Buying new shoes for the school year can be stressful; you want a few quality pairs of shoes for your child that is going to last the entire year and also be able to be worn on the weekend, and in everyday life outside of school. When deciding what will best suit your child’s needs and their school’s potential dress code, comfort should be one of the most important things.

Fit and comfort go hand in hand, so you want to make sure that nothing about the shoe is too loose or too tight, and that it will remain comfortable on their feet all day without the chance of causing irritation or blisters. You don’t necessarily want the sturdiest shoe because they tend to not be very flexible or offer much movement, however, support is essential.

Where fit is concerned, it is important to know that some shoes require a break-in period whereas others do no. Take this into account when purchasing a stiffer material shoe like booties, or certain sneakers. This doesn’t mean that with time they will not form to your feet, but at first, you may want to take them off after only a few hours, and that is not always a possibility when at school all day.

Know your size, and know that not all brands and styles will fit the same; try all shoes on before deciding to wear them out or to school for the first time to ensure that they either feel great, or you are prepared for the potentially painful day ahead of you. There are certain things to avoid when wanting to buy a comfortable shoe, firstly any type of high heel. Heels shouldn’t even be something you consider wearing to High School anyway, however, if the thought has crossed your mind, save those pumps for dances, and prom because they are the last things you will want to be running to class in.

Depending on the type of shoes you want, most should offer some type of cushioning in the footbed and midsole, so that your child’s feet are not sore and tired by the end of the day. A good amount of cushioning is generally more so found in sneakers, or running shoes, however other styles can be as well.

Sneakers are the best choice for wanting to be comfortable and carefree all day. They have the most comfortable footbed, and due to the fact they have no break-in period, they will fit your feet right out of the box, and ensure no irritations occur. If orthotics or any added support is necessary, sneakers or running shoes are also the easiest shoes to add insoles into.

-The fit of the shoe plays a strong role in comfort. It can’t be too tight or too loose as to avoid any blisters, irritations, and problems with walking. There must be flexibility and any break-in period must be accounted for as well.

-Try on different pairs to adjust for size and fit. Also, make sure you choose footwear that is proper for the high school environment. It’s best to avoid heels as those should be for special school occasions only such as the prom.

-The footwear should provide plenty of cushioning, especially in the midsole and footbed. Athletic shoes usually have more cushioning but it can be found in non-athletic footwear too. If needed, add orthotics or any other supportive insoles.

Every teenager will start developing their own style and care more and more about how they look and dress as the years go on. So even if the shoes are not the most comfortable, if every kid in class has them, chances are your child is going to want to too. There is nothing wrong with wanting to follow trends, however, try to encourage your child to keep in mind that there are trendy, yet comfortable shoes as well, and those are a better option.

From rain boots to sneakers and everything in between there is a style and shoe for your teen but it is important to find the right one. Through trial and error your teen will find what works best for them, and what they prefer to wear to school, although every now and then that may change and they may want to switch up their style, this should be encouraged, High School is where you are beginning to find yourself, and that can sometimes start with something as simple as personal style.

When your child is a baby you shop for them and dress them how you think looks cute, now is their time to embrace their inner style and express themselves as they please, so something like choosing their own footwear can be a big step. Start by narrowing down the types of shoes they will need throughout the year and different seasons and then try to allow them the choice, keeping in mind certain points.

The shoes should be comfortable and properly fitted so that they stay on all day. Rain boots are great for the fall and winter months, but if they are not super lightweight they can be an annoyance to have to lug around on your feet all day. Find a lightweight pair that feels good and look chic, shockingly enough rain boots can be quite stylish and easily made to be fashionable.

At this point your teenager, of course, knows how to tie their laces, so opting for velcro is not really an option anymore, however, laces even as a teenager can be irritating if they do not stay tied, or need to be untied to switch into other shoes for a specific class but the knot is too tight. Slip-on shoes or flats are a great option when you want convenience. These although at times can be stiff at first, they can be easily broken in and will feel like a slipper every time you wear them.

By this point in your teen’s life, they should be set in their shoe size and it shouldn’t be changing anytime soon, so investing in more expensive, quality shoes that will be durable, and last for at least the entire school year is crucial. From running between classes to hanging around outside during lunch, their shoes will be enduring a lot, so make sure they can withstand it all. That isn’t to say that you need to go out and splurge because whichever shoes you do decide on probably won’t make it past the school year anyway, but taking the time to carefully pick their footwear to ensure that it lasts the full year is important.

As cute, or stylish as a pair of shoes are, you need to consider how practical they will be for school. Depending on which grade you’re in, and which courses you’ve chosen, yes most of your time will be spent sitting at a desk in a classroom. However, there are a lot of physical classes such as PE, or extracurriculars that require you to be running around, either indoors or outdoors and that’s where the durability of your shoes comes in.

As they grow and move into High School their needs with change, and this is when you will begin buying sport specific shoes such as soccer cleats, golf or basketball shoes. These are not shoes that you will want or need to be repurchasing as often, so these are where money should be spent to ensure great quality, and in turn, your child will be sturdy on their feet during their sports activities and leave less room for possible injuries.

All they really need is a few pairs of solid shoes and boots that they can switch between throughout the weeks and seasons. Depending on your general climate, and how your seasons change one good pair of winter boots should last more than the year and should thoroughly keep you teenagers feet warm all day, without making them feel hot and sweaty.

The purpose of a rain boot is to keep your feet dry, not even necessarily warm or exceptionally comfortable but to ensure that absolutely no water gets in the boot. One pair will last for years, and shouldn’t need to be repurchased often, as long as they, like any other pair of shoes in your teenagers closet are breathable.

Breathability in shoes is crucial, you want to make sure that regardless of the shoe type, the material is one that will allow air flow, and let their feet breathe, so they either do not feel uncomfortable all day or embarrassed by having stinky feet. Leather and mesh are great for keeping feel cool all day, whereas synthetic or nylon can be a little stuffy.

Keeping shoes clean is one of the easiest ways to ensure their closet life, so taking the time to wipe them down carefully every now and then will do wonders. Not as common in young adult – adult shoes but if you can find a pair of sneakers that are machine washable that is a huge bonus, and worth buying. Most materials can be sprayed with a protectant, the easiest being leather and canvas. This extra step will ensure they do not get too stained, and if they do it should be easy to wipe away with a damp cloth.