Everyone has experienced in his life that his shoes were too small after a few months. In the case of young children, it is not uncommon for their new shoes to become too small after a relatively short period of time. According to a study, about 70 to 80 percent of all children wear shoes that are far too small. This can be explained, among other things, by the fact that small children's feet grow and develop constantly, especially in the first few years. In one year, children's feet grow by approximately two to four sizes. Accordingly, it is extremely important that you measure your child's feet at regular intervals so that you can then buy the right size of children's shoes.
In addition, there is no uniform standard for the respective shoe sizes. So a certain shoe size in one shoe manufacturer can be larger or smaller than the same shoe size in shoes from another manufacturer.
Buying children's shoes in the right size - harder than you think?
Driving from one shoe store to the next - who does not know it. Buying new shoes, and especially buying new shoes with smaller children, sometimes presents a greater challenge than you might have initially thought.
How do I measure children's feet correctly?
Measurement methods such as the thumb or heel trick or the question "Where does your shoe pinch?" are well known. However, these methods are not very reliable and often do not correspond to the truth, because in most cases, such as with the heel trick, children automatically clench their toes in the shoe. How exactly should you measure children's feet correctly instead?
First of all, you should be aware that in order to determine the optimal shoe size, you need the current foot length and the inside length of the shoes, the so-called true size. Before measuring, your child should walk barefoot for a few hours or on socks that do not constrict the child's foot and fit loosely, so that the foot can relax, the toes can stretch and the entire foot can reach its natural position. Then you can measure the foot.
To determine the optimal shoe size you need to do the following:
-Measure your child's foot. The best way to do this is to have your child stand on a piece of paper and draw the shape of the foot with a very sharp and thin pencil or a ballpoint pen.
-Then measure the distance from the heels to the longest toe. Also measure the widest part of the foot, the shoe should be 2-4 mm wider inside than the foot. You can find these instructions again with a picture in the FAQ.
-You need to add about 12 to 17 millimeters to the measured foot length to get the optimal inner length of the shoe. The 12 to 17 millimeters allow your child's foot enough space for healthy and natural growth and a comfortable freedom of movement of the individual toes.
- It is important to note that the extra length you add varies depending on the age group. If your child is just starting to walk, you should add about 12 to 14 millimeters, maximum 15 millimeters. If, on the other hand, your child already has a secure gait, then you can rely on the 12 to 17 millimeters more space. For adults, i.e. yourself, you can leave as much extra space as you like from 12 millimeters. In the end, you have to judge whether you have a good grip in the shoe or not. Professional runners, for example, wear shoes that are up to 2 centimeters larger.
Do not trust the size specifications of the manufacturers
As already listed, there is no standard throughout Europe that determines the size specifications of manufacturers. For example, your child will have one shoe size in shoes from one manufacturer, but it will be different in shoes from another manufacturer. In this case, it is important that you yourself check whether the shoe fits your child when buying the new shoes. I strongly recommend measuring the inside length of the shoe with a suitable measuring device such as the Plus12.
Which shoe shapes are useful
Nowadays, you can find a wide variety of shoe shapes on the shoe shelves or online. If you buy new shoes for yourself or your child, you should make sure to choose the right shoe shape in the future. The right shoe shape in this case means to choose the healthiest shoe shape. No matter how old you are, it is best if the shoe fits so that it is approximately 2 to 4 millimeters wider than your foot. So, conversely, this means that your shoes should neither squeeze nor be too wide. Barefoot shoes are the healthier alternative to regular street or children's shoes. They also provide enough space for the toes in the front. Their flexible sole and anatomical fit allow your child's foot to develop naturally.