When choosing cowboy boots for a child, measure their feet standing up, in the socks they’ll wear, and allow about 1 cm of growing room beyond their longest toe. Pick a pair they can pull on by themselves, with a low heel and a sole with some grip. Measure again every few months, because children’s feet change quickly.

How do I measure my child’s feet?

1. Have them stand up with their weight on both feet, because feet spread under load. Measure later in the day if you can.
2. Put on the socks they’ll wear with the boots.
3. Stand them on a sheet of paper with their heels against a wall, and mark the tip of their longest toe on each foot.
4. Measure from the wall to each mark in centimetres. Use the longer foot, which isn’t always the same side.
5. Add about 1 cm for growing room, or roughly a thumb’s width.

Then compare the result with the size information on the product page. Our children’s boots use UK children’s sizes where the product says so, and our size guide explains more. Contact us with the measurement if you’re unsure between two sizes.

How much growing room do they need?

About 1 cm is a sensible allowance. Too little, and they’ll be out of the boots within weeks. Too much, and the foot slides forward, which makes the boots awkward to walk in and can cause rubbing. It’s tempting to buy much larger to get more wear from them, but it isn’t worth it with a pull-on boot, because there aren’t laces to take up the extra room.

How should children’s cowboy boots fit?

Check	Good fit	Think again if
Toes	About a thumb’s width of space, and they can wiggle them	Toes reach the end, or are pressed together
Instep	Snug, but no pressure or red marks	Red marks appear after a short walk
Heel	A little lift when walking	The foot comes right out at the heel
Shaft	Room for a finger or two at the top	It digs into the calf or rubs behind the knee

Younger children often can’t say when something feels wrong, so watch how they walk. Limping, walking oddly, or wanting to take the boots off can all be signs of a poor fit. Check their feet for red marks after the first wear.

Can my child put them on alone?

It’s worth testing if they’ll be wearing them to a club, a party or anywhere else you won’t be. Pull straps on the shaft give small hands something to grab, and a slightly wider shaft top makes a real difference. A little practice helps: pull the boot up by the straps, then stamp the heel down until it drops into place.

What makes a pair practical for children?

• A low heel: easier to balance and run in than a tall riding heel.
• A sole with grip: smooth soles can be slippery on school or hall floors.
• Easy-care materials: smooth leather wipes clean more easily than suede.
• The right height: a shorter shaft bends more easily for smaller legs.

Are cowboy boots suitable for riding lessons?

That depends on the boot and the riding school. Many schools have their own rules on footwear, so check with them first. In general, riding footwear needs a defined heel and a smooth sole that won’t catch in a stirrup. Our guide to cowboy and Western boots explains the difference between styles, and you can ask us about a particular pair.

How do I look after children’s boots?

Wipe off mud after wear, then let them dry naturally away from radiators, because direct heat can crack leather. A little conditioner now and then keeps the leather supple, and clean socks help keep the boots fresh. Our boot care guide covers this in more detail.

Should I buy for a special occasion or for everyday wear?

It’s worth deciding this first. For a party, a line dancing class or a themed event, comfort over a few hours and a look they love may matter most. For regular wear, durability, grip and easy cleaning matter more, so a plainer pair with a practical sole is often the better value. Letting a child help choose the colour usually means they’re more willing to wear the boots.

How often should I check the size?

Measure every few months, and sooner if they start complaining, or walking differently. Growth often comes in spurts, so a pair that fitted well at the start of term may not last until the end of it.

Where can I see children’s boots?

Browse all kids’ cowboy boots, or go straight to boys’ or girls’ boots. To complete the look, we also have boys’ and girls’ cowboy hats. You’re welcome to bring them to our London store to try boots on.