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
