How to measure your feet and choose the right size [2024]

To choose the right size of barefoot shoes, you need to measure your feet. Measure both of them, as often one foot is bigger and/or wider than the other. Choose your shoes according to the size of the larger foot.

Since one manufacturer’s size 26 can have the same internal length as another manufacturer’s size 27, barefoot shoes are definitely bought to fit the size of the foot. It is also important that the shoe matches the width and height of the foot.

Measuring leg length and width

Place your foot on the paper so that all the weight is on your foot. Hold the pencil as thin as possible vertically to the ground and draw the foot on the paper. You can also use a box, placing the heel inside the box against the wall and drawing the outline. If the child is not standing still, just mark the heel, the longest toe and the widest part of the foot on the paper.

Once you’ve drawn the foot, measure the length from heel to longest toe (this doesn’t have to be a big toe!) and the width of the widest part perpendicular to the long axis of the foot with a ruler – these measurements will help you choose the right new shoes.

Is there enough space in your existing shoes?

Cut out the foot image and try it in your shoe. Is there a sufficient margin in both length and width? If there is a margin of 5 mm or less in the length, it’s time to start looking for bigger shoes.

You can also try placing your foot on a removable insole. This will give you some idea, but remember that. the length of the insole is not an indication of the actual inside length of the shoe.as there is usually more space inside the shoe.

How much to stock up on new shoes?

The recommended margin is 12 mm in length and 2-5…6 mm in width, depending on the shoe. For winter boots, the margin can be larger (approx. 15 mm in length, approx. 6 mm in width), for sandals definitely smaller (max 12 mm in length, a few mm in width). It is also advisable to choose a rather smaller margin for the rubber (approx. 1 cm for the length, perhaps approx. 4 mm for the width). For a beginner walker, the maximum length margin should be 1 cm.  
Also make sure the shoe doesn’t pinch or flop around. Therefore, choose the right footwear for children with high and low feet.

These recommendations are general. You should always start with your child 🙂