Supportive School Shoes For Every Child

Jan 28, 2026

We’ve partnered with Antony Pezzullo, Physiotherapist at Southside Physio Group, to share why supportive, well-fitted school shoes are so important for growing kids. Antony explains how the right shoes can help prevent aches, support healthy development, and keep your child's feet comfortable throughout the school year.

Year-round physiotherapists are often asked about footwear. Whether it’s for work, running, the gym or sport, it’s a question that a physio will get asked by clients in the clinic at least once a week throughout the year. But as we return to clinical work in January of a new year, often that question becomes more specific – parents asking about school shoes for their child’s return to school. It’s a big question given their child is likely to spend up to two thousand hours in their school shoes over the upcoming twelve months.

As physiotherapists and podiatrists know all too well, poor quality or poorly fitting footwear can lead to problems in both the short and long term, and not just for our feet. The root cause of problems up the kinetic chain in the low back, hip and knee often originates from the foot. Down the chain in the leg and ankle, adult musculoskeletal conditions such as plantar fasciitis, shin splints and Morton’s neuroma can be caused by or exacerbated by bad shoes. Furthermore, long-term structural deformities such as bunions and hammertoes are also often attributed to poor footwear.

In kids, supportive and durable school shoes are perhaps even more important than in adults due to one key difference – a growing body. Children are particularly susceptible to aches and pains in the lower limbs as their bodies are constantly changing. A good school shoe should be:

• Comfortable and durable
• Ensure proper hip and knee alignment
• Provide ankle stability
• and last the year.

A good school shoe is critical for management and prevention of growth-related musculoskeletal aches and pains.

At Southside Physio, I have been recommending Ascent school shoes for Back to School in 2026 for several reasons. They are podiatrist-approved, have heel counters for ankle support, removable footbeds for orthotics; plus they are comfortable, durable and perhaps most importantly in today’s economic climate – affordable. Their Academy Jnr is great for primary school kids, whilst the slightly more formal-looking Scholar is perfect for youth to high school kids. Their Apex style is designed for children of all ages, from youth to senior, and won’t break the bank.

All the best with your kids' return to school this year, and here’s to finding a comfy and durable shoe at a reasonable price!