Foot forms in children’s sizes

Describing the important development of SATRA’s artificial feet to assist footwear designers and manufacturers.

‘Fit’ is a vital characteristic of footwear and has traditionally been evaluated using a panel of human models, whose feet have been measured using a stick and tape or a fitting board. Most major retailers and manufacturers have a particular model that they fit against or a set of foot dimensions to which a model must conform.

Finding suitable models is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly for child sizes. Social distancing has disrupted fitting trials and, even when human trials can proceed, it is often difficult to find models with the correct foot dimensions. SATRA has been developing an aid to fit assessments that reduces the reliance on human subjects.

SATRA has produced artificial feet in children's sizes that can be used to assist in the fitting of footwear.

We have performed a recent three-dimensional (3D) foot dimensions survey of more than 26,000 feet, in addition to having over a century of involvement with the footwear industry’s fitting and comfort standards. As a result, we can offer artificial foot models based on established industry standards for fit, or idealised foot dimensions based on modern data.

A range of sizes

These artificial feet are available in sizes UK child’s 4 to 13, UK youth sizes 1 to 6 and EU sizes 20 to 38, in addition to US or mondopoint equivalents. Options for boys’ or girls’ dimensions are available against the traditional fit guidelines or modern foot measurements. Furthermore, bespoke options can be supplied to match the fitting guidelines established by a brand owner, retailer or manufacturer.

The feet are 3D printed in-house from a flexible material. The hardness of the material has been carefully selected so that the forms are flexible but also retain their shape and dimensions.

With this product, a standardisation of fit characteristics can be established that can be referred to and checked anywhere in the world without relying on a specific human model.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 40 of the November 2021 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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