Best foot forward
Published
More parents are choosing to buy their children’s shoes online – and who can blame them? Shopping for shoes with kids can be a hassle. To help parents measure their kids' feet accurately at home and get the best fit when shopping online, Kickers has teamed up with Steven Thomas, of The London Podiatrist, to share expert advice:
Use the wall-and-paper technique
Getting children to stand still can be half the battle, but it’s worth taking the time to do it right. For a reliable measurement, have your child stand on a piece of paper with their heel against a wall, ensuring their weight is evenly distributed. Mark the longest point of their foot and measure the distance from the edge of the paper to the mark.
You can then use that measurement to determine which size they need. You can make this into a fun activity for your child by letting them colour and decorate the outline of their feet while you shop.
Don’t forget both feet
It’s common for one foot to be slightly larger than the other in both children and adults, but especially when little feet are still growing. So, always avoid making the mistake of only measuring one foot, as you run the risk of buying shoes that are too tight and restrictive for the larger foot.
Always measure both feet separately and use the measurement from the larger foot when selecting a shoe size. This guarantees a comfortable fit for both feet and prevents pinching or rubbing.
Measure at the end of the day
Feet can swell and change size slightly throughout the day, especially after lots of time on your feet. Measuring your kids’ feet first thing in the morning might result in buying a size that feels too tight by the afternoon.
To get the most accurate reading, it is always best to measure their feet in the late afternoon or evening. This ensures the shoes will be comfortable all day long.
Take advantage of flexible ordering options
The thought of ordering shoes online may be slightly daunting. Fortunately, there is now sizing measurement guidance on most product pages, as well as customer reviews, so you can confirm the correct size before ordering.
It’s also a good idea to look out for services like fast delivery and free, easy returns, so if the fit isn’t quite right you can easily exchange them for a different size.
Visit www.kickers.co.uk
