Start-Rite Technical Development & Fitting Manager, Wayne Lubbock, has over 30 years’ experience in his field and is passionate about making children’s shoes that provide the correct support to enable the child to grow healthily.

If you have bought quality shoes, you can expect them to last until the child outgrows them. If you are unsure if the pair of shoes a child is wearing are still fit for purpose, Wayne has provided five important factors below to check for erosion.

Start-Rite children’s shoes are designed with the child in mind, so each contact point must provide the correct flexibility, support and protection.

1. Sole Unit

Examine the tread. Is the pattern worn down? Similarly to tyre treads, the treads on shoes help your little ones to maintain traction while walking and running about. The soles of your shoes are designed to protect the underside of your foot, so thickness is important not only for grip but also to protect the child from harsh everyday environments.

2. Insole or Footbed

Checking the insole will help you to establish if your child’s shoes are too small for them. As a general rule, there should be about 12 to 15mm of space between the toe imprint on the insole and the toe end. This is the magic ‘growing room’ we talk about at Start-Rite. If the big toe area has worn through, it’s time to replace the insole. This area is designed to support your little one’s foot, so if it’s misshapen, it’s no longer fit for purpose.

3. Upper stitching

Is the upper stitching still connected? Lower quality pairs of shoes often use stitching that wears more quickly and will compromise the protective qualities of the shoe. Because this is so important, at Start-Rite we use twin rows of stitching for added security.

4. Fastenings

Have they loosened? Is the rip-tape intact? The fastenings should be capable of holding your child’s foot in position inside the shoe without your little one needing to grip the inside of the shoe with their toes.

5. Top line or the ‘padded collar’ at the back of the shoe

If the collar or ‘back part’ is eroded, the shoe cannot support the heel and the foot will start to slip around inside. Start-Rite uses methods and materials so that the back of the shoe grips the heel in place to provide growing room and comfort for the toes at the front of the shoe.

When you do purchase children’s shoes, the most important factor is to choose carefully to protect your investment – the right style for the shape of the foot and the correct measurement are two important elements that will help the shoes last longer. We have created a handy 8-point Check-the-Fit guide. Following these eight rules will ensure you get the very best fit to protect your child for as long as possible.