Step by step out into the world: Everything about children’s shoes

They should provide little feet with flexibility and freedom of movement, and with firm footing on all their adventures. So careful consideration should go into choosing the right children’s shoes. Making sure we pick the right size in footwear for our kids today is important for ensuring the health of their feet tomorrow. 

But let’s start at the beginning. The term “Children’s shoes” refers to the shoe sizes 23 to 35 or kids’ sizes 7 to 8.5 in US sizes. These sizes fit kids aged around two to ten years old. There are also smaller sizes for smaller children. Kids generally move into adult sizes from size 36 or US size 4 or 5. 

Children’s shoes: Picking the right size

So how do we find children’s shoes with the right fit? Our most important first step is to figure out the right shoe size for our kids, because research has found that many kids’ shoes don’t fit properly. Sport scientist Wieland Kinz’s research project “Children’s Shoes and Children’s Feet” discovered that no less than 93% of the shoes that were analyzed are too short. We have to avoid this, because shoes that are too short press the child’s big toe toward the second toe, which can result in a painful bunion (Hallux valgus) later in adult life.

93% of children’s shoes are too short. 

There are various reasons why many children’s shoes don’t fit correctly. For one thing, kids’ feet grow fast, around one millimeter a month at kindergarten age. Another issue is that sizes are not standardized among all the different manufacturers, so one company’s size 25 can equate to another’s size 26. 

To find a children’s shoe with the right fit, we can pay attention that the interior length of the shoes accommodates the length of the child’s foot while also providing adequate free space. But the correct width is equally important, because the foot needs enough room at the sides too. It’s easier to hop happily through life without any painful pressure points! 

Almost like being barefoot: Children’s shoes from Wildling Shoes

Flexible soles, firm footing and enough space for rapidly growing feet: Wildling’s minimal shoes allow kids to discover the world playfully.

The thumb test, measuring tapes and all the rest: How should we measure children’s shoes?

If you’re buying shoes for your child for the first time, you’re probably wondering how much space there should be between their toes and the front of the shoe. The rule of thumb is that there should be around 12 to 17 millimeters of space, or ½ to ¾ of an inch. This gives the foot and above all the toes enough space to move freely. 

And speaking of thumbs, one classic method of determining if a child’s shoe fits is the good ol’ thumb test! Press down on the front of the shoe with your thumb to check if there is enough space left over. And since kids have a habit of reflexively pulling their toes in when you do this, it’s helpful to gently place your other hand on top of where the toes are and feel whether they stretch out comfortably.

A child’s foot should have 12 to 17 millimeters or ½ to ¾ of an inch of space at the front of the shoe. 

It’s also a good idea to make a cardboard stencil of the child’s foot and insert it inside prospective new children’s shoes as a test. Just have your kid stand on a piece of cardboard, trace the foot with a marker and leave at least 12 millimeters or half an inch at the front, and voilà, your stencil is finished! The youngster can of course then also enjoy making a creative contribution and color in their new foot stencil...

Finally, it’s recommended to measure the length of the child’s foot and compare it with the children’s shoes size chart from the manufacturer. These charts usually list the interior shoe length in millimeters or centimeters or inches as a reference. At Wildling Shoes, we call these charts “Fitkits”, specially designed for children and toddlers. They make it easy for parents to determine children’s shoe sizes.

Space on the sides: Children’s shoes for wide feet

Along with the proper shoe length, sufficient shoe width is also important. This goes for children’s shoes for wide feet, but also for all other shoes. This is because shoes that are too narrow on the left and right sides can exercise undue pressure on the feet and cause things like pressure points. And because children’s feet are also very pliable and flexible, our kids often don’t notice unpleasant pressure until very late, if at all. 

It’s also helpful on this point to make a cardboard stencil of the child’s foot and insert it into the shoe to determine the right shoe width. Or we can remove the insole from the shoe and have our kid stand on it. It should be a little longer and a little wider than the foot itself. 

When kids are trying on shoes, it helps to do the fingertip test: When they have the shoe on, we should be able to run our fingers along the side over the area of the ball of the foot. If that doesn’t work, the shoe might be too narrow. At the same time, there shouldn’t be excessive space on the right and left so that little feet can’t slip freely around back and forth inside the shoes.

What children’s shoes do orthopedists recommend?

Orthopedists recommend that we pay attention to a series of factors when we’re choosing children’s shoes. As pointed out above, the main priorities for a good fit are the correct length and width. The shoe has to simultaneously provide both enough space and sufficient stability so the kids don’t slip out of their shoes when they’re horsing around. 

For children’s shoes to be orthopedically beneficial, the sole also shouldn’t be too stiff. This is because the more flexible the sole, the better it enables to foot to roll forwards and backwards in a healthy manner. This is the only way for what’s called the Windlass Mechanism to function properly. When we lift our foot while walking or jumping, the big toe pulls upwards from the ground, increasing the area of the arch of the foot. This prepares the foot for its landing back on the ground and enables us to have a healthy gait. This is also one reason that walking barefoot is especially healthy for little feet (and big ones, too!). 

The sole material should also be slip-proof so our kids have firm footing in all their adventures. It’s additionally recommended to keep an eye out for breathable materials. They reduce the formation of sweat and keep the feet pleasantly dry. And last but not least, new children’s shoes should not need to be run in. Instead, they should fit comfortably right from the start.

Children’s shoes in the summer and winter: What should we pay attention to? 

Along with these basic recommendations from an orthopedic perspective, the changing seasons naturally present special challenges for our children’s footwear. 

For shoes our kids should wear in the summer, we can focus on especially light, breathable materials in our selection. They provide good ventilation and transport light moisture outwards. This not only prevents stinky little feet, but also ensures that our children can feel fresh and ready-to-go in the shoes. Open children’s shoes like sandals offer even greater freedom for the feet. 

Children’s shoes for the winter should be breathable too, but also lined with padding to provide enough heat for little feet. Water-resistant materials that dry quickly are particularly suited for youngsters out and about in rainy, muddy weather. Removable soles are also a big help for quickly drying out shoes that have gotten wet. A higher mid cut shoe also helps keep rain and dirt away from the feet. And finally, the soles should have good anti-slip properties.