5 mistakes to avoid when buying shoes for your child

Want to save time and money when shopping for your little ones' shoes, sandals or boots? Here are 5 mistakes to avoid!

1- Taking a size that is too big

"I didn't understand why my daughter was falling all the time! We thought she had a hip problem. We even consulted a doctor. Only to realize that we had been given bad advice in a store and that we were always buying shoes that were too big for her!", confided a mother, very happy to discover us.

Of course, we want our child's shoes to last as long as possible. This is a regular and understandable request from our customers. But at Piétine, we prefer to explain the maximum amount of play that is best to have, rather than simply giving the impression of satisfying the parent by saying: "get even bigger, the shoe will last longer".

Because if you take too big, the child risks tripping, falling and getting hurt. And it won't be comfortable. The shoe must therefore be the right size for the present moment and for the next few months.

Not forgetting that you have to know how to adjust according to the brands: some are made small, others larger. At Piétine, we know all the differences from one brand to another to advise you well and we carefully measure children's feet.

2- “My child doesn’t complain, so I don’t need to change shoes”

From 1 to 5 years old, a child can change shoe sizes 2 to 3 times during a year. This is quite normal, since they are in the middle of a growth spurt! Children's feet are so flexible that if the shoes are too small, their toes will bend. However, for children, this is not a sensitive point: it does not bother them and generally, they will not complain about it. But do you really want your child walking around with crooked toes in their shoes?

At Piétine, we can easily tell you whether it is time to change shoes or not. Many parents come to us for advice on this: sometimes we will say that the child can keep their shoes for a few more weeks, and other times we will advise them to opt for a new pair. Our goal: to make you spend less but better!

3- Buying without your children

We know very well that it is not easy to shop with children, without forgetting nap time. True, the moments are not always favorable. But it is better to find a small 20 minutes than to have to make several exchanges.

Even if the size is correct, the child may not be comfortable in the shoe, which we can see in a few seconds in store. We can then easily offer another product that will fit his foot. Personalized service is a top priority for us! And we always take the time to serve our mini customers well. We love it!

Are you afraid that your child will have a tantrum in the store? Don't worry, we've seen it all and we're used to serving our happy little ones! Our mini customers feel very comfortable in our store and that's essential to us! Psttt! We have lots of toys at their disposal!

4- Buy in advance because it’s on sale

Who hasn't fallen for a product on sale or a favorite product? At Piétine, we advise against buying a child's shoe in advance, simply because it's difficult to know what size they will be from one season to the next, since we can't predict their growth spurt.

It is advisable to buy the shoe, boot or sandal for your little one's current needs, up to around 5 years old.

5- Believing that the shoe will do well… eventually

"It's normal for a child to have difficulty inserting their foot into the shoe, but once they're in, they're fine! Yes, yes, it's normal for it to be stiff at first, it will relax over time." This is what we heard in a big box store, while a mother was shopping with her son and the saleswoman/cashier was answering her questions. The mother finally bought these shoes. But we can already predict that the child will not want to wear them or will not be comfortable in them....

If the child cannot insert his foot into the shoe, and it is necessary to force them to put them on, do not waste your time and move on to another pair! And if the shoe is rigid, it will not magically transform into a flexible shoe!

And you? How do you go shoe shopping with your children?