Do the brothers have to inherit the footwear?

BarcelonaSummer and heat are here, and we change our footwear, but which is the most suitable for children's feet? Podiatrist and communicator Neus Moya advises that to choose respectful footwear, you must observe that the child walks exactly the same as if they were barefoot. "The shoe must respect the shape and function of the foot. It must have an anatomical toe box and allow movement".

What is the ideal footwear for children's feet?

According to podiatrist Neus Moya, the sole should be very thin and flexible to allow the stimulus from the ground to pass to the foot. “This increases proprioception work, which is the brain's ability to know the position, movement, and effort of body parts without needing to look”. The toe box should be anatomical and respect the shape of the foot. “In immature feet, there are shoes that, if they cause compression, can affect the morphological development of the foot. It is necessary to check that the big toe is straight to facilitate propulsion,” recalls Moya. Finally, the footwear should not have a heel counter, nor should there be a height difference between the back and front of the foot.

If they wear sandals, which would be the ideal ones?

Are flip-flops suitable or are there more recommended alternatives?

Are flip-flops suitable or are there more recommended alternatives?

"Once again, the danger factor is the accidents they can cause," warns Moya. Children move a lot: they run, jump, ride bicycles, etc. Doing so with flip-flops can lead to injuries, styloid apophysitis, or sprains. "But using them for short trips to the beach or pool would not be a problem, nor would wearing them in public showers, to avoid fungal infections."

What would be the appropriate type of footwear to be comfortable and cool?

According to Moya, the optimal footwear would be one that has a sole – the part that touches the foot – made of a non-slip material, that does not cause excessive sweating, and that is easy to clean. “It should not have straps in important friction areas, but rather they should be well placed and made of a malleable material, as their skin is more sensitive and tends to get damaged more quickly”. In any case, he recalls that it must fit the foot well to accompany it safely when walking. "And children who wear orthopedic insoles can wear a more closed shoe with breathable canvas shoes that allow them to wear the insole inside or mountain water sandal type, with adjustable straps, which are a very good option and are well priced", indicates Moya.

And the big question: can they inherit footwear from their siblings?

The divulgator points out that footwear can be inherited as long as there is no wear of material on the sole of the shoe. “If you observe it and see that the pattern has been erased or material is missing from the heel part, don’t do it”. Nor can it be inherited if the upper – the upper part – is totally deformed or has given way a lot. “But if all this is in good condition, you just need to change the insole inside the footwear for a new one”. And in the case of summer footwear, typical beach sandals can be inherited without problems. “This type of footwear that is worn temporarily to go to the beach or swimming pool, which has very little use and does not usually wear out, can be inherited if necessary”.