Shoes for new walkers with Stride Rite *Review*

Our kids grow way too fast. No doubt about that! When you buy kids shoes, what do you normally got for first? A lot of people may buy based strictly on price. I used to be this person, until I noticed some issues with the kids feet and how they were walking and running. Well, come to find out, their shoes were too stiff. I learned a lot about kids shoes from Stride Rite that I really wanted to pass on to you all.

• An individuals lifelong gait pattern is established in the first steps taken during early childhood.
• Children need to feel the ground beneath them for proper development. Gripping the ground with their toes and distributing weight appropriately allows them to maintain a balance and establish a positive walking pattern.
• Shoes that do not fit properly in childhood can contribute to poor foot development, which can
  lead to bone, back and muscle problems later in life.
• When learning to walk, babies flex their feet 25,000 times a day. Their toes need a full range of motion and the mid foot needs support to prevent over flexion.
• The bones in a childs foot begin to develop as the child learns to walk, and they continue shaping until the pre-teen years.
• From ages 1-10, a childs foot grows around 6 inches, nearly 1.5 times the size they were at birth. This is why children need new shoes every 2 – 3 months until about age 3, then every 6 months after that.
• Babies feet hit the ground with more force (proportionately) than an adult, which is why it is critical that babys shoes cushion and protect the feet.
• Babies feet do not have arches. They begin to develop arches when the child is about 2 years old and continue to develop until the pre-teen years.
• Most foot growth (80%) takes place between the heel and the ball of the foot. When sizing babys foot, it is important to measure the widest part of the foot to ensure they have enough width.
• A childs foot development can be compromised by tight socks, shoes, sleepers and bedclothes. Healthy foot development requires a little wiggle room at all times.
• Babies feet perspire more than two times more than adults. Breathable material for baby shoes helps keep feet dry and comfortable.
• Handing down shoes from one child to another is not recommended. Baby shoes, particularly those made of leather, form to a childs foot when they are worn for a while. While the shoes may be a great fit on one child, they will not be the best fit for another child.

We were one to buy shoes that were in (what we thought) were good shape, but we never thought about half of these facts and the one that really catches my eye is handing down shoes and how the shoes are formed to someone else’s foot. Very interesting!

Stride Rite is very well known for comfort, but also for new walkers. When Kambry was just starting to walk, I was very picky as to what shoes were bought for her from anyone, including us. New walkers need shoes that are soft and that allow them to bend their feet. Who wants to wear shoes that are hard and where you aren’t able to bend your feet? Not me!

Another thing that I love about the Stride Rite website is how easy it is to calculate the right size for your little walkers. With their e-fit guide, fitting your kids for shoes is simple and fast!

Kambry had the pleasure of checking out a gorgeous pair of shoes from Stride Rite.

Patches and embroidery decorate this lovable leather and suede shoe. Perfect for playdates or just hanging around the house, the SRT Carly has Sensory Response Technology™, a moisture-wicking, eco-friendly lining and a self-molding footbed with a contoured heel cradle for comfort.
Leather and suede upper

• Created from lightweight, ultra-flexible, eco-friendly materials
• Sensory pods provide the ultimate feedback system assisting baby in learning to walk
• Removable insole with Check Fit system, so you know when to get baby new shoes

I am in love, as a parent! Not only is the Carly in brown simply adorable, but they are so soft soled and the price at $50.00 it really is affordable. If you consider that you may pay at least $25 or more at a local retail store, the shoes that I have seen in these places are hard soled, not very cushioned and .. well, I would just rather pay a little more knowing that my child is comfortable and wearing shoes that fit them perfectly.

For more information and tons of new and fun styles, please visit www.striderite.com

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