The most common cause of foot trouble in children isn't the wrong kind of shoe — it's the wrong size. Children rarely say anything, because toes would sooner curl than hurt. Here's how to get it right.
How to measure
- Measure in the evening. Feet swell over the course of the day, so an evening measurement reflects the size the shoe actually has to fit.
- Have your child stand. The foot lengthens under load. A measurement taken sitting down will read short.
- Measure both feet. Most people have one foot slightly larger than the other. Always work from the larger one.
- Add 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) of growing room. That's not carelessness — it's the space the foot needs to move inside the shoe, and the margin that stops you replacing shoes every six weeks.
- Pick the nearest EU size. If your child falls between two sizes, choose the larger.
A simple method at home
Put a sheet of paper against a wall. Have your child stand on it with the heel touching the wall. Mark the tip of the longest toe — which isn't always the big toe. Measure from the wall to the mark in millimetres, then add your growing room.
Winter boots
Leave about 12 mm (0.5 in) in a winter boot so there's still a layer of air around the foot even with a thick sock. The air is what insulates. A tight boot is a cold boot.
How often to check
Children's feet grow in bursts, often a full size in a quarter. Check the fit roughly every eight weeks, and always just before the school term starts — many children grow half a size to a full size over the summer.
Signs the shoe is too small
- Red marks or indentations on the toes or across the top of the foot after a day's wear.
- Your child pulls the shoes off the moment they get indoors.
- The toe box shows wear from the inside.
- Curled toes when your child stands barefoot.
Still not sure?
Measure the foot standing, add the growing room, and send us the measurement. We'll tell you which size to pick.