Finding the Right Fit for Your Child’s First Shoes and Beyond
by Rebecca Kelley
Children’s shoe sizes can appear inconsistent across brands.
The reason is: The size label is standardised. The shoe itself is not.
An EU size refers to a scale, but it does not guarantee the internal length of the shoe. As a result, two shoes labelled the same size can fit very differently.
At Brightland, we take a measurement-led approach — always starting with the foot.
Start with the measurement
The most reliable starting point is your child’s foot length in millimetres (mm).
Measurement-based systems such as the Mondopoint standard (ISO 9407) define shoe sizing directly from foot length, rather than relying on converted size scales.
Once you have the measurement:
- our printable measuring guide for RISE (pre walker) and WANDER (first walker)
- or SizeWise digital tool
translate it directly into the correct fit — without relying on size labels.
What actually determines fit
What matters is not the number on the box, but the internal length of the shoe.
This is the usable space inside the shoe.
Children’s shoes need space beyond the foot for:
- movement
- toe function
- growth
Guidance from organisations such as the American Podiatric Medical Association and the College of Podiatry supports allowing space at the front of a child’s shoe to enable natural movement and development — commonly described as approximately 10–15 mm.
At Brightland:
- ~10 mm → optimal
- up to 15 mm → still appropriate
Why the same size fits differently
Most brands do not publish internal measurements.
This is because:
- different models use different lasts
- construction changes internal space
- sizing is not consistent across styles
Even within one brand, the same size can vary.
You may see this expressed as a range:
EU22 = 140–145 mm
A single shoe does not have a range — it has one internal length.
That range reflects variation across different models. In children’s footwear, 5 mm is significant, it is close to half a size in practical fit.
The limitation of standard sizing
The EU system is based on the Paris Point scale, where each size increases by approximately 6.67 mm.
While this creates a consistent numbering system, it does not account for how a shoe is constructed or how it fits internally.
By contrast, measurement-based systems — such as Mondopoint — align more closely with how footwear is actually worn.
Our approach follows this principle.
How to choose the right size
Once you have your child’s foot measurement:
1. Take the measurement in mm
2. Add 10–15 mm
3. Match this to internal shoe length
Example
Foot = 120 mm
- +10 mm → 130 mm
- +15 mm → 135 mm
Choose a shoe with an internal length of ~130–135 mm
Brightland sizing explained
Each Brightland size is built around a fixed internal length, derived from the last (stick length).
We then define an optimal foot range.
RISE — Pre-Walker (soft structure)
- flexible, close-fitting
- spans two EU sizes
| Foot (mm) | Internal (mm) | BL Size | EU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 91–96 | 106 | S | 16/17 |
| 105–110 | 120 | M | 18/19 |
| 118–123 | 133 | L | 20/21 |
WANDER — First Walker (structured minimalist)
- more structured
- more precise fit
| Foot (mm) | Internal (mm) | EU |
|---|---|---|
| 112–117 | 127 | 20 |
| 118–123 | 133 | 21 |
| 125–130 | 140 | 22 |
| 132–137 | 147 | 23 |
| 138–143 | 153 | 24 |
Why this matters
At the simplest level: When your child’s foot is in the shoe, there should be enough space for movement and growth. Without knowing the internal length, this is difficult to judge.
At the end it's about finding the sweet spot between room to grow and too big, alas this window is short!
A simpler way to think about sizing
- measure the foot
- allow the right space
- match to internal length
Everything else is a conversion.