How and When to Choose Children's First Shoes
Shoes are an important element in a child's life and we must be careful to choose them carefully. It is essential to understand the relationship between the length of your child's foot and the right shoe size. In this article, we will look at when is the ideal time to buy first shoes for babies, how to correctly measure foot length, and provide a conversion table to help you select the appropriate size.
When to Choose First Shoes for Babies
Experts agree that children should spend as much time as possible without shoes. Shoes are only necessary when the child starts walking outdoors or gets out of the stroller. In general, before the first year of life, it is not essential to provide shoes to children. When you decide to do so, opt for high-quality footwear that offers good support for your feet and ankles.
How to Measure Baby's Foot Length
Foot length is a crucial factor in choosing the right shoes. In Italy, the ISO/TS 19048:2015 standard is used to measure the distance between the center point of the heel and the tip of the longest toe. Here's how to proceed:
- Make sure the child stands upright.
- Measure the distance between the heel and the longest toe.
- Add approximately one centimeter to this measurement.
- Convert the result to the shoe size measurement.
Often, in shoe stores, a special tool is used that facilitates measurement. The child places his foot on a numbered plastic sole, allowing you to determine the exact size of the shoes.
Child's Foot Length and Shoe Size Conversion Chart
Here is a conversion table to help you get the correct shoe size for your child:
| Foot Length (cm) | Shoe Size |
|---|---|
| 8.6cm | 15 |
| 9.3 cm | 16 |
| 10cm | 17 |
| 11cm | 18 |
| 11.6 cm | 19 |
| 12.3 cm | 20 |
| 13cm | 21 |
| 13.7 cm | 22 |
| 14.4cm | 23 |
| 15cm | 24 |
| 15.6 cm | 25 |
| 16.3 cm | 26 |
| 17cm | 27 |
| 17.7 cm | 28 |
| 18.4 cm | 29 |
| 19cm | 30 |
| 19.7cm | 31 |
| 20.4cm | 32 |
| 21cm | 33 |
| 21.7 cm | 34 |
Please note that shoe sizes may vary depending on the country. This table refers to Italian and European numbers. However, some imported shoes may use a different size scale, such as the American one. When purchasing shoes online, be sure to check for correct numbering and, if necessary, look for an appropriate conversion table.
This information should help you select the most suitable shoes for your children's growing feet, contributing to their healthy development.
