What is the problem with kids shoes lately!!!!    they are all very narrow and smaller then they used to be for the same size. I used to go and pick up runners for the kids when they needed them or on clearance for next time.  the fit is all over the place.

almost 5, ds wears a size 9  his size 9 diego runners  (gift a couple of years ago)  fit but are worn. he has size 10 cord runners too.   so I go pick up size 10 ben 10 runners from army and navy. he couldn't even get his foot in there.  so returned them yesterday.

at walmart bought size 11 pokemon runners (can you tell what they like lol)  they fit but only 1/4 inch room to grow so back they go for larger ones that will last a while.  bought dd sandals on clearance for next year and ben 10/pokemon thongs and the thongs fit large!

meanwhile the size 1 sandals are the normal size for dd!   before I got her little pet shop runners on clearance $5 same problem too narrow so only worn a couple of times. gave them to a friend.

dd has pokemon runners that are size 13 that are way too big for ds, we have size 12 sandals I had to hide from ds because they are too big and he kept wearing and tripping on them.

ugh!! my rant for the day!

 Have you noticed the same problem with adult shoes? I bought a pair of Dr Scholl's shoes several years ago that I really liked, and just lucked on to the exact same style in one of those junky catalogs. Since I'd worn them before, I ordered a pair and I know they're a smaller size than is marked on them. They pinch my toes. I wonder if it was mismarked, or if my feet have grown that much (I still have and wear the old ones, but they've stretched over time) or if they are just made smaller now. 

Yes, shoes are aggravating for both kids and adults. I used to not have a problem ordering online or via catalog but with the variations in sizes I have learned my lesson (countless returns via mail) and only buy shoes I can try on at the store.

My oldest (almost 5) wears a child 12 or a 13 or a youth size 1, depending on the store, the shoe and the type of shoe--frustrating! He does have bigger feet than most his age (DH wears size 15-16 adult so I know he will have big feet). I have to take him with me to buy his shoes to see if they fit right. It's probably best to do this but a pain to take him to the store sometimes. Our nephew gave DS some spider-man shoes in size 13 and they are HUGE and won't stay on his feet. But his size 12 Lightening McQeen shoes (also hand me down) pinch his toes and are too small. But the shoes I ended up buying at Kohl's, (size 13) fit just right with a bit of room to grow. At least we have the spider-man shoes for the next growth spurt! I was at a garage sale and found several pair of good condition shoes in both size 13 and youth 1 but was afraid to buy without ds with me. But I did buy a pair of dress shoes in size 1 for next year (or whenever he gets that size).

DS has narrow feet so we do need a good fit in that area. I think that is why the spider-man shoes don't work. They are extra wide on him as well as being a bit long.

mamasjob:

I used to not have a problem ordering online or via catalog but with the variations in sizes I have learned my lesson (countless returns via mail) and only buy shoes I can try on at the store.

I wouldn't have ordered these except that I had bought the same exact shoe before and they fit well.

mamasjob:

My oldest (almost 5) wears a child 12 or a 13 or a youth size 1, depending on the store, the shoe and the type of shoe--frustrating!

You'd think there would be certain standards when it comes to sizing shoes. I'm glad I don't have to buy shoes for little ones any more, but I remember it being a hassle even back then. Sounds like it's worse now, though. 

My hubbie usually wears a size 9 1/2. He continues to wear a size 9 1/2 for his military boots, that size has gone unchanged for 20 years. However, in running shoes or dress shoes, he now wears a size 10 1/2 to 11. So I do think that sizes have changed, based on the fact that his boots have stayed the same but other shoes have gone up in sizes.

My dress shoes have pretty much always been a size 6 (or 6 1/2, depending on the brand). But my running shoes have changed from a size 6 to 7.

That's funny, b/c I wear I a size 9 and that's it.  Once in a while I'll try on a pair of 9s that don't fit right, so I grab the 9 1/2s, but they're too large, so for me it's the way the shoe is cut and not really the sizing. 

But DD... we try on every shoe before purchasing b/c there is a lot of variable in kids' shoes.  In fact, I just threw out a pair of size 9s for her but her other size 9s still fit....  And we bought 2 pairs of size 10s for the new school year; both fit right now.  Her grandma & aunt just sent some size 11s in a care package; 1 pair fits, the other does not.

My former co-worker had a daughter with extremely chubby feet and they couldn't fit her feet in shoes until she well over 18 months old and even then it was a rare pair that fit.  She was about 2 1/2 before she could wear proper fitting shoes on a daily basis.

We should petition or something; demand for universal sizing!