Are Hand-Me-Down Shoes Okay?

Kids grow quickly.

Sometimes really quickly.

You buy them a new pair of shoes, they wear them for what feels like five minutes and suddenly their toes are squashed against the end.

Meanwhile, sitting in the cupboard is a perfectly decent-looking pair their older sibling barely wore.

Surely, they can just wear those?

Hand-me-down clothes are an easy yes. Jackets, jumpers and jeans can happily make their way from one child to the next. Shoes, however, are a little more complicated.

That doesn’t mean every pair of second-hand shoes needs to go straight in the bin. But before passing them down, there are a few things worth checking.

Why Are Hand-Me-Down Shoes Different From Clothes?

Shoes change as we wear them.

The sole gradually wears down, cushioning compresses and the upper begins to mould around the shape of the wearer’s foot.

And no two children use their shoes in exactly the same way.

One child might wear down the outside of the heel more quickly. Another might put more pressure through the front of the shoe. One might have a narrow foot, while their sibling has a much wider one.

So, even if the label says the right size, a shoe that has spent months adapting to one child’s foot may not necessarily be the best fit for another.

That’s why the question isn’t simply:

“Are second-hand shoes bad?”

A better question is:

“Is this particular pair still in good condition and does it properly fit this child?”

How Worn Are They?

This is probably the first thing to check.

There’s a big difference between shoes an older sibling wore twice before growing out of them and a pair that survived an entire school year, several playgrounds, a camping trip and an unfortunate encounter with a muddy puddle.

Look at the bottom of the shoes.

Is the tread still intact? Are there areas that have been worn smooth? Does one side of the heel look noticeably more worn than the other?

Then put the shoes on a flat surface.

Do they sit reasonably straight, or do they tilt noticeably to one side?

If the soles are badly worn or uneven, it’s probably time to retire them rather than hand them down.

They have served the family well.

They can rest now.

Check the Inside Too

A shoe can look surprisingly good from the outside while being very worn internally.

Have a look at the lining and insole.

Has the cushioning flattened significantly? Is there a deep impression where the previous wearer’s toes or heel sat? Is the lining torn or bunched up?

Pay particular attention around the heel.

If the material has worn through or the back of the shoe has lost its shape, it may rub against the new wearer’s foot and cause irritation or blisters.

If the shoe has a removable insole, take it out and have a proper look.

You may discover those “basically new” shoes have actually lived quite a full life.

The Fit Matters More Than the Number on the Box

Two children can technically wear the same shoe size and still need completely different shoes.

Feet vary in width, shape and volume.

One child might have a narrow heel. Another might need more room across the front of the foot. Toe shapes differ too.

So don’t assume that because one sibling wore a particular brand and size comfortably, it will automatically suit the next child.

When your child is standing in the shoes, check that there is adequate room around their toes and that the shoe isn’t squeezing the sides of their feet.

The heel should also feel secure rather than constantly slipping out.

Ask them to walk around.

Do they look comfortable? Are they walking normally? Are they complaining that something feels tight, hard or “weird”?

Children aren’t always brilliant at explaining why a shoe is uncomfortable, but they are often very good at telling you that they don’t want to wear it.

That’s worth listening to.

Don’t Forget About Growth

One of the challenges with children’s footwear is that feet don’t politely grow according to your shoe-shopping schedule.

A pair that fitted perfectly a few months ago can suddenly become too small.

Children may not always tell you their shoes are getting tight either.

Sometimes the first clue is redness around the toes, blisters, changes to the toenails or a sudden refusal to wear a previously favourite pair.

It’s worth checking the fit regularly rather than waiting until your child announces that their toes have been folded inside their school shoes for the past month.

What About Hand-Me-Down School Shoes?

School shoes are often where parents are most tempted to reuse footwear.

Understandably so.

They can be expensive, and watching a child grow out of a relatively new pair can be painful for your wallet.

If the shoes genuinely haven’t had much wear, are still structurally sound and fit the younger child correctly, they may be perfectly reasonable to reuse.

But heavily worn school shoes are another story.

Children spend a lot of time in them. They walk, run, climb and play in them for hours each day.

By the end of their useful life, the sole, cushioning and upper may all have changed considerably.

If they’ve already survived one child wearing them every school day for a year, asking them to complete another full tour of duty may be optimistic.

What About Sports Shoes?

Be a little more cautious with sports shoes.

Running, basketball, netball, football and other sports can place higher demands on footwear than everyday walking.

Sports shoes may experience more repetitive loading, quicker changes of direction and greater wear.

A pair can also lose some of its cushioning and structure before it looks completely destroyed from the outside.

If you’re considering passing sports shoes down, check them carefully for wear and make sure they’re appropriate for both the child and the activity they’ll be doing.

If the older child has used them extensively, replacing them may be the better option.

Can Hand-Me-Down Shoes Cause Foot Problems?

It’s difficult to say that wearing second-hand shoes alone will cause a particular foot problem.

The bigger concern is whether the shoes are worn out, poorly fitting or inappropriate for the activity.

Any shoe, brand new or second-hand, can be uncomfortable if it doesn’t fit properly.

Watch for signs that something isn’t quite right, including:

• blisters or rubbing
• red marks that persist after the shoes come off
• sore toes
• toenail problems
• complaints of foot or heel pain
• reluctance to walk or participate in activities
• changes in the way your child walks while wearing the shoes.

If these problems repeatedly occur with a particular pair, the fact that the shoes technically “fit” according to the size label doesn’t matter very much.

When Are Hand-Me-Down Shoes Usually Fine?

A barely worn pair that is in excellent condition and fits the next child properly is very different from a heavily worn pair that has moulded to another child’s feet.

Before passing shoes down, ask yourself:

• Are they still in good condition?
• Is the sole evenly worn?
• Is the cushioning still intact?
• Does the shoe hold its shape?
• Does it actually fit this child comfortably?
• Is it suitable for what they’ll be doing in it?

If the answer to all of those is yes, you may be able to get some more life out of them.

If you’re trying to convince yourself that the enormous hole in the lining “probably doesn’t matter”, it might be time for a new pair.

Shoes Should Fit the Child, Not Just the Budget

There’s nothing wrong with trying to get good value out of children’s clothes and shoes. Kids have an impressive ability to outgrow things approximately seventeen minutes after you buy them.

You certainly don’t need to automatically throw away every pair of shoes once one child has finished with them.

Just give them a proper inspection before passing them along.

And most importantly, check the fit on the child who will actually be wearing them.

If you’re unsure whether your child’s shoes are fitting properly, they’re regularly complaining about sore feet, or you’ve noticed changes in the way they walk, bring them in to Hurst Podiatry. We can take a look at their feet and footwear and help you work out whether those hand-me-downs have another round in them or whether they’ve officially earned their retirement.