Choosing the right shoe size [2025]

The importance of the right size shoes

Shoe sizes, especially the right size, directly affect the health and comfort of our feet. Incorrectly sized shoes can cause blisters, toe deformities, excessive load on the feet, and pain and discomfort. Shoe sizes and inseams from different manufacturers may vary. You should follow the shoe size chart and choose a size based on the length and width of your foot, rather than buying according to your usual shoe size.

When should you change your shoes to a larger size? 

If you feel that your shoes are squeezing and no longer comfortable, it's time to take a closer look at the situation. You should take a closer look at your feet! Children whose feet grow quickly need special attention. Most often, small children cannot tell when shoes are too small for them. Sometimes this can manifest itself in a strange gait/walking pattern. The size of a child's foot can change in a few months, so children's feet should be measured regularly and make sure that they have enough space in their shoes. If there is less than 5 mm of length margin in their existing shoes, this is a clear sign that it is time to choose larger shoes.

Choosing the right size shoes

In order to choose the right size barefoot shoes, you need to measure your feet. Measure both, because often one foot is larger and/or wider than the other. Choose shoes larger by foot.

Since one manufacturer's size 26 may have the same inseam as another manufacturer's size 27, barefoot shoes are definitely being purchased. shoe size It is also important that the shoe is in accordance with the shape of the foot. with width and height.

Measuring foot length and width

To measure, place the foot on the paper so that all the weight is on the foot and the entire length of the foot covers the paper. Hold the thinnest pencil possible vertically to the ground and draw the foot on the paper. You can also use a box, placing the heel against the wall inside the box and drawing the outline. If the child does not stay still during the measurement, mark only the heel, the longest toe and the widest parts of the foot on the paper.

Once you have drawn the foot, measure the length with a ruler. from heel to longest toe (this may not be the big toe!) and the width of the widest part perpendicular to the long axis of the foot. These are the length and width of your foot, which you can use to choose the appropriate size of shoes based on the size charts of different models. The inside length of a shoe in the appropriate size should be equal to the length of the foot in cm + a margin (approx. 1 cm).

The term “inseam” is often used, but this is misleading because the foot does not have an inside length. It is more correct to talk about the measurement of the foot (e.g. the length and width of the foot) and the inside length of the shoe – this is a measurement that shows how much space there is for the foot inside the shoe.

Finding the right shoe size from the shoe size chart

Since the foot size and the inside length of the corresponding shoe can differ significantly from one manufacturer to another, you should not choose shoes based on the size alone. Instead, you should always check the size chart of specific shoes and compare it to your foot measurements in centimeters. The foot size in centimeters can vary depending on the manufacturer and model, so you should always measure your foot length and choose shoes according to this measurement. For example, one manufacturer's size 26 may be the same as another's 27 and another's 25. UK, EU and US shoe sizes may not be comparable. Therefore, it is important to look up the appropriate size chart and make a choice based on it, and not on your usual foot size.

Calculating sufficient allowance for footwear

Once you have measured your foot, add the desired allowance in centimeters to the length of your foot and look for shoes that have the corresponding inseam length in the size chart. For example, if your foot length is 24 cm, you should look for shoes that have an inseam length of 25-25,2 cm. Some prefer a larger allowance, others a smaller one. This is individual and will become clear to you over time.

Also make sure that the shoe doesn't pinch or slip on your foot. Therefore, choose a shoe that is suitable for your child's foot type, whether they have high or low feet.

Shoe Size FAQ

Is there enough space in your existing shoes?

Draw a child's foot on paper, cut it out, and place it in the shoe. Make sure there is about 1 cm of space in front of the big toe and that the cut-out foot is not wrinkled in the shoe. If there is less than 5 mm of space in front of the big toe, it is time to choose a larger shoe. However, if the paper foot is wrinkled on the sides in the shoe, you may need to choose a wider model. 

Another option is to place the foot on a removable insole, but this method is usually inaccurate because Insoles can be both shorter and longer than the actual interior space of the shoe.

How much allowance should you leave for new shoes?

The recommended allowance for length is 12 mm and for width 2-5…6 mm, depending on the footwear. For winter boots, the allowance can be larger (length approx. 15 mm, width approx. 6 mm), for sandals it is definitely smaller (length max. 12 mm, width a few mm). For rubber, it is also recommended to choose a smaller allowance (length approx. 1 cm, width approx. 4 mm). For a beginner walker, the allowance for length should be a maximum of 1 cm. 

Differences in shoe sizes for children and babies

Children's shoe sizes can vary depending on age, but it is important to remember that children of the same age can have completely different foot sizes. Baby foot size and baby foot size can change quickly. For example, a one-year-old child's foot size may only remain the same for a few months. A 2-year-old child's foot size and a 5-year-old child's foot size can also vary greatly. That is why a children's size chart, or children's shoe size chart, is helpful, which shows shoe sizes in cm. Baby shoe sizes should be chosen based on the length of the foot.
It is worth remembering that children of the same age can have completely different foot sizes. The development of children's feet is individual and can vary depending on genetics, exercise habits and other factors. Therefore, choosing a specific shoe size cannot be based only on age, but must always be based on the actual measurements of the foot. Children of the same age can wear completely different shoe sizes, as the speed and shape of the feet grow are unique to each child, and therefore children's shoe sizes are different.

Information about children's shoe sizes in cm and shoe sizes in cm is often searched for to find out the child's shoe size. But the reality is that there is no universal size chart where you can find out what length of foot corresponds to which size. All manufacturers have different inner shoe lengths to some extent, and when choosing a shoe size, you must base your foot measurements and the corresponding shoe size chart on it.

Differences in shoe sizes between men and women

Women's shoe sizes and men's shoe sizes for the same size may mean different instep lengths and shoe sizes may differ. Therefore, it is worth checking the corresponding shoe size chart. Men's shoes usually also have a wider last.

Why is it important to measure both feet separately?

Often one foot is slightly longer or wider than the other. Shoes should be chosen according to the size of the larger foot to avoid pinching and discomfort. There are various measuring tools available for measuring, or you can draw both feet on paper.

What else to consider besides foot length?

In addition to foot length, the fit of the shoe is affected by foot width, foot height, toe shape, etc. You can use special measuring instruments, such as Plus12, which helps you find out the length of your foot. A measuring tool for measuring lengths helps you make measurements quickly and accurately. You can find out the width of your foot by drawing your foot on paper.

If your foot is very low, there may be a problem where there is a lot of empty space inside the shoe above the foot, making the shoe feel unstable. In this case, additional insoles may be helpful., which help reduce the space inside the shoe and thus improve the fit of the shoe.

How does the shape of the foot affect the choice of shoe size?

The size of the foot in cm is important, but also the width and height of the foot, i.e. whether it is narrow, wide, low or high. A shoe size chart can help you find the right size, where you can find the width in addition to the inside length. You should also pay attention to the shape of the toes. If the big toe is the longest, you should prefer shoes with a corresponding toe shape. However, if, for example, the second toe is the longest or the toes are of a more even length, you should choose a model with a different toe shape. The wrong toe shape can compress the toes and cause deformations, which is why it is important to choose a shoe whose shape matches your foot type.

How often should a child's foot size be checked?

Children's feet can change size every few months, especially during periods of rapid growth. We recommend measuring your child's feet every 2-3 months and comparing the measurements to a children's shoe size chart to make sure there is enough room in the shoes or that you need to choose a larger size.

Do socks affect the fit of shoes?

Yes, absolutely! You may find that some shoes are more comfortable to wear with thinner socks and other shoes with thicker socks. Also take into account the size of the socks and choose slightly larger socks so that your toes have more free space and are not squeezed by the socks. Sometimes a sock size chart can help, and when choosing socks for children, a children's sock size chart can help. Toe socks are also a favorite of many barefoot wearers. – in these, each toe can be separate and enjoy freedom. Toe socks also help prevent blisters and excessive sweating.

What to do if your foot is between two sizes?

If your measured foot length in cm is between two sizes, it is generally recommended to choose the larger size to ensure sufficient margin and comfort. It is also important to check whether the inseam of a particular model matches your foot measurements.

Check out our range of foot-friendly barefoot shoes

In our online store you will find barefoot shoes for the whole family that support the natural development of the feet. For each model, you will also find a shoe size chart, which lists both the inside length and width of the shoe. This makes it easy to choose the right size shoes. Foot-friendly shoes avoid excessive pressure and offer enough space in width and freedom for the toes.