Thursday, September 1, 2016

5 Tips for Making Children's Shoes Last Longer

1. Purchase shoes with inserts that allow you to adjust the size of the shoes
Some shoes come with inserts that will make the shoe 1/2 size smaller.  As your child grows, you remove the insert. This is a great way to make shoes last longer, especially when children are going through growth spurts.

2. Purchase shoes that are machine washable
We all know that children will stress test their shoes in sandboxes, parks, mud, and more. Personally, our son cannot resist jumping in puddles when it rains. We purchase machine washable shoes so that it is easy to keep his shoes looking and smelling fresh. Each pair of washable shoes should come with instructions. The typical steps that we have followed in the past include removing the insoles from the shoes before placing them in the washing machine. We wash them on a gentle cycle with cold water and regular detergent.  We let them air dry in our laundry room and add the inserts back once the shoes are dry.


3. Look for breathable shoes and use good sanitary practices
Breathable shoes are important for both comfort and cleanliness, especially if the shoes are your child's primary pair of shoes.  You should select shoes that allow their feet to breath. Your child should always wear socks with their shoes. When the shoes are not in use, make sure that you leave them as open as possible so that they have the chance to air out.

4. Look for shoes that offer good support and that are flexible
Children grow rapidly and good footwear support is critical.  You want to check that the shoes are durable, comfortable, and provide good support.You should be able to bend the soles, especially across the ball of their foot. You also want to make sure that the sole will not separate from the shoe.

5. Do not allow your child to form the habit of putting their shoes on without unfastening them first
If you want shoes to last longer, you should insist that your child unfasten their shoes before trying to shove their feet into them. You don't want them to stretch or tear the back of their shoe.

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