Kidshoeology
Connect with me
  • HOME
  • TRENDS
    • Girl's Trends
    • Boy's Trends
  • LEARN
    • AGE / SIZE CHART
    • Common Questions
    • The Basics >
      • Guide to Shoe Sizes + Age/Size Chart
      • Measuring Feet >
        • How to Use the Brannock Device
      • How to Fit Shoes with shoeWATCH™
      • Shoe Anatomy 101
      • Visual Silhouette Guide
      • Glossary
    • Info by Age >
      • First Walker / Toddler
    • Info by Subject
    • Kid Shoe University
    • Tying Shoes >
      • 8 Quick Tips for Teaching Kids to Tie Shoes
    • Ask Jen
    • Footnotes
  • SHOPPING TIPS
    • Shopping BLOG
    • Good Deals
  • STORE
    • The Brannock Story
    • Win a FREE Brannock!
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
    • Consulting
    • Contact
    • Press Releases

Kid's Shoe Fitting Guide


The shoe that fits one person, pinches another.  there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.
Carl Jung

Our incomes are like our shoes; if too small, they gall and pinch us; but if too large, they cause us to stumble and to trip.
John Locke

You cannot put the same shoe on every foot. - Publilius Syrus

  • The one thing children wear out faster than shoes is parents.  John J. Plomp

To be happy, it first takes being comfortable in your own shoes. The rest can work up from there.
Sophia Bush


A shoe is not only a design, but it's a part of your body language, the way you walk. The way you're going to move is quite dictated by your shoe."  Christian Louboutin

If Cinderella's shoe fit, then why did it fall off?
Unknown

  • Nine out of ten women wear shoes that are too small, according to a poll by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Almost half of all women have been injured by their shoes.
You've measured your child's feet, and selected shoes with quality features.  Now it's time to check the fit.  Follow this easy-to-remember 5-POINT check list and you'll fit shoes like the pros.  Consider the foot size a guide. The fit of a specific shoe on your child's feet is the final test.  Overall, a child should appear to be walking comfortably and naturally, and shoes should never require breaking in.

Picture

1. WIDTH
2. ANKLE
3. TOES
4. COMFORT
5. HEEL

WIDTH

The width of the shoe should be comfortable.  Feel the top of the shoe.  It shouldn't be too tight, or too loose.  You should be able to pinch some of the material.  While many shoe closures are adjustable, if your child measures wide or narrow, it's best to fit a shoe that is manufactured specifically to that width.  Remember, almost half of babies have wide feet.  If you can, shop later in the day when children's feet are more swollen, and at their widest.
Picture

ANKLE

A shoe should gently hug the ankle without being too tight.  You should be able to insert your pinky finger inside the shoe at the ankle area.  If there is gapping around the ankle, or you can fit more than your pinky, the ankle fit is too loose.  Shoes with padding around the ankle area are better in general -- they fit a wider variety of feet, and are also more comfortable.  First walking shoes should always have a padded collar.
Picture

TOES

There should be a 1/2" of growing room past the longest toe.  Place your thumb perpendicular to the foot at the end of the shoe.  Press down to feel for the end of the longest toe.  You should be able to press down without feeling any toes.  Growing room is built into a child's shoe.  For example, if your child measures a 5, the size 5 shoe wil have 1/2" of space at the toe area for growing.  Note:  the longest toe is not always the "big" toe.
Picture

COMFORT

Have your child walk or even run a few steps in the shoes.  The child should be moving naturally, as if the shoes are not even on the feet.   Signs of discomfort include complaints, stiffness and walking like "Frankenstein" which is an indication that the shoes aren't flexible enough or there is a point of tightness that could cause a blister.
Picture

HEEL

While your child is sitting, lift one foot and hold the ankle with one hand and grip the heel of the shoe with the other hand.  Now, pull down a few times to check if the heel is slipping out of the shoe.  The shoe should gently grip the heel.  Repeat on the other foot.

Vintage Shoe-Fitting Stools

Service-oriented shoe stores required special furniture.  The shoe sales person would tie or fasten up the shoes for  you, to make sure they fit just right. My favorites are the mid-century.  It would be fun to have one of these at home.   Just remember to double-check the fit while your child is standing.

Cinderella Stories from Around the World:
The Perfect Fit

More than 500 versions of the Cinderella story have been found -- just in Europe! The tale's origins seem to date back to a Chinese story from the ninth century,  “Yeh-Shen.”
    Almost every culture seems to have its own version, and usually includes an evil stepmother and stepsisters, some sort of party, a lost item and a successful search to return it.
Charles Perrault is believed to be the author, of our “modern” 300-year-old Cinderella, that Disney popularized.
    Check out some of the other Cinderella stories to find self-reliant characters, devoted to family and ancestors, and willing to make her or his own future.  I like that!  Yes, you'll even find male "Cinderellas."
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Practical Tips for Buying Children's Shoes

LEARN

KIDS SHOE SIZES
HOW TO FIT KID'S SHOES
HOW TO MEASURE KID'S FEET
WHY BUY QUALITY SHOES
BABY'S FIRST SHOES
SHOPPING TIPS
COMMON QUESTIONS

MORE ARTICLES

ABOUT

Buy better shoes.  Shop smart.  Know the Trends.
All while making your child's foot health the top priority.
Learn Why We're Kid's Shoe Experts

STORE

THE BRANNOCK STORY
WIN A FREE BRANNOCK DEVICE!
Picture
BUY NOW

Kid Shoe University

Shoe Anatomy 101
Visual Shoe Silhouette Guide
Glossary
shoeWATCH 5-Point Fit Check
Ask Jen

Articles

Blogs

Trend
Shopping
Weekly Lecture
Pebble in my Shoe
Footnotes

About

Contact
Press Releases

Consulting

Services
Contact

Advertise

Your customers are here.
Email Me
Copyright 2013-2017 Kid Shoe Media, LLC.  All rights reserved.
Content on this site is for informational or entertainment use, and should not be construed as medical, safety or financial advice.  Kidshoeology provides general information about shoes for healthy feet.

Proudly powered by Weebly