The Best Place to Buy Kids’ Shoes – Avoid Stride Rite, Nordstrom, Payless…

August 13, 2025 Shoe Stores Juan Valenzuela 21 - Comments

Have you struggled to find properly fitted shoes for your child at big-box retailers like Nordstrom, Stride Rite, or Payless? Many parents walk away with the wrong shoe size, often because these stores lack the personalized service needed to accommodate a child’s unique foot shape. The best place to buy kids’ shoes is a specialized children’s shoe store—but unfortunately, most of these local gems have shut down. That’s why I created a virtual shoe fitting service to help families find the ideal shoes online. It’s not just about getting the right size—it’s about finding shoes that match your child’s exact foot shape and support needs.

Why the Right Shoe Size Matters More Than You Think

Fitting your child in the wrong shoe size—or the wrong shoe style—can lead to a host of issues like blisters, calluses, foot and leg pain, and even long-term problems with posture and gait. Healthy feet are the foundation for active, pain-free movement, so it’s critical to get the fit right from the start. Choosing the correct shoes now can prevent discomfort, reduce the risk of injury, and save you time, money, and unnecessary trips to the doctor down the line.

Do You Have a Specialized Children’s Shoe Store in Your Area?

If you’re lucky enough to have a specialized children’s shoe store in your area, that’s the ideal place to start your shoe-shopping journey. I’ve created a helpful resource that breaks down these stores by state—feel free to browse and find a location near you. These stores are staffed with trained professionals who understand kids’ feet and can provide personalized fittings and expert recommendations to ensure your child walks away with the perfect pair.

My Virtual Shoe Fitting Service in 2025

As a passionate shoe fitter, I developed the most effective way to determine your child’s exact foot size from your home and will personally assist you with a custom fitting tailored to your child’s individual needs. My virtual shoe fitting service allows parents to determine:

  • Identify possible foot conditions such as flat feet and degree of pronation.
  • Correct length, width (narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide), and instep height.

Step One: Measure Your Child’s Foot Length for Shoe Size

Ensure your child is standing straight and measure both feet, as one may be larger than the other. Measure up to the tip of your child’s longest toe, which may not be the big toe—it could be the second or even the third toe. Record the measurements or email the image to prevent any confusion.

Measurement Box

We will input your child’s foot measurements in the standard foot measuring tool (Brannock device) to retrieve your child’s exact foot length.

Measurement Box

You can follow the instructions in this video for better visualization purposes.

Step Two: Video or Images to Determine Foot Width

Create a brief video to assess if your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra-wide feet, along with high insteps. I will also be able to determine if your child has a foot condition such as flat feet. Below you can find a sample of how the video should look like:


If you’d prefer not to record a video, you can take three photos of your child’s feet as shown below. However, please note that the video will provide a more accurate assessment of your child’s exact foot shape.

Angle Box

This image helps determine whether your child is flat footed and whether your child has a high instep or not.

Angle Box
Angle Box

This image helps determine whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet.

Angle Box
Angle Box

This image helps determine whether your child has rolled ankles or not.

Angle Box

➡️ Recap – What to Include in Your Email

  • Your child’s foot length measurements (or an image of their foot length measurements)
  • Sample video (or three images of your child’s feet)
  • The country you live, in case you need specific shoe recommendations

Feel free to include in your email any additional information I should know about your child’s feet:

customerservice@fittingchildrenshoes.com

Reach Out for Specific Shoe Recommendations

Not every child’s foot is the same, and sometimes you need specific advice tailored to your child’s unique foot shape. Don’t hesitate to reach out for recommendations. A virtual shoe fitting service can be incredibly helpful in retrieving your child’s exact shoe size and foot shape.

Why You Should Think Twice Before Shopping at Big Shoe Retailers

Most large retailers simply aren’t equipped to provide a proper shoe fitting experience for children. Their staff often lack the training needed to assess foot shape, size, and support needs—and many of the shoes they carry don’t even come in multiple widths like medium, wide, or extra wide.

I’ve seen countless kids walk into the store where I work wearing shoes that are completely wrong for their feet—too long, too narrow, or simply unsupportive. What’s worse is that many of these kids can’t express their discomfort, and yet they’re still being sold ill-fitting shoes just to close a sale. That kind of negligence is what drove me to create a resource for parents—to help you avoid these common fitting mistakes and ensure your child gets the shoes they truly need.

Different foot shapes require different types of shoes. A virtual consultation can provide tailored advice, ensuring that your child receives footwear suited to their specific needs. This personalized attention can help avoid common fitting pitfalls.