Adjustable kids' shoes: how do they work and who are they for?
In short: adjustable kids' shoes can be set to different lengths. One shoe fits more than one size, instead of being too small after a few months. With Sizeless that means 2 sizes in one shoe.
Why is fit such an issue with kids' shoes?
Children's feet grow fast, and children often don't notice when a shoe gets too small. A study of 858 preschool children in Austria found:
"The problem is simply that the shoe often doesn't fit the foot."Dr. Jan-Peter Goldmann, Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics, German Sport University Cologne
How much room does a child's foot need in a shoe?
According to the study, a shoe should be at least 10 mm, ideally 12 mm, longer inside than the foot. With Sizeless this room is already built into the size chart. You only measure the foot. Go to the size chart
What happens when shoes are too short?
In the study, children whose indoor shoes were too short more often had a big toe angled outwards. One size too short raised the risk of an angle of 4 degrees or more by 17 %, two sizes by 37 %. Outdoor shoes showed the same trend, but it was not statistically clear.
What types of kids' shoes are there?
| Regular size | Bought to grow into | Adjustable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fits at the start | yes | often too big | yes, small setting |
| Fits a few months later | often too small | yes | yes, one colour further |
| Left and right separately | no | no | with Sizeless, yes |
| New pair needed | often | less often | less often |
What should you look for when buying?
- The length adjusts easily, without tools.
- Left and right adjust separately, because children's feet grow differently.
- A wide toe box and a flexible sole.
- You can see when to adjust (with Sizeless: turquoise, yellow, red).
- A size chart by foot length, not by age.
How does Sizeless work?
Adjust, fix, go. Set in 30 seconds. When the foot has grown, simply move the shoe one colour further, left and right separately. Developed with physiotherapists and experts from the German Sport University Cologne.
"I can recommend the Sizeless shoe without reservation. It adjusts in size, it is flexible, it has a wide toe box, exactly what a child's foot needs."Dr. Jan-Peter Goldmann
Frequently asked questions
For which foot lengths is Sizeless available?
For foot lengths of about 14 to 20 cm. The exact ranges are in the size chart.
How much does an adjustable shoe from Sizeless cost?
One pair costs €99,99 and covers 2 sizes.
Are the shoes waterproof?
They are splash-proof, but not waterproof.
How do I know a shoe is too small?
Press on the front of the shoe (thumb test): if there is hardly any room in front of the longest toe, the shoe is too small. But children often curl their toes, so measuring is safer. Other signs: your child complains, is in pain or doesn't want to wear the shoe anymore, or the toes push against the front and curl up.
Source: Klein C, Groll-Knapp E, Kundi M, Kinz W. Increased hallux angle in children and its association with insufficient length of footwear. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2009, 10:159. Open study
A shoe that fits.
2 sizes in one shoe, left and right separately.
Choose size and order Which size fits?