Kid’s Bargain Style

I see kids with the wrong size shoes all the time. In fact, my son was a victim not too long ago and it caused some issues with his gross motor control, so much so that they had him re-evaluated for physical therapy. We got him new shoes and it was like seeing an entirely new kid.

“Unlike adult feet, children’s feet grow. The study showed that children’s feet were at serious risk because they were contained in an environment that restricted their growing feet. Children are born with relatively soft and flexible cartilage which gradually converts to bone with age. As they are growing, their feet are vulnerable to injury and deformity due to ill-fitting footwear.”

AJ was wearing a size 6 when he should have been wearing a 7 narrow. I had tried him in a 7 but it was too big so I went back to the 6 when all I had to do was get a narrow shoe.

Poorly fitting children’s shoes can cause a number of problems in adults such as hammer toes, ingrown toenails, foot corns, calluses and bunions. Given the high level of pain and discomfort that these problems can cause, it is obviously logical to attempt to prevent these problems by ensuring that the child’s shoe is fitted appropriately. Foot problems in children are usually preventable.

Advice for fitting shoes:
Advice for the fitting of a child’s footwear:
* Children should have their feet measured about every 3 months (thus ensuring the need for new shoes as required).
* Generally, for a shoe to be correctly fitted, there should be a thumb width between the end of the shoe and the end of the longest toe.
* When looking at the bottom (sole) of the shoe, it should be relatively straight (not curved in too much) - the foot is straight, so the shoe should be straight.
* The fastening mechanism (laces, velcro, buckles) should hold the heel firmly in the back of the shoe (the foot should not be able to slide forward in the shoe).
* the heel counter (back part of the shoe) should be strong and stable.
* the shoe should be flexible across the ball of the foot, as this is where the foot bends. The shoe should not bend where the foot does not bend (ie in the arch area).
* Leather and canvas are a better material - they are more durable and can breathe. Synthetic materials do not breathe as well, unless they are of the ‘open weave’ type. Avoid plastics.
* Check that the shoes have rounded toe boxes to give the toes more room to move.
* Shoes should not need to be “broken in”. If they do, they are either poorly designed or poorly fitted.
* An absorbent insole is helpful, as the foot can sweat a lot - children are very active!
* A number of retail stores specialize in footwear for the child - use them!
* Fitting footwear properly in adults is also just as important

3 Tips

There should be a thumb width between the end of the shoe and the end of the longest toe = length is correct.

You should be able to pinch the upper of the shoe between the thumb and forefinger (this may depend on the nature of the material) = width is correct.

Does the shoe fit snugly around the heel and instep? How stable is the shoe when trying to ‘pull off’ the shoe? = good fit.

Did you Know?

Those under the age of 16-18 months grow more than half a foot size every two months. Toddlers from the ages of 16 to 24 months grow an average of half a foot size every three months. When they are 24 to 36 months old they grow approximately half a foot size every four months. Over the age of 3 years of age, they increase half a foot size every four to six months.

Nordstrom’s Fitting Charts, Width Equivelents, and Measuring Tips.

For Infants and Toddlers…recommended by moms and doctors!

JourneysKidz Home for the trendsetter!

I Love these from Pedipeds…carried by Bugs and Blossoms.

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