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Ask Brantano Training and Development Officer Louise Williams your questions about shoe fitting and you could win a £100 Brantano voucher ANSWERS NOW BACK

61 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 04/08/2015 12:00

Ahead of the upcoming new school term, Brantano is launching its Walk to School campaign and is encouraging children and parents to pledge to walk to school more often. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of road safety, health and the importance of correctly fitting shoes.

As part of their Walk to School campaign, you can submit questions to Brantano expert Louise Williams, Training and Development Officer. She will answer your questions about the importance of getting your kids feet measured, the dangers of not having correctly fitting shoes and what sets Brantano apart from the rest.

Post your questions to Louise on this thread before 17th August and we will send 20 questions over for her to respond to. We will then post a link to her responses on the thread on 7th September.

Everyone who adds a question (regardless of whether it's answered or not) will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 Brantano voucher.

This Q&A is sponsored by Brantano.

NB: ANSWERS BACK here

Thanks
MNHQ

OP posts:
PandaMummyofOne · 04/08/2015 15:20

DS and I will be walking to nursery throughout the year and we have a lovely set of shoes appropriate for dry/light rain days (actually from brantano, where he was measured). However I'm looking for another pair for heavy rain, winter days, potential snow and ice. What should I be looking for to know his feet and ankles will be protected as much as possible?

Thank you.

TheyGotTheMustardOut · 04/08/2015 15:35

After measuring foot size with a tool what do the fitters look for when the customer tries on a shoe?

CMOTDibbler · 04/08/2015 16:30

Why is shoe fitting so random? My ds has very wide, very high feet, with very high arches (just like his father) and its a complete lottery as to which shoes might possibly fit him. Some shoe fitters have tried to persuade us that a shoe where the velcro barely touches is a good fit.

And I could rant at length about fitters telling me he could 'just size up' when they don't have shoes wide enough.

mistlethrush · 04/08/2015 16:38

We have the same problems as CMot in terms of a dearth of good wide fitting shoes to cope with high arches.

I also want to know why it starts getting difficult to buy children's shoes above about size 6. My then 9yo went into size 6.5. I'm sure I'm not the only mother of a son with large feet - but I'm going to have to start taking him to a non-children's shop soon and probably not get such good fitting advice, just because the shoes don't go up high enough in sizes in the children's shop.

Catsgowoof · 04/08/2015 16:45

Is there any difference in fit between boys and girls shoes? And if so is this due to design or anatomical differences?

CopperPan · 04/08/2015 16:56

What are your thoughts on second hand shoes? I have a niece a bit older than my DD and she passes on shoes as she grows out of them quickly, but is this damaging for my DD's feet?

BreacaBoudica · 04/08/2015 17:06

Do Brantano do special fitting sessions for children with autism or similar issues? Shoe shopping is hell for us but my son starts Reception in September and I have to get him out of his crocs...

missorinoco · 04/08/2015 18:04

I would also like to know about second hand shoes and what is the issue with measuring feet yourself and buying shoes online. I passed down toddler shoes between the children, and tend to pass on trainers.

I have my children's feet measured, and generally buy from the shop, although I have tried measuring at home. I occasionally buy shoes on line for them.

I am aware that it is important to have children's feet measured and shoes fitted properly, and that you shouldn't pass down shoes, but am starting to wonder if this is inherited wisdom passed down from my mother, who as a child would never have been able to afford these luxuries, so has stated it as gospel, which I duly believed.

kierie · 04/08/2015 19:01

Do plimsolls provide good support for children's feet?

PinPon · 04/08/2015 20:06

Does it always make best sense to buy leather shoes?

choccyp1g · 04/08/2015 23:23

Shouldn't there be a third dimension to shoe sizes? I mean the depth of the foot is not accounted for especially people with deep toes.

purplepandas · 04/08/2015 23:52

How often should we get children's feet measured? I have good intentions but forget unless it is a new term or they obviously are struggling ( e.g. too tight).

LowCarbHeaven · 05/08/2015 03:31

How long do you think I should wait u between shoe fittings for a toddler? I am always worried he will wear shoes that are too small if I don't take him all time but his feet have been same size now for a few months.

Shiraznowplease · 05/08/2015 08:41

My mum always goes on about buying school shoes a size bigger so they last the whole school year, what damage could this do to their feet/comfort or is it a good idea ?

duckbilled · 05/08/2015 08:49

How often should i have my toddlers feet measured? She seems to have been the same size for a while and her shoes don't feel tight? Thank you.

Supervet · 05/08/2015 09:24

agree with choccy. My dd has an high instep and we are always sold the next size up which then doesn't fit correctly.

NotMrsTumble · 05/08/2015 09:34

I'm with you mistlethrush dd age 13 measures a clarks 8F, (yes, an adult 8) yet her high arches mean that these feel small to her, and women's shoes don't seem to be the right shape. Children's feet are getting bigger (as a population, obvs each individual child gets bigger as they grow!), why are there so few options in larger sizes, and why are they not routinely stocked?

gazzalw · 05/08/2015 09:59

Can slip-on girls shoes (ballet pump style) ever provide adequate arch support, even if the shoes are properly fitted? We are a car-free family and walk everywhere. DD has a 30 minute walk to school every day (and back again), so it's vital that her shoes support her feet properly. She's now a tween and keen for 'ballet school' type footwear. We would only ever buy Clarks or Startrite school properly fitted shoes BUT is it feet-friendly/healthy to let her have slip-on ones?

caker · 05/08/2015 12:54

What do you think of barefoot shoes? I get Livie and Luca and Pediped etc for my DD as they have flexible soles, but I'm aware the philosophy goes against the opposite shoe fitting theory that children should wear supportive shoes.

Smcgettigan79 · 05/08/2015 13:40

My boys (4 and 3) wear trainers pretty much all the time - is this bad?

georgedawes · 05/08/2015 16:06

Are there any shoes that you should avoid or might be bad for children's feet? Just thinking of sandals, wellies etc and often think they're not that supportive but wasn't sure what the alternatives were!

NerrSnerr · 05/08/2015 18:29

At what age should I first get my baby's feet measured and her first shoes? When she has started walking or before?

BertPuttocks · 05/08/2015 20:38

Dd has very narrow feet. When she goes for a shoe fitting she inevitably ends up being given insoles to wear with the new shoes as it seems to be the only way to get any to fit her. (She can't wear shoes with a bar across because the velcro strap ends up dragging on the ground, so usually has brogues with laces which will only fit with the addition of ).

My question is: Are there any long-term consequences to having to rely on insoles in this way?

RhinosAreFatUnicorns · 05/08/2015 21:56

I often rely on the "where's your toe" method and tend to only get her measured when her toe is getting to the end of the shoe. I'm usually right about when she should size up, but "How often should I get my child's feet measured?"

pangaea90 · 05/08/2015 22:17

Is there a maximum length of time (i.e. x hours) children should wear shoes before taking them off for a bit? Or does it not matter if you have breathable shoes (assuming it's true that leather ones are more breathable!)?

I tend to leave them off toddlers on long car journeys, but I suspect that's not really necessary as the shoes are fitted properly so shouldn't be cramping their feet. It's some ingrained need to 'get air to them'. Possibly inherited!