Brand & fit at a glance
- Size system
- UK
- Fit
- True to size, half sizes and width fittings
- Origin
- England
- Best for
- School shoes and a precise fit on growing feet
About Start-Rite: Start-Rite is a British children’s brand with a history going back to 1792, and one of only a handful of makers to offer both half sizes and a choice of width fittings. That is what sets them apart: rather than one width for everyone, you can get the right size and the right width, which makes a real difference for school shoes that are worn all day. The range covers first walkers, school shoes, boots and sandals, all shaped around healthy foot development.
Start-Rite fit & sizing tips
- True to size. Start-Rite come up true to size, so most children can stick with their usual size.
- Get the width right. Start-Rite make several width fittings, so if your child has a narrow or a wide foot it is worth having both length and width checked rather than just going up a size.
- Half sizes help. Because they do half sizes as well as widths, you can get a much closer fit than with many brands.
- Growing room is built in. Start-Rite factor growing room into the size, so order the measured size rather than going up. Check the fit every few weeks against the foot length below, especially during growth spurts.
- 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.
Start-Rite school shoes fit
- True to size. Growing room is built into the size, so order the measured size and check the fit every few weeks as feet grow.
- Half sizes and widths. The school range comes in half sizes as well as width fittings (E narrow through to H extra wide), so you can get a genuinely close fit rather than making do.
- Riptape or lace-up. Riptape suits younger children who fasten their own shoes, with lace-up and buckle styles for older ones.
- Sizing next to Clarks. Start-Rite measure about half a UK size larger than Clarks, so try half a size down if you are converting, or better still measure again on a Start-Rite gauge.
- Sizes: the school range runs from EU 18 (UK 2.5) up to EU 39 (UK 6).
Start-Rite school shoes to browse
Start-Rite Children’s Shoes
Start-Rite children’s shoes are made with growing feet in mind, light and flexible with soft linings, holding the heel and midfoot while leaving room at the toes. The big advantage is the choice of half sizes and width fittings, so you can get a genuinely close fit rather than making do. Children grow quickly, so it is worth checking the fit every few weeks against the foot length below. We stock from a small EU 18 (UK 2.5) up to EU 39 (UK 6).
Start-Rite children’s shoes size conversion
| UK (site) |
EU |
UK (box) |
Foot cm |
Approx. age |
Shop |
| 2.5 |
18 |
2.5 |
11.0 |
6–9 mths |
|
| 3 |
19 |
3 |
11.7 |
9–12 mths |
|
| 4 |
20 |
4 |
12.4 |
12–18 mths |
|
| 5 |
21 |
5 |
13.0 |
18–24 mths |
|
| 5.5 |
22 |
5.5 |
13.7 |
2 yrs |
|
| 6.5 |
23 |
6.5 |
14.4 |
2–2.5 yrs |
|
| 7 |
24 |
7 |
15.0 |
2.5–3 yrs |
|
| 7.5 |
25 |
7.5 |
15.7 |
3 yrs |
|
| 8.5 |
26 |
8.5 |
16.4 |
3.5 yrs |
|
| 9 |
27 |
9 |
17.0 |
4 yrs |
|
| 10 |
28 |
10 |
17.7 |
4.5 yrs |
|
| 11 |
29 |
11 |
18.4 |
5 yrs |
|
| 12 |
30 |
12 |
19.0 |
5–6 yrs |
|
| 12.5 |
31 |
12.5 |
19.7 |
6 yrs |
|
| 13 |
32 |
13 |
20.4 |
6–7 yrs |
|
| 1 |
33 |
1 |
21.0 |
7–8 yrs |
|
| 2 |
34 |
2 |
21.7 |
8–9 yrs |
|
| 2.5 |
35 |
2.5 |
22.4 |
9–10 yrs |
|
| 3 |
36 |
3 |
23.0 |
10–11 yrs |
|
| 4 |
37 |
4 |
23.7 |
11–12 yrs |
|
| 5 |
38 |
5 |
24.4 |
12–13 yrs |
|
| 6 |
39 |
6 |
25.0 |
13–14 yrs |
|
Start-Rite School Shoes Care Guide
School shoes take a battering, and a few simple habits will help a pair of Start-Rite 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 and synthetic styles with a soft damp cloth only, avoiding harsh cleaners.
- Rotate between two pairs where you can, so each gets time to dry out between wears.
It is also worth labelling shoes somewhere discreet, such as under the tongue or inside the heel, if there is any chance they will get mixed up with a classmate’s pair.
Glossary
Width fittings
Start-Rite make shoes in several widths, so a narrow or a wide foot can be fitted properly rather than just sized up or down.
Half sizes
As well as whole sizes, Start-Rite offer half sizes for a closer fit as feet grow.
Riptape
The hook-and-loop fastening on many styles, so younger children can manage their own shoes.
Flexible soles
Light, bendy soles that move with the foot to support natural development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Start-Rite shoes run true to size?
Yes, when you measure on a Start-Rite gauge or match foot length in cm to their chart. Growing room is already built into the size, so we would order the measured size and then check the fit on the foot once the shoes arrive.
What do Start-Rite width fittings mean?
Start-Rite use letter fittings: E is narrow, F is standard, G is wide and H is extra wide. Length and width both matter, so if a shoe feels tight across the ball of the foot we would try a wider fitting before simply sizing up in length.
How does Start-Rite sizing compare to Clarks?
Start-Rite themselves say their shoes measure about half a UK size larger than Clarks. If you are converting from a Clarks measurement, try half a size down in Start-Rite, or better still measure again on a Start-Rite gauge.
Should I buy a bigger size for growing room?
No. Start-Rite build growing room into each size, so an oversized pair will slip at the heel and can trip a child up. Buy the measured size, then recheck the fit every few weeks as feet grow.
Do all Start-Rite styles come in every width?
Not always. School shoes and many everyday styles come in the full range of widths, but sandals, canvas shoes, wellies and plimsolls are often made in a standard F fitting only. Adjustable straps on those styles help, but a very narrow or wide foot may need a different style.
What do the S and L mean on Start-Rite size labels?
S stands for small infant sizes and L for large junior sizes. You will see them on the box and on Start-Rite’s own charts; our table above uses the plain UK numbers without the prefix.
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