In short: shop late in the afternoon when your child’s feet are at their largest, measure both feet from the back of the heel to the longest toe while they are standing, and fit the larger foot with about a thumb’s width of growing room in front of that toe. A school shoe that fits well has a firm heel counter, bends at the ball of the foot rather than in the middle, and fastens with laces or straps so the foot cannot slide forward.
Why does fit matter for growing feet?
A child’s foot is still forming. Much of what will eventually be bone is softer cartilage through the primary school years, so the foot is more willing than an adult’s to take the shape of the space it is given.
Children also rarely say that a shoe is too short. They curl their toes, kick the shoes off at the door and get on with their day, so by the time they complain the shoe has usually been too small for a while.
Most of what we see in school-aged children is pressure rather than injury: rubbing across the toes, hard skin beside a nail, heel blisters, nails starting to dig in. Shoes that fit prevent a good share of it. More on how we assess growing feet in children’s podiatry.
When is the best time to shop?
Late afternoon. Feet swell over the course of a day, so a shoe fitted first thing in the morning can feel tight by home time. Fitting at the end of the day builds that margin in.
Take the socks your child actually wears to school, and bring their orthotics if they have them, because both change the space inside the shoe. Avoid shopping when your child is tired, because fitting properly needs them to stand, walk and answer honestly.
How do I measure my child’s feet at home?
Measuring before you shop tells you whether the shoes on the shelf are even in the right range.
- Put a sheet of paper on a hard floor, short edge against a wall.
- Stand your child on it, heel to the wall, weight even on both feet. Feet spread when they are loaded, so a standing measurement is the one that counts.
- Mark the tip of the longest toe, holding the pencil upright. Angling it in under the foot adds length that is not there.
- Measure from the wall line to the mark. That is heel to longest toe.
- Do both feet. One is usually slightly larger, and that is the foot you fit.
- Add about a thumb’s width of growing room, then check that against the brand’s size chart, because sizing is not consistent between brands.
One detail people miss: the longest toe is not always the big toe. Plenty of children have a longer second toe, and measuring to the big toe on those feet buys a shoe that is too short.
What should I look for in the shoe?
Once the length is right, the build of the shoe does the rest of the work.
- A firm heel counter. Squeeze the back of the shoe. It should resist you rather than fold flat.
- It bends at the ball of the foot. Bend the shoe heel to toe. It should hinge where the toes hinge, not fold through the middle.
- A secure fastening. Laces, a buckle or a firm strap hold the foot back into the heel. Slip-ons cannot be tightened, so the toes grip to keep them on.
- Room at the toes. Enough width for the toes to spread, and enough depth that the upper is not pressing on the nails.
- Sensible weight. Light enough to run in, sturdy enough to hold its shape for the year.
- A removable innersole if your child wears or may need orthotics, so the device sits at the right depth.
How do I test the fit in the shop?
Both shoes on, fastenings done up properly, school socks on. Then:
- Have your child stand with weight on both feet before you check anything. A seated foot is shorter than a standing one.
- Feel for the growing room in front of the longest toe, and ask early, before your child works out which answer ends the shopping trip.
- Ask them to walk, then jog a few steps. The heel should stay put. Noticeable lift means the shoe is too big or the wrong shape.
- Run a finger around the top edge and across the widest part. Nothing should be digging in.
- Take the shoes off and look at the skin. Red marks after a couple of minutes are a warning, not shoes that need breaking in.
What are the signs the shoes do not fit?
Check in every so often once the shoes are in use. The things worth acting on are:
- Red marks or indentations still visible several minutes after the shoes come off
- Blisters, particularly at the heel or across the toes
- Hard skin building up at pressure points
- Any complaint of pain, or a child who takes their shoes off at every opportunity
- Toes that look curled or crowded when the shoe is off
- Nails that are bruised, thickened or sore at the edges
- Uneven or unusually fast wear, or a heel counter that has collapsed to one side
How often should I recheck?
Primary school feet grow quickly and rarely on schedule. Checking the length every six to eight weeks, and at least once a term, catches most growth in time. Check the condition of the shoe then too, because a shoe can be finished while the length still fits.
When should we see a podiatrist?
Book an assessment if your child has pain that keeps coming back, is limping or avoiding sport, complains of heel pain during a growth spurt, has an ingrown toenail or stubborn hard skin, or walks on their toes. We see children at all four of our Melbourne clinics and no referral is needed. Our foot health guides cover the rest.
Common questions
Should I buy a size up so the shoes last the year?
It is tempting and it usually backfires. In a shoe that is too long the foot slides forward with every step, the heel lifts and the toes take the impact at the front. A thumb’s width of growing room is the right amount. If your child sits between sizes, choose the one that holds the heel best.
Are straps as good as laces?
Yes, provided they adjust and your child actually does them up. What matters is that the fastening holds the foot back into the heel of the shoe. A wide, firmly fastened strap beats laces left loose. Slip-on shoes are the ones to avoid, because there is nothing to tighten.
My child’s feet look flat. Do they need orthotics for school?
Not automatically. A low arch is common in young children and often changes as they grow. What we look at is whether there is pain, how well the foot moves, and whether it affects how your child walks or keeps up. Our article on whether you need orthotics explains how that decision is made.
Can school shoes cause ingrown toenails?
They can contribute. A shoe that is short or narrow presses skin against the edge of the nail all day, and that pressure is one of the common triggers, particularly in teenagers. Nail-cutting technique matters too. If a nail edge is red, sore or weeping, have it looked at rather than digging at it at home.
How do I know when to replace shoes rather than just resize?
Stand the empty shoe on a flat surface. If it leans to one side, if the heel counter has folded, if the sole is worn through at one edge, or if it now bends easily through the middle, it has finished its working life even when the length still fits. Handed-down shoes have already moulded to another child’s foot.
This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Reviewed by Gideon Poratt, Principal Podiatrist (B.App.Sc (Pod), M.A.Pod.A), a member of the Australian Podiatry Association. Please book an assessment for advice specific to your feet.