Buying children’s shoes: everything you need to know
Children’s feet are ultra-sensitive, which makes buying the right shoes all the more important. Should you buy children’s shoes a size too big? Are there barefoot shoes for kids? Find out everything you need to know about children’s shoes here.
Why are children’s feet so sensitive?
Children’s feet mostly consist of cartilage, not bone, until they become teenagers. The structure only ossifies when their feet stop growing. It’s important that the feet can grow without restriction to ensure that they can develop naturally up to this point and to prevent the mass of cartilage from being moulded into a particular shape. In the worst-case scenario, unsuitable shoes can lead to misalignment of the feet – affecting the entire body and various joints. That’s why children, especially toddlers, should wear shoes as infrequently as possible. Barefoot shoes are recommended because their shape doesn’t restrict a child’s sensitive foot.
Walking barefoot is particularly healthy for children’s feet: they have to adapt to the changing surfaces and feel stimuli directly, helping the muscles to develop comprehensively. This is the reason why kids only need shoes when they can walk of their own accord, primarily to protect them from the cold, heat, wetness and sharp or pointed objects.
What’s my child’s shoe size?What’s my child’s shoe size?
It’s important that children’s shoes fit well. Shoes that are too small constrict the feet and can lead to posture problems, hip and knee problems, and balance problems. If the shoes are too big, children will stumble and struggle to get purchase on the ground. In turn, they’ll use their toes to cling onto the soles, which can also lead to misalignment of the feet.
Kids often struggle to tell whether their shoes fit or not: toddlers aren’t even aware of this yet, and school-age children usually find it very difficult. In-store sales advisors are happy to help. They’ll get hands-on, observe the gait and work with the child to find the right fit. There’s a simple trick to check whether a shoe fits: remove the insole from the shoe and have your child stand on it so their heel is flush with the back. There should be about 1.5 centimetres of space from their longest toe to the tip of the sole when buying shoes. This distance should be at least 1 centimetre if you’re checking whether a shoe bought a few months ago still fits. They need this space so that their feet have plenty of room as they roll forwards and so they can grow a little, too. Ideally, you’d do this test in the afternoon, because feet swell slightly during the day.
You might see guides that match the length of the feet in centimetres to a shoe size. In this regard, it’s essential to bear in mind that the shoe sizes differ from brand to brand, as with adults’ shoes.
General tips for buying children’s shoesGeneral tips for buying children’s shoes
Which materials are best for children’s shoes?
Shoes for kids should be breathable, soft and comfortable, so shoes made of leather, synthetic fabric or textiles are particularly good. The soles are especially important, particularly for hiking boots: you want a non-slip material such as rubber and a non-slip profile for a secure grip. It’s important that the soles aren’t too hard; this ensures the child’s gait develops appropriately. Alpine mountaineering boots and winter shoes are an exception: the soles of winter shoes are usually a little thicker and stiffer because of the insulation they contain. For alpine mountaineering boots, a stiffer sole provides better grip on uneven surfaces.
In terms of the fastening, make sure that it’s suitable for kids. Velcro fasteners, quick-lace systems or twist systems are particularly easy to use. Lacings are something either for older kids or for very young children who’d still need help regardless. Traditional laces are more robust and allow the shoes to be adapted to the foot as accurately as possible.
How to take care of children’s shoesHow to take care of children’s shoes
As with shoes for adults, regular cleaning extends their service life. Wipe dirt and dust away with a damp cloth, or with a soft brush in case of heavy soiling. However, don’t wash the shoes in the washing machine: this can damage the material and the adhesive.
Wet shoes must be left to dry completely. The best way to do this is with newspaper: stuff it in your shoes so it can absorb the moisture and change the paper after a few hours. Never leave the shoes on a radiator to dry, as this can damage the material, especially the glue that binds the soles to the shoes, for instance.
Impregnate waterproof shoes regularly to preserve the breathability of the material.
FAQs about kids’ shoesFAQs about kids’ shoes
Do you have any questions?
Get personal advice from our sales advisors in the shops or online and over the phone from customer service. We’ll be happy to help you.
- Free shipping from CHF 99
(With the TransaCard always free of charge)
- Secure payment with Twint, Visa and more
- 14 days cancellation right