To think that buying half sizes shoes for toddlers is silly

[SweetSally]

Am I the only person who thinks that buying half size shoes for toddlers is just silly? Especially for winter shoes when naturally they wear thicker socks?

*Preparing to be slaughtered by other moms

Not unless you are Mr /Mrs Clark!!

You buy the size that fits surely?? If they are a 7.5 then you get that! Why would you buy any bigger?? They would just be tripping over themselves!!

My kids feet grow really slowly so have always bought half sizes. I want them to wear shoes that fit. Also they just wear the same socks all year round.

I don't get why it's silly. It's just what fits them. If they fit a 4 well, perhaps worth getting a 4.5 so they've got some room for thicker socks or to grow, and if they are a 4.5 then get them a 5. Why is one sillier than the other?

why would you be slaughtered? Not sure anyone is that bothered by opinions on shoe sizes!
I just buy whatever shoes fit with a bit of growing room. So if that was a 8, that’s what size I’d buy. If it was 8.5 then that’s what size I’d buy. If an 8.5 fit with a bit of growing room, a 9 would be too big.
Didn’t realise people had opinions on this sort of thing

I do it when that’s the size that fits my child.

It would be silly not to surely?

They should have some growing room anyway so would still fit with thicker socks on...

Not sure I understand why this would be silly. If a 4.5 fits that means a 4 is too small and a 5 is too big so of course you would buy the half size!

I buy the size that fits. I don’t want her shoes rubbing or her tripping over.

Surely toddlers are the only people who wear half sizes?? Presumably because the smaller the foot, the bigger, proportionately, the difference in sizes is?

Why wouldn't you ? It doesn't mean they need a new pair every half size . Mine have always skipped sizes with new shoes at the toddler stage around every 4-5 months ( or more if needed ) . Some shoes didn't get much wear in but were passed down and also gratefully received to and from extended family. We don't have thicker socks , just standard thickness cotton socks that do fine year round .

Having shoes that fit properly is best. It means that they won't have to curl their toes to try and keep a grip on the shoe; the shoes can be fastened comfortably, rather than too tightly; are less likely to move excessively and if shoes are too big, the children are more likely to trip over. With feet as little as theirs, even half a size can make a shoe feel like a clown shoe.
As an adult who has to wear a full size up due to foot width, it does make a difference in comfort while walking. My feet are a size 6 EEE fitting, but to get shoes to fit, I have to wear a 7 EE more often than not.

I’m not really sure what your argument is to be honest. I always buy with ‘growing room’. So if a half size fits with growing room, the next full size would be far too big.

Has anyone actually compared the shoes ? Like size 4 and 4.5? They are literally the same?

It’s best to get the size that fits and not force their feet into shoes a half size too small or too big. This is because their feet are developing. If you only buy shoes when their feet are a whole size bigger you risk blisters, corns, hammer toes, collapsing arches, all kinds of painful foot problems. In addition, poorly fitting shoes can cause extra wear and tear on the ankle, knee and hip joints leading to early arthritis when they hit their thirties. So, no it’s not silly.

They are not the same. Why would you buy a shoe that isn't the right size!?!

And to be honest I don’t think mine wear thicker socks in winter. We have socks (worn all year round), we have tights, and we have welly socks to wear with wellies.

I always get the size that fits and they are measured in the socks that are appropriate for the season. If you mean that you think it’s silly to go up just half a size from the last pair of shoes that are still perfectly wearable then I agree but often my children have grown by a size in between being measured.

The ‘size’ is just a nominal thing. So pretty meaningless between a ‘full’ and ‘half’ size. So buy what fits, or half a size up if you want to allow for think socks.

I buy dd half sizes if that's the size she is.. I'm a half size as an adult. A 6 would be too big and uncomfortable even with thicker socks and a 5 too small and hurt. So why would I not buy the correct size for my dcs.?

*thick, obviously

Has anyone actually compared the shoes ? Like size 4 and 4.5? They are literally the same?

If they’re the same, then why is it any more ridiculous to buy a 4.5 than a 4?
Genuinely don’t get it.

Why would buying correctly fitting shoes for a child be in any way silly?

Yabvu. There is a massive difference in a full size for tiny feet

I wish more shops did half sizes for adult shoes as 5 is too short for me, my toes come right to the end and a 6 is too big so they fall off (not trainers). If it makes a difference to me it much make a difference to toddlers too who are also coping with learning to walk, manage stairs etc.