Healthy foot development is vital for kids just learning how to navigate the world. Proper walking patterns should be promoted with adequate foot support from an early age.
At Prenta Shoes, our mission is to design shoes with children’s foot health and development at the forefront of our minds. This is why we incorporate flexible outsoles for durability and protection, and cushioned insoles for comfort and support. This is also why our range of shoes are podiatrist-approved, meaning they’re recommended by foot health experts to support healthy foot growth.
Why podiatrist-recommended shoes are important for children
Podiatrist-recommended shoes are important for children to avoid restricting your child’s growth from an early age.
Usually from the age of 9 months to 6 years, baby first walking shoes, girls first walker shoes and boys first walker shoes are recommended by podiatrists to prevent foot-related problems down the line, including things like:
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Hammer toe
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Ingrown toenails
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Poor posture
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Poor gait
Once children have developed problems such as poor gait (walking movement patterns) or poor posture, it can be much harder to rectify the problem. This means that sometimes these problems never go away, or inhibit your child’s daily life. As a result, podiatrist-recommended shoes (designed specifically to counteract these problems from an early age) are a very important investment to make.
Read our guide to determine when babies need first walker shoes.
Shop Our Podiatrist-Recommended Footwear!
What advice do podiatrists on the NHS give for children’s footwear?
NHS podiatrists generally recommend that shoes aren’t needed until children begin to walk. This is why most of our first walker collections begin at 9 months, as this is the earliest most children begin to find their feet and need that extra support.
An NHS page for footwear advice for children advises that adequate fastenings are also very important. The reason for this is to prevent the foot from sliding around within the shoe, ill fitting shoes can cause numerous foot health issues. That’s why most shoes we offer feature either rip-tape, meaning that an adjustable fit is possible. We also have a double loop back strap that can accommodate both narrow and wide feet.
Also, it’s recommended that shoes are reasonably flexible around the heel and the soles, ensuring proper support and foot shaping. Again, Prenta Shoes fit this bill with our cushioned ankle collars, as well as heel and toe bumpers. This means that little feet are provided with enough support and protection, but aren’t overly restricted for movement and development.
The correct fit is also vital. Learn how to measure your child’s feet at home.
Potential problems for kids with poor shoe choices
There are a number of potential issues which can arise for kids with poor shoe choices, ranging from short term to long term:
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Blisters and skin irritation
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Ingrown toenails
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Corns/calluses
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Foot deformities (Hammer toes, bunions and other deformities)
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Incorrect posture and gait - These issues can also travel further up the body, leading to issues with the knees, hips and more.
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Musculoskeletal issues - Usually as an extension of poor posture or foot deformities, long term issues such as back pain can arise.
What types of shoes are most recommended by podiatrists?
Most recommended by podiatrists are shoes which are relatively lightweight, and contain features which add to support and durability.
Kids are active, often on their feet for long periods; especially as they start to get older. This is why podiatrists recommend durable shoes, such as our unisex kids collection, which are strong enough to maintain their benefits in the long run, meaning your kids will be able to wear them until they grow out of them!
Podiatrists also recommend soft soles for ultimate flexibility, maximum breathability (which our shoes provide through mesh lining and breathable leathers) and a small amount of excess space in the toes to prevent rubbing or restriction.
Read more about children’s foot health in our detailed guide.
The best podiatrist-approved toddler and kids shoes
Atlas
One of our most recommended shoes for first walkers are the Atlas Rose Gold Metallic First Walker Shoes (rose gold are our best sellers, but these also come in Pink, Navy, Black and Tan!). These cute podiatrist-approved shoes feature a wide toe box for added comfort, and have highly grippy soles to cushion footfalls for young walkers.
Rest assured that your child’s feet are developing healthily with the t-bar style and double loop back rip-tape fastenings which allow for a comfortable, adjustable fit!
Orion
For confident toddlers, we’d suggest the Orion Black Suede Kids Boots for a slightly chunkier option. Crafted from flexible leather, a ‘happy toe zone’ ensures peace of mind for fast growing feet, with cushioned ankle collars to provide cushioning for active children. As always, these boots are designed to support healthy and happy feet in the long term.
Comet
Another great choice, especially for school shoes, check out the Comet Black Leather Boys Kids Shoes.
For school aged children who are most active, the right footwear choice is even more vital. That’s why we designed our school shoes with durable leather uppers, as well as sturdy soles with cushioned insoles for long-term comfort. Don’t forget, these shoes are also highly-breathable!
Aurora
Last but not least, we know you’ll love our podiatrist-approved Aurora Navy Leather Girls Shoes thanks to their stylish design on top of their foot health benefits. These girls' shoes are perfect for growing feet because of the extra space in the toe box, and cushioned ankle collars which ensure secure feet are not too restricted.