Start-Rite Size and Fit guide

Start-Rite Size and Fit guide

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.
  • Leave room to grow. Allow about a thumb’s width (roughly 1 cm) at the toe, 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.

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.

9.510.51111.51212.513113.51.52 

Start-Rite Star Jump School Shoes - Black Patent

£52.00

9109.510.51111.51212.513113.51.52 

Start-Rite Star Jump School Shoes - Black Leather

£52.00

79109.510.51111.51212.513113.522.5 

Start-Rite Strike School Shoes - Black Leather

£60.00

22.533.544.555.566.577.588.59 

Start-Rite Rhino Sherman School Shoes - Black Leather

£65.00

11.522.533.544.555.566.577.588.59 

Start-Rite Rhino Warrior School Shoes - Black Leather

£65.00

10.51111.51212.513113.51.57.5899.510 

Start-Rite Charlotte School Shoes - Black Leather

£48.00

7.588.59109.510.51111.51212.513113.51.5 

Start-Rite Charlotte School Shoes - Black Patent

£48.00

1010.51111.51212.513113.51.522.5 

Start-Rite Rocket School Shoes - Black Leather

£55.00

124.55.566.57.588.599.5101111.5 

Start-Rite Glitch School Shoes - Black Leather

£65.00

9109.510.51111.51212.513113.51.52.5 

Start-Rite Wish School Shoes - Black Leather

£52.00

9109.510.51111.51212.513113.51.522.533.5 

Start-Rite Wish School Shoes - Black Patent

£52.00

22.5344.555.566.577.588.599.510 

Start-Rite Dylan School Shoes - Black Leather

£65.00

66.577.58.599.5 

Start-Rite Anchor Canvas Shoes - Navy

£26.00

1212.513113.51.522.533.51010.51111.5 

Start-Rite Bella F School Shoes - Black Patent

£52.00

1212.513113.51.522.533.51010.51111.5 

Start-Rite Bella G School Shoes - Black Patent

£52.00

66.577.588.59109.5 

Start-Rite Tide Canvas Shoes - Navy

£29.00

67.510.51111.51212.5 

Start-Rite Tide Canvas Shoes - Posy Cream

£29.00

2.533.544.552 

Start-Rite Tumble Shoes - Taupe Patent

£37.00

22.533.54 

Start-Rite Baby Jack Shoes - Navy

£37.00

12.513113.51.5233.54 

Start-Rite Brogue Pri School Shoes - Black Patent

£56.00

4.555.566.577.588.59 

Start-Rite Brogue Snr School Shoes - Black Patent

£62.00

7.588.599.510.51111.51212.513113.51.5 

Start-Rite Emily School Shoes - Black Leather

£48.00

7.588.59109.510.51111.51212.513113.51.5 

Start-Rite Emily School Shoes - Black Patent

£48.00

9109.510.51111.51212.5113.51.522.5 

Start-Rite Engineer School Shoes - Black Leather

£52.00

 
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