How to shop for children's backpacks and shoes
Bells will be ringing soon, signaling the end of summer and your children will be going back to school. Whatever backpack or new shoes they need, be sure to carefully choose them for both comfort and convenience.
Here's our handy guide to help you shop properly for backpacks and shoes for your kids.
Backpacks: Focus on Ergonomics
Is purchasing a bag easy? Not exactly. Many people think a simple bag will suffice. However, there is much more to think about than meets the eye.
Size and weight
Make sure your child's backpack is the right size. On no account should it exceed the width of the back or the height of the shoulders. You might be tempted to buy a larger bag for economic reasons, but it's not worth the risk. Why? Simply because a backpack that is too big is likely to cause your child back pain in the first few months of use.
Also, even if a framed bag with several gadgets looks great, remember that this adds unnecessary extra weight on your child's back. For example, an empty bag for an elementary school child should weigh no more than 500 grams (1.1 pounds). For teenagers, however, an empty bag should not exceed one kilogram (2.2 pounds).
What to check at the time of purchase:
- The width
- The weight
- The height
- The padding of the shoulder straps and the back
- The width of the straps
Ideally, your child's backpack should have wide shoulder straps to distribute the weight and be equipped with a chest strap as well as a waist belt for more comfort and stability.
If you plan to purchase online, measure the height and width of your child's back to compare with the available backpacks.
Clearance
Shoes to protect the feet!
Your children will need a variety of shoes to protect their feet during all their activities.
Determine the correct sizing
Purchasing your offspring's shoes online is easier than you might think. You simply have to pay special attention to the proposed size chart. Measure the length of your child's foot in centimetres with a ruler and you're done! This way you'll have the right shoe size for them, without even having to leave home.
When choosing shoes for your child, keep in mind that they will be wearing their shoes all day long for a variety of activities. It's best to choose shoes made of fairly resistant materials that fit the foot well, such as shoes with a fastener, laces or Velcro straps. Opt for shoes with slightly thicker soles at the heel than ballerinas or Converse type shoes in order to avoid heel pain and possible tendonitis.
Make sure that soles for shoes designed for physical education are non-marking. Can't find this information on the product sheet? Choose a white sole and you are guaranteed to get the best results!
What to check at the time of purchase:
- Size
- Thickness of the sole in the heel area
- Fasteners
- Non-marking sole for physical education classes
You are now ready to shop with ease for the back-to-school season!
