Children’s Shoe Fitting Guide: Easy Steps to Make Sure Your Children’s Shoes Fit Properly

If your child’s shoes don’t fit properly not only can it be uncomfortable, but it will affect their gait and could have an impact on the shape and growth of the foot.

Children’s feet grow quickly. Depending on their age shoes will need to be changed at regular periods. On average children’s feet grow around two sizes each year in the first four years and just one size in the years following, until around the age of 18 when feet are fully formed.

This growth rate is simply a guide as, due to the nature of the human body; timescales can vary. Some children’s feet may stay at the same size for a good few months then have a ‘spurt’! Generally speaking, as a rule of thumb, if you notice a growth in height, there’s most likely been foot growth too.

Although it's possible to have children’s shoes professionally fitted,  it is also quick and easy to fit them yourself.  We’ve gathered together information from professionals, experienced parents and shoe retailers and compiled the best handy tips for getting the right fit for your child !

If you follow this guide it will be easy to tell if your child is wearing the right fit shoes now, and  to check new shoes are right for them.

The Love Those Shoes Top Tips for fitting children’s shoes :

• Children’s shoes should be longer than their feet. Anything from 12mm to 20mm longer than the longest toe is sufficient to allow for growth and make sure the toe doesn’t bang against the front of the shoe. The Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists advise that in Newborn and Crawlers anything up to 20mm is an acceptable amount of room. However, when they begin walking this will have to lessen slightly to avoid tripping.

• To take an accurate measurement of your child’s foot to ensure shoes fit properly :

  • Cut a strip of paper to the length of the inside of the shoe.

  • Place the strip against a level surface, like a wall, and have your child stand with their back to the wall, place their foot on the paper and stand up straight.

  • Measure the distance between the longest toe and the end of the paper and record this measurement.

  • A newly fitted shoe should be around 12-20mm longer than the longest toe.

  • This extra length allows enough room for growth and for slight movement when walking. If the space between the longest toe and the end of the paper is 7mm or less, the shoes are too small and should be replaced.

• The difference between sizes is generally about 8mm (just under 1cm).  Size differences may vary slightly between manufacturers.
  

• Retaining Medium – this phrase describes how a shoe is kept on a foot. Normally in children’s shoes the retaining medium is laces, a Velcro strap or a T-bar all of which hold the foot in place. Without a good Retaining Medium the foot can slide around in the shoe and cause your child to grip with their toes unnecessarily. Fashion shoes rarely have a sufficient Retaining Medium, so do look out for this when buying new shoes or checking current ones.

• The heel fit should be snug. Heel areas in shoes for children who are walking can have ‘Heel Stiffeners’ in them. This is part of the back and side of the shoe that stiffens the back and stops the heel of the foot from slipping out of the shoes. It is important to stop heels from slipping otherwise it can lead to the toes clawing round for grip.

• Heel Height of a child’s shoe shouldn’t be more than 4 cm or 1.5 inches. High heels put unnecessary pressure on the forefoot, causing bunions, hammer toes, Plantar Fasciitis and poor posture.

• The toe area of children’s shoes should be wide and not drawn to a point. Your child should be able to wriggle their toes around in the shoe when it is fastened. If the toes don’t have enough room to wriggle, they may not form straight and it could cause the development of bunions.

• The toe area should also be deep enough that the big toe isn’t pressured in any way. When your child walks in their shoes, the big toe shouldn’t touch the top of the shoe. If  it does, this could lead to toenail bruising or infection.

• The sole of children’s shoes should have a non-slip element to it along with shock absorption. Remember, when children are learning or new to walking they’ll be unsteady and will thump their feet down much more then adults do. Having a non-slip sole will help them grip naturally and give them the confidence to relax and just walk!

If you have any questions about the fit of children’s shoes then please give our team a call and we’ll be happy to help and advise