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Choosing the Right TYPE of Shoe:

• Materials matter: Leather, suede and canvas are the most durable and breathable materials for athletic shoes. Synthetic materials don't allow the foot to "breathe" and may even contribute to skin diseases and foot odor.
• Be sport-specific: Shoes are designed specifically based on the demands of that sport. For instance, running shoes are designed for forward movement and have extra cushioning, while tennis shoes are meant to support side-to-side motion

-- Basketball - extra cushioning, good lateral support.

-- Skateboard shoes - have extra stitching where most shoes would crack under the specific pressures of the sport.

When Cleats are required:

Cleats can cause problems in young players, especially ages 9-13, when there are not enough cleats on the heel. This can lead to excess pressure and heel pain. Look for shoes with multiple cleats on the heel to help alleviate this problem. In order to reduce knee and ankle injuries, it may help to choose shoes with shorter cleats on them, no more than a half inch long for younger players.

• Count the cleats: Soccer shoes can contribute to heel pain in adolescents. The limited number of cleats in the heel of the shoe can cause excessive pressure on the growth plate of the child's heel. Many soccer players between the ages of 9 and 13 complain of heel pain that worsens with side-to-side pressure. Shoes with multiple cleats at the heel can help to alleviate this problem, but can be difficult to find.
• Keep cleats short: Shorter cleats on football and soccer shoes may help to reduce knee and ankle injuries. For young players, cleats should be no more than one-half inch long.

Tips for Buying Kids Athletic Shoes

• Be sport-specific: For comfort and injury prevention, children who regularly participate in a sport should wear shoes designed specifically for the demands of that sport. For example, tennis shoes are designed for side-to-side motion, while running shoes are made for forward momentum and have extra cushioning.
• Keep some wiggle room: When shopping for athletic shoes for kids, remember the basics of good fit. There should be a thumb's width from the tip of the child's toe to the end of the shoe. The toes should have room to wiggle freely. The heel of the shoe should not slip off the foot as the child walks or runs.
• Put a sock in it: If specific socks are required as part of a uniform, it is important to wear these socks, or ones of the same thickness, to try on the shoes.
• Look for function and fit:

-- Cushion the blow - Look for good quality athletic shoes that have adequate support and cushioning.

-- Fit the arch - Running shoes in particular come with a variety of arch supports. Knowing what type of arch the child's foot has--high, medium, or low--can help in selecting the most comfortable and supportive shoe.

-- Provide for pronation - For some children who have flat feet or who pronate excessively, special orthotic inserts may be beneficial.

• Measure fit:

-- Measure both feet

-- Measure standing up

-- LACE UP - Lacing shoes correctly is important. It is helpful to lace through each top eyelet twice to ensure a more snug fit and decrease slippage. Children must be careful not to tie laces too tight, as this may cause injury to the nerves or tendons on the top of the foot and ankle.

• Cross trainers work: For a general athletic shoe, cross trainers are a suitable choice.
• Start prevention early...change is good! Shoes used for sports should be examined for signs of wear and replaced when necessary.
• Take a walk: Have your child walk around in the shoes to make sure that they don't hit the ankle bones or have seams that rub against the foot. A hint for those with hard to fit feet is buying some instant shoe stretching liquid. Most shoe stores and shoe makers have it in stock. Apply it to the shoe while it's being worn and the leather shapes to the foot.
• Bigger is NOT better: Though it may seem children quickly outgrow their shoes, Habershaw cautions against buying shoes that are too big. "A loose fit can cause painful calluses and sores by allowing too much movement in the shoe," he added. On the other hand, shoes that are too small can cause an abnormal gait that can misalign growing bones in the feet.

If the shoe DOESN'T fit: If shoes don't fit properly, it can cause a number of problems. The increased pressure may lead to:

• Blisters
• Curling or clawing of the toes
• Bunions
• Corns
• Calluses
• Pinched nerves
• Ingrown toenails

Besides causing pain and discomfort that can affect athletic performance, the wrong size shoes can result in foot problems and cause further injuries down the road.

If your child has foot pain that persists 12 hours after she takes off her shoes, you should see a doctor in case there is a potentially more serious problem.

Tips for buying athletic shoes from Nike:

Ages one to three:

• Outgrow their shoes 4 times in a year. From the time a child begins walking (around age 1 and a children's size 5) up until a children's size 10, he outgrows his shoes about four times a year. As a result, it often makes more sense for you to buy seasonal shoes in slightly larger whole sizes than to worry about half sizes, since your child will inevitably outgrow them in a short period of time.
• Outgrow shoes before wearing them out. Because a child's feet are growing so fast, they don't have time to wear them out before they need to get new ones.
• Leave good hand-me-down shoes. Because a child this young outgrows his shoes so fast, they will most likely received very little wear affecting the structure of the shoe. As a result, they leave ideal shoes for handing down

Ages four to eight:

• Put more wear and tear on shoes. Kids in this age group begin to put a lot more wear and tear on their shoes. The shoes get scuffed and beat up more as kids begin such activities as riding bikes.
• Outgrow their shoes about every 6 months. Kids outgrow their shoes less often.
• Leave shoes less suitable for hand-me-downs. Because of the increased wear and tear, the shoes might be so worn out you can't hand them down

Ages nine to 12:

Outgrow shoes about every 12 months. 8 and 9 year-old kids (at the top end of youth sizes and moving into men's and women's sizing) may outgrow shoes every 12 months instead of every 6.

Wear shoes out before outgrowing them. This is an age when athletic use tends to become heavy. Kids may begin to develop favorite shoes that they don't want to part with. It becomes especially important for parents to keep an eye on the condition of their kid's shoes.

The Teenage Years:

• Foot growth slows.
• Increased hormones cause sweat and odor, so you need to factor that in to quality of shoe and frequency for changing shoes.
• Shoe wear and tear is high. At this point kids become hard on all their clothes, and their lifestyle may be putting a high level of wear and tear on their shoes, since they serve many roles, including school and higher-level athletics.
• Special shoes just for sports are recommended. "It may be best for these kids to have shoes exclusively for sports and to be keenly aware of when the shoes need to be replaced.

Orthotics: Popular But Unnecessary?

While orthotics (shoe inserts prescribed by orthopedists or podiatrists) are the latest rage, Dr. Frey feels that in most cases they are unnecessary. Given the quality design of most shoes today, and assuming you buy the proper shoe for your child and get a correct fit, you don't need to spend money for orthotics.

Children who are likely to benefit the most from orthotics, says Dr. Frey, are those who:

• Over-pronate (their feet tip in)
• Have flat feet (Note, however, that a new study has raised serious questions about whether orthotics are necessary for flat feet or that they will help athletic performance).
• Have shin splints [4], or
• Are experiencing arch pain or strain
• For children needing extra ankle support, look for shoes with good heel stability. "People with high arches tend to have more ankle sprains/rolls, and need a stable shoe like a high top or high profile shoe," explains Dr. Frey.