Hullachan Boys Reel Prolite

Getting the right size in a new pair of boys’ reel shoes can sometimes feel tricky, especially if you’re trying them for the first time.

With over 30 years’ experience fitting dancers, we’ve created this guide to make the process as straightforward as possible — while sharing the expert tips that will help you avoid the common pitfalls.

Sizing at a Glance

• Always measure the foot length – don’t rely on trainer size, school shoes, or old pumps. Use the recommended measuring method for an accurate result.

• Measure both feet – use the smaller foot for the best fit and arch profile.

• Check the Sizing tab on each product page for the correct sizing chart.

• Pumps and reel shoes should feel tight at first – they can stretch up to a full size with wear.

• Don’t buy too big – oversized shoes are hard to dance in, don’t showcase a dancer's point, and can be a trip hazard.
  

• Watch our step-by-step video or follow the step below.

Step 1: Measure the Length of Your Foot

The first step is to measure the length of the dancer's feet.

We strongly recommend measuring using the method below as it is the most reliable way to choose the right size for pumps and boys’ reel shoes. There is only a small difference between half sizes so accuracy is really important for a great fit.

1. Place a sheet of plain A4 paper against a wall so that the edge of the paper touches the wall.
2. Put on the socks normally worn for dancing. Place the foot on the paper with the heel against the wall. (Double check the paper hasn’t slipped!)
   
   
3. Relax the foot and toes. Mark the paper at the longest point of the foot (you may need a helper for this).
4. Draw a straight line from the wall edge of the paper to the mark, then measure this distance with a ruler. This measurement is what you’ll use to select your size.
   

👉 Measure both feet – it’s common, especially in children, for one foot to be slightly longer than the other. We recommend ordering for the smaller foot so the pumps or boys' reel shoes fit tightly and the dancer can achieve a beautiful arch and point.

We strongly advise not ordering based on:

• School shoes or trainers (sizing varies widely)

• Existing pumps, reel shoes or jig shoes (they stretch with wear, so the marked size is no longer accurate)

• The old method of drawing around the foot (it’s prone to error because the result depends on the thickness of the pen and the angle you draw at)

You should now have two measurements.

Length of Left Foot:

Length of Right Foot:

Step 2: Check the Size Chart

Go to the product page of the reel shoes you’re interested in and open the Sizing tab (under the product photos).

• Look for the foot length closest to your measurement

• It probably won’t be exact – choose the nearest option

Example

If your smaller foot measures 217mm and you want to buy the Hullachan Boys Reel Prolite:

• Size 3 suggests a foot length of 215mm

• Size 3.5 suggests a foot length of 220mm

We usually suggest choosing the size below the measurement for a nice close fit. So in this example the dancer would choose size 3. 

However, some dancers may need to adjust the suggested size. If the dancer has narrow or wide feet, SENs or is a championship level then you should consider adjusting the size as below.

• Wider feet / high instep → go up half a size. If the foot is very wide, you may need to go up a full size. (If you’ve chosen a wide-fit model, then half a size extra is usually enough.)

• Dancers with SEN considerations → we recommend going up half a size for extra comfort.

• Narrow feet → often benefit from going down half a size.

• Advanced dancers → usually prefer their pumps or reel shoes very tight for extra control and to achieve an excellent profile when pointing. Go down half a size or possibly a full size for extra tightness. Don't forget our suggested size already aims to have your toes slightly curled so don't over do it with the size drop. You can risk long term damage your feet and toes if you always buy extra small.

A Word of Caution: Don’t Buy Too Large

It may seem like a safe option to order bigger, but in reality it’s a false economy:

• Boys' Reel shoes that are too big are difficult to dance in

• They won’t show a dancer’s point properly

• They can even be a trip hazard

• Boys' Reel shoes naturally stretch up to a full size (or more) with wear – so let the reel shoes do the work rather than starting too large

Hullachan Boys Reel Prolite - Boys' Reel Shoe Sizing Chart

Please Note - Every dancer prefers their boys' reel shoes to fit in a certain way. Some like them extra tight, others with a little room. Combine this with the fact that everyone's feet are unique in terms of width, length, arch type and height and you can see why boys' reel fitting can be difficult. Hence we only offer this sizing chart as a guide rather than a guaranteed fit.