Start-Rite

What is the difference with Start-Rite shoes?

 

With more than two centuries of expertise, your children’s feet are in Start-Rite’s expert hands. A British family business spanning eight generations, caring for little feet is at the heart of what Start-Rite do. Never outworn, only outgrown, the Start-Rite difference prides itself on thoughtfully designed shoes, engineered for comfort, support and confidence throughout every step of your child’s life.

As a brand that’s proud of its past, its aim is shape the future of children’s foot health in #TheRiteWay. Start-Rite is committed to providing innovative footwear that combines lasting quality with styles to suit every taste. Conducting pioneering research into how children’s feet move, Start-Rite believe that good foot health helps children get off to the best start in life. Not only does it contribute to children’s happiness and wellbeing, but it also has a lasting effect all the way through their adult life.

Are Start-Rite shoes true to size?

 

Experts in little feet, Start-Rite shoes are trusted by parents and made specially for children of all ages, ranging from babies taking their first steps to teenagers stepping out. Start-Rite shoes have growing room built in to ensure a lasting fit and comfort. Start-Rite shoes start from an infant UK size 2 (S2) and go right up to a large UK size 11 (L11). All Start-Rite shoes are crafted in whole and half sizes and come on in a variety of widths including Narrow (E), Standard (F), Wide Fit (G) and Extra Wide (H). 

Because healthy feet support healthy bodies, it’s important to measure children’s feet accurately, as ill-fitting shoes can have a serious impact on your child’s future foot health. Sizing can vary between shoe brands; therefore we recommend using Start-Rite’s measuring gauge, which is a handy plastic gauge that can be used at home for accurate sizing. Alternatively, you can download and print a free paper version. Simply follow the simple step-by-step instructions to measure your little one’s feet, then visit Start-Rite’s size calculator to determine their Start-Rite shoe size. Finally, check the fit using this handy tutorial.

 

What does F and G mean in kids’ shoes?

 

Children’s shoes come in a range of widths, the most popular being F and G. If you’re wondering what’s the difference between F and G width shoes, F means Standard Fit and G equals Wide Fit. Standard Fit (F) is suitable for approximately 80% of children, however your child may be on the narrower or wider spectrum, which is why Start-Rite shoes come in a whole of host of widths and half sizes to ensure the perfect fit. Your child’s width fitting is just as important as their shoe size, which is why it’s vital to measure your little one’s feet before purchasing Start-Rite shoes. As well as offering accurate home measuring gauges, Start-Rite also have free print-out options, all of which can be found here.

Properly fitting children’s shoes ensure healthy foot development for years to come, which is why it’s so important to make sure your child is measured and fitted with the correct size and width through every stage of their childhood from tot to teenager. Shoes that don’t fit correctly can cause sores and blisters, as well as lead to long-term foot problems. Most commonly because wide fit feet have been squeezed into shoes that are too tight or narrow feet have far too much room in loose shoes.

 

How fast do children’s feet grow?

Children’s feet grow very quickly, especially throughout their first stages of childhood. During their first three to four years, kids’ feet can grow up to two whole sizes each year. By the time your little one reaches school age, their foot growth slows down to around one whole size per year.

A baby’s foot contains more cartilage than bone, which as they develop, fuses and hardens into a strong, complex structure of 26 bones. While the structure of the foot is fully developed by the age of 2, the bones do not fully develop and harden until teenage years, which is why accurately fitted shoes are crucial from a young age. The greatest changes in foot growth are apparent in the first few years of your little one’s life, whereby your child will grow up to nine whole sizes by the time they reach 3 years of age. Due to such rapid growth, footwear experts at Start-Rite recommend getting your little one’s feet measured every 6 to 8 weeks when they are young to ensure perfectly fitted shoes, because healthy feet support healthy bodies.

 

How long should school shoes last?

 

Offering expert care, from our family to yours, Start-Rite shoes are built to last. All Start-Rite children’s shoes include growing room built in to further the longevity of their lifespan. While we can’t say for certain how long school shoes will last, as children’s feet grow at different rates, on average your child will go up one whole size per year, meaning their school shoes will like last around 6 months or so. Never outworn, only outgrown, Start-Rite’s quality shoes have been expertly designed to ensure lasting comfort, protection and support physical development. The shoes are extremely durable thanks to the cutting-edge data science and biomechanics-led design used to evolve the iconic footwear range, which has been trusted by generations since 1792.