Buying Kids' Ariat Boots That Fit

Styled with bold colors and a comfortable fit, Nike Mercurials for kids turn heads on and off the soccer field. These soccer shoes come sized for four- and five-year-olds who are just starting to play the sport as well as older kids who are not yet old enough for adult shoe sizes. Although most Mercurials work well for both boys and girls, Nike also makes this popular boot in hot shades of pink and purple for girls and blue and black which are suitable for guys who prefer a more understated shoe. With a bit of comparison and research into the top Nike Mercurials for kids, parents gain the confidence to pick the perfect pair of specialized sports shoes for their budding soccer superstar that hold up well to dirt, mud, rain, and hours of sunshine.

Sole Configurations Available for Nike Mercurial Jr. Cleats
While the tops of the Nike Mercurial cleats may look similar, the company produces these soccer shoes with highly advanced technology to comply with requirements for various playing surfaces.Understanding Ariat Wiggle Room Technology
Since children grow so quickly, parents often find themselves investing in new footwear. With investments such as riding boots, this can create some frustration. Fortunately, Ariat has developed their unique wiggle room technology, which allows children to grow with a pair of boots so that parents do not need to replace them as frequently. As the child grows, the parent simply swaps out or removes the footbed, allowing a child's larger foot to fit comfortably. In this way, parents can get more than one cycle of growth out of a single pair of Ariat riding boots.

English Tall Riding Boots
Tall riding boots are the most structured boot of all riding boots, making them the most difficult to fit properly on a rider. These boots have a tall, slender shank, demanding a proper fit on the calf as well as on the foot.

Measuring for English Tall Riding Boots
To find the right fit in an English tall riding boot, parents need to measure a child's calf in terms of both height and width. Parents should take all measurements in inches. To begin, a child should put on whichever breeches and socks he or she wears during riding. Then, parents should measure the circumference of the calf at its widest point.

With the measuring tape, parents should measure the length of the child's calf from the floor to the bend right behind the knee. Parents can then reference these measurements in inches against the following chart to determine whether a slim or regular fit is appropriate.

When measuring the length of the calf, parents also need to factor in the "drop" of a boot. Field-style tall riding boots, which have front laces, typically drop more on the calf than dress boots. If measuring for field boots, parents should add a half an inch to the measurement. If fitting for a dress boot, a quarter inch should suffice.

Paddock Boots
Worn during stall work and at times on trail rides or during training, paddock boots feature a short, ankle-high shank and often a lace-up or front zip design. This makes them the easiest type of riding boot to fit. Parents can use a child's standard street shoe size as a reference and then consider selecting a half size or full size up if they plan on taking advantage of Ariat's wiggle room technology.

Western Boots
Western boots feature a shank that runs to the middle of the calf. This shank, however, is wide and loose, so measuring the calf is not necessary. The most important dimension to consider when looking for a Western boot is the width of a foot. The upper in a Western boot is very stiff and structured with little give, so a boot that is too narrow can cause pain to the wearer. Additionally, a foot that is too narrow may slip out of a boot with a standard width.

Manufacturers use a "B" to designate boots that have a standard width. To determine whether a child has a narrow, standard, or wide foot, parents can look at the shape of the foot. A narrow foot has a straight, rectangular structure, while a wide foot has a triangular shape. The ball of the foot juts out dramatically, forming the base of the triangle. Standard width feet just curve out slightly at the ball.