Is the Wet Foot Test for Kids Reliable? – Find a Better Way to Determine Your Child’s Arch Shape!
Have you noticed your child walking or running differently and started wondering about their arch type—flat, regular, or high? Many parents turn to the popular wet foot test for answers, but is it truly reliable for kids? While this test offers a quick visual of the footprint, it tells us very little about how your child’s feet function during movement or their risk of injury. In this article, you’ll learn why the wet foot test may fall short and discover a more accurate way to identify your child’s arch shape—so you can choose the right footwear to keep their feet healthy and supported.
The wet foot test only reveals one aspect of your child’s foot shape—and relying on it alone can lead to choosing the wrong shoes. For example, if the test suggests flat feet, you might rush to buy supportive shoes, hoping they’ll fix your child’s gait. But without considering three other critical factors the test overlooks, you risk selecting shoes that don’t truly meet your child’s needs.
- Your child’s foot shape—whether narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide—along with the height of the instep, plays a major role in finding the right shoes.
- The position of your child’s heels—neutral, pronated (inward), or supinated (outward)—can impact their walking gait and also influences the kind of support they need from their shoes.
- Forefoot abduction, which is when the front of the foot points outward, also affects your child’s gait and must be considered when selecting footwear.
The bottom line? The wet foot test doesn’t take any of these important factors into account, making it an unreliable way to determine the best shoes for your child.
My Virtual Guide to Figure Out Your Child’s Arch and Foot Shape
Create a brief video to assess your child’s arch shape and whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra-wide feet, along with high insteps. I will also be able to determine your child’s heel condition (normal, inverted, everted).
If you’d rather not record a video, you’re welcome to send three clear photos of your child’s feet using the examples below as a guide. Just keep in mind that while photos are helpful, a short video gives me a much more accurate view of your child’s arch and overall foot shape—making it easier to recommend the best possible shoe fit.
This image helps determine whether your child is flat footed and whether your child has a high instep or not.
This image helps determine whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet.
This image helps determine whether your child has rolled ankles or not.
Feel free to include any extra details in your email that might help me better understand your child’s feet—such as past foot issues, current concerns, or anything you’ve noticed about how they walk or move.
customerservice@fittingchildrenshoes.com
You will then receive a response within 24 hours with your child’s exact arch and foot shape, and specific shoe recommendations as needed.
How Much Does This Service Cost?
This service is completely free because I’m genuinely passionate about helping children walk comfortably and confidently. The right pair of shoes can be life-changing—especially during those crucial developmental years. What happens to a child’s feet today can impact their posture, mobility, and overall health down the road. If you’d like to support the mission behind Fitting Children’s Shoes, you can [Donate Here]. Your contribution helps keep this resource available to families around the world, ensuring every child—regardless of foot shape or condition—has access to shoes that truly fit.
