How to Size Kids Boots And Shoes

Age Boys' Shoe Size (US)

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Basic Kids' Shoe Shopping Principles

• Everything we said about how to measure adult feet on the Online Shoe Store Shoe Fitting Guide is also true of children's feet - except squirmier with more whining and fussing.
• Regardless of your child's age, never let a child wear a shoe that is too small for their feet! Children's feet are still growing and developing and many adult foot problems have their origins in poor-fitting shoes during childhood.
• Never put your child in a shoe that is more than a size too big or the child is likely to trip when walking.
• If you are buying a children's shoe that uses the U.S. or U.K. sizing system (see chart for measurement differences in the two systems), be sure to remember that the notation system starts over at around age 6. At age five your child may wear a children's size 13 and at age 6 your child may wear a youth size 1.
• If you are buying a children's shoe that uses the European sizing system the notation system is the same for babies, children, and adults.
• A youth size 5.5 is equivalent to an adult women's size 7 and an adult men's size 6. For older children and teenagers please use our Men's & Women's Shoe Sizing U.S & European Shoe Sizing Guide.

Tips on Shopping for Infant Shoes

Everyone knows that children's feet grow fast, but infant feet grow the fastest of all. In the first year of a child's life their feet will grow to be almost half their adult shoe size. Other than taking your child to see a podiatrist if foot development seems to be abnormal, the best thing a parent can do for their infant's foot health is to interfere as little as possible. Before a child has started walking, shoes are unnecessary. During the winter months your child can wear soft booties to stay warm, but all foot coverings should be as non-restricting as possible.

After your toddler has begun to walk (usually between 10 and 18 months old), you can introduce him or her to a sneaker with a flexible outsole with good traction. This should be worn outdoors only. Inside the house barefoot is still best for toddlers. Just be sure their play area is free of debris that might hurt their little feet. Remember to check your child's feet for blisters and other signs that their shoes no longer fit. Toddler's feet tend to grow a shoe size larger every three months or so. Feel free to buy shoes slightly larger than what your child needs. 1/2 an inch clearance at the toe provides some growing room.

Tips on Shopping for Children's Shoes

At four years old your child's foot will be double the size it was at birth. Children's shoes can have slightly firmer soles than a toddler's shoe, but there should still be plenty of flexibility. Pronation control is healthy for adult feet. For a kid's feet, a little bit of arch support goes a long way. Never try to correct a child's walking gait without a podiatrist's informed diagnosis and recommendation. Even though your child is older, their feet will still be growing rapidly. Between age four and five most children's feet grow at least a half a shoe size every four to five months. You can buy your child's shoes a little large for their feet, but avoid buying shoes that are more than one size too big or the shoe will become a tripping hazard. When choosing between children's shoe uppers, breathable materials like leather and canvas are best. Children's feet often sweat a lot.

Tips on Shopping for Youth Shoes

Your child will usually start wearing youth shoe sizes around age 6. After the age of 6, it becomes especially important that children wear supportive athletic shoes during play, particularly if they participate in after-school sports. While children's feet are more resilient and thus less prone to injury, the most common cause of chronic children's foot pain is Sever's disease, an inflammation of a child's developing heel growth plate. The most common cause of children's heel pain is participation in activities that involve a lot of running and jumping, such as soccer and basketball, without having shoes that provide enough arch support. Even if your child's favorite pair of athletic shoes provide only minimal support, Children's arch support inserts are available to decrease your child's risk of developing a painful foot injury.

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