A Step-by-Step Guide for Getting the Right Size, Every Time
Buying shoes for a child you cannot take to the shop is one of the most common anxieties among parents ordering online. What if the size is wrong? What if their feet are wider than normal? What about the gap between sizes?
This guide walks you through exactly how to measure your child's foot at home, what to do with that measurement, how to read a size chart, and what to check when the shoes arrive. Once you do it the first time, it takes about two minutes.
📋 What this guide covers: How to trace and measure the foot correctly · What to do if both feet are different sizes · How to convert mm to EU sizes · Wide feet, narrow feet and high insteps · How to check fit when the shoes arrive
What You Need
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A piece of white A4 paper
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A pencil or pen
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A ruler or tape measure marked in millimetres
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A hard floor surface, not carpet
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Two minutes
Step-by-Step: How to Measure
|
1 |
Choose the right time |
Measure at the end of the day. Feet naturally swell slightly through the day, so an end-of-day measurement gives the most accurate result for fit. |
|
2 |
Place the paper on a hard floor |
Put the sheet of A4 on a flat, hard surface. Carpet compresses under weight and distorts the outline. |
|
3 |
Stand your child on the paper |
For children who can stand, have them stand upright with their full weight evenly on both feet. For babies and toddlers who cannot stand independently, gently press the foot flat against the paper. |
|
4 |
Trace the foot |
Hold the pencil vertically, not angled inward, and trace all the way around the foot. Keep the pencil as close to the foot as possible without going under it. |
|
5 |
Mark the longest and widest points |
Draw a straight line across the tip of the longest toe and another across the back of the heel. Also mark the widest point across the ball of the foot. |
|
6 |
Measure in millimetres |
Measure the distance from the heel line to the toe line. This is the foot length in mm. Also note the width at the widest point. |
|
7 |
Repeat for the other foot |
Feet are rarely identical. Measure both and use the larger of the two measurements. |
|
8 |
Add growing room |
Add 0,8-1,2cm to the foot length measurement. This gives the target insole length, which is what size charts are based on. |
💡 Why add 0,8 to 1,2cm? This is the standard growing allowance for children's shoes. Too little room and the shoe is already tight. Too much and the foot slides forward on each step, causing blisters and instability. For barefoot shoes specifically, where the insole is flat and removable, 12mm is usually enough for toddlers and 15mm for older children who are growing faster.
Reading the Size Chart
Once you have your measurement with growing room added, match it to the EU size chart below. This applies specifically to Bambas footwear.
|
EU Size |
Insole length (mm) |
Typical age (guide only) |
|---|---|---|
|
19 |
120 |
10 to 12 months |
|
20 |
127 |
12 to 14 months |
|
21 |
133 |
13 to 16 months |
|
22 |
140 |
15 to 18 months |
|
23 |
147 |
18 to 21 months |
|
24 |
153 |
20 to 24 months |
|
25 |
160 |
2 to 2.5 years |
|
26 |
167 |
2.5 to 3 years |
|
27 |
173 |
3 to 3.5 years |
|
28 |
180 |
3.5 to 4 years |
|
29 |
187 |
4 to 4.5 years |
|
30 |
193 |
4.5 to 5 years |
|
31 |
200 |
5 to 5.5 years |
|
32 |
207 |
5.5 to 6 years |
|
33 |
213 |
6 to 7 years |
|
34 |
220 |
7 to 8 years |
⚠️ Important: The age column is a guide only. Foot size varies enormously between children of the same age. Always use the measurement, not the age, to select the size.
What to Do When Between Sizes
If your measurement falls between two sizes, always go up. A shoe that is slightly long is far easier to manage than a shoe that is slightly short. A short shoe compresses the toes on every step and can affect the way your child walks.
The exception is if the gap is more than one full size. In that case, going up one size is correct but you may want to use a slightly thicker sock to take up a small amount of space, or wait a few weeks and remeasure.
Wide Feet, Narrow Feet and High Insteps
Wide feet
In barefoot shoes, wide feet are less of a problem than in conventional shoes because the toe box is already shaped to allow natural spread. If your child's foot is noticeably wider than average, the key check is whether the widest point of the foot matches the widest point of the insole when you place the insole next to the tracing. If the foot is wider than the insole, consider going up half a size.
Narrow feet
A foot that is narrower than average may slide slightly in a barefoot shoe. Check that the velcro or strap closure can be adjusted firmly enough to hold the heel in place without pressure. If the heel lifts on each step, the shoe is too wide rather than too long.
High instep
For children with a high instep, the key feature to look for is an adjustable closure, velcro or laces, that opens wide enough to allow the foot in comfortably and then closes securely without pressure across the top of the foot. Avoid slip-on styles for high insteps.
How to Check Fit When the Shoes Arrive
Once your Bambas shoes arrive, here is a quick fit check before the first wear:
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Remove the insole and place it next to your child's foot tracing. There should be 0,8 to 1,2cm of space at the toe end.
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Put the shoes on and press the toe of the shoe gently. You should feel the tip of the longest toe about 10 to 15mm from the end of the shoe, not touching it.
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Ask your child to walk and watch for toe curling, heel slipping, or any reluctance to put weight on the foot.
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Check the width. The shoe should look foot-shaped when on, not compressed at the sides.
📦 Not quite right? If the size is not quite right when your order arrives, contact Bambas at hello@bambasfootwear.ae. Next-day delivery means a replacement can reach you quickly, and the team is always happy to help you find the right fit.
Ready to find the right size?
→ Full size guide: bambasfootwear.ae/pages/find-your-size
→ Shop Toddlers: bambasfootwear.ae/collections/babies-and-toddlers
→ Shop Kids: bambasfootwear.ae/collections/kids
