The last thing your child needs to worry about is uncomfortable school shoes, because they'll be wearing them day in, day out, for up to eight hours a day. They will need to be made from quality leathers for durability to cope with all those playground games.

Start-rite says it's important to get feet measured and buy school shoes that have been properly fitted, because their bones are not fully developed until they reach their late teens.The fit:According to Web MD, the tongue of the shoe and the edges where the laces or Velcro are usually located should be parallel. If there is too much space between them, the shoe may be too tight, and if they overlap too much, the shoe is too loose. The back of the shoe should offer some wiggle room. You should be able to slip your pinky finger in the heel, but only up to the first knuckle.Consider:Rip tape fastenings to make putting shoes on quick and convenient for kids who are in a hurry to get going. Soft and supple leather uppers to avoid rubbing, and dyed-through leather so that scuffs and scrapes will be easier to conceal with a good polish. Breathable linings for maximum comfort, allowing perspiration to escape through the surface of the shoe. Lightweight, flexible non-slip soles in different styles, although older childrens heels should not be too high Built in growing room around the toes, to allow for growth.Once your child is of school age, you should check the fit of their school shoes every three or four months.