How to measure the foot properly

The sizing is only for guidance - every shoemaker has different shoe parameters, so even if you choose one size bigger pair, in reality, it can be a few mm smaller.

Measure twice order once. Measure the foot and filter the items by exact and accurate inner dimensions. Choose the ideal pair, which will have the best length and width.

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How to measure the foot in the best way possible?

There are more possibilities. In our opinion, measuring by a firm stopper is the most accurate and easiest way. It doesn't require any special tools.

Measure the feet completely bare and fully weighted (laying or sitting position makes the foot a few mm shorter and narrower).
If possible, measure both feet, because they can be different.
Put the foot to the stopper, and make a mark before the longest toe (usually big toe or index toe), don't forget to hold the pencil vertically to the paper.
Measure the width with a ruler or tailor's measuring tape. Start with the point in the middle of the heel and continue to the longest point.
Measure the width in the same way - put the inside of the foot ( big toe side) to the stopper and mark it in the widest point.

Tracing of the foot - frequently used method but not so accurate one. The angle of the pencil is crucial. Any deviation can cause a difference of up to 1 cm. If you choose to use the tracing method, pay attention to the angle of the pencil.

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What is the right size excess?

Add an size excess to the gained measurements, the extra room for correct walk and growth.

The optimal size excess is 3-6 mm for children and 5-7 mm for adults.
The shoes are too small if there isn’t at least extra space of 3mm.
We buy children's shoes with enough room for growth, usually with the size excess number around 12 mm.
The shoe should not push the toes inwards and together, so we choose shoes wider than the measured foot, ideally, 2-5 mm wider.
The toe box is crucial. It needs to correspond to the toe shape.
Foot length (e.g. 207 mm) + an additional size excess of 9-14 mm = ideal inner length of new child's shoes (216-221 mm)
Foot width ( e.g. 80 mm) = ideal inner shoe width is at least 81 mm and more.

Take into consideration age, way of walk and kind of shoe

We don’t complicate the unsure walk of beginner walkers with a bigger shoe. We minimalize the size excess number to 5-9 mm for by first footwear, even though there’s a possibility of an earlier shoe shopping.
Active children, who walk independently for more than three months, can handle the additional size excess of 10-12mm. The children must walk naturally. They shouldn't trip over, drag, or rotate the feet inward.
You can buy winter footwear with extra space of up to 15 mm, but take into consideration the thickness of the socks.
Sandals and ballerina flats with an additional room number of 10 mm.
The additional size excess for adults is individual, follow your instinct or good feeling, but definitely, there needs to be at least an extra room of 4-5 mm. If you are a fan of running or trekking footwear, don’t hesitate to add an size excess of 7-10 mm.

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Choosing a suitable pair

For the best shoe choice, use a filter for length and width. We quote all the inner dimensions of all the brands and models on our website.

You can also filter by other parameters - a type of shoe, a color, a brand or a material, etc.

We use a Plus 12 meter for re-measuring the footwear and digital Clevermess for measuring the width ( we state the actual inner dimension without the size excess number - so you can adapt it to your needs.

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Other foot proportions - don’t hesitate to ask for help

Height of the instep, narrow ankle, fin-shaped toe, or dominant big toe… There are no exact criteria for what's high, low, or average. It is difficult to determine if the toe is dominant when it's only 3 mm longer than the index toe.

Other parameters can be indicative. For example, if the tightened velcros strips are too long and they touch the floor, the foot is slender or with a low instep. Use your common sense for the right decision. The ill-fitting shoes can help us to assess the size. If you are unsure, send us photos or contact us on our chat. We are ready to help and to provide advice.

In-between sizes

If you are in-between sizes and the size excess number once turns out to be 8 mm and the other time 15 mm. You can try on shoes from brands that have shifted sizing. So you can get closer to the ideal fit.

Or you must decide - The child can walk optimally in 8 mm. Nevertheless, the extra room is fairly small, so you need to be prepared to buy new footwear more frequently. The slightly worn shoes can be re-sold for a reasonable price. We recommend choosing a lower size excess number by the end of the season (January for winter shoes, May for school slippers, or August for the sandals) unless the other relatives can re-wear the shoes.

The higher additional size excess grants us the certainty of prolonging the time of wearing, but verify if the child handles it well. Some children manage it with no problem. The extra room can change the walking pattern.

When everything is too tight

Don’t be hopeless if your child has wide feet... If the walker is a beginner, don’t worry because the foot will grow, and the fat pouch over the instep will disappear. Over the age period of 2-3, the children’s feet change significantly.

Older children can have wider feet, and for this reason, the choice of shoes is limited, and sometimes there's nothing that fits. Even the widest pairs can be too tight. In this case, there is an option to have the shoe custom-made, but this can be time-consuming and money-demanding. If the shoe doesn’t fit well, it can be complicated. Don't worry whether the shoe is a few mm smaller because it does not mean the foot is deformed. The well-shaped toe box guarantees that the sides of the shoe only create slight pressure on the foot and that the toes are not pushed over each other and deformed. More significant is the length of the shoe and the toe box size.

Which shoes?

Everyone has different expectations and preferences. Every foot is different… it is up to you what you choose, and it is up to us to offer you help and advice. You can get in touch with us via the different contacts mentioned below: