Sometimes I don't know what to think! My toddler is wearing size 8 rain boots, but size 8.5 sneakers. Yet when I tried to put size 8 cowboy boots on him - no dice. Hmmm. I guess I needed to check his shoe size.
5 steps to fitting kids' shoes correctly
How in the world do I go about fitting kids' shoes correctly? I asked myself one day! Especially when I like to order online to get the best deals and selections, it's really important to know fit kids' shoes properly.
So I did some sleuthing... the internet is great for that, right?
Here's what I learned about fitting kids' shoes correctly:
This post is brought to you by pediped®
Measure BOTH feet.Purchase shoes for the larger sized foot. Ideally, have your child's foot professionally sized with a measuring gauge, but nowadays, there are lots of tools online for measuring your child's feet. pediped® has a printable sizing guide (be sure your printer is set correctly), an app for measuring your child's foot, and a foldable measuring tool you can purchase! So many ways to make sure you are fitting kids' shoes correctly!
Test the toe fit. There should be about a half inch of space (about a thumb width) between the longest toe and the end of the shoe
Test the ankle fit by gently tugging at the back of the shoe, while your child is wearing them and sitting down. The shoe should not pop off.
Feel all around the shoe - remember that shoe size is primarily two-dimensional, but feet are three dimensional. So feel the sides and top of the foot while it's in the shoe to be sure there's no bulging or tightness. Snug is okay.
Have your child walk in the shoe and observe. They should be able to walk naturally with the shoe not slipping or gaping.
Are you concerned about fittings kids' shoes correctly?
When I order shoes online, there's a huge amount of holding my breath to see if I've done a good job fitting my kids' shoes! But lately I've been getting better at it, and even when I get the wrong size, at least I know what to look for now!
My son's been tooling around in these pediped® Flex Adrian sneakers. He loves their easy on/off wide straps! (So do I!).
I love them most because he had the exact same style of pediped® shoes when he was just about eighteen months old!
My time flies... but great shoes are still great shoes, so I'm happy he's got a new pair of pediped®s on! I know I've told you this before because I share our new pediped's with you regularly, but don't forget the awesome features of this shoe:
- machine-washable - yay! Spring mud is a beast!
- breathable and flexible - that's just healthy
- Flex-Fit system with removable inserts to give you a little wiggle room on sizing, extending your shoe usage.
pediped® shoes celebrates 10 years
Celebrate with pediped® as they turn ten this year! I've been a supporter of this fabulous brand for half their lifetime (since I've had kids!). A decade later, pediped® is a globally recognized award-winning children’s brand and the new gold standard in children’s footwear. Their shoes are an excellent choice for parents who want their children's feet to develop naturally and healthily - hey, that's all of us!
Thanks to pediped® for providing shoes for this post! All opinions are my own.
Great tips and totally can relate to shoe buying! Although I am quite guilty of not really measuring my son's feet since I always buy a size (or two) bigger for him. His feet just grows so fast!
See Kai Run is perfect to fit
See Kai Run is perfect to fit
my daughter loves Tennis shoes and dressy shoes ..
my daughter loves Tennis shoes and dressy shoes ..
My kids are usually in Crocs in the summer and Nike sneakers for the other seasons
My kids are usually in Crocs in the summer and Nike sneakers for the other seasons
My daughter likes to wear Mary Janes and my three boys likes to wear sneakers. It can be difficult to fit the shoes correctly, especially with the fast-growing boys.
It is grandchildren now--they are generally in either sneakers or sandals.
It is grandchildren now--they are generally in either sneakers or sandals.
Whatever he wears, Gabey kicks them off.
Both of my kids wear sneakers. My son pretty much only wears sneakers. My daughter I get whatever is cute and matches her outfits.. sandals.. boots.. etc.
Both of my kids wear sneakers. My son pretty much only wears sneakers. My daughter I get whatever is cute and matches her outfits.. sandals.. boots.. etc.
My girls wear tennis shoes, mostly. We have a hard time finding them any cute sandals because their feet are so big.
My girls wear tennis shoes, mostly. We have a hard time finding them any cute sandals because their feet are so big.
The Kids Wear Tennis Shoes, We Do Struggle In Finding The Perfect Fit.
The Kids Wear Tennis Shoes, We Do Struggle In Finding The Perfect Fit.
My grandsons have a variety of brands of shoes but Pediped is better quality I'm sure so would love to win for them, thanks!
My grandsons have a variety of brands of shoes but Pediped is better quality I'm sure so would love to win for them, thanks!
My children have all had Pedipeds. They are the only shoes that don't fall off my baby girl's feet! My middle son has two different sized feet
My children have all had Pedipeds. They are the only shoes that don't fall off my baby girl's feet! My middle son has two different sized feet
It's frustrating that different brands size differently. We usually get our shoes from Sears.
My boys wear Keep, Pedi Ped, See Kai Run, and Umi.
My boys wear Keep, Pedi Ped, See Kai Run, and Umi.
Tennis shoes and sandals! he has wide feet so it is hard!
Tennis shoes and sandals! he has wide feet so it is hard!
I like shoes that can be worn for running and playing and stay on tight for climbig at the park! Pediped is awesome
I like shoes that can be worn for running and playing and stay on tight for climbig at the park! Pediped is awesome
They love tennis shoes and I am CONSTANTLY struggling to make sure they fit properly! They always seem to be growing out of them or just wearing them out! Thanks for the great giveaway!
They love tennis shoes and I am CONSTANTLY struggling to make sure they fit properly! They always seem to be growing out of them or just wearing them out! Thanks for the great giveaway!
I do struggle to fit my child correctly. the last two pairs should have been changed much sooner than I realized
I do struggle to fit my child correctly. the last two pairs should have been changed much sooner than I realized
My son has one pair of Pedipeds right now. I had a local shoe store measure his feet and I ordered them online. Sometimes I worry that certain shoes might not be comfortable for him, but I don't worry with his Pedipeds. He wears them most often. He does have a pair of fisherman sandals that I put him in occasionally.
My son has one pair of Pedipeds right now. I had a local shoe store measure his feet and I ordered them online. Sometimes I worry that certain shoes might not be comfortable for him, but I don't worry with his Pedipeds. He wears them most often. He does have a pair of fisherman sandals that I put him in occasionally.
My son wears a little bit of everything. He loves shoes and usually has a variety of styles in each size. But, you're right- they differ so much! I've purchased shoes, only to have him grow out them within a month. Madness! I need to find a good app and trace his foot to carry around with me.
My 3 year old really likes shoes she can put on herself. Her favorite pair is Croc-style mules. My 1 year old likes soft-soled leather shoes that are easy for him to bend his feet in. It is hard to fit those fat little feet!
My 3 year old really likes shoes she can put on herself. Her favorite pair is Croc-style mules. My 1 year old likes soft-soled leather shoes that are easy for him to bend his feet in. It is hard to fit those fat little feet!
They wear sneakers -- canvas or leather. Also wear sandals when it's warm outside.
They wear sneakers -- canvas or leather. Also wear sandals when it's warm outside.
My kids don't wear a certain brand of shoes. I just look for a pair that seem to fit them well. I have a hard time figuring out if my oldest just like the shoes and is cramming her feet into them or not. My youngest just wants to look "fast".
My kids don't wear a certain brand of shoes. I just look for a pair that seem to fit them well. I have a hard time figuring out if my oldest just like the shoes and is cramming her feet into them or not. My youngest just wants to look "fast".
Little one wears soft soled shoes Tsukihoshi. Like to try Pediped.
Little one wears soft soled shoes Tsukihoshi. Like to try Pediped.
My three boys are always on the go and prefer shoes that are quick to put on.
My three boys are always on the go and prefer shoes that are quick to put on.
My kids wear athletic shoes most of the time.
My kids wear athletic shoes most of the time.
My son is wearing Oshkosh shoes. I measured him before we went to the store and had him try on a couple pairs of shoes.
My son is wearing Oshkosh shoes. I measured him before we went to the store and had him try on a couple pairs of shoes.
I struggle with my grand kids. It seems like different brands sizes fit differently with little kids plus they are always growing.
I struggle with my grand kids. It seems like different brands sizes fit differently with little kids plus they are always growing.
My son's left foot is a little bigger than his right, so that's a problem. He likes to wear sandals and open toe shoes.
My son's left foot is a little bigger than his right, so that's a problem. He likes to wear sandals and open toe shoes.
My niece wears sandals and ballet flats. I don't think she has fitting problems.
My niece wears sandals and ballet flats. I don't think she has fitting problems.
My kids wear mostly shoes with velcro closures. They stay on better. My son's wide feet sometimes causes problems with fitting correctly
My kids wear mostly shoes with velcro closures. They stay on better. My son's wide feet sometimes causes problems with fitting correctly
Granddaughter wears sandals a lot and grandson wears tennis shoes all the time.
Granddaughter wears sandals a lot and grandson wears tennis shoes all the time.
If they are closed toe shoes, it is a struggle to get dd to wear them! She hates anything that restricts her from being able to wiggle her toes...including socks! Luckily we don't get that cold here. Her school shoes have to be SOLID black so I've started buying cheap under $10 flats at Walmart that she can "wiggle" her toes in! LOL She DESTROYS her school shoes and needs new ones every couple of months - name brand or cheap ones! All her other shoes are usually open toe sandals or flip flops!
If they are closed toe shoes, it is a struggle to get dd to wear them! She hates anything that restricts her from being able to wiggle her toes...including socks! Luckily we don't get that cold here. Her school shoes have to be SOLID black so I've started buying cheap under $10 flats at Walmart that she can "wiggle" her toes in! LOL She DESTROYS her school shoes and needs new ones every couple of months - name brand or cheap ones! All her other shoes are usually open toe sandals or flip flops!
My son wears a wide width, so sometimes it's hard to find shoes that fit him well. He likes sandals and sneakers.
My son wears a wide width, so sometimes it's hard to find shoes that fit him well. He likes sandals and sneakers.
I love soft soled with a little match of rubber for my beginner walker
I love soft soled with a little match of rubber for my beginner walker
Primarily Stride Rites, and yes, getting a correct fit is very difficult, especially with the littlest ones with chubby feet.
Primarily Stride Rites, and yes, getting a correct fit is very difficult, especially with the littlest ones with chubby feet.
Our daughter wears whatever hand me downs she fits into at the moment and if those don't include sneakers, then we buy whatever we can find on sale at Walmart. It's not idea, but what we can afford at the moment.
She wears assorted shoes.
She wears assorted shoes.
I've tried a variety. The gym shoes I've liked best are Keds and Gymboree, especially when they have hook & loop closures.
I'd love to try these Pedipeds... 😉
I typically buy inexpensive shoes because little man grows out of them so fast. I did break down and buy Nike tennis shoes which seem to fit him better. The one time I had his foot measured the sale person gave me his shoe size and when I tried it they were huge. Looking forward to checking out these shoe sizing tools and getting him a good pair of shoes!
I love the brand Pediped shoes, great tips for fitting. My sons feet grow so fast, he needs new sneakers like every 3 to 4 months
I love the brand Pediped shoes, great tips for fitting. My sons feet grow so fast, he needs new sneakers like every 3 to 4 months
My son has a pair of rain boots, a pair of Croc type shoes, a pair of hiking type boots, and a pair of Sunday shoes. It is a struggle to get the right type of shoes for my daughter, because she doesn't like sandal straps between her toes, and her little toes and kinda crooked, so they tend to slip out of sandals. I have to be pretty careful what kind of sandals I get! Yes, sizing can be rather difficult!
My son has a pair of rain boots, a pair of Croc type shoes, a pair of hiking type boots, and a pair of Sunday shoes. It is a struggle to get the right type of shoes for my daughter, because she doesn't like sandal straps between her toes, and her little toes and kinda crooked, so they tend to slip out of sandals. I have to be pretty careful what kind of sandals I get! Yes, sizing can be rather difficult!
My oldest wears all kinds of shoes, but recently we've been struggling to fit her with some good hiking shoes for the summer. Your tips will come in very handy! (And I love that Pediped shoes are washable... a must for us.)
My oldest wears all kinds of shoes, but recently we've been struggling to fit her with some good hiking shoes for the summer. Your tips will come in very handy! (And I love that Pediped shoes are washable... a must for us.)
my daughter enjoys wearing her 'running shoes". she definitely needs new tennis shoes but its so difficult to find a nice looking pair that i can afford. pediped is the top brand id love to try
my daughter enjoys wearing her 'running shoes". she definitely needs new tennis shoes but its so difficult to find a nice looking pair that i can afford. pediped is the top brand id love to try
I do struggle to fit the kids correct, they wear all types of shoes.
I do struggle to fit the kids correct, they wear all types of shoes.
I usually buy my daughter Saucony brand shoes or stride rite brand because they come in wide width. Yes, I always have trouble with fitting her shoes! Thank you so much for the very helpful tips!
I usually buy my daughter Saucony brand shoes or stride rite brand because they come in wide width. Yes, I always have trouble with fitting her shoes! Thank you so much for the very helpful tips!
My kids have all kinds of shoes they wear. They love their sneakers but also have dress shoes for church and days they want to dress up for school. Having 5 kids isn't always easy to get them a lot of pair of shoes but we try to get what we can
My kids have all kinds of shoes they wear. They love their sneakers but also have dress shoes for church and days they want to dress up for school. Having 5 kids isn't always easy to get them a lot of pair of shoes but we try to get what we can
the wear casual shoes usually occ.they have some dressy shoes,and we try on tons of shoes before we get one that fits well
the wear casual shoes usually occ.they have some dressy shoes,and we try on tons of shoes before we get one that fits well
I know the pain of getting the right size of shoe. It's frustrating that sizing isn't consistent across brands. The latest shoes I've tried are DC brand for my 3rd grader. His shoes don't even survive one quarter of school. WIth the DC ones I learned about via a Steals site, they have survived three quarters of school! I got a good deal when I bought them, but even at full price I would still break even or come ahead a bit financially.
P.S. When my dad was a kid, I believe he stood on some sort of X-ray machine to check how well the shoes fit.
I know the pain of getting the right size of shoe. It's frustrating that sizing isn't consistent across brands. The latest shoes I've tried are DC brand for my 3rd grader. His shoes don't even survive one quarter of school. WIth the DC ones I learned about via a Steals site, they have survived three quarters of school! I got a good deal when I bought them, but even at full price I would still break even or come ahead a bit financially.
P.S. When my dad was a kid, I believe he stood on some sort of X-ray machine to check how well the shoes fit.
I've always tried to buy good quality shoes for my children but once they get out of toddler sizes it becomes increasingly difficult. My youngest is only 9 and has a relatively small foot but still it is hard to find age appropriate quality shoes.
I've always tried to buy good quality shoes for my children but once they get out of toddler sizes it becomes increasingly difficult. My youngest is only 9 and has a relatively small foot but still it is hard to find age appropriate quality shoes.
Honestly, Pedipeds are the ONLY shoes that fit my daughter's feet correctly. She has long, slender feet and I swear most other kids' shoes were made for little hobbit feet. :-O
Honestly, Pedipeds are the ONLY shoes that fit my daughter's feet correctly. She has long, slender feet and I swear most other kids' shoes were made for little hobbit feet. :-O
My boys wear what I can find at the consignment store or on clearance. I try to find good shoes that fit and are flexible.
My boys wear what I can find at the consignment store or on clearance. I try to find good shoes that fit and are flexible.
For summer I just bought all 3 of my show wearing kids slip ones, this makes the running in and out of the house easier on everyone.
For summer I just bought all 3 of my show wearing kids slip ones, this makes the running in and out of the house easier on everyone.
My son has wide feet, and it was very hard to find shoes at most stores that fit. Our local shoe store, Morlees, introduced us to Pedipeds. Now he only wears Pediped sneakers and boots. We love them! They are really sturdy.
My son has wide feet, and it was very hard to find shoes at most stores that fit. Our local shoe store, Morlees, introduced us to Pedipeds. Now he only wears Pediped sneakers and boots. We love them! They are really sturdy.
My girls usually have multiple pairs of shoes....I love to buy them when I find them on clearance.
My girls usually have multiple pairs of shoes....I love to buy them when I find them on clearance.
My grandsons like to wear athletic styled shoes to match their athletic style clothing. Luckily my grandsons have pretty average feet so fitting them properly isn't much of an issue.
My grandsons like to wear athletic styled shoes to match their athletic style clothing. Luckily my grandsons have pretty average feet so fitting them properly isn't much of an issue.