How to Know When It’s Time to Size Up Toddler Shoes (A Guide to Healthy Foot Development)
Written by: Little SOHLS
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Published on
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Time to read 2 min
If you’ve ever looked at your child’s shoes and wondered, “Are these still okay… or do we need the next size up?” — you’re not alone.
Children’s feet grow quickly, often in unpredictable spurts. Wearing shoes that are too small (or too large) can impact comfort, balance, and healthy foot development, especially in the early years.
That’s why choosing well-fitted toddler shoes — particularly flexible, barefoot-style shoes — is so important. Here’s how to confidently know when it’s time to size up, and how to find the best fit for growing feet.
Shoes that restrict natural movement can interfere with healthy foot development, which is why early signs of discomfort shouldn’t be ignored.
1. Behaviour Is Often the First Sign
Before measuring anything, your child will usually tell you — just not with words. Common signs your toddler may have outgrown their shoes include:
• Little one begins tripping/falling over
• Suddenly refusing to wear shoes
• Taking them off constantly
• Complaints of discomfort
• Tantrums once on
Shoes that restrict natural movement can interfere with healthy foot development, which is why early signs of discomfort shouldn’t be ignored.
2. The Insole Test (and our favourite way to check)
One of the most accurate ways to assess fit — especially with barefoot shoes, or those with a strong and protective toe-cap — is the insole test.
How to do it:
Remove the insole from the shoe
Place your child’s foot directly on top
What you’re looking for:
✔️ A small amount of space beyond the toes = correct fit
❌ Toes touching the edge or spilling over = time to size up
This method removes guesswork and gives a clear visual of whether your child’s shoes still allow room for growth.
3. Why Growth Room Matters for Healthy Feet
For optimal healthy foot development, children’s shoes need space — but not too much. As a general guide, toddler shoes should allow: 0.5–1.5cm of growing room.
Too little space can restrict natural toe splay and movement. Too much space can lead to instability, tripping, or poor gait. This balance is especially important in barefoot-style toddler shoes, which are designed to mimic natural movement while still protecting little feet.
4. How Little SOHLS Toddler Shoe Sizes Work
Our toddler shoe sizes increase in approximately 0.5cm increments in length, with width adjusted proportionally at each size. This sizing approach:
Supports gradual growth
Reduces the need to skip sizes
Ensures consistent comfort as feet develop
Each size is thoughtfully designed to promote healthy foot development, allowing children to move, explore, and grow naturally.
When in doubt, it's usually time to size up. Children’s feet don’t grow gradually – they grow in spurts. If you’re questioning whether it’s time to move up a size, it usually is.
Little SOHLS Toddler Shoes are designed with flexible soles, wide-toe boxes and removable insoles – all essential features of barefoot shoes that support comfort, confidence, and healthy foot development from first steps onward.
A little tip from us: Many parents choose to make the most of our Bundle & Save offers by purchasing their child’s current sizeand the next size up. It’s a practical way to:
Be prepared for the next growth spurt
Avoid rushing when their current pair suddenly feels snug
Save overall by bundling sizes or styles together
When that growth spurt hits (and it will!), you’ll already be one step ahead. If you’re ever unsure which sizes to choose, our team is always happy to help – because healthy little feet matter 🤍
