Children's shoes are bought a size too big on purpose and then worn until they are a size too small. Both ends of that cycle cause problems. Measuring properly takes two minutes and removes the guesswork entirely.
Measure the foot, not the old shoe
The size written inside a shoe your child has outgrown tells you what that brand called it, not how long their foot is. Measure instead.
- Put a sheet of paper on a hard floor against a wall.
- Stand the child on it with the heel against the wall. Standing matters — a foot spreads under body weight, and a measurement taken sitting down comes out short.
- Have them wear the socks they normally wear.
- Mark the paper at the end of the longest toe, which is not always the big toe.
- Measure from the wall edge to the mark in centimetres.
- Do both feet and use the larger number.
Compare that centimetre figure to the listing. Centimetres mean the same thing everywhere; UK, EU and US numbers do not line up neatly between them.
How much growing room to allow
Add about half a centimetre to a centimetre to the measured length. That is roughly a thumb's width at the toe, and it is enough to allow for growth and for the foot spreading as the child walks.
Resist the temptation to go further. A shoe that is two sizes too big makes a child trip, wears unevenly, and gives no support where it is needed. It is a false economy, because they will have ruined it before they grow into it.
How often to check
Children's feet grow in bursts rather than steadily. As a rough guide, check every two months under the age of three, and every three to four months after that. It takes two minutes and saves a great deal of discomfort — small children often will not say that a shoe hurts, they simply stop wanting to walk.
What to look for in the shoe itself
- A flexible sole. It should bend where the foot bends, at the ball, not in the middle of the arch.
- A firm heel cup. Press the back of the shoe between finger and thumb. It should resist, not fold flat.
- Velcro or laces. Something adjustable, so the shoe holds the foot rather than the toes gripping to keep it on.
- A light shoe. Heavy shoes tire small legs quickly.
- Breathable upper. Fabric and mesh for warm months, closed uppers for winter.
Checking the fit once they arrive
Put them on with the usual socks and have the child stand up. Press down at the toe with your thumb — you want about a thumb's width of room. Then feel the sides: the shoe should not bulge, which means it is too narrow.
Have them walk across the room. Heels lifting out at the back means the shoe is too big, however right the length looks.
Before you order
Send us the measurement in centimetres and the child's age on WhatsApp at 0345 6650894, and we will tell you which size to take.
Browse kids' footwear and kids' clothing, or read our kids' winter size chart for clothing sizes by height.