Size Guide for Shoes and Socks

How to determine Shoe Size

At Home foot measuring 

1. Determine the Length

• Have your child stand on a ruler or tape measure placed up against a wall on a hard, flat floor surface.  
  
• Have your child's full weight on the foot you are measuring.  
• Check to see if your child is curling their toes, if so flatten them out.
• Measure both feet.  From the back of the heel to the foot's longest toe.  Many children will have one foot longer than the other.
• Tip:  If you are measuring a toddler, have someone steady your child while you focus on their feet.
  

We find this method more accurate in determining the length of your child's foot in comparison to tracing your child's foot. 

2. Width

• Width can vary depending on the shoe and the shape of your child's foot.
• Some children can have high insteps (top portion of their foot is thick), while others can have a wide width across the toe joint or "ball" portion.
• If your child has a high instep (top part of the foot is thick) then look for a shoe that is taller in height across the instep and opens up deep for ease of putting on and extra adjustment. Usually a child with a high instep will find some shoes don't fasten over completely at the top.  Tip: A shoe style labeled wide width does not necessarily fit deeper than another style in a medium width... if you need recommendations please contact us and we will be happy to help!

3. Size recommendations

We suggest to allow 1/2 to 3/4" room for growth for most shoes, depending on the style of the shoe and age of the child.   For example, slip on style shoes, since there is no strap around the ankle to keep the heel seated in the back of the shoe, we might not recommend as much room for growth to help with reducing heel slippage.

4. Determine the size:
Option 1:  Contact US

Once you have taken your child's foot measurements and you wish to order shoes on-line, please contact us and we will help you determine the right size for your child before placing your order.  We will even measure the inside of the shoe and compare to your child's measurement.

Please provide your child's foot measurements of both feet and the style of footwear you wish to purchase along with any width suggestions such as flat narrow feet, wide ball or high instep. 

Option 2: Use Brand's size chart as a guide.

If using the Brand's size chart, use this as a guide only.  We find that these measurements are not always exact.  Some brands will have a "general" size guide, but each of their styles can vary in how they fit and measure.  

Take the longest foot measurement and use the Brand's Size Guide to help determine the correct size.  Take note if the sizing guide is the actual length, then you will need to add room for growth when picking the correct size.  

Unsure?  Use option 1 and contact us.

Shoe Size Options on our Website

We use US (North American) sizing on our website.  If the shoe is sized in UK or EU sizing, this size might be added in brackets beside the US sizing.   

To help clarify between a size 5 first walker and size 5 Youth, we have added a "(Y)" beside the Youth size size.

Shoes sizes/fit recommendations can vary depending on the style and manufacturer. 

Problem with blisters?
Friction can cause those unwanted blisters. Even though it is hard to predict if a shoe will cause blisters and then you discover them once they are worn and can no longer be returned. 
Here are some tips to help out:

• Choose a good fitting shoe and try them on to see how they feel in the store.  They should feel comfortable.  
• Choose an adjustable closure vs a slip on style.
• Wear for short period of time for the first week, wear them for an hour or two a day.  This can allow some shoes, like leather, to soften at bit.
• Wear quality, good fitting, clean socks.  Sock size and thickness and material can make a difference.  Wet sweaty feet can cause blisters or an ill fitting sock for the shoe.  Does the seam of the sock rub?
• Keep feet clean and dry.  Dirty feet or dirt inside shoes can cause friction.  If feet sweat a lot, try a wool sock.  If your socks get wet or dirty, change your socks.
• Adjust the closure
• Air dry shoes and allow them to breathe between wears.

Sock Size conversion Chart

You have probably discovered not all socks use the same sizing system.  Some go by Age, Shoe size or Sock size.  Please use this chart as a guide only, see each brand for their size guide.

Shrinkage & Care

Expect shrinkage after washing your new socks and there might be slight sizing variations between each style, even with the same brand.  Dependent on how they are woven, type of pattern, or solid. 
Wash in cold water and dry on low or hang to dry.  Heat will cause extra shrinkage and premature deterioration of the lycra or elastane.

Sock Terminology

• "Comfort Seam" is a term for sewing the seam together to reduce the uncomfortable ridge caused by traditional machine sewing. A Comfort Seam sock has a toe seam which is less bulky resulting in a more comfortable fit. 
• When a sock is labeled "seamless", it might still have a seam, but it will "feel" seamless.
• "Kick Proof" socks have two elasticized areas, around the sock cuff and also above the heel (ankle). 
• "No Show" style of sock is just below the ankle bone.
• "Ankle" style sock is just above the ankle bone. (also known as quarter socks)
• "Crew" or "Mid" style sock is just below the calf.
• "Knee High" style sock is just above the calf and below the knee.

Sensitive little feet?  Here are some suggestions to help:

• Seamless or comfort toe seams
• Smooth one colour or stripe socks instead of printed socks.  Some printed socks will have threads on the inside where the pattern is present.
• Soft materials.

• Good memory & stretch.
• A fitted heel
• Good fitting:  Loose fitting socks that are too big, bunch and rub inside your child's shoes.  Socks that are too small will not fit properly in the heel. 
  
  

Shoe Care

• Clean - Brush off loose dirt and spot clean footwear with damp cloth.  An old soft toothbrush works great on suede surfaces. For heavily soiled footwear use spray on cleaners specially made for footwear.  Please follow directions.
• Washable: Footwear that indicates they are machine washable - wash in mild or non-detergent cleaners in cold water.  Do not use cleaners with bleach or fabric softeners.  Rinse well with clean water
• Air Dry, keep away from any heat source or sunlight.
  If the insoles are removable, remove them.  Stuff shoes with newspaper to absorb excess water, remove, then air dry.  Do not use heat to dry shoes, this affects the finish and also cause premature cracking.
• Rubber - to prevent premature cracking, clean rubber from salt and dirt after each use.  Dirt and salt can dry out boots.  Store away from heat and direct sunlight as these can affect the rubber and cause it to harden and/or crack prematurely.  
  Blooming:  is a white discolouration or film on rubber.  This is a natural occurrence with rubber.  It can be removed with a rubber boot cleaner. 
• EVA shoes are heat-formed, so they can be heat-deformed and shrink when exposed to heat. Store shoes away from sun or heat. Don't forget to not leave them in your car too during warm weather!

Keen Bungee Lace Replacement video

1. Remove old laces.
2. Cut new laces the same length as the old laces, or to the desired length. 
    Melt the ends
3. Thread the new laces through the shoe.  
4. Follow the instructional video
(note: the video does not show that you need to thread the new laces on the shoe first)