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Went shoe shopping the other day for my 6 year old. Saw that Clarks have brought out a shoe with a 2 inch (approx.)heel. For memory it is called "SE7EN". The salesperson suggested mums liked them because they looked 'funky' despite the child's reluctance.

If high heels are "so bad" for us, as every podiatrist and his dog has suggested, should we be concerned with young children getting into it?

I notice that crocs thongs also have quite a heel raise, but they are not solely aimed at children?

We are all getting taller...I guess.




Ron

I am not sure if you are referring to the correct shoe here. 24SE7EN, has a normal heel pitch of about 14mm from forefoot to heel. The thickness of the sole overall is around 2cms but the heel pitch is of a regular shoe. There are increasing arguments to recommend that manufacturers reduce the thickness of the platform of the sole (profile) and that is happening with recent fashion changes.

Clarks do make a couple of school shoes with higher heel pitch than that but they sell only a few thousand in a few stores.

Cheers,


Matt Dilnot, Consultant to Clarks Shoes

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Matt Dilnot - Podiatrist
http://www.equusmedical.com

Thanks for raising a point that I could have considered more. I still think, the variety that I saw in Myer Chadstone, had a heel pitch of greater than 14mm; but I am not entirely sure.

I realise that shoe sales are competetive, and that manufacturers have every right to differentiate themselves on style and substance, but I think this is pushing it a bit.

Unless of course, that the historical common pursuit of most podiatrists/chiropodists (to highlight the detimental effects of high heels) was not entirely correct.

14mm is around a size 9, from memory.

I'm not sure what you mean by "this is pushing it a bit", because that is a standard heel pitch that is adopted by almost the entire shoe industry. The thickness of the sole, however, is definitely a fashion issue.

I have some issues with thicker platformed shoes for school shoes and would prefer as often as possible that a low profile be the choice. That is the way the market is going and you will see across the board sole units on school shoes getting thinner.

I would also like to see lower heel pitches and I think there is growing evidence that this would be preferred. It will take a while for the entire manufacturing industry to change.

Thanks for raising an interesting topic.

Matt

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Matt Dilnot - Podiatrist
http://www.equusmedical.com

Netizens

On one hand the inclusion of 'fashionable features' into children's shoes may appear innocuous, with the potential for functional damage more precautionary than actual risk. Provided the shoe fits and heel pitch and toe spring match then little real damage can ensue for the vast majority.

However what is more of a concern to society is the insipid sexualisation of pre-pubescents promulgated through marketing. That has a moral dimension
which seems far more of an issue to me.

What say you ?

Cameron

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Cameron Kippen, Podologist and Shoe Historian




Cameron Kippen