What is the Best Foot Measurement Device for Kids? — Save Time and Money!
With most children’s shoe stores being closed parents have no choice but to buy their kids’ shoes online. This means that parents can avoid wait lines and have access to a greater selection of shoes. However, to effectively buy your kids’ shoes online, you are going to need to know your child’s exact foot length and shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide). Let’s find out what is the best foot measurement device for kids.
What is the Best Foot Measurement Device for Kids: Junior Brannock Device
The Brannock device is my go-to foot measurement device for kids. This device measures from an infant size (US) 1 to a child’s (US) size 5. It basically will measure most children up to the age of 10.
- The device can easily retrieve your child’s foot length by placing your child’s heels back against the device and making sure your child is standing straight and looking straight ahead.
- The device can also retrieve your child’s foot width (narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide). The junior Brannock device uses a slide to measure the width. You will have to position the slides so the arrows point to the size determined by toe or arch length. Then, find the width line that aligns with the widest part of the foot.
- Order the Junior (US) Genuine Brannock brand Device on Amazon
- The US Junior measures from infant size (US) 0 to child (US) size 5. It will measure most children up to the age of 10
- Very solid, high-quality, and durable as it’s made of metal
- Made in the USA
There are other more affordable alternatives to the Brannock device such as the NBC, RITZ, and Squatchi foot measuring devices. However, none of these devices even come close to the level of accuracy that the Brannock device provides.
Read This Before Buying the Brannock Device
Now here is the dilemma with the Brannock device. Most families agree that the device is expensive but convenient to have at home. It’s hard for some families to spend $50 to $60 on a foot measurement device. In addition, a lot of families reported that it’s quite hard to figure out how to retrieve the child’s foot width. There is no support from the company as many families told me they emailed the company with questions and no one has responded.
The Biggest Drawback of the Brannock Device
The biggest issue I found with the Brannock device and all other foot measuring devices is that they are not capable of measuring the child’s instep. The instep is the top part of the foot, and when it’s high, it makes it a lot more challenging to find shoes that fit. Below you can see an image of a child with a high instep so you can visualize where the instep of the foot is located:
Retrieving Your Child’s Exact Foot Size for Free
I created an easy-to-follow method that allows parents to accurately determine their child’s correct foot length and width, as well as instep height from home, without having to spend money on the Brannock device.
1️⃣ Measure Your Child’s Exact Foot Length:
- Make sure that your child is standing straight, and then place a measuring tape or ruler below your child’s heels. You must measure your child’s feet while standing, as on weight-bearing the foot becomes longer.
- Measure both feet up to the tip of your child’s longest toe (make sure that your child is not curling his/her toes). You must measure both feet since there is always one foot that is bigger than the other. Keep in mind that your child’s longest toe doesn’t necessarily have to be the big toe — it may in fact be the second or even the third toe.
- Make a note of that measurement in centimeters or inches or email me the image showing the measurements (such as you see below) to avoid confusion with the measurements.
We will input your child’s foot measurements in the standard foot measuring tool (Brannock device) to retrieve your child’s exact foot length.
2️⃣ Pictures of Your Child’s Foot Width:
The pictures below will help me determine whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. Also, the pictures will help me see whether your child has a high instep and additional information such as whether your child has flat feet or not. Below you can find examples of how the pictures should look like:
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.
Please note that I won’t need the measurements of your child’s foot width, the images will be sufficient to help me determine whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet.
Feel free to include in your email any additional information I should know about your child’s feet:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Recap – What to Include in Your Email
- Your child’s foot length measurements (or an image of their foot length measurements)
- Three images of your child’s feet (see example images above)
- The country you live in
You will then receive a response within 24 hours with your child’s exact foot length, shape, and specific shoe recommendations as needed.
How Much Does This Service Cost?
This service is completely free. I am passionate about fitting children’s shoes as I truly believe that the correct type of shoes can be life-changing. Children’s feet are constantly developing, and what happens to their feet during their childhood will affect their physique as they grow older.
If you wish to support the work of Fitting Children’s Shoes, you can Donate Here Your support helps ensure that families around the world can find the correct shoes for their children, regardless of their foot shape or condition.
Most podiatrists agree that making sure that your kids’ shoes fit properly is key to prevent foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
