Frequently asked questions - How often should I replace my kids shoes? - Shoes for Children

Frequently asked questions

How old should my child be before I buy their first pair of shoes?

The simple answer is when you think they are ready. There are a number of reasons which tend to lead to a decision to buy a first shoe:

- Your child is making a serious attempt to stand or attempt to walk.

- You want to put them on the ground and need some protection for their feet.

- They need shoes for nursery.

 

Why should my baby wear shoes, and why is it important to have them correctly fitted?

Baby shoes will provide protection, warmth and encouragement to start walking. Fitting a baby with poorly fitting shoes early on can damage their feet and this in turn can affect them for the rest of their lives.

Correctly fitting shoes consider length, width, shape and depth of their feet.

 

What About Width Fitting?

Widths generally range from D to H where D is the narrowest width and H the widest. F width is the industry standard width and around 80% of children will fit either an F or G width. H is an extra-wide fit.

 

How Much Room Do I Allow for Growth?

There are no hard and fast rules, but you should allow some growing room and generally shoes should have 12 – 15mm surplus length – 3mm for the rounding at the toes, 5mm for sliding movement and 7mm for growth.

 

You should check the fit regularly as children’s feet grow rapidly and at intervals with no set pattern.

 

Tips for Parents:

 

Keep toenails trimmed straight across and not too short.

 

If your baby or toddler wears a baby-gro, ensure that it is big enough around the feet to allow full movement of the toes.

 

Ensure that socks and tights fit well and check that the toe seams are not causing toes to rub.

 

Don’t force your child to walk; they will walk when they are ready.  Instead try and enjoy each special stage of development while it lasts!

 

While indoors and in a safe environment encourage your child to walk barefoot, this helps the foot to develop and strengthen.

 

 

How quickly do my child’s feet grow?

Children’s feet grow very quickly. In their first three to four years, they can grow as much as two whole shoe sizes each year. When your child reaches school age this slows to about one whole size each year. It’s important that your child’s feet are checked regularly to always have a shoe that fits properly.

 

How often should I replace my child’s shoes?

It depends on the wear and tear, but most importantly it’s all about fit. Every child is different, so it’s important to get their shoes checked and feet measured on a regular basis. We would recommend every 6 weeks or so.

 

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