How to Extend the Life of Your Child’s Shoes
Are you tired of needing to replace your child’s shoes faster than you expected to? Generally, as a rule of thumb, children should outgrow their shoes before they become destroyed, considering how fast children grow. In this article, I will provide some helpful tips regarding how to get the most out of your child’s shoes and ensure that they do not get worn out too quickly.
Children are extremely active, constantly running, jumping, and playing. This means that they rely a lot on having a good, supportive pair of shoes to enable them to have all of their fun adventures while keeping their feet and bodies healthy. Unfortunately, this also means that their shoes, specifically their everyday shoes/sneakers are likely experiencing a lot of external pressures and exposure to the elements, which can wear them down quickly. However, with the right pair of durable shoes and special yet easy care to maintain your child’s shoes, you will be able to keep your child’s shoes in good, supportive condition much longer.
Here is a link to a resource to some of the most durable shoe brands for your child. I recommend taking a look at some of these shoes and shoe brands to get a sense of what to seek out when buying long-lasting everyday shoes for your child.
The 3 Best Ways to Preserve Your Childʼs Shoes
1️⃣ Take the shoes on and off properly
It is super important that your child undoes their shoe’s shoelaces and/or Velcro straps in order to put them on and off without damaging them. The back part of the shoe, the heel counter, is extremely important as it provides sufficient support and control for your child’s feet. However, repeatedly taking shoes on and off improperly can cause this part of your child’s shoes to become worn out or misshapen much faster than necessary.
Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes. The image on the left shows a shoe that has never been worn, and the image on the right shows how the same shoe model looks like after being worn for only a month.
2️⃣ Alternating your child’s everyday shoes
If your child is very active, wearing the same pair of everyday sneakers when also participating in high-intensity sports and activities can seriously and quickly wear out their shoes. It is important for your child to have at least one pair of everyday sneakers and another pair of active sneakers or cleats in order to ensure that your child has comfortable, supportive shoes for all of their activities. Even if your child is not as into sports, I think that having two solid pairs of sneakers and alternating them is a good idea as these are the type of shoes your child will be wearing most often.
3️⃣ Ordering the correct shoe size
Lastly, ordering the incorrect shoe size will wear your child’s shoes out quickly no matter how well-made or durable the shoes actually are. If your child’s shoes do not fit properly, the shoes will quickly become worn out and damaged in an attempt to compensate and fit your child’s feet better. For example, if your child’s shoes are too narrow or too small, their shoes may become stretched out and frayed. Furthermore, wearing the incorrect shoe size will no longer be actively supporting your child’s feet and can lead to multiple foot problems.
Are You Unsure of What Shoe Size to Order?
If you are unsure of what shoe size your child is, or whether your child has narrow or wide feet, I recommend taking a look at the article below. It is important to not just get the proper shoe size but also the right type/shape of shoe because the more tailored a shoe is to your child’s specific foot shape, the longer it will last. In just two simple steps, I will be able to determine what shoe size and type your child should wear, ensuring their shoesʼ longevity!
Donʼt hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or are having trouble keeping your child’s shoes lasting or finding a pair of shoes that fit them properly:
Have you tried any of these tips and found them helpful in maintaining and or even prolonging the life of your child’s shoes? Do you have any other tips or techniques that might be useful? Let us know in the comments below so other families can benefit from your experiences.
