Back-to-School Shoe Fitting Checklist
What to check before your child heads back to school, from size and width to sole grip and fastenings.
Your child wears school shoes for 6 or more hours a day, so the fit shapes their comfort and focus. Work through this checklist before term starts.
Before you shop
- Measure both feet on a gauge and note the larger length and width
- Run the numbers through the size calculator
- Check the size and width inside your child’s current shoes
- Bring the socks or tights they’ll wear to school
When they try shoes on
- About a thumb’s width of space beyond the longest toe while standing
- The widest part of the foot sits at the widest part of the shoe
- The heel stays put as they walk
- Fastenings close with room to spare, short of the tightest setting
- They can walk, jog and climb stairs without complaint
Features worth paying for
- Toe protection for children who scuff
- Grippy soles for playgrounds and wet weather
- Easy fastenings for younger children who change for PE
- A wipe-clean finish that keeps them smart
Don’t buy too big
A size up “to grow into” makes children trip and rubs the heel. A fitted shoe already leaves room for growth.
Check again at half term
Feet keep growing through the school year. Measure again at half term to catch tight shoes before they hurt.
