It might seem early but with the start of school around the corner, it is important to make sure that children are getting the proper sizes for their athletic wear. If child plays sports or is involved in extracurricular activities it is important to be aware of proper shoe size and shoe fit for athletic wear. If you are wearing the wrong size shoes, it can have both a short and long term impact on the feet and your ability to play. Ill-fitting shoes can wreak havoc the foot and can be the potential starting point for bunions, calluses and corns. Improper shoes can also cause shin splints, loss of toenails, blisters or ankle, knee or ligament issues long term. So what should you look for in athletic wear; Foot Locker has sizing information on website which correlates to most sports played in the US.
Foot Locker highlights guidelines for basketball, baseball, football, soccer, cheer even walking shoes. They suggest that you look at your width, toe and heel areas so that you can have the best fit for the activity the shoes are being worn to participate in. As a general rule, most shoes should have a between a .25 to .50 inches from the tip of the shoe to the toe. Toes should be able to wiggle with ease and no cramping in the shoe. A few sports like wrestling, track & field and lacrosse need the shoe to fit like a glove so that the toes can move comfortably when they wearer is standing.
The general rule for the width is that the foot should fit comfortably in the shoe with not a lot of play across the upper and midsole. There really should be not tightness in the arch of the foot otherwise the shoe will not be comfortable for the wearer. This is also important when looking at the rotational traction while moving from side to side or changing direction. The shoe should fit comfortably without hindering movement.
The heel is very important in that you don’t want the heel to affect the Achilles tendon. This makes it very difficult to wear the shoes long term and can cut into the Achilles tendon which when worn for even a couple of hours can cause blistering or pain in the heel which can take weeks or even months to heal.
If possible, wear the shoes and perform movement associated with the sport you are purchasing the shoes for. Ask the salesperson, if it is possible to wear the shoes in the grass or outside. While wearing the shoes run, pivot, stop, change directions and see how comfortable the shoes feel in action. If your foot slips while wearing or feels uncomfortable then consider a different size, width or style. Our feet our load bearing and deserve great support.