Our Top 7 Tips for Fitting Children’s Shoes
We don’t want to scare you parents out there, but ill-fitting shoes can seriously damage your child’s growing feet. Your baby is born with mostly cartilage in her foot, and her last bone doesn’t even begin to form until she’s 3. As her bones form they are soft and pliable, making them extremely prone to damage from abnormal pressure. Shoes that “pinch a bit” could end up causing long-term musculoskeletal problems.
We want your kids to have healthy and happy feet. So we are sharing our top tips on how to fit your child’s shoes properly.
At the front you should be able to press down a thumb’s width between the toes and end of the shoes.
Straps or fasteners should keep the foot secure and comfortable in the heel of the shoes.
#4 - Wait until the end of the day
Flex and twist the shoes before getting your child to try them on. Then ask you child to bend and flex in the shoes to see how they move.
At Galleria we are proud to stock SKEANIE Shoes for Kids. They look fantastic, but more important these shoes are made specifically to protect your child’s precious feet. SKEANIE is an Associate Partner of the Australian Podiatry Association and designs footwear for little feet from newborn to junior.
Come in and check out the children’s section at the back of the Galleria shop. Talk to one of us about properly fitting your children’s shoes. We’d love to help!
Confused about sizing? Click here to download our International Shoe Size Conversion Table.
SKEANIE Shoes for Kids have been recognized for contributing to the health of little feet and SKEANIE is an Associate Partner of The AUSTRALIAN PODIATRY ASSOCIATION (NSW & ACT). Our Pre-Walkers have been awarded The Seal of Acceptance by The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
We want your kids to have healthy and happy feet. So we are sharing our top tips on how to fit your child’s shoes properly.
#1 - Use the rule of thumb, quite literally
The rule of thumb can be used for fitting shoes both at the back and front of your child’s foot. At the back of the shoe your thumb should fit between your child’s heel and the back of the shoe – it shouldn’t be too tight or loose.At the front you should be able to press down a thumb’s width between the toes and end of the shoes.
Straps or fasteners should keep the foot secure and comfortable in the heel of the shoes.
#2 - Wiggle and watch
When your child has his shoes on ask her to wriggle his toes. He should be able to do this comfortably without any pain. Watch carefully for bulging from the toes or either side of the shoe.#3 - Fit for the biggest
Pretty much all children (and adults too) have different sized feet so make sure you measure BOTH feet and choose a size that is comfortable for the biggest.#4 - Wait until the end of the day
After a day spent running around your child's feet will bloat, meaning that they're as big as they're going to get (at least for this week, because by next week they may have grown again!) getting your child's feet fitted later in the day reduces the risk of buying shoes that will be too tight.
#5 – Bend and twist
Shoes should only bend in the toe region, not in the arch. The sole of the shoe should not twist. Shoes that bend or twist in the wrong places can increase pressure on the foot – even when it feels like the shoe fits.Flex and twist the shoes before getting your child to try them on. Then ask you child to bend and flex in the shoes to see how they move.
#6 – Put a Sock In It
If your child is going to be wearing socks with her new shoes, make sure she wears socks when being fitted. It’s a good idea to bring along the actual socks you expect her to wear, rather than relying on the shoe store to supply you with something.#7 - Check Fitting Frequently
Children’s feet grow quickly – you’ve probably figured this out already. Podiatrists recommend that you check a child’s shoe size every 1-3 months up to the age of three, every 4 months up to five years and every six months from age 5 to 12.At Galleria we are proud to stock SKEANIE Shoes for Kids. They look fantastic, but more important these shoes are made specifically to protect your child’s precious feet. SKEANIE is an Associate Partner of the Australian Podiatry Association and designs footwear for little feet from newborn to junior.
Come in and check out the children’s section at the back of the Galleria shop. Talk to one of us about properly fitting your children’s shoes. We’d love to help!
Confused about sizing? Click here to download our International Shoe Size Conversion Table.
SKEANIE Shoes for Kids have been recognized for contributing to the health of little feet and SKEANIE is an Associate Partner of The AUSTRALIAN PODIATRY ASSOCIATION (NSW & ACT). Our Pre-Walkers have been awarded The Seal of Acceptance by The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).