How Do the Different Kids’ Shoe Brands Fit? – The Most Popular Brands Reviewed
Have you ever wondered why shoe sizes differ so much among shoe brands? Do you want to know how each shoe brand fits to be able to provide your child with the correct shoe size? Shoe sizes are inconsistent and parents need to understand that different shoes in identical sizes and widths will fit differently. One of the most common questions that parents ask me at the shoe store where I work is: How do the different kids’ shoe brands fit?
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes
I can answer that question with confidence as I have been fitting children’s shoes for over a decade. To help those parents who don’t have a local children’s shoe store in their area and must purchase their kids’ shoes online, I decided to create a table with the most popular children’s shoe brands that I have fitted before, showing parents how each shoe brand fits.
How Do the Different Kids’ Shoe Brands Fit?
This table I created displays how the different children’s shoe brands fit, that way you can make sure that you are providing your child with the correct shoe size.
| Shoe Brand Name | How do These Shoe Styles Fit? | Do These Shoes Fit Narrow, Medium, or Wide? | Can These Shoes Accommodate an Orthotic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adidas | True to Size | Medium | No |
| Asics | Short | Narrow/Medium | Yes |
| Bearpaw | True to Size | Medium | No |
| Bogs | True to Size | Medium/Wide | No |
| Chooze | True to Size | Medium | No |
| Converse | Long | Medium | No |
| Crocs | Long | Medium/Wide | No |
| Deer Stags | True to Size | Medium | No |
| Dr. Martens | True to Size | Medium/Wide | Yes |
| Footmates | True to Size | Medium/Wide | Yes |
| Garvalin | Short | Narrow/Medium | No |
| Geox | True to Size | Medium/Wide | Yes |
| Heelys | Short | Narrow/Medium | No |
| Jambu | Long | Medium/Wide | No |
| Keen | True to Size | Medium/Wide | No |
| Kenneth Cole Reaction | True to Size | Medium | No |
| Livie & Luca | True to Size | Medium/Wide | No |
| Merrell | True to Size | Medium/Wide | Yes |
| Native | Long | Medium/Wide | No |
| Naturino | True to Size | Narrow/Medium | No |
| New Balance | True to Size | Medium/Wide/Extra Wide | Yes |
| Nike | Short | Narrow/Medium | No |
| Nina | True to Size | Medium/Wide | No |
| Pediped | True to Size | Medium/Wide/Extra Wide | Yes |
| PLAE | True to Size | Medium/Wide | No |
| Primigi | True to Size | Medium/Wide | No |
| Puma | Short | Narrow/Medium | No |
| Reebok | True to Size | Medium | No |
| Ricosta | Short | Narrow/Medium | No |
| Saucony | Short | Narrow/Medium/Wide | Yes |
| School Issue | True to Size | Medium/Wide | Yes |
| See Kai Run | True to Size | Medium/Wide | Yes |
| Skechers | True to Size | Medium/Wide | No |
| Sperry | Long | Medium/Wide | No |
| Stride Rite | True to Size | Medium/Wide/Extra Wide | Yes |
| Twinkle Toes | Long | Medium/Wide | No |
| Teva | True to Size | Narrow/Medium | No |
| Timberland | True to Size | Medium/Wide | Yes |
| Tsukihoshi | Long | Medium/Wide/Extra Wide | Yes |
| UGG | True to Size | Narrow/Medium/Wide | No |
| Under Armour | Short | Narrow/Medium | No |
| Western Chief | Long | Medium/Wide | No |
| Zephz | True to Size | Medium/Wide/Extra Wide | Yes |
Let me just explain to you how this table works. Under the column “How do these shoe styles fit” you can find three different categories so let’s find out what they mean:
➡️ If the shoe brand fits “true to size”, that means that you need to provide your child with half a size longer than the size your child measured on the shoe measuring scale. This translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.4 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
➡️ If the shoe brand fits “short”, that means that you need to provide your child with a whole size longer than the size that your child measured on the shoe measuring scale. This translates to 3/8 of an inch or 0.8 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
➡️ If the shoe brand fits “long”, that means that you need to provide your child with the same size that your child measured on the shoe measuring scale.
What Are the Best Shoe Brands for Children?
You should also take a look at a couple of different resources I created where I describe the best shoe brands for toddlers and older children — as certain shoe brands provide shoe styles with better support, better quality, and more durability than others.
Are you wondering why shoe sizes are so inconsistent? You don’t need to know this as it gets a little more technical, but some parents might want to know why certain shoe brands differ so much in the way the shoes fit. Let’s reveal that secret right now:
1️⃣ Materials can affect size: Two shoes of identical style and size, but one with a leather upper and the other one with urethane upper, will often fit differently.
2️⃣ Construction/Shoe Manufactures affect size: The process by which a shoe is made can sometimes influence size.
3️⃣ Lasts affect size: Lasts are designed on countless different shapes, each with its own volume or inner space allowance, which in turn affects the dimensions and the fit.
4️⃣ Heel height affects size: Shoes on high versus low heels will fit differently on the same size.
5️⃣ Style affects size: For example, a pair of New Balance shoes in a given size and width will fit differently than a pair of Saucony shoes of the same size and width.
Do You Know Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape?
I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home.
Is there a particular children’s shoe brand that I didn’t mention? Have you found a particular shoe brand that has worked well for your child? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
