A Brief Guide — How to Fit a Kid’s Sneakers?

As a parent or guardian, the health of your child should be of the utmost importance. A part of a child’s body that can affect their health is their feet. Having the right sneakers can determine how healthy their feet are. It is therefore important that you learn the tactics of fitting their sneakers and ensuring they are not too small or too big. Here are the steps to follow besides the need to get elastic shoe laces.

Wait for Full Expansion

Feet tend to expand as the day goes by. The kid walks and runs around through the day and at the end of the day, the feet will have reached full expansion. This is the best time to do the fitting since the feet are as wide as they can be, otherwise, you could buy elastic laces to allow the easy wearing of sneakers. You can also have them wear socks as they try on the sneakers.

Ensure it Fits Lengthwise

The sneakers need to fit from heel to toe. Have the kid sit down as you put on the sneakers. When the sneakers are on, the right fit will have the heel fully touching the back of the sneaker and not more than the width of a thumb space between the longest toe and the front of the sneaker. This is important because when they stand up, that space will be filled up as the foot moves forward, you will also want to have some space for growing. However, space should not be too much that the sneaker fits loosely. Tag lightly at the heel to see that it will not slip off. Next, get them to stand and see that the sneaker fits comfortably and does not come off as they walk, saving them from tripping or falling.

Check the Width

If the length is satisfactory, then the width should be the next concern. The small toe needs to have some space as well, so that it does not get squeezed on the side as they walk. Feel around the foot to ensure the skin of the sneaker is snug but not tight. There should be some space for expansion, especially during a hot day or if the kid is walking a lot.

Distance From Bottom to top

This can also be called the depth of the sneaker. It can determine how easily it will slip on. Check for some space just above the heel for your finger to slide in. For girls sneakers especially, it is important to have the right depth. If the foot seems to be pushing up the top, then there is not enough depth. There should be some space at the top without it being too loose.

Practical Test

Now you need to test how it fits in normal use. Ask the kid to walk around, jump and run and see if their movement seems natural without any attempt to keep them on the foot or signs that they are being squeezed. They should be able to walk and run like they are barefoot. Think of any movement, they may have to make every day and ask them to make them.

A well fitted pair will have sufficient room for growth and expansion without being loose or falling off and will allow the kid to move about naturally. Also, you can opt to get elastic shoe laces.