Buying Children's Footwear Tips

Its back to school season once again and one thing that is on top of any parents list is the shoes for their kid's, I decided to write something about children's footwear as there are so many things that parents tend to missed out during their shoe shopping with their kids.

Tips for Finding Proper Fitting Shoes for Your Child

During back-to-school season and throughout the year, one of the most important purchases on any parent's shopping list should be a pair of proper fitting shoes for their child. For many parents, shoe shopping may seem easier than a pop-quiz in gym class, but several important factors should be considered:

Children's Feet Change With Age. Shoe and sock sizes may change every few months as a child's feet grow.

Shoes That Don't Fit Properly Can Aggravate the Feet. Always measure a child's feet before buying shoes, and watch for signs of irritation.

Never Hand Down Footwear. Just because a shoe size fits one child comfortably doesn't mean it will fit another the same way. Also, sharing shoes can spread fungi like athlete's foot and nail fungus.

Examine the Heels. Children may wear through the heels of shoes quicker than outgrowing shoes themselves. Uneven heel wear can indicate a foot problem that should be checked by a podiatrist.

Take Your Child Shoe Shopping. Every shoe fits differently. Letting a kid have a say in the shoe buying process promotes healthy foot habits down the road.

Always Buy for the Larger Foot. Feet are seldom precisely the same size.

Buy Shoes That Do Not Need a “Break-In” Period. Shoes should be comfortable immediately. Also make sure to have your kid try on shoes with socks or tights, if that's how they'll be worn.

Think of a Deck of Cards

Children's footwear sizes start at 1, go up to size 13 1/2, then start over again at 1.  It's confusing because there are two sets of sizes with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

There are BABY sizes 1-5, and YOUTH sizes 1-5.  Make sure you're shopping in the correct category.

To make it more confusing, different companies call these categories different names.  The chart at the right gives you American shoe size, Approximate Age, Common Names and tips for fitting.

Half (1/2) Sizes

Brands positioned as specialty children's shoes usually offer “half-sizes” between each “whole size” for a precise fit.  Half sizes require extra investment throughout the supply chain -- which is why only "serious" children's footwear brands offer them.  Factories must purchase 1/2 sizes of manufacturing lasts, and retailers must carry more inventory per style.

Retailers and manufacturers often choose to save money by only offering Full Sizes.  This is especially the case with sandals and boots.  Sandals are open at the toes, so there's less pinching, and a more accommodating fit overall.  Boots cost more to make in general, so companies try to cut costs where they can.

Double Sizes:    Such as:    5/6     7/8      9/10

Double sizing saves companies even more money by being able to market shoes as fitting in between two sizes.

The savvy customer will know that a double-sized shoe is actually the larger of the two sizes, not a length in between the two sizes.  So, if your child is a 5 and you're looking at a shoe marked 5/6, the shoe is most likely a true 6, and will be too large for a true size 5 child.  Make sure you fit double-sized shoes carefully.  If the shoes are a whole size to big, you will need to go to a specialty retailer who offers at least whole sizes, if not half sizes.

Shoe types that often offer double sizing are snowboots, rainboots, water clogs, and sandals.

Reference for Newborn to Children's Shoe Sizes