Mick Sneaker (Little Kid/Youth)

Stride Rite sizes by length and width, so measure both. Most sizes come in Medium (M), Wide (W) and Extra Wide (XW); baby sizes 1 and 2 come in Medium only.

Don’t buy too big to “grow into” — Stride Rite cautions that oversized shoes aren’t worth the risk for developing feet.

If your child is between sizes, or one foot is bigger than the other, always choose the bigger size (Stride Rite’s rule).

How much room? About a thumb’s width at the toe — roughly ½ inch (1 to 1.5 cm) between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. Toes should wiggle freely without the foot sliding forward.

Stride Rite’s thumb test: with your child standing, press the tip of your thumb down at the front of the shoe. You should be able to press down without hitting a toe.

Size by today’s foot. Stride Rite sizes are measured by the current length and width of your child’s foot, so choose the size that matches their measurement now. Stride Rite advises against buying a bigger size just to get extra wear.

Time for a bigger size if toes are pressed against the front, the shoe leaves deep marks or blisters, or your child says their feet hurt. Too big if their heel lifts out when walking, or they trip or drag their feet.

1. Have your child stand barefoot on a sheet of paper, with weight on that foot, and trace it.
2. Length: measure from the back of the heel to the tip of the longest toe, in centimeters.
3. Width: wrap a ribbon or string around the widest part of the foot (the ball), mark where it meets, and measure it in centimeters.
4. Measure both feet and use the larger numbers.
5. Find the length in the chart, then the width column (M, W or XW) closest to their ball measurement.