How to size kids' shoes correctly
Measure first, label second
Pick a tape measurement and match it to the chart. Labels (S/M/L, US/UK/EU numbers) drift between brands; the underlying body measurement does not. Trace the child's foot on paper and measure heel-to-longest-toe in cm. Refer back to the chart — do not buy by their last size.
Picking between two sizes
Kids grow ~half a size every 4–6 months between ages 2 and 6. Buy a half size up; do not go more, since flopping shoes affect gait. Recheck every 8 weeks under age 4.
Brand and regional variation
The same labeled size can differ by a full size between brands and regions. Asian brands generally run a half size smaller than US brands; European brands fall in between. When in doubt, use the centimetre or inch measurement on the size chart, never the letter.
Common mistakes
- Sizing by your old favourite without checking the new brand's chart.
- Skipping the measurement step. Body shape changes; old numbers go stale.
- Picking too tight in non-stretch fabrics — they don't break in the way leather does.
- Trusting a single review's "runs small / runs large" without looking at the reviewer's measurements.