Guide to Barefoot Shoe Sizing
Sizing = how to measure and choose a starting size
Sizing children’s shoes is more complicated than it should be.
Sizes vary between brands, between countries and sometimes even between ranges from the same brand. A size 26 in one make can fit very differently from a size 26 in another. Then there is conversion between a UK and EU or US size – it’s all a bit too much sometimes.
This guide explains how to measure your child’s feet, what to look for when using brand size charts, and how often to check that the fit is still right.
Quick takeaway: don’t rely on the size number alone. Measure both feet in millimetres, check the brand’s own size chart, allow sensible growing room, and remember that width matters too.
Why the number on the label is not enough
The number on the label tells you very little on its own.
Shoe sizing in Europe, the UK and the US all use different scales, and even within a single system, brands interpret measurements differently. Beyond length, many size charts do not account for width or foot shape, and these can be just as important as length when it comes to fit.
The safest approach is to measure your child’s foot, then use that measurement to find the right size within a specific brand’s own size chart. Barefoot brands are often helpful in providing the foot length conversion from mm/cm to conventional UK/EU/US sizes.
How to measure your child’s foot
You will need a piece of paper, a pencil and a ruler or tape measure.
Measure while your child is standing, ideally wearing the type of socks they would normally wear with the shoes. Feet spread slightly when they are bearing weight, so standing gives a more useful measurement than sitting.
Step 1: Trace both feet
Have your child stand on a piece of paper. Trace around the outside of each foot, keeping the pencil as vertical as possible. Try not to angle the pencil underneath the foot, as this can make the measurement too small or too large.
Do both feet, as one foot is often slightly bigger than the other.
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Step 2: Measure length
Mark the longest point of the foot, usually the big toe or second toe, and the back of the heel. Measure the distance in millimetres.
Use the larger foot measurement when choosing a size.
For length, you can also place the paper against a wall, ask your child to stand with their heel lightly touching the wall, then mark the longest toe.
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Step 3: Measure width
Measure the widest part of the foot, usually across the ball of the foot. Write this down too.
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Step 4: Add toe room
As a general guide, many barefoot-style children’s shoes work best with around 10–15mm of space in front of the longest toe, depending on the child, shoe type and brand.
Add this to your child’s foot length measurement to estimate the minimum internal shoe length you are looking for.
For example, if your child’s longer foot measures 160mm, you may be looking for a shoe with an internal length of around 170–175mm.
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Step 5: Check the brand’s size chart
Use the brand’s own sizing guide to find the right size for your measurements. Do not assume your child will be the same size across different brands.
If your child is between two sizes, the larger size may be right - but only if the shoe still holds the heel securely and does not cause slipping, tripping or sliding inside the shoe.
What to write down
It can help to keep a simple note on your phone:
Date measured
Left foot length
Right foot length
Width
Current shoe brand and size
Any fit notes, such as “wide at toes”, “narrow heel” or “high instep”
This makes it much easier to compare brands and notice when your child has grown.
Width matters
Many children have wider feet than standard shoe shapes allow for.
If you consistently find that shoes fit in length but feel tight across the ball of the foot, press on the toes, or leave red marks at the sides, width may be the issue.
Some brands offer wide-fit options. Others are simply cut more generously across the toe box by design. Unfortunately, not every brand publishes width measurements, so reviews, retailer notes and brand-specific fitting advice can be especially useful.
Often, conventional shoes in a wide-fit often means the same shape, just wider – which does not directly address the natural foot shape in its entirety.
How often to remeasure
Children’s feet grow quickly, often faster than parents expect. A shoe that fit well three months ago may now be too small.
As a rough guide:
Babies and toddlers under 3: check every 6–8 weeks
Pre-school age, 3–4: check every 2–3 months
School age, 4–12: check every 3–4 months
These are only guidelines. Some children’s feet grow in bursts rather than steadily.
Check sooner if your child has had a growth spurt, starts complaining about their shoes, develops red marks, trips more often, or suddenly wants to take their shoes off all the time. Remember, please consult a qualified healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your child’s foot health.
Buying online
Many barefoot brands operate mainly online, which means you may be buying without trying first.
Look for brands with clear size charts based on foot length in millimetres, helpful fitting advice, generous return policies, and reviews where parents share sizing notes.
Established barefoot shoe review sites often include detailed sizing information that can help narrow down the right brand and size before you buy.
Happy Little Soles (not affiliated) has a unified size system and has converted the wide range of brands they stock, into a single HLS size to save you time converting every shoe you click on.
It is also normal not to get it right first time, especially when trying a new brand. That does not mean you measured badly. It may simply mean that the shape of that shoe is not right for your child.
Further reading
Rara Movement provides general educational content only and does not provide medical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s feet, walking, pain or development, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.