5 Tips for Choosing Shoes for Teens

Written by Michelle Champlin BSc Pod., M.Ch.S., S.R., Ch., (UK)
Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to short and long term foot damage from shoes, because their foot bones continue to grow and form through adolescence – the bones are still soft so can be malformed from ill fitting footwear. This article provides our Chief Podiatrist Michelle Champlin’s top tips on what to look out for when choosing footwear for teens. You can also read more specifically on school shoes, as well as our advice on different shoe styles for teens, from skater shoes to ballet bumps.

1. Activity Appropriate
Basketball shoes are different than ballet shoes for a reason. Sports-specific shoes help protect against injury by providing appropriate support specific to the types of movements and forces for the sport. Basketball shoes, for instance, provide extra ankle support, because the movements from side to side that are typical in basketball put strain on the ankles. Netball shoes such as Asics Netburners have pivot areas on the soles. Running shoes are designed for straight ahead movement (rather than lateral) with varying levels of cushioning and flexibility.
2. Get Fitted
If you need an athletic shoe, visit a store that specializes in athletic footwear. The assistants there can help you find a shoe that’s appropriate for your foot, your gait, and your sport. Look for a shoe that fits your foot, but don’t get hung up on size. Shoe sizes, like clothes sizes, can vary from brand to brand. Different brands use different foot models or ‘lasts’ to make them so what fits your friend well may not fit you. Try on everything from Adidas to Nike, Asics and Reebok. You want a pair of shoes that fits comfortably on the first try. Your feet are not usually the same size. Make sure that you always buy shoes based on your larger foot’s size. You should never have to break-in a pair of athletic shoes. Make sure there is plenty of room in the toe box, so that toenails don’t get bruised or ingrown from repetitively hitting off the inside of the shoe. Read our 10 shoe buying tips.
For school shoes, look for something in a natural, breathable fabric, with a strap, Velcro or laces to hold it firmly in place, with a small low heel and a deep toe-box or front of the shoe that does not squash the toes. Clarks have trained shoe fitters and measurers even for teenagers.
3. Check the Support
The best shoes support the foot, front and back. Backless shoes (mules, flip flops etc) alter the way you walk, and that can cause foot injuries and discomfort and even encourage over-pronation and other biomechanical issues. We’re not saying you have to give up your flip-flops; check out our Chief Podiatrist Michelle Champlin’s advice on when to wear flip flops.
Look for shoes that are quite stiff in the middle, but with some give at the ball of the foot. High heels are OK for special occasions only – check out our guide for protecting your feet in high heels.
4. Beware Signs of Wear
Don’t wear worn out shoes. Check the tread and midsole, the cushiony part just before the sole. If the shoe displays signs of uneven wear, it’s time to look for a new pair of shoes. Athletic shoes should be replaced yearly; running shoes should be replaced every 300–400 miles or so. Shoes that are wearing down quickly on one side of the heel, for example, can be a warning sign of a biomechanical issue such as either over-pronation or the opposite, supination. So if you spot an unusual wear pattern, bring your teen to the Podiatrist for a biomechanical assessment.