A Podiatrist's Perspective & a Parent's New Chapter

Jan 09, 2026

For back-to-school this year, we've partnered with Kerrin Eltham, Principal Podiatrist at Brisbane Water Podiatry, to highlight the importance of choosing the correct school shoes. With over 15 years of experience advising parents and now experiencing it herself with her own child starting kindergarten, Kerrin shares why fit, support, and comfort really matter during these crucial growth years.

Back-to-school season is always a busy time in the clinic. For over 15 years, I've had the same conversations with parents every January: fit matters, support matters, yes, good school shoes are worth it.

But this year hits a little differently.

In 2026, my own child is starting kindergarten. And suddenly, I find myself on the other side of the counter, standing in a shoe store, knowing full well that those shoes may only last three months before a growth spurt kicks in.

I'll be honest… swallowing that pill is hard

So the question every parent asks (and now I'm asking too): Is it really worth it?

Once I take my mum hat off and put my podiatrist hat back on, the answer is very clear.

Children are in their school shoes 5 days a week, around 8 hours a day. That's more time than any other footwear they wear. During these crucial growth years, their feet, ankles, knees, hips and posture are all developing rapidly.

Poor footwear can contribute to:

• Ankle instability and rolling
• Knee and hip alignment issues
• Fatigue and discomfort at school
• Growth-related leg pain and overuse injuries

When you look at it that way, investing in quality school shoes is money well spent. Those shoes are doing a big job, supporting little feet through every step of the school day.

At our clinic, we consistently recommend Ascent school shoes, and not just because they look good on the shelf.

Ascent footwear stands out for:

• Thoughtful, podiatrist-approved design
• Excellent cushioning for all-day comfort
• Strong heel counters for ankle support
• Durable construction to handle real playground wear
• Removable footbeds for podiatrist-prescribed orthotics

They're designed with growing feet in mind, and that matters.

For children heading back to school, the Ascent range offers fantastic options to suit different foot types and activity levels:

• Ascent Apex: Ideal for children needing extra fit precision, with a great range of width options, perfect for narrow, standard, or broader feet.
• Ascent Sustain 2 & Sustain Jnr: A brilliant all-rounder for active kids. These styles are built for running wild in the playground, while still providing the structure and cushioning growing bodies need.

A good-fitting shoe, combined with a podiatrist assessment, is a great start to the new school journey. Ensuring little and big feet are not rolling in or out excessively helps set children up for healthy growth and comfort all year long.

Yes, your child may outgrow their shoes quickly.

Yes, choosing the right pair can feel overwhelming.

But when you consider the hours worn, the support provided, and the potential issues prevented, Ascent school shoes are money well spent. Quality footwear is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make in your child's health and development.

This year, I'll be buying those shoes with complete confidence that I'm doing the right thing.

Here's to strong, supported little feet heading confidently into the 2026 school year.