Advice

Expert Tips For Your Child’s First Shoe Fitting

Published

1 day ago

April 11, 2025

Contributing Together

Parenting / 11 April, 2025 / Christina Walter

We spoke with Start-Rite Shoes’ footwear specialist, Sam Lake, to get her expert advice on what parents can expect when taking their little ones to have their shoes fitted for the very first time.

Expert Tips For Your Child’s First Shoe Fitting

With over 20 years of expertise in children’s footwear, Sam provides an inclusive shopping experience tailored to every child’s needs and age. Her trusted guidance and ability to find the perfect fit, especially for children with orthopaedic or neurodiverse needs, has earned her the loyalty of returning customers who value her passion for creating a safe and welcoming environment for little ones.

Sam shares her expertise to help you enjoy your first shoe-fitting experience as a cherished memory.

When is a child ready for shoes?

When your little one starts walking unaided for most of the day, it’s time to introduce them to their very first shoes. Soft pre-walkers are ideal at this stage, offering gentle support, protection and maximum sensory feedback as your child builds confidence with each step.

Pre-walking shoes need to have specific features such as super flexible soles to mimic natural movement of your little one, a wide toe box for toes to spread comfortably and adjustable fastenings for a secure and snug fit – vital for little ones developing feet, which are still made up mostly of cartilage at this stage.

New for this year, Start-Rite has developed a ‘nature form’ sole unit in its First Steps collection, designed to mirror the natural shape of a toddler’s foot. This foot-shaped fit promotes healthy development and encourages natural movement, actively supporting children’s balance, coordination, and overall body alignment.

How can a parent check their toddler’s shoes fit correctly when the child can’t communicate it?

When it comes to the fitting process, some of our younger customers feel comforted when sat on a parent’s lap. The shoe fitter will then bring you a selection of styles for your child to try on. There are some simple tips to make sure the shoes fit just right.

Remember, while measurements are a great starting point, every shoe style fits differently, so it’s crucial to check how the shoe feels on your child’s foot. Achieving a more precise and comfortable fit is made easy with Start-Rite’s whole and half sizes, as well as multiple-width fittings for a more precision fit.

First, with the shoes on, ask your child to stand up to check the width. The leather should flex slightly on top of the foot. If it doesn’t, the shoe might be too narrow. If you can pinch the material into a ridge, it’s too wide. Ideally, you want just a small ripple of movement. Next, take a little test walk around the shop. Watch for shoes that stay on securely without slipping, gaping, or restricting their walk. They should feel comfy and allow your child to walk easily.

Now, to check the length. You should be able to feel about a thumb’s width from their longest toe to the front of the shoe. Also, make sure the shoe doesn’t rub against their ankle bone and fits nicely around the sides and heel without any gaps.

All Start-Rite shoes are designed with growing room built in. This means the back of the shoes are designed to hold the ankle, allowing the toes to ‘wiggle’ – we call it ‘wiggle room’. Whether it’s your first visit or one of many, expert shoe fitters will make sure your child leaves with shoes that are as comfortable as they are supportive, giving you peace of mind, and them, happy feet!

How can we make it an easy experience for neurodiverse children and excited little ones in a shop environment?

Navigating a shop environment with excited or overwhelmed children can sometimes be a challenge, but we’re wholeheartedly committed to making it a positive and enjoyable experience for every child. For a more tranquil visit, some shops, including the Start-Rite flagship store where I’m based, provide dedicated time slots tailored for SEN children. These special slots come with quiet surroundings and dimmed lighting, creating an atmosphere that is both relaxed and welcoming.

To help little ones feel secure and at ease, we highly recommend that parents bring along their favourite toy and if your child is having a difficult day, don’t fret – shoe fitters are professional experts in the fine art of toddler negotiations and bring plenty of patience and gentle words. We’ve even been known to measure a teddy bear’s paw to get that all-important teddy’s seal of approval!

Find out why little feet are fantastic!

If you’d like further advice on whether your child is ready for their first pair of shoes, Start-Rite’s blog “Is My Child Ready for Shoes?” has plenty of helpful advice to guide you through this exciting milestone.

Start-Rite also has a wealth of resources for parents, with over 86 blogs packed with tips and insights found on its dedicated ‘First Steps Advice’, where you can learn why properly fitted footwear is so important for growing feet.

Check out Start-Rite’s First Shoes collection and find the right fit for your little adventurer!

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Sam Lake

Sam Lake is a children’s shoe-fitting specialist and the Store Manager at Start-Rite’s flagship store in Norwich. She possesses exceptional knowledge of feet, shoes, and customer needs, combined with an enthusiastic and passionate approach to footwear. Drawing on her experiences as a mum and her 20-year career at Start-Rite, Sam has become a firm favourite among customers. She is also actively involved in the product development process, leveraging her expertise in what works and sells well on the shop floor.