What to look for when buying shoes with young children.

When is it time for a new size of children's shoes?

Children's feet grow faster than you think. Sometimes it feels like newly purchased shoes start to pinch within a few months. But how do you know exactly when it's time for a new shoe size ? Many parents rely on their gut feeling or check the size on the label, but that often gives a distorted picture. This blog post explains how to approach this more effectively.

How fast do children's feet grow?

The growth of children's feet varies by age:

• 0 – 3 years → average of 2 to 3 sizes per year.
• 4 – 6 years → average of 2 sizes per year.
• 7 – 13 years → approximately 1 size per year.

This means that shoes sometimes need to be replaced after just 2 to 4 months.

Signs that shoes are too small

Look for these signs in your child:

• Child complains of pain or pinching shoes.
• You see red spots or blisters after wearing.
• The child walks differently (stumbling, shuffling, less active play).
• The shoe looks visibly tight or the toes press against the front.

However, children don't always express this! They often get used to the pressure, which is why the problem isn't discovered until later.

Why feeling or buying on a gamble doesn't work

• The size label in the shoe often does not correspond to the actual internal size .
• Pressing the front of the shoe with your thumb does not give a good impression because children pull their toes in.
• Feeling the outside to see if the shoe "still seems big enough" is often misleading.

How to determine the right time for a new size

1. Measure the feet regularly – every 2 to 3 months in young children.
2. Check the inner size of the shoe and compare it to the length of the foot.
3. Allow 10–15 mm of growth space so that the foot can develop properly.
4. Do you notice your space getting smaller? Then it's time for a new interior size.