Children's shoes: Why the correct shoe size is so important
Children's feet develop steadily until the age of 16 and especially in the first developmental stages of babies very quickly. For example, your children's feet can grow from the age of three by up to 1.5 millimeters per month. These are about two to three different shoe sizes that you would need to consider and plan for during this time. You should especially keep the following in mind:
Especially in the first years of life, children's feet are still soft and malleable, causing them to adapt to the shoe. This can lead to health problems such as deformities, hip and back pain, postural problems, and headaches. If the shoe is too big, the child's foot has no support. If the shoe is too small, the pressure damages the shape of the foot.
To prevent this, choosing the right footwear is all the more important. But that is not always easy. Because especially in babies and toddlers, the nerve cells are not yet fully developed, so they have an even underdeveloped sensitivity to pressure which makes it difficult for them to accurately indicate whether a shoe fits properly or not.
You can't rely on size charts alone either, because the EU sizes are not standardized. Shoe sizes from different manufacturers therefore often vary. Thus they only provide a guide and only become really useful when you know your child's exact foot length.
Precisely measuring children's feet – especially length and width – is fundamentally the best method, to be able to choose suitable footwear. So that you can always accommodate your little ones' foot growth and always have the right pair of shoes at home, it is essential to regularly measure the feet.. For babies and toddlers up to three years old, it makes sense to check children's shoe sizes every six to eight weeks. For children from three years on, you only need to measure the shoe size every three to four months.
What to consider for children's shoe sizes
Obtain appropriate footwear in the following order: measure the feet, consult the size chart, and only then, if necessary, seek professional advice from specialists.Our tip:Occasionally it is even advisable to have your children's shoe size measured by professionals using the WMS system.
Children's shoes should neither too small nor too large and not too stiff nor too heavy be.
Always prefer healthy shoes to fashionable ones. They should have neither an extremely low toe tip nor too little space for the toes.
Do not rely solely on your children's judgment when measuring their feet, as especially in the first years they do not really perceive pressure.
From the third year of life, children's feet can grow by up to 1.5 millimetres, which is why around 12 to 17 millimetres should always be added when buying shoes.
Measure your children's shoe sizes at regular intervals. For babies and toddlers up to three years every six to eight weeks, and for children aged three and older every three to four months.
Children's shoe sizes from different manufacturers usually vary.Our tip: Measure your children's feet in centimetres and then refer to the size charts.
A template or a special measuring device at a specialist shop are the most helpful methods for measuring children's shoe sizes.
The following measurements are relevant for calculating the shoe size: inner shoe length and width, instep width and available toe space.
If one foot is longer than the other, use that one as a guide.
Always measure your children's shoe sizes while standing so that the feet have enough space in the children's shoe when walking.
Don't buy socks that are too tight, because they can also impair foot health.
Always schedule your shoe purchase for the afternoon, because the feet expand during the day and this way the shoe with the perfect fit is found – also under greater load. Before trying them on, let the kids walk barefoot for a few minutes.
Which shoe size is appropriate for babies?
As a rule, the size for baby shoes starts at 16.Shoes in this size should even fit right after birth and accompany you until the third month of life. However, that is also the age at which your babies do not yet need shoes at all. This is followed by further baby shoe sizes from 17 to 23, which are then suitable for children up to one year old.
Usually, the question of the right shoe size only arises when it's about your children's first shoes. Depending on that, of course, whether and when babies even need (walking) shoes and what should be considered about them.
In general, children's shoes are only recommended when your babies learn to walk and independently want to explore the outside world beyond their own four walls. Shoes then offer a protection from cold and injuries, which can come with walking on the street.
To help you find the right baby shoes, it is especially important for your little ones to measure the correct foot length in centimetres to measure. This can usually then be converted into the appropriate baby shoe size using a shoe size calculator.
Which children's shoe sizes are normal at which ages?
Your children's growth — and their little feet — progress individually. For that reason, the question of which children's shoe size is normal for which age cannot be answered in general terms.
Age alone generally doesn't say much about which size is suitable for little runners, because even the same shoe sizes don't always apply – and certainly not the sizes of different body parts.
Although size charts often show an approximate age, that doesn't mean those sizes will actually fit your children. You should therefore only consult shoe size charts after you've measured your children's exact foot length and want to determine where it fits.
It's also helpful to involve specialist staff and have the measured values double-checked. This way you're always on the safe side when measuring your children's correct shoe size.
Overview of methods for measuring children's feet
Would you like to measure your children's feet to be certain of their current shoe size but don't know where to start? No problem — HABA has put together the essential tips and the most reliable measuring methods that you can easily use yourself.
“You can tell a shoe fits when there are two fingers' widths to the toe!” — you have probably heard something like the finger or thumb test. But by now it's clear that this is not the most reliable method. In general, older and newer methods are distinguished, which at first can be confusing. To help you keep an overview and to know which measuring methods you can reliably use, HABA has prepared a brief summary for you here.
The WMS measuring device (good)
WMS measuring devices are commonly used in specialist retailers. WMS stands for width-measurement system. Children's shoes carrying the WMS sticker signal high quality — particularly in terms of fit. The measuring method is regarded as the safest and most reliable, because foot measurement includes not only the calculation of shoe length but also the width indication. That means this method helps you find out whether your children's feet are narrow or wide so you can choose shoes accordingly. It is important to know, however, that the method is not intended for use at home and is normally carried out only by trained specialists.
Foot-measuring shell & insole gauge (good)
As an alternative to a WMS device you can use a foot-measuring shell or an insole gauge. Here no exact measurement of width is possible, but the shoe size can still be determined reliably. For this you measure your children's feet while standing. The legs should be straight and the measuring shell should fit closely to the heel and sole. Various sizes can be read up to children's size 26. Measure both sides where possible, because often one foot is larger than the other and that one counts for the final shoe size.
Thumb test (poor)
The simple thumb press on the toe cap or behind the heel is probably the most popular measuring method, but by no means the most reliable. It can show roughly a finger's width of space in the shoe — equivalent to an additional 12 to 17 millimetres and useful for correct children's footwear — but neither the fit nor the exact shoe size can be defined precisely this way. Children also tend to pull their toes in during the thumb press. Whether the shoe ultimately fits well or badly is therefore difficult to determine with the thumb test. Consequently you should avoid the method or use it only to check the toe space. To stop your children pulling their toes in, press them down gently with your hand when measuring.
Holding children's feet against the outer sole (poor)
Comparing children's feet with the outer sole is far from effective. The external dimensions of the children's shoe say nothing about the important internal dimensions. Fit regarding foot width is also completely disregarded here, which is why the method is seen as rather unreliable. Thus trainers, formal shoes and co. can be too tight even if a margin has been taken into account.
Asking children if the shoe pinches (poor)
Especially toddlers and babies do not yet have a fully developed nervous system and therefore lack a meaningful sense of pressure. It is therefore pointless to ask them whether the shoes they try on really fit. The feet adapt to the shape of the shoe so your little ones may think trainers or formal shoes are comfortable, even though the shoes are far from ideal. The older your kids are, the more they can tell you about comfort, but you should never rely on that solely when measuring.
Removable insoles (good)
Comparing with an insole is by far more recommended than with the outer sole, because this concerns the interior space of the children's shoes. Removable insoles let you discover how much space there is at the sides and in front. Simply remove the insole from the shoe (of course only possible with pairs that offer a removable insole), place your children's feet on it and check exactly how well the selected shoes fit. In addition to insoles you can also make your own template. Measure your kids' foot lengths and use the longer foot as reference. Add 1.5 centimetres and cut the template from cardboard to take it to the shoe shop. When placed in the chosen shoe this template should neither slide nor bulge. That way you determine perfectly fitting shoes. But remember to replace the insole regularly, because children's feet keep growing.
How to measure children's feet and determine shoe size
You now have some practical tips for measuring your kids' feet. Time to put them into practice. With the help of the following measuring methods you can measure the feet of your babies, toddlers and older kids comfortably and quickly. Try it and find out your little ones' shoe size.
Determining baby shoe sizes
Delicate baby feet can only be measured with sufficient support from you parents. Even if your babies might be able to stand by themselves, it is usually a shaky affair and you should support them.
And this is how you measure those sweet baby feet:
Place your baby barefoot on a white sheet of paper.
Trace around one foot with a pen first. It's best to press it slightly down with your hand so that the toes and the foot are stretched and sit upright on the paper. Repeat the same with the other foot.
Now measure the foot length by placing a ruler or tape measure from the drawn heel to the big toe.
If one baby foot is longer than the other, use the larger foot for the shoe size.
It is important to include some allowance for baby feet. Add 1.2 to 1.7 centimetres to the measured foot length (this corresponds to a minimum allowance of 12 millimetres). You can use the following formula: (foot length in cm + 1.5) x 1.5 = shoe size An example: (9.7 cm + 1.5) x 1.5 = 16.8
To be sure, it is advisable to have your babies' foot size checked occasionally by trained staff in the relevant shoe shop.
Determining shoe sizes for toddlers and older children
Foot length, the distance from the toe to the heel, can best be measured using a template. You can download our measuring template, cut it out and, if necessary, stick it onto cardboard to use it directly.
To measure your kids' little feet, proceed as follows:
First, print the template at the correct scale.
Check that you have printed the true-to-scale template by placing a tape measure or ruler on the printout.
If the template size is correct, stick it to the floor so it doesn't slip.
Now you can start measuring. Place one foot at a time on the printed template. It's best if your kids wear socks, as these also require space in the shoe.
Place the feet so that the heel rests on the lower mark. For the best stance, the other foot should stand exactly parallel to the foot being measured first. This ensures the weight is evenly distributed.
Gently stroke the toes so they relax.
Now simply read off the foot length by seeing at which level the longest toe tips are.
To ensure the shoe can be used for several months, add 1.2 to 1.7 centimetres (the minimum allowance of 12 millimetres) to the measured foot length. Remember this formula: (foot length in cm + 1.5) x 1.5 = shoe size An example: (14.1 cm + 1.2) x 1.5 = 22.95 (shoe size 23)
With the determined shoe size you can now go shoe hunting. Use a shoe-size chart as a guide, but also check whether the shoes actually run true to size. Because depending on the manufacturer, a size 23 is not always exactly a 23.
If you prefer to have the shoe size measured in a shoe shop first, you can usually use a measuring device provided there.
Here is how to proceed:
Place your child on the measuring gauge. The heels must rest against the stop.
Now take the slider and pull it up to the longest toe.
Sizes can vary depending on the foot. Always use the larger foot of your kids as reference.
To get the longest possible use out of the shoes, add another 1.2 centimetres of allowance.
The children's shoe size determined in this way now serves as the basis for your shoe search. Good luck!
Our tip: Still have the shoe size checked regularly by a specialist. That way you can be sure you measured everything correctly.
What to watch for when buying children's shoes
Once you've determined your little ones' shoe size, there's nothing stopping you from buying shoes. To really get the best children's shoes, it's important to keep different criteria in mind to judge the quality of formal shoes, sandals, winter shoes and other footwear.
Material fundamentally plays an important role. Ideally, children's shoes are made of natural materials.
This is particularly advantageous for closed footwear, as natural materials mould to delicate children's feet and thus provide comfortable wear. If formal shoes and boots are made from stiffer materials, they squeeze children's feet into an unnatural shape, which in turn is bad for physical health.
Also, breathability should not be ignored when buying shoes. Shoes with a leather footbed are particularly suitable. In this way you prevent the formation of sweat. Natural materials are generally better than synthetic ones, as they promote air circulation inside the shoe.
Be particularly careful with wellingtons. The rule here is: natural rubber is better than PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Wellingtons made of PVC often contain harmful substances and the air exchange and thus breathability are severely limited.
Otherwise: Involve your children in the decision. Even if, due to an immature pressure sensation, they cannot say much about the correct shoe size, they should at least be allowed to express their opinion on the shoe design.
Buying baby shoes: tips you should follow
If your babies are at the walking stage and want to explore environments beyond your home, it's time: you should buy their first shoes. But what matters when buying first shoes and trainers? We're happy to help you find the right pair and give you an overview of the quality criteria.
Baby shoes should be made of a soft upper material that gives your kids sufficient freedom of movement.
First walking shoes made of cotton or linen are especially popular in summer because they are very breathable and thus reduce sweating.
Flexible and slip-resistant soles are required because they promote natural foot movement and motor development.
The first shoes should generally be light in weight so they protect the back and spine.
Non-toxic, soft and breathable materials are a must. Footwear carrying the WMS seal or the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is considered especially good.
Check your baby feet regularly for pressure marks, redness or blisters. If these occur, the shoes are definitely unsuitable.
The fastener of baby shoes should be child-safe. Prefer simple fastenings such as hook-and-loop or zips rather than laces, because the latter can come undone more easily and therefore pose a risk of injury.
