and Footwear Association reports Americans purchased more than 2.4 billion pairs of shoes in 2006.

Choosing Shoes for School Children

The National Education Association estimates more than 50 million children will be enrolled in grades K-12 this year. As the time nears for the start of a new school year, the back-to-school shopping season heats up. Shoes have become a very important part of a child’s fashion statement. In fact, in 2006, more than 3.16 million pairs of shoes were purchased just for children.

Choosing shoes for children can sometimes be a challenge. Children often prefer fashion over comfort. Parents tend to weigh on the side of practicality and cost. All personal preferences aside, Kieran Mahan, D.P.M., a Podiatrist with Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, recommends looking for a shoe with some flexibility (the front of the shoe should bend slightly when walking) and a moderate amount of stiffness at the back (to support the heel). He prefers a supportive sneaker or Oxford because these shoe styles provide comfort and support in the classroom and on the playground. Mahan also recommends choosing a shoe with breathable materials to prevent buildup of moisture inside the shoe, which can increase the risk of athlete’s foot. Children who select synthetic materials or shoes that don’t readily breathe should have more than one pair, then rotate their use to allow each pair to dry out thoroughly. Mahan discourages passing shoes down through the family or wearing someone else’s shoes because infections, like athlete’s foot or plantar warts, can be carried in the shoes and transmitted to the new wearer.

Children have different foot shapes and shoe needs. The American Podiatric Medical Association has some tips to help parents choose the best shoe for a child: 1. Check the shoe size while the child is standing (the foot tends to spread slightly while standing as opposed to sitting).

2. Wear socks while trying on shoes. Socks take up a little more room inside the shoe. Mahan also recommends socks to absorb moisture and reduce the risk of rubbing inside the shoe.

3. Make sure there is about a thumb’s width of space (about one-half inch) at the front of the shoe to allow room for the toes to spread and the child’s foot to grow. There should be enough room to wiggle the toes inside the shoe. Shoes that are too tight can put pressure on the feet that leads to problems walking, development of a foot deformity or ingrown toenails.

4. Try on both shoes. One foot could be slightly larger than the other. If so, pick the shoes that fit the larger sized foot.

5. Have the child walk around for a few minutes while wearing the shoes. There should be no irritation, pain or discomfort while walking. If the shoe slips on and off at the heel, you may need a smaller shoe or one with a narrower/stiffer heel base.

Once shoes are purchased, keep an eye on wear patterns. Mahan says most children either outgrow or wear-out their shoes before the end of the school year. Uneven wear on the heel, flattening of the arch or foot discomfort may be signs that it’s time to start looking for a new pair of shoes.

For general information on children’s feet and shoe selection:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, public website

American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society

American Podiatric Medical Association