CHOOSING THE RIGHT SIZE
This guide helps you determine the correct size of footwear for your child. Footwear sizing is actually quite complex, however, this guide deals with the most basic measurement needed which is foot length. You will need to measure the length of your child's foot and then add on additional length to allow for wiggle room and growth. This overall measurement is the inside length of the footwear that your child needs and this is used to determine the best fitting footwear size. The measurements (in cm) given alongside each size in our footwear range corresponds to the inside or internal length of the footwear. You will need to select a footwear size that is the best match.
Working out the right size is made up as follows:
- Foot length + wiggle room + growth = Inside length of footwear required
Please consult with your physiotherapist, occupational therapist, podiatrist or orthotist for guidance before purchasing our footwear or please contact us for assistance.
1) WHAT DO I NEED
You will need the following items to measure your child’s feet:
- 2 blank A4 pieces of paper
- A pencil
- A tape measure or ruler
2) TRACE AROUND FEET
Place your child's foot on the piece of paper and trace around the foot keeping the pencil as upright as possible. It is best to do this with your child standing, but if this is not possible, then trace with your child in a sitting position. Be as accurate as possible.
When tracing, it is important to:
- Keep the pencil as vertical as possible
- Trace both feet and use the measurements from the larger foot to determine the right footwear size.
3) FIND THE LENGTH
Using a ruler or tape measure, measure the length of each foot from the back of the heel to the end of the longest toe. Write the measurement for each foot on the tracing. You will need to use the measurement of the longest foot to determine footwear size. It can be useful to repeat Step 2 and 3 (i.e. take another tracing and measurement) to ensure accuracy.
Please keep the tracings until you are happy with the fit of the footwear, as we may request them to assist with sizing.
4) ADDING WIGGLE ROOM + GROWTH
Now you will need to add additional length to the foot length measurements you determined above.
- If you are selecting open sandals, add to the foot length measurement an additional 1.0cm ( 1.0cm approximately however you may add less for toddlers e.g. 0.8cm, and you may add more for older children e.g. 1.2cm)
- If you are selecting an enclosed boot, add to the foot length measurement an additional 1.5cm (1.5cm approximately however you may add less for toddlers e.g. 1.0cm, and you may add more for older children e.g. 1.7cm)
4) CHOOSING THE RIGHT SIZE
Now that you have the overall internal length required, consult the Combined Sizing Chart to find the most appropriate size. The sizing chart shows the internal (inside) length of the footwear, so find the most appropriate size that matches the overall length that you determined above.
For example:
- 18month old toddler needing boots: Foot trace 12.5cm + 1.0cm for a boot = 13.5cm internal length required.
- The best fit would be size 20 in all brands of boots.
- 7 year old requiring enclosed school boots: foot trace 19.7cm +1.5cm for a boot = 21.2cm internal length required.
- The best fit would be size
- 31 for Aurelka brand boots (internal length of 21.0cm),
- 32 for Medica brand boots (internal length of 21.1cm) and
- 32 for Memo brand boots (internal length of 21.3cm).
- The best fit would be size
- 5 year old requiring Medica sandals: foot trace 17.1 cm + 1.0 cm for a sandal = 18.1cm internal length required.
- The best fit would be a size 27 Medica sandal which has an internal length of 18.0cm.
It is advisable to write down which size will fit in each brand as there are variances in sizes between the brands.
Please contact us if you need assistance. Please quote the actual foot length and width, do not add any allowances for growth, as we will add these to find the most suitable size.
This video demonstrates how to measure the length of your child's feet.