Secrets to Buying Shoes: The 1,2,3 Test

Here is a brief test to use when buying shoes. It is from the article "Give Shoes the '1,2,3 Test' During Back-to-School Shopping" from the American Podiatric Medical Association website. The article relates to children and back-to-school shoe shopping, but the test can be utilized by anyone when they are buying shoes. It is a great way to determine if your shoes are supportive enough to protect your feet from their dialy activity. Obviously adult and child foot needs differ slightly, but simply apply this information to your own needs and you will see that it can be a beneficial secret for your foot health.

"One easy way to determine if a child’s shoe is foot-friendly is to perform the “1,2,3 Test.” First, press on both sides of the back of the shoe’s heel. Make sure that it does not collapse when pushed on. Second, check toe flexibility. The shoe should bend with your child’s toes, but should not be too stiff or bend too much in the toe box area. Third, grab the shoe by the front and back and twist gently. A foot-friendly shoe should never twist easily in the middle.

Here are several more shoe shopping tips to help start the school year off on the right foot:

Take your child shoe shopping. Letting a child have a say in the shoe buying process promotes healthy foot habits down the road.

Examine the heels. Children often wear through the heels of shoes faster than outgrowing the shoes themselves. Uneven heel wear can indicate a foot problem that should be checked by a podiatrist.

Look for the Seal of Acceptance. Certain footwear brands, such as the Reebok Classic Leather Collection and Asics’ GEL-Nimbus model, carry the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance. APMA’s Seal program recognizes products that set the benchmark for footwear and foot care industries, and have been evaluated by a team of podiatrists to guarantee proper foot function.

Remember socks when shopping. Make sure to have your child try on shoes with socks or tights, if that is how they will be worn, in order to ensure a proper fit."