Kinderfüße-Kinderschuhe


Plus12

	That's how the plus12 works: (Plus12: how it works). We've gotten a lot of reactions and questions from parents about the results of the plus12 measurements. Please write to us and let us know your point of view about the plus12,we would be very pleased to hear your comments: question@kinderfuesse.com


	While developing the plus12, we analysed data on hundreds of children's feet. We observed that children's big toes are usually at least 12 mm high. For this reason, we made the red measuring tip of the plus12 the same height, which makes it possible to recognize immediately if the toe of a shoe is too low. If the tip of the plus12 won't fit all the way into the shoe, then the toe cap is too low and no good for children's feet.

My son's shoes are a size 28. When I measure the inner length of his shoes with the plus12, it shows only size 26. Am I doing something wrong?

	We looked in to this question in the course of the Research Study. We measured 631 outdoor shoes and 677 slippers. We came to the conclusion that only 3% of the outdoor shoes and 1% of the slippers measured had an inner length which corresponded correctly to the labelled size. For example: a shoe labelled size 28 is often only a size 26 inside, sometimes only a 25 or 24. The problem is that shoe stores usually only measure the length of the foot and ignore the inner length of the shoe. That could be one of the reasons why so many children wear shoes that are too short (it is estimated that in Austria, about 220,000 children between the ages of 3 and 6 wear shoes which are too short). With the plus12 this should be a thing of the past. When fitting children' shoes the foot and the shoe should be measured.

I have also checked the fit of my own shoes. First I discovered that my feet need shoe-size 39. Then I measured my shoes and the plus12 just showed size 37. That can't be right, because the shoes are comfortable!

	This was the question which set the ball rolling: Let us start from the beginning. Three studies have shown that in movement, the foot changes considerably. Walking, running and jumping cause the body's weight to be distributed in such a way, that the foot changes shape, getting longer and wider. With each step, the foot moves forward a few millimetres. These studies showed that feet need a buffer of up to 12 millimetres. This applies to small feet as well as big ones. Marathon runners even wear shoes which are as much as 20 mm longer than their feet! Although some questions still remain to be answered, it is indisputable that shoes have to be longer than feet. At our stand about children's feet at the exhibitions we visit, we are often also asked to measure adult feet. We are usually very surprised to find adults wearing shoes which are too short. Often their shoes are just as long as their feet, therefore at least 12 mm too short. But how do you explain to an adult who thinks his shoes fit, that they are really much too short? Test subjects given longer shoes notice the big difference when they return to the old ones, and don't find the old ones so comfortable anymore. We can apparently get used to anything, even shoes which are too short.

Do sandals also have to be 12 mm longer?

One of the main advantages to sandals is that they are open at the front and can't put pressure on the toes. This means that sandals could have less than 12 mm extra space without being detrimental to the heath of the foot, if the sandal straps allow the child's foot to be secured firmly to the shoe. However, we still recommend allowing 12 mm extra space, for two good reasons:

The front edge of sandals can be quite sharp, and if the foot doesn't have enough extra space, the toes slip over this edge with every movement.
" Children's feet grow, after all (How fast do kids' feet actually grow?) and to make sure that the sandals will fit for a few months, 12 mm extra space are just right.

"Feet-in-training": When children wear their first pair of sandals, the results can look clumsy at first. Suddenly the child's feet don't seem to work right anymore, she isn't used to the open-toed shoes, which tend to hang more loosely and get in the way when walking. Experience has shown that this phase is usually very short: children learn to walk correctly in sandals in no time at all.

How do I know if the shoe fits?

To allow the foot enough space and also room to grow, the shoe should be about at least 12 mm longer than the foot. New shoes can even be 17 mm longer than the foot.

How do I measure the size myself?

1. The Thumb Test
With the thumb test you can see straight away if the shoe fits or not. With the shoes on, have the child stand up (yes, this does make a difference!). Pressed against the toe cap of the shoe, the thumb should fit between the end of the shoe and the end of the longest toe.

Good advice! To make sure that the toes are not bent in the shoe, press the toes lightly with one hand while you measure the fit with your other hand. Always measure both feet.

And by the way: we have often wondered just how wide an average thumb is, and the answer is surprising - approximately 18 mm. This makes the thumb test, correctly applied, ideal for testing new shoes!

2. Making a Stencil
This is a good method to make sure that the child's foot has enough space inside the shoe.

a. The child should stand barefoot, or with close-fitting socks, on a piece of cardboard.
b. Draw the outline of both feet with a felt tipped pen.
c. Measure an additional 12 mm out from the longest toe (or 17 mm for new shoes).
d. Connect the lines and cut out the cardboard form.

3. plus12
The plus12 is the first precise measuring device - independent of brand and shoe size.
How it works: plus12

Can kids actually tell if their shoes fit well or if they're too short?

We asked ourselves exactly that question, because during our "Measuring Days for Kids' Feet", we were often astounded to find kids wearing shoes that were 4 or 5 sizes too small! First we checked to see if any research had been done on this subject and discovered that the issue had not yet been investigated.
As part of our second research project (funded by the Austrian Ministry of Health and the Fonds Gesundes Österreich - the fund for a healthy Austria), we developed a shoe-test track for children: Kids were given one shoe that was much too short, the other foot was fitted with a correctly-sized shoe. The test subjects were asked to walk a few steps in these shoes and were then interviewed about the fit of the shoes.
The surprising results: Children cannot feel the difference in fit clearly, and describe even shoes that are markedly shorter that the foot itself as a good fit. This is why it is particularly important to check the inside length of children's shoes on a regular basis.

How wide should kids' shoes be for an ideal fit?

The question of width is a tricky one. First of all, no research has been done to determine how wide shoes should be to fit well (just as wide as the foot? A little narrower? A little wider?), and secondly there is still no simple, dependable method of measuring the width (or girth: the circumference of the shoe at the ball of the foot) of children's shoes.
Some manufacturers do offer children's shoes in different girths (that's the circumference of the shoe at the ball of the foot), but initial investigations have shown that here, just as with length, this information is not always dependable: instead of making shoes with different widths, the shoes are often the same width, with just a different girth. This seems confusing, but all it really means is this: The shoes are just made higher at the ball of the foot, increasing the circumference but not the width. This is anything but a healthy solution, because every child's foot has a different width.
We're working on solving this problem, but until we do, the only advice we can give you is this: As troublesome as it may be, have your child try on a number of different brands. You will find that kids' shoes have different girths inside. With enough patience, you should be able to find the shoe that fits best. Although it is difficult to test, occasionally there is some extra space between the upper and the foot. Use the laces or the Velcro fastenings to adjust the girth of the shoe to fit properly.

What about shoe sizes: I've heard that they're usually incorrect and that the shoes are much shorter inside than they should be. Is this really true?

During our Austrian research project, we examined the street shoes, house shoes and slippers of around 800 children, and we discovered that only approximately 3% of all of the shoes tested had the correct inside length. Interestingly, almost all of the shoes we measured were too short; hardly any of them were longer than indicated by the labelled size. Then we asked ourselves if brand-name shoes were better than no-name shoes, if cheaper shoes were not as good as expensive models, if smaller sizes were more carefully sized than larger ones, etc. But we were surprised to find out that there was no difference: whether expensive, cheap, no-name or what have you - the shoes produced by almost all manufacturers were just too short.
You might ask yourself how this could be. It probably has to do with the fact that this subject hasn't been made public before now, and therefore - although shoe manufacturers have been aware of the problem for many years - has been consistently ignored. And interestingly enough, no initiative has been made to make standardized shoe sizes in the EU mandatory… So it will probably be a while before children's shoes really are the size they're labelled…

What's in a number? How to read shoe sizes

	Worldwide there are about four common sizing systems for shoes. In Europe, shoes are usually sized using "Paris Points". In the EU, one Paris Point and therefore one shoe size equals 2/3 cm, which is 6.67 mm. To calculate the inside length of a size 30 shoe, multiply the shoe size by 2 (30 x 2 = 60), then divide the result by 3 (60 ÷ 3 = 20). For some reason, shoe sizes have not yet been standardized in Europe. Therefore it is often the case that although a shoe is labelled a size 30, the inside length rarely equals 20 cm... And strangely enough, the shoes are almost always too short and hardly ever longer than the size marked.

How fast do kids' feet actually grow?

	In our first research project, we examined the feet of children between the ages of three and six and analysed their growth. We found that at this age, children's feet grow an average of 1 mm per month. Armed with this knowledge, buying shoes for children just got easier: Children's shoes should be at least 12 mm and not more than 17 mm longer than their feet. If you buy shoes with 17 mm extra space, the shoes will fit for about 5 months (still leaving the necessary 12 mm of extra space). You're concerned because this is just an average figure? We thought of that as well, but according to our calculations, only 2.5% of all children show a faster growth rate than 1 mm per month. Tips: Between the ages of one and three, feet can be expected to grow as much as 1.5 mm in length per month. Between the ages of three and six, children's feet grow an average of 1 mm per month in length. Between the ages of six and ten, children's feet grow somewhat less than 1 mm per month in length.

When do children need their first shoes?

	Wait as long as possible. You don't need to rush out and buy shoes as soon as your child takes her first steps. Little feet develop best without shoes.

What about hand-me-down shoes?

	In the first years, children's shoes can only be worn for a few months before they get too small. This makes it possible to hand shoes down from older siblings. There is nothing wrong with this, but please pay attention to the following: If the shoe soles are worn down on one side of the heel and hang to one side it is not advisable to pass this pair on to another child.

Is there a difference if I buy shoes in the morning or afternoon?

	Yes! Adult feet are about 4% larger by the end of the day, expanding in length by a few millimetres and in width by about 1cm. Experience shows that little feet also vary during the day. Therefore it is advisable to buy shoes later in the day.

Can short shoes have an influence on children's feet?

	Yes! During the Austrian Research Project "Children's Feet-Children's Shoes" we examined the position of the big toe. We discovered that not more than 24% of the children had correctly-aligned big toes. Then we tested whether statistically, there is a connection between shoes which are too short and a misaligned big toe. What we discovered: There is a clear connection!