I’ve only brought my 20-month-old daughter to a shoe store once.
That’s not because she’s been wearing the same pair of shoes since she started walking eight months ago. She hasn’t. Rather, it’s because, in addition to taking advantage of gently used hand-me-down shoes, I’ve been buying her shoes online.
However, when you buy your little one shoes online, you don’t have the benefit of an in-store shoe clerk measuring your child’s feet, so making sure you’re buying the right size can be difficult and involve guesswork. Besides tracing your child’s foot on a piece of paper and measuring the tracing, or using an old-fashioned ruler or measuring tape, you’re out of luck, right?
Not necessarily. Luckily, shoe retailers are increasingly offering a host of tools to help with at-home foot measuring, and taking advantage of these resources when you’re ordering shoes online is today’s hint.
Pediped, for instance, currently offers two options for easy at-home measurements: a printable sizing chart and an iPad sizing App. With the printable chart, assuming you printed it to the right scale, you merely place it against a wall, place your child’s foot on it in the specified spot, then do the same with the other foot and voilà, you have your child’s shoe size.
Meanwhile, with the App, which pedipad launched in early 2013 to make measuring children’s feet more convenient for iPad shoppers, you place your child’s heel in a specified spot on your iPad and measure to the longest toe.
In addition, in June 2015, pediped plans to roll out what it calls “the pediped Footer,” an at-home measuring device similar to those used in shoe stores, that will retail for somewhere between $5 and $8. Pediped is giving away a $100 gift certificate to one lucky Hint Mama reader – more details on that below.
Elsewhere, Stride Rite also offers a printable “simple size guide,” that you can use to measure your child’s feet at home, and it works for measuring feet length and width. Umi Children’s Shoes offers a similar printable chart as do Shoes.com and Zappos.com.
Soft Star Shoes, meanwhile, offers a host of printable tools to help you make sure you’re buying the right size for your kids, while U.K. retailer Start-Rite will estimate your child’s foot size based on digital photos you send in using its “Click ‘n’ Fit” tool.
If you don’t like any of these tools, there are products on the market to help you, like the $20 Squatchi U.S. shoe sizer and the more expensive Brannock-type devices that shoe stores have.
But since you’re not a professional shoe fitter, there’s always the chance that you’ll measure your little one’s foot wrong and the shoe that arrives won’t fit. If that happens, you may be in luck, assuming your child hasn’t worn the shoe out and about. Pediped, for instance, offers free returns to encourage parents to order the correct size and not keep a shoe that doesn’t fit just right.
What are your favorite methods for at-home foot measuring and ensuring the shoe you buy your little one does fit? What are your kid shoe shopping tips? Share your thoughts, and enter to win a $100 pediped gift certificate, below.
Enter to Win a $100 pediped gift certificate
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My tip is to make sure there is room for growth considering how quickly their feet grow. They shouldn’t be too big, of course, but it’s better to have a little extra space than a shoe that fits perfectly.
My son has a pair of pedipeds, but they are getting too small! I would love this!
I don’t really have any shopping tips except know what you want before you go!
Whenever I buy shoes for my kids, I just go one size higher than their normal size.
That iPad app sounds genius! What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
My hint is to know the kids’ sizes and then leave them at home…
try to go when your toddler will be in the best mood and not when they are tired
when I go, I bring a snack (sucker something hand candy) and always an extra pair of socks!
Better to buy shoes a little big than to be too small!
Go in the middle of the week in the middle of the day! Shoe shopping problem solved!
Buy them half a size to one size bigger so they last longer.
Always shop in the clearance section and off season and buy big fir next year.
My best tip is making sure my children are not tired when we go to shop and not around lunch time.
I tend to buy two pair of everyday/play shoes both to fit a half size bigger so to alternate between shoes they last longer and it gives the shoes time to air between use. Young sweaty feet have a tendency to build up mold.
Take your kid to be measured and then shop online when the kids are asleep. 😉
With four kids I have learned, that you should always buy BIG! Little feet grow very fast. I also buy shoes several sizes up, if I find a great deal, and this is how I manage to keep four feet well dressed on a very strict budget.
My tip is always have your child try on both shoes and walk the length of the store a few times to make sure they fit and feel good on their feet.
My tip is to always make sure you have a pair of socks with you to try the shoes on. I also make my kids try both pairs on and run to make sure they are a good fit!
go to the thrift store first. they’re going to grow out of it soon anyway!
I don’t have any tips just yet, I am expecting my first baby in 8 weeks! I got some great tips from the above comments though!
Thank you!!
Amanda Healey
i search the internet for shoe deals
I always go into a store have my children’s shoes measured. Once I have the ideal size and fit, I can shop in store or online. I have measured their feet at home, but it’s always easier if it is done by a professional.
Try to go early in the morning or after nap time. A cranky kid in any store is no fun!
Don’t buy shoes seasons ahead. You never know how your childs feet will grow, for example, my daughter should be in a 5 so last summer I bought a few size 5 sandals, but she is only now in a size 3 so I have to buy more sandals.
If you know you are going shoe shopping, make sure your child is wearing clean, preferably matching socks, lol. The sales people were very impressed by my children’s white socks!
Pedipeds have some awesome sales so I buy ahead when I can get deals.
When shopping for kids’ shoes I will pay more for quality shoes. They end up the MUCH better deal in the long run as they fit and wear better and ultimately last longer (and are also good for their feet!).
With 6 girls to buy for, I try to get the best deals. Look for buy one get one deals and buy at the end of the season for the next year.
I’ve not had luck shoe shopping for my little guy lately as he’s a bit uncooperative. The first incident involved mud boots & I ended up with a non-toddler size despite having had him stand in them – reluctantly & while fighting me the whole way. The second incident involved spring/summer sandals. These fit much better than the boots but the 8 toddlers were too big (what his foot measures at) so I tried on the 7 toddler. Again, a very uncooperative toddler so trying to have him stand to feel where his toes were was a bust, they’re at least 1 size too big BUT we will be using them this year as his toes are covered & they don’t slide on him. This long winded-post was simply to give my tip: make sure you’re little one is in a cooperative mood when shoe shopping or when measuring their feet. If they’re not, you may end up with the wrong size.
I would have to agree with the other mommies in saying buying shoes a 1/2 to a whole size larger!! Kids feet grow so quickly and IMO they won’t be too big too long!!
My kids shopping shoe tips are have them wear shoes that are easy to take on and off , and I usually try to just make that our only focus that day so they don’t get too worn out before we are done! I like to buy them just a little too big because there feet grow so fast too!
I always have my children’s feet measured by a professional whether I plan to purchase online or in a retail store. Given my oldest child has extra wide width, finding shoes has been a challenge and buying shoes online not easy since styles and brands fit so differently.
My tip is to go when the kids are happiest. After a nap and a good snack. Cranky kids and shoe shopping is not a good mix!
Always allow a little extra growing room, but not too much. Also, make sure you have a pair of socks with you if they are wearing sandals, etc. at the time. Thanks for the giveaway!!
Try to take your child to be sized late afternoon or early evening to get the best results on size. Everyone’s feet swell throughout the day and that is when they will be the largest.
Oh and winning a gift card always helps 😉
Sometimes I buy multiple sizes of the same shoe and then I have the kids try them on at home….then return the pair that doesn’t fit.
Look at the Sale section on shoe companies websites! Great deals on older styles.
I really dont have a tip but I always take them with me to buy shoes because some sizes are different.
My son has chubby feet so I have found buying a wide shoe lasts longer and is more comfortable for him.
I loved pedi pedis with my older son, but have yet to buy any for my 21 month old. Would love the gift card. 🙂
make sure there is a sale, my kids always fall in love with the most expensive shoes!
One shoe shopping tip is to feel around the toe area and make sure there is room for growth.
my tip is to not spend over 40 bucks on a pair of shoes for a child that they will outgrow in less than a year.
While it is imperative to use apps like pedipad and striderider every six months to gauruntee shoe size, make sure you are aware of the style and color of shoe your child prefers…then DO NOT take them with you if you are making the purchase in store
make sure you know their size before you go shopping or it gets reallll difficult!
Thanks for the hint. Pick me!