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We know that finding your child’s shoe size can be tricky. Maybe they can’t tell you when their toes are squished, maybe they won’t sit still, or maybe they’re growing faster than your measuring tape!
If you’ve ever felt stuck guessing your kids’ shoe size, this guide is here to help.
Here at Merry People, we’ve made what we believe are the best kids’ gumboots for wet and muddy terrains, so rainy days become opportunities for play. Let’s make sure your little ones get the perfect fit so they can splash, stomp, and explore in comfort.
All you need to get started is:
- Two sheets of plain paper (A4 size is best)
- A pencil or marker
- A ruler or tape measure
- A pair of socks
- Your child!
Your Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1: Start with shoes off
Wearing shoes during their measurement can make the numbers inaccurate and may result in buying boots that they will need a bit more time to grow into.
For the most accurate measurement, we recommend that your child put on the socks they’re most likely to wear with the boots. This means that their foot will be measured with the same thickness and fit they'll have when actually wearing the boots, giving you the best chance of choosing the right size.
Step 2: Make your marks
You can measure your kid’s feet by marking the length of their foot on a piece of paper and measuring it with a ruler or tape measure.
Here’s how: have your child stand (or gently help them stand) on the piece of paper with their feet slightly apart.
Next, take your marker or pencil and make a mark at the tip of their longest toe.
Then, repeat the same with the longest part of the back of their heel.
Do this for both feet!
Step 3: Get the measurements
Now, using that piece of paper, take your tape measure or ruler and measure the distance between the front and back points of each foot. (Using the paper saves you the headache of keeping them still while you measure their feet.)
Take note of these measurements – you’ll need these for the next step.
Step 4: Reference those measurements against our size chart
Refer to the measurements you just took, and using our size chart, choose a size where the insole is about 0.5 to 1 cm longer than your child’s foot, with closer to 1 cm if they are about to go through a growth spurt, for a comfortable fit with room to grow.
Each of our styles has its own size chart to help you find the right fit for your kid. Here’s how to find the size chart: when browsing kids gumboots on our website, click on any product, and look for the ‘View size chart’ button.
This chart includes age-based size recommendations and a conversion guide with measurements in both centimetres and inches. You’ll find AU, UK, US, and EU size options.
Between sizes? If your child is between sizes, we recommend sizing up. A slightly roomier fit can be made more comfortable with thicker socks, which are perfect while they grow into their Merry People boots.
Step 5: Buy the boots!
Now that you’ve found the perfect size, you can shop our waterproof rubber boots for kids with confidence, knowing you’ve done your research.
And if the fit isn’t quite right when they arrive? Don’t worry! We offer free exchanges or returns for up to 30 days. Find out more about our exchanges and returns.
Avoid these common mistakes
Now that you know how to find the right size for your child’s boots, let’s quickly cover what not to do. Avoid these common mistakes to help make sure you get the best fit:
Avoid: Measuring From the Big Toe
When you make the mark for the top of your child’s toe, look carefully to find their longest toe. Sometimes, it’s not their big toe! In many cases, their second toe is longer than their big toe. By referring to the longest toe, you can find a more accurate and comfortable measurement from your child.
Avoid: Measuring in the Morning
When we lay down all night, our blood flows more evenly through our body. This means our feet are actually slightly smaller in the morning than they are towards the end of the day!
Gravity encourages blood flow in our legs and feet, making them swell slightly the more active we are. So, measure your child’s foot after they’ve been awake and playing for a few hours. After daycare or school is usually the best time to measure their feet.
Avoid: Measuring Barefoot
Account for how the extra fabric from your child’s socks will impact the fit of their boots. When you measure their feet for boots, make sure they’re wearing socks similar to the ones they will also wear with the boots.
Avoid: Measuring With Feet In the Air
It’s tempting to sneak in a foot measurement during playtime, but if you try to measure your child’s foot while they are lying down or with their feet in the air, this can throw off the measurement.
When your child’s foot is planted firmly on the ground, the measurement accounts for body weight distribution. This can affect the measurement by 0.5 centimetres to one centimetre.
Dive into the details
We believe our kids’ gumboots are a great choice for parents and kids seeking durable, flexible, comfy, and reliable boots. Curious to know more? Check out our next blog post to discover why neoprene and rubber are the perfect choice for kids' waterproof boots.
