When to Buy Youth 7 Shoes in Men’s
If your kids outgrow their shoes, it’s time to start shopping in the men’s department. This may be confusing at first, as men’s shoe sizes are a continuation of kids’ shoe sizes and not a different scale.
Shoes for children are labeled with a “T” and shoes for youth with a “Y.” By age 12, boys will wear size 6Y-7Y and will begin to fit into men’s shoes, which can be hard to find in smaller sizes.
Length
Many parents wonder when is the right time for boys to transition into men’s shoes. The answer to this question is rarely hard and fast. However, a general rule of thumb is that it’s time to start looking at men’s shoes when boys outgrow their largest youth shoe sizes. This is usually around age 12.
The larger boys shoe sizes are designated as “youth” shoe sizes, which are often labeled with a “Y.” These are bigger than kids’ shoe sizes, and they’re designed for older children. They usually fit foot lengths of around 9.75 inches.
Since the men’s shoe sizing scale is identical to the boys’ shoe sizing scale, the transition between these two ranges is seamless. Therefore, a youth size 7 shoe is the same as a men’s shoe size 7. The same goes for all other youth shoes. These shoe sizes also overlap with “grade school” shoes, which fit foot lengths of approximately 9 inches.
Width
Many parents wonder when it’s time to start buying boys’ shoes in men’s sizes. There is no set answer to this question, as there will often be some overlap between the largest youth shoe sizes and the lower men’s shoe sizes.
The next step is to look at the boys’ shoe sizing scale, which ranges from 1-7 and are frequently labeled with a “Y.” A boys’ size 7Y will be bigger than a children’s shoe size 13T.
These sizes are a continuation of the men’s shoe size scale and typically fit foot lengths of approximately 9.75 inches. The great thing about this scale is that it allows you to seamlessly transition between the different types of shoes without having to worry about converting between gender- or age-based shoes. This is especially useful if you’re shopping for a child who is outgrowing kids’ shoes and will soon be ready to switch to the men’s department.
Toe Box
The toe box of youth 7 shoes in men’s is wide enough for most children’s feet. This is important for comfort and balance. A tight toe box could put pressure on the toes and cause them to rub together.
In most cases, kids shoe sizes are the same as adult shoe sizes. The only difference is that the shoes are marketed as youth or children’s shoe sizes.
When to Switch to Men’s Shoe Sizes
The largest youth shoe sizes are sized as 1-7 and are often labeled with a “Y.” A boys’ size 1Y shoe, for example, is typically larger than a 13T shoe. Once your child outgrows the largest youth shoe sizes, it’s time to move onto men’s shoe sizes.
Most brands cut off kids’ shoes at a size 6 and from there, it becomes mens’ sizing. However, some brands may go higher before this point. Consult a shoe size chart to find out the best fit for your child.
Height
As children grow and their feet get longer, they need bigger shoes. That’s when the shoe size chart transitions to youth shoes, which are marked with a “Y” after the number. Youth shoe sizes range from 1 to 7 and are typically larger than kids’ shoes. This makes them suitable for tweens and teens.
After a boy outgrows the largest size of a 7Y shoe, it’s time to start shopping in the men’s department. The good news is that boys’ shoe sizes do not change when they transition to men’s, and there is generally some overlap between the largest youth shoes and the smallest men’s shoes.
A boy’s size 7 in youth shoes will usually match up with a men’s size 7, fitting foot lengths of 9.75 inches. For more information, check out this shoes size conversion chart. Alternatively, you can find an online shoes size converter for kids here. This is an especially helpful tool for parents who travel internationally.