I was in Target today with my 3 and 4 year old, I bought them each a pair of C9 sneakers. Their old sneakers from last year were size 8 and 10 from Stride Rite. Today I bought them sizes 10 and 12 in the C9 brand (anyone know if these run small?) that's 2 sizes bigger than last year! I had a hard time getting them to try on different sizes and am now hoping they're not too big. The width is fine but there's a full thumb press length (1") from the big toe to the end of the shoe. That would annoy me, but they seem fine about it.
It's cold, they should be wearing thick socks to keep their feet warm so if they are a bit loose with the thick socks they should fit fine all summer once the socks come off or get thinner.
You want a full thumb width between the end of the big toe and the end of the shoe, so they have room to grow. Sounds like you sized them right! :-)
The Stride Rite fitter who measured my kids' feet a few weeks ago told me that there should be about 1/2" of space in the toe box.
My mom used to buy our shoes slightly big and then stuff tissues in the toes until we grew into them. I don't think I'd take that approach, but I guess it is an option.
I would go to stride rite and get their feet measured, even if you don't end up buying shoes there. Your 4 year old should be able to tell you if his feet are slipping around in the shoe or if his heel is coming up when he walks. You can also ask at stride rite how much space between the toe and the front of the shoe is too much.
The C9 have been true-to-size for us. I make sure I have a full thumb (mine) width of room from his longest toe to the shoe toe, his most recent pair there may even have been more, he wanted the light-up shoes :) As long as they aren't tripping around in them and they don't fall off their feet I think you did fine. Add thick socks for the cold weather and all will be well.
We normally go about 1/2 inch up or half a size up. Any more than that and it seems like the shoe will almost fall off and it won't be comfy for DD to run & play in.
I've never bought that brand.
Just make sure the shoe isn't coming off ghe heel when ghey walk.
So check the back too.
You don't wZnt to be able to insert a finger behind their heels...
Tie them and pull on the heel area a little to make sure they are not slipping.
