One's options are practically limitless when it comes to selecting a new pair of shoes. It can be difficult to narrow down your shoe options when there are so many to choose from, especially when unfamiliar terms like "GS" are thrown into the mix. GS: What Does It Mean for Shoes?
As far as footwear goes, GS means "Grade School." Meaning it's made for a child's foot of elementary school age, Your child in Grade School will be able to find their shoe size within the GS range, which is not a single size but a range of sizes.
Nike popularized the use of many acronyms to classify shoe sizes. It's a staple in their Air Jordan collections. Many other brands have since started using the acronym. Different sizes of shoes can be described by a number of other abbreviations. That way, parents and their children can each find a pair of shoes that fits perfectly.
Where Can I Find Out What the Initials GS Mean for Shoes?
There are many ways to classify footwear, and "GS" is just one of them. Nike first popularized the GS abbreviation for use in their Air Jordan shoe line. Literally, the letters stand for "Grade School." If a pair of shoes has the letters "GS" on them, that means they are a standard size for a child of elementary school age.
Children's feet tend to average out around a certain size by the time they reach the age at which they start grade school, so shoes made for this age group are tailored to fit those feet perfectly. This is especially helpful when looking for children's footwear because there is such a wide variety of sizes available.
You can find the best possible fit for your child's feet with the help of a Grade School specification for a shoe. Keep in mind that the "GS" acronym doesn't stand for a specific shoe size but rather a group of sizes within their own size chart. A GS size 6 will unavoidably not be the same as a standard adult size 6.
The GS abbreviation was coined to differentiate the Nike Air Jordan range for adults from the juniors' versions. The GS line of footwear is a re-imagining of some of the most iconic shoe styles from the women's and men's categories.
The GS range was made possible by completely re-engineering several of the most sought-after adult silhouettes so that they could be produced in kid-friendly sizing. The final product is a scaled-down version of the source adult footwear that stays true to the style as much as possible.
These shoes' elementary school iterations typically feature bright, eye-catching colorways and creative designs that aren't seen anywhere else in the kid-shoe industry.
Keep in mind that the GS range of shoes may not have taken into account all factors of a shoe's fit, despite the fact that the shoe size has been changed to suit children. The full scope of factors like foot length and arch height has not been taken into account. Conversely, the feet of boys and girls are not the same shape, so shoes designed for one will not necessarily fit the other.
Consequently, it is always crucial to take your child's foot measurements and have them fitted for shoes in the store. This is the only way to guarantee the best possible fit and comfort for the shoe's intended owner. If you'd like to try this on your own, I've included a GS shoe size chart below.
Following Nike's lead in using the GS acronym for their line of Grade School-appropriate shoes, many other well-known shoe companies followed suit. If a shoe brand offers a wide variety of sizes, this system of organizing footwear according to the acronyms that best describe those sizes can be extremely helpful.
Shoe sizes can be difficult to find, but with the help of abbreviations like "GS," you can quickly narrow down your search to just the right pair.
The GS Shoe Size Guide
A GS shoe size chart is provided below for your convenience.
The Meanings of Other Shoeshorthand
Similar to how "GS" stands for "Grade School," Nike (and many other shoe brands) use a variety of acronyms to categorize their footwear for specific age groups. This simplifies the task of buying shoes for kids (or adults) if the brand in question offers a wide variety of shoe sizes.
Particularly for infants and toddlers, shoe size acronyms classify footwear according to the child's age. This corresponds to the average height and weight of a child of that age. However, there are a number of reasons why a kid's feet might be bigger than usual for his or her age.
A child's foot size will be largely determined by genetics. Therefore, one must always measure the child's feet to guarantee a proper fit.
Assorted shoe manufacturers have their own jargon for referring to their product lines. The variety of shoe sizes is the most common complaint. On the other hand, there are a few other commonly used acronyms that have nothing to do with footwear dimensions. Brands like Nike use abbreviations for size ranges to make it easier for parents to buy the right size of children's shoes.
Additionally, the following are some alternative shoe size acronyms:
- The letter "Y" on a pair of sneakers typically stands for "Youth" or "Years" That this shoe is intended for kids can be deduced from the acronym. The "Youth" label will denote a group of shoes for kids around a certain age, while the "Years" label will specify the exact age range the shoes are intended for.
- To denote that their footwear is appropriate for children, some shoe companies use the letter "K." While not all shoe manufacturers employ this lettering system, it does indicate the general size range to which the shoe belongs.
- For a narrower foot, look for the letter "N" on the shoe's label. For those who have narrow feet and find that regular shoe sizes don't work for them, this is a godsend. It's important to find the best fit for your feet, and problems can arise from wearing shoes that are too wide.
- The letter "M" next to a shoe size indicates a medium-width design. If you have wide feet but find narrow shoes uncomfortable, this style should work for you.
- The letter "W" next to your shoe size means that the shoe is a wide fit. Those without unusually wide feet probably shouldn't bother trying on wide-fit shoes.
- When a shoe is labeled with an "R" width, it means that it is a standard width. This is the standard shoe width and is the best option for people with average-sized feet.
- If a pair of shoes has the letters "TD" on the size label, it means they are appropriate for toddlers. The sizes of shoes sold in the toddler section will vary from those sold in the Grade School section. There will also be a variety of styles to choose from. Shoe companies can quickly and easily tell consumers for whom their products are intended by using the acronym "TD."
- The initials "GG" indicate that these shoes were made with elementary school girls in mind. Designs in this category of footwear typically focus on elementary school-aged girls.
- Like "GG," the "BG" designation indicates that the shoe is intended for young boys in elementary school. For the most part, a shoe aimed squarely at male foot traffic will feature masculine colors and designs. The typical length and width of a boy's foot at that age will also be taken into account.
- Another Nike acronym, OVO refers to a collection of Jordans that were made in conjunction with Drake's record label, October's Very Own. There are two Jordan 10 colorways and two Jordan 12 colorways available in this collection.
- By the abbreviation PRM, we mean the group of Jordans that have been labeled "Premium." Materials used to construct these shoes are regarded as being of the highest caliber. "Premium" Jordans are typically released in muted tones, such as grey, olive, tan, and black, as opposed to the brand's signature bright hues.
- Shoes intended for play on a hard surface (hence the "HC" in "Hard Court shoes"). The initials "HC" stand for "Hard Court." These shoes are tougher than the average pair because they are designed to withstand contact with rougher, harder surfaces.
- The size range of your Air Jordans has nothing to do with the "OG" label. This abbreviation means that the shoes are an authentic, vintage version of the style.
Despite being the same silhouette, the original Air Jordans typically came in a different colorway than the subsequent releases. The original shoes are easily identifiable due to their distinct color schemes. It aids in elevating the significance of the first-ever sneaker releases.
Colorways, for the uninitiated, describe the way a pair of sneakers is designed to feature a variety of colors. This usually refers to the sneaker's actual design, and it's not uncommon for a single sneaker style to come in multiple colorways.
Is There an Age Limit on Wearing GS Shoes?
Children's shoes in the Grade School size range may be scaled down from adult styles, but the designs are often remarkably similar. There is, therefore, no reason why a teenager or adult with small feet can't wear something from the GS range.
Naturally, you can't wear them if your feet are too big for Grade School size shoes, but many adults actually do have feet that are too small for adult shoes. If that's the case, you'll end up saving a lot of cash. The price of a pair of designer children's shoes will be much lower than that of an adult pair of the same shoe, so you may be able to score a great pair at a steal.
Getting the right fit from shoes requires accurate foot measurement and careful fitting. Wearing shoes that are too small for your feet can lead to a number of uncomfortable and even dangerous conditions.
How To Determine Your Child's Shoe Size
Be sure to get an accurate foot measurement before buying shoes for your child. You'll need a wall, a table, some pencils and paper to draw a straight line. When you're ready, have your child stand facing the wall with his or her back against the flat surface.
Explanation and illustration of Foot Length Measurement In this position, the kid's heels should be flush with the wall. How far is it from the wall to the child's longest toe? This measurement is taken by inserting a ruler into the inside of the foot. Using the information you gleaned from the measurement, you can consult Nike's shoe sizing tool (or the size chart I included in the post) to find the ideal shoe size to buy.
Many people have a size difference between their feet, so keep that in mind. One foot may be up to half a size larger than the other. If this describes your feet, it is recommended that you buy shoes that are one size larger than your larger foot.
Children's Shoe Sizes: Other Considerations
Your kid's feet might be in between two Grade School sizes. If that's the case, go with the bigger of the two sizes available. This will make sure the kid's feet are always warm and cozy.
It's not just about the price, though; the shoe style matters, too. When deciding on a shoe size, it's important to keep in mind that some shoes stretch more than others.
Conclusion
In the world of footwear, there are a number of abbreviations that can be used to describe a pair in particular. Many of these abbreviations are meant to define children's shoe sizes, so that parents can find the most suitable footwear for their children's ever-changing feet. In other cases, the letters stand for the names of limited-edition shoe collections.
If you're looking for a shoe size guide, try:
What About Wide Feet? (Sizing Guide Frequent Questions)
(Size Guide) Do Converse Fit Wide Feet?
In-Depth UGGS Sizing Guide & Honest Product Review – Do They Run Big?
Is It True That Doc Martens Sizes Are Difficult To Find? - A Detailed Photo Analysis
Do Converse Run Big or Small? (FAQs/ Chart)
