Equipment

If you need to buy your child new athletic shoes, either becasue his feet have grown or because they are worn out, you may be considering hand-me-downs or used shoes as an alternative for brand new shoes. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish.

Because the mid-sole material of an athletic shoe takes a pounding and eventually loses its ability to provide your child's foot with adequate support or cushioning, experts, such as Dr. Michael Lowe, past President of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, and long time team podiatrist of the NBA's Utah Jazz, recommend periodic replacement of athletic shoes, even if the bottom sole shows no sign of excessive wear.

Compression fatigue of mid-sole, excessive wear of bottom sole and sock liner signs that athletic shoes worn out.