It’s tempting to buy shoes a little bigger — kids grow fast, after all. But too much growing room can be just as harmful as shoes that are too small.
Excess space inside a shoe can cause instability, heel slippage, and awkward walking patterns. Children may curl their toes to “hold on” to the shoe, which can affect foot development over time.
The ideal amount of growing room is about a thumb’s width at the front of the shoe — no more. This allows space for growth without sacrificing support.
Our fitters at Karen’s 4or Kids are trained to find that balance, ensuring each shoe fits the child they’re wearing it on — not the child they’ll be six months from now.