Measure at Home

Measuring

With your child standing on the paper ask them to ‘stand tall’ to spread their weight evenly.

Mark the paper at the back of the heel and at the tip of the toe that extends the furthest.

Use your ruler/tape measure and to measure the distance between the two marks.

Now do the other foot – feet are often different sizes!

Wide enough?

The shoe should be snug and comfy with no visible bulging at the sides. The little toe shouldn’t be pressing against the side of the shoe.

Deep enough?

Rub your thumb across the top of the shoe. If your ripples create a ridge of leather, the shoe may be too wide. No movement at all would indicate they’re too narrow.

Ankles ok?

Check the topline of the shoe doesn’t touch or rub the ankle bone (unless the shoe has a padded ankle collar).

Heels ok?

With your child sitting down, hold their ankle and tug gently on the heel of the shoe to check there is little or no movement.

Final check

Watch your child walk, skip and jump in their shoes, indoors on a carpeted surface. They should be moving naturally without excessive slipping at the heel or gaping at the sides (the smaller foot might need an insole to help the fit - Shop insoles).