What type of footwear is best for kids to wear?

Question

Tennis shoes
casual shoes
dress shoes
boots
Sandals
flip-flops
Do you think socks are inportant with closed toe shoes?
Do you allow your kids to go barefoot?

Answer 1

Tennis shoes are actually the best. Tennis shoes will help the childs foot form properly where sandals/flip flops, or dress shoes might not. Socks are important to help with body warmth and protect against bacteria. Going barefoot or wearing dress shoes or sandals from time to time isn't gonna hurt but it shouldn't be an all day every day type of thing.

Answer 2

Bare feet are best for all ages -kids and adults- except for extreme weather. Contrary to popular myth, feet do not need support and it's rare to get any injuries. I've been barefoot for almost eleven years, I get a tiny splinter about once a year and I have NEVER had a cut in all those years (even though I walk city streets, run full-speed at the littered train station, go to the recycling center barefoot etc). My feet look fine, the soles are tough and leathery but not hard and cracked at all. Also I used to be a real chilly-willy, hated winter, sniffling and sneezing from early fall until late spring... these past 10-11 years I've called in sick once (for just 2 days) and even a minor cough is rare.

It's sad so many people are afraid to go barefoot and believe the myths about injury or disease, because while minor scratches can happen (but I get minor scrapes on my hands far more often and no one ever tells me to wear gloves fulltime), it's in fact quite healthy for feet and the entire body. The first two links in the source have a lot of info especially aimed at growing kids, the last link has some info countering the myth that support is needed.

Answer 3

Tennis shoes worn with socks is best even during the summer time. This does not mean a child can never wear sandals, but like someone else said it should not be an everyday thing. With dress shoes it really depends on the brand. Some dress shoes, especially for kids wear like a tennis shoe, others do not. Casual shoes and boots are usually OK even for everyday wear, but are harder for them to play in and may not be as comfortable depending on the shoe or boot. Stay away from cowboy boots for everyday wear as they can restrict the toes.

I do not allow flip flops at all. They are bad for growing feet, look it up. Bare feet are OK around water and in the house. However I think proper well fitting shoes worn with socks should be worn outside. If the kids do not like socks buy them the low cut or no show with seamless toes. Remember socks absorb sweat produced by the foot and keeps the sweat from soaking in the shoes, which will make them stink and fall apart from the bacteria eating away at the lining. BTW my mom went barefoot and wore flip flops allot and her feet look horrible now.

Answer 4

My daughter is 8. If she could wear sandals 365 days a year she would! I make her wear socks with anything closed toe, but with sandals,no. She is always barefoot in the house. As soon as she gets home from school, the shoes and socks come off! It drives me nuts because I find her socks all over the house! lol I think anything is okay though.

Answer 5

My daughter is almost 3 and she wears all of the above, she usually wears socks with closed toe shoes and she does go barefoot in the house a lot.

Answer 6

they all have appropriate times.
We avoid flip flops b/c they have no support, hurt his feet
My son loves crocs and they are supportive
Socks always with shoes except sandals.
Yes he goes barefoot.

Answer 7

Barefoot and open-toe shoes.

Answer 8

nikes.