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Clarks X Frugi Size and Fit guide

Brand & fit at a glance

Size system
UK
Fit
True to size, E to H width fittings
Origin
England
Best for
School shoes and getting the width right
Children’s

About Clarks: Clarks is a British brand founded in 1825 and a name most of us grew up with for school shoes. Their real strength is fit: as well as whole and half sizes, children’s shoes come in a choice of width fittings, usually F, G and the wider H, so a narrow or a wide foot can be fitted properly. Clarks x Frugi pairs that children’s fitting with Frugi’s bright, playful prints.

Clarks fit & sizing tips

  • True to size. Clarks generally come up true to size, so most people can stick with their usual size.
  • Mind the width. Children’s shoes come in F, G and H fittings, so if your child has a narrow or a wide foot it is worth having the width checked rather than just going up a size.
  • Size down for Wallabees and Desert Boots. These two classics come up a little generous, so many people take a half size smaller than usual.
  • Leave room to grow. For children, allow about 14 mm at the toe (roughly a thumb’s width), and check the fit every few weeks against the foot length below.
  • If in doubt, go by the EU size. The UK number on our site can be half a size out from the one printed on the box, so the EU size and the foot length in cm are the ones to trust.

Clarks width fittings

As well as whole and half sizes, Clarks children’s shoes come in a choice of width fittings, so a narrow or a wide foot can be fitted properly rather than just sized up or down. The fitting is a letter shown next to the size, running from the slim E through the standard F and the wider G to the extra-wide H. Not every style comes in every fitting, but the school range usually offers F, G and H. If you are not sure which your child needs, it is worth having both length and width checked against the foot length in the tables below.

Clarks width fittings explained
Fitting Width Best for
E Narrow A slim foot that slips or gapes at the sides in a standard width
F Standard An average foot; the most common fitting and a good starting point
G Wide A fuller foot that feels snug across the toes in a standard width
H Extra wide A wide or deep foot that needs the most room across the front

Clarks school shoes fit

  • True to size. Clarks school shoes come up true to size, so start with your child’s measured size and allow about 14 mm (a thumb’s width) of growing room at the toe.
  • Get the width right. The school range usually offers F, G and H fittings, so a narrow or a wide foot can be fitted properly rather than simply sized up or down.
  • Riptape and lace-ups. Younger children manage riptape easily, while older ones can move to laces and buckles, all giving a bit of adjustment across the foot.
  • Built to last the term. Reinforced toes and hard-wearing soles on many styles help them stand up to the playground and still come up well the next morning.
  • Sizes: the school range runs from small infant sizes up to UK 6 (EU 39).

Clarks school shoes to browse

Clarks x Frugi Children’s Shoes

This is Clarks’ own children’s chart, the sizing behind Clarks x Frugi. Infant sizes start at UK 2 and the numbers begin again at UK 1 for older children, so follow the table downwards. Measure both feet with a ruler and use the longer one (these millimetres are not a foot-gauge reading), widths run from narrow E to extra-wide H, and sizes on our site come and go with stock.

Clarks X Frugi children’s shoes size conversion
UK EU Foot mm
2 17.5 101
2.5 18 105
3 18.5 109
3.5 19 113
4 20 117
4.5 20.5 122
5 21 126
5.5 22 130
6 22.5 134
6.5 23 138
7 24 142
7.5 25 147
8 25.5 151
8.5 26 155
9 27 159
9.5 27.5 164
10 28 168
10.5 28.5 172
11 29 176
11.5 29.5 181
12 30 185
12.5 31 189
13 32 193
13.5 32.5 198
1 33 202
1.5 33.5 206
2 34 210
2.5 35 214
3 35.5 219
3.5 36 223
4 37 227
4.5 37.5 231
5 38 236
5.5 39 240
6 39.5 244
6.5 40 249

Source: clarks.com size guide

Clarks School Shoes Care Guide

Walks to school, playground games and craft lessons all take their toll. A few simple habits will help a pair of Clarks last the term and beyond.

  • Get your child into the habit of taking their shoes off at home so they can air out before the next morning.
  • Keep them somewhere dry and away from radiators. If they get soaked, stuff them with newspaper overnight to draw the damp out.
  • Wipe leather shoes over with a damp cloth, then work in a little matching polish with a soft, dry cloth for a shine.
  • Brush patent styles with a soft damp cloth only, and bring suede or nubuck back up with a suede brush when dry.
  • Rotate between two pairs where you can, so each gets time to dry out between wears.

Glossary

E, F, G & H fittings

Clarks’ width fittings, from the slim E through the standard F and the wider G to the extra-wide H, so the shoe matches the width of the foot, not just its length.

Foot gauge

The classic Clarks measuring gauge used in store to check both length and width and find the right size and fitting.

Desert Boot

The brand’s famous suede ankle boot on a crepe sole. It comes up a touch generous, so many take a half size smaller.

Wallabee

The moccasin-style shoe on a crepe sole, another Clarks classic that runs a little generous on fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Clarks shoes true to size?

Most Clarks school shoes and everyday styles come up true to size on length, which is why we usually start with your child’s measured size.

What is the difference between F, G and H fittings?

F is Clarks’ standard width for children, G is wide and H is extra wide, with a slim E fitting for narrow feet. The letter is as important as the number, and if shoes feel tight across the toes or slip at the sides, it is worth trying the next width rather than simply going up or down a size.

How much growing room should I leave in children’s Clarks?

Clarks recommend about 14 mm of growing room at the toe for closed shoes (a little less for sandals). That is roughly a thumb’s width, and we would check the fit every few weeks because children’s feet grow quickly, especially during a growth spurt.

Should I size down in Clarks Wallabees or Desert Boots?

Yes, many people do. Both styles come up a little generous in length, particularly on the crepe sole, so we would usually try a half size smaller than your normal Clarks size and check you are not pinching at the sides.

Can I measure my child’s Clarks size at home?

Yes. Clarks sell toddler and junior foot gauges that measure length and width, and their online size calculator converts the readings into a UK size and fitting. It is not quite as reliable as having feet measured in store, but it works well if you follow the gauge instructions and measure both feet.

Why might my child’s Clarks size differ from other shops?

Different brands use different lasts, and even within Clarks the fit can vary slightly by style. Clarks also fit school shoes with growing room built in, so the number on the box may look bigger than a snug trainer from elsewhere even when the fit is correct.

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