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Expert Q&A

	By Zac Robinson certified fitness trainer, certified youth fitness trainer and physical education teacher

My husband and I disagree on the importance of "good" tennis shoes for kids. We have two kids, 8 and 5. I think that a cheap pair of sneakers from a discount store is fine. My husband says they need a brand name shoe with "good support." What's the right answer?

We all have different life experiences, but mine have led me to believe that there are a few things you have to go with the best on: charcoals, toilet paper and shoes. The feet have the job of supporting us just about all day every day, so we need to take care of them. As a PE teacher, I've noticed that almost every time one of my students hurts a foot or ankle they are wearing shoes that are not the greatest for activity. I'm guessing your kids are very active, so I would suggest ensuring that they get good shoes to keep those feet healthy. Also, consider that when applying force to the ground when running, jumping and playing, the foot is the contact point. Shoes that may not provide the right kind of support can start a chain reaction of issues in the ankles, knees, even hips.

Now in saying all this, I can appreciate that shoes are very expensive and kid's feet grow fast. (I have a 5-year-old, and his feet seem to be getting bigger by the second.) So it may not be practical to fork over $400 or $500 a year for shoes. If this is the case, you can get a lesser quality shoe and still be OK if you make sure that the shoe fits like it is suppose to and maybe purchase some good insoles to improve support.

Here are some suggestions on proper shoe fit from the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, the Nation Shoe Retailers Association and the Pedorthic Footwear Association:

• Sizes vary among shoe brands and styles. Don't select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe. Judge the shoe by how it fits on your foot.
• Select a shoe that conforms as nearly as possible to the shape of your foot.
• Have your feet measured regularly. The size of your feet changes as you grow older.
• Have BOTH feet measured. Most people have one foot larger than the other. Fit to the largest foot.
• Fit at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
• Stand during the fitting process and check that there is adequate space (3/8" to 1/2") for your longest toe at the end of each shoe.
• Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part (ball pocket) of the shoe.
• Don't purchase shoes that feel too tight, expecting them to "stretch" to fit.
• Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with a minimum amount of slippage.
• Walk in the shoe to make sure it fits and feels right! (Fashionable shoes CAN be comfortable!)

I hope this helps. Thanks for the question, and good luck!

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