What is the Best Place to Buy Toddler Shoes? – Find Out About my Free Virtual Shoe Fitting Service

Are you having a hard time finding a good local fitting children’s shoe store to take your toddler to be properly measured and fitted for shoes? Maybe you are hesitant to visit your local shoe store and prefer to get your toddler’s shoes online.

I strongly suggest that you don’t take your toddler to be fitted for shoes at the shopping mall in stores such as Nordstrom’s, Foot Locker or Payless (just to name a few examples). My main issue with these big retail stores is that they don’t train their staff to be able to properly fit your children in the correct pair of shoes.

I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now, where we focus on helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems. I handle approximately 100 shoe fittings/try ons per week, and I have noticed throughout the years that most toddlers tend to have wide or extra wide feet.

These families who bring their toddlers to be fitted for shoes are placing their complete trust in me with their children’s feet and I must use all my expertise so that child can move around in comfortable, well-fitted shoes.

The type of shoes that you provide for your toddler are crucial for the development of the feet. Your toddler’s bones are still developing, and you don’t want to constrict this development by choosing the wrong type of shoes. Keep in mind that your toddler’s feet will conform to a shoe if they are restricted.

What is the Best Place to Buy Toddler Shoes?

For those families who don’t have a specialized or independent shoe store in their area I created a free resource that helps them retrieve their toddler’s exact foot shape —narrow, medium, wide, extra wide, high instep— as well as their toddler’s exact foot length.

Virtual Shoe Fitting by a Shoe Fitting Expert

Please follow the instructions without skipping any steps.

Step 1: Measuring Your Toddler’s Exact Foot Length:

• Make sure that your toddler is standing straight, and then place a measuring tape or ruler below your toddler’s heels.

• Measure both feet all the way up to the tip of your toddler’s longest toe. It’s imperative that you measure both feet since there is always one foot that is bigger than the other. Keep in mind that your child’s longest toe it 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) in order to avoid confusion with the measurements.

Step 2: Pictures of Your Toddler’s Foot Width:

The pictures below will help me determine whether your toddler has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet.  Also, the pictures will help me figure out whether your toddler has a high instep. Below you can find examples of how the pictures should look like :

At the shoe store that I work for I handle approximately 100 shoe fittings/try ons per week, so I will be able to easily tell you your toddler’s exact foot shape. I don’t need your toddler’s foot width or instep measurements, so please don’t waste time measuring your toddler’s foot width.

It will take me less than 24 hours to respond back with your toddler’s exact foot size. Once you have that information ready, please email it to me at:

fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

RECAP of What to Include in Your Email

• Your child’s foot length measurements.
• The images of your child’s feet.
• The country where you are located.

What are the Best Toddler’s Shoes?

✅ Choose breathable shoes made from soft leather, with lightweight flexible outsoles, well-padded ankles and non-slip bottoms.

✅ There should be a good, stiff heel counter where the heel sits, and a sturdy midsole.

✅ The shoes should always provide a secure closure (velcro or shoelaces) to hold your toddler’s feet in place, so they don’t slip forward. 

I am happy to recommend specific shoe brands or specific shoe styler your toddler, but the type of shoe your toddler should wear depends on your toddler’s unique foot shape.

Keep in mind that toddler’s feet grow very quickly, and their shoe size may need updating every 3 to 4 months. Don’t hesitate to contact me anytime you suspect your toddler’s shoes might be too small.

Wearing shoes that are too short or too narrow can cause your toddler to develop blisters, calluses, corns, or ingrown toenails that can become infected. If you notice that your toddler is constantly taking his/her shoes off, that’s a red flag that they may be uncomfortable.