Inishfree Aoife Children’s Irish Dancing Pumps | Dance World

Shoe Size & Fit Advice

International shoe sizes can vary slightly between brands and models. Use your measured foot length as the best starting point, then compare it with the individual brand's size recommendation. Where a product page gives model-specific sizing advice, that guidance should always take priority over a general conversion chart.

Adult Shoes

International Adult Shoe Size Conversion

A general reference for comparing EU, UK and US adult shoe sizes. Foot length is shown to make cross-brand comparison easier.

Foot Length cm	EU	UK	US Women	US Men
21.5	35 / 35.5	2.5 – 3	4.5 – 5	3 – 3.5
22.0	36	3 – 3.5	5 – 5.5	3.5 – 4
22.5	36.5 / 37	3.5 – 4	5.5 – 6	4 – 4.5
23.0	37 / 37.5	4 – 4.5	6 – 6.5	4.5 – 5
23.5	38	4.5 – 5	6.5 – 7	5 – 5.5
24.0	38.5	5 – 5.5	7 – 7.5	5.5 – 6
24.5	39 / 39.5	5.5 – 6	7.5 – 8	6 – 6.5
25.0	40	6 – 6.5	8 – 8.5	6.5 – 7
25.5	40.5	6.5 – 7	8.5 – 9	7 – 7.5
26.0	41 / 41.5	7 – 7.5	9 – 9.5	7.5 – 8
26.5	42	7.5 – 8	9.5 – 10	8 – 8.5
27.0	42 / 42.5	8 – 8.5	10 – 10.5	8.5 – 9
27.5	43	8.5 – 9	10.5 – 11	9 – 9.5
28.0	44	9 – 9.5	11 – 11.5	9.5 – 10
28.5	44.5	9.5 – 10	11.5 – 12	10 – 10.5
29.0	45	10 – 10.5	12 – 12.5	10.5 – 11
29.5	46	10.5 – 11	12.5 – 13	11 – 11.5

Children's Shoes

International Kids' Shoe Size Conversion

Children's shoe sizing changes from child to youth sizing as feet grow. Measure the child's foot rather than converting from an existing school or trainer size wherever possible.

Foot Length cm	EU	UK Kids	US Kids / Youth
14.0	24	7	7.5
14.5	25	7.5	8
15.0	25.5 – 26	8 – 8.5	8.5 – 9
15.5	26.5	9	9.5
16.0	27 – 27.5	9.5	10
16.5	28	10	10.5
17.0	28.5	10.5	11
17.5	29 – 30	11 – 11.5	11.5 – 12
18.0	30.5	12	12.5
18.5	31	12.5	13
19.0	32 – 32.5	13 – 13.5	13.5 / 1Y
19.5	33	1	1.5Y
20.0	33.5	1.5	2Y
20.5	34 / 34.5	2	2.5Y
21.0	35	2.5	3Y
21.5	35.5	3	3.5Y
22.0	36	3.5	4Y
22.5	37	4	4.5Y
23.0	37.5	4.5	5Y
23.5	38	5	5.5Y
24.0	38.5	5.5	6Y
24.5	39	6	6.5Y
25.0	40	6.5	7Y

Dance World Tip

Never choose a dance shoe from conversion alone. Ballet, jazz, ballroom and character shoes can fit very differently depending on the last, upper material, width and intended level of compression. Use this table to understand international equivalents, then follow the fit advice for the individual shoe.

Dance World Measuring Guide

How to Measure Your Feet for Dance Shoes

Measure both feet while standing, preferably later in the day. Use the longer foot when comparing your measurement with a shoe size chart.

Foot Length

Key Measurement

Stand with your heel lightly against a wall and place your foot flat on a sheet of paper. Mark the end of your longest toe and measure the distance from the wall to the mark.

Measure in centimetres for the most accurate comparison with international shoe charts.

Measure Both Feet

Repeat the measurement on the other foot. It is very common for one foot to be slightly longer than the other, so always use the larger measurement when choosing your starting size.

Foot Width

Measure across or around the widest part of the forefoot. Width can be just as important as length in dance shoes, particularly in fitted ballet, jazz and ballroom styles.

Measure While Standing

Take measurements with your full weight on your feet. Standing allows the foot to spread naturally and gives a more realistic measurement than measuring while sitting.

Check the Dance Fit

A correctly fitted dance shoe should feel secure without restricting the toes or causing pressure. Different dance disciplines require different amounts of growing room, compression and heel security, so always follow the model-specific Dance World Fit Advice.

Using This Conversion Guide

This chart is designed as an international reference rather than a replacement for individual brand sizing. Bloch, Capezio, So Danca, IDS, PortDance, Diamant and other dance footwear brands may use their own conversion systems or fit differently from standard street shoes. Always use the individual product's Dance World Fit Advice where available.

Dance World Fit Note International shoe conversions are approximate and can vary between manufacturers, lasts and shoe styles. Foot length provides the most useful starting point, but the individual brand's size chart and model-specific Dance World fitting recommendation should always take priority.

Best For: Progressing Young Dancers • Intermediate Training • Feiseanna • Competition • Defined Foot Line • Teacher-Recommended Performance Fit

Description

The Inishfree Aoife Children’s Irish Dancing Pumps are soft, flexible performance shoes for young dancers progressing beyond a traditional beginner pump. Their pre-shaped arch, short pointed toe and split suede sole create a beautifully neat line, while supple leather allows the shoe to move closely with the foot.

Poron cushioning provides additional protection beneath the main landing areas, and elasticated side loops with extra lace eyelets help draw the pump securely around the arch. Aoife is particularly well suited to committed young dancers whose teacher feels they are ready for a closer, more performance-focused fit.

Made for Progressing Irish Dancers

Aoife is different from a traditional first Irish dancing pump. Its short split sole gives the centre of the foot much greater freedom, while the pre-shaped arch helps create a more defined line when the dancer points.

The short, streamlined toe reduces bulk at the front of the foot, and the soft leather gradually settles around the dancer’s individual shape. Elasticated side loops and additional eyelets allow the lacing to draw the upper closely around the arch and instep.

This makes Aoife a lovely progression shoe for young dancers developing greater strength, articulation and performance confidence. It should normally be chosen with guidance from the dancer’s teacher, particularly when moving into a split-sole pump for the first time.

Dance World

Parent
Guide

Why Has My Child’s Teacher Recommended Aoife?

As young dancers progress, their teacher may want a pump that follows the pointed foot more closely than a traditional full-sole beginner shoe. Aoife has a flexible split sole and a pre-shaped arch, helping create the compact, defined line expected during more advanced training and competition.

The Poron cushioning also makes Aoife comfortable for longer classes and repeated landing work, while the soft leather avoids the particularly rigid initial feeling found in some competition pumps.

This does not mean every young dancer needs an advanced pump. Foot strength, technique, dancer level and school preference should determine when it is appropriate to progress. If you are unsure, always ask your child’s teacher before ordering.

Dance World

Fit
Guide

How Should Children’s Aoife Pumps Fit?

Aoife should fit much closer than everyday trainers or school shoes. The short toe should sit compactly around the toes, the pre-shaped section should follow beneath the dancer’s arch and the heel should remain fully inside the pump.

For a young dancer wearing an advanced pump for the first time, the toes should reach the front and may sit in a lightly curled position. The fit should feel close but not painfully compressed.

Always measure both feet rather than using your child’s everyday shoe size. School shoes or trainers may already include growing room, while an older pair of dance pumps may have stretched considerably.

Quick fit check: Ask your child to walk, point both feet and rise onto the toes. The upper should stay connected to the foot without twisting, the arch should not gape and the heel should remain fully held.

Aoife is a highly personal performance fit. Toe position, foot width, arch shape, dancer level, teacher preference and expected stretch can all affect the most appropriate size.

When possible, have Aoife professionally fitted. If visiting the shop is not possible, measure both feet carefully and consider comparing neighbouring sizes with your child’s teacher before the unsuitable pair is fully worn.

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About Our Irish Dancing Brands

About Our Irish Dancing Brands - Trusted Shoes for Every Dancer

At Dance World Europe, we carefully select Irish dancing shoes from some of the most respected names in the industry, including Antonio Pacelli, Goleen, Rutherford, Fay's and Hullachan. Each brand has earned the trust of dancers, teachers and championship schools through years of expert craftsmanship, innovation and dedication to the art of Irish dance.

Whether you're taking your first steps in Irish dancing or competing at the highest level, our collection includes shoes designed to deliver exceptional comfort, support and performance. From lightweight pumps to precision-crafted hard shoes, every pair is chosen for its quality, durability and ability to help dancers perform with confidence.

We work closely with leading Irish dance brands to offer authentic products that meet the demands of today's dancers, ensuring you receive footwear trusted by beginners, champions and professionals alike.

Delivery & Returns

All orders are sent via GLS. A signature will be required upon receipt of your order. If there is no-one available to accept the package a calling card will be left behind for you so you can re-arrange delivery.

Free EU Standard Delivery on orders over 99€

Please visit our delivery page for further delivery information and our returns page for returns information.

Customer service can be contacted via email : orders@danceworld.ie

By phone - Ireland: 01 497 6129, UK and Rest of World: 00 353 1 497 6129

Aoife Children’s Irish Dancing Pumps • Pre-Shaped Split Sole

Size & Fit Advice

Shoe Fit & Break-In

At a Glance

Materials & Construction

Care information