The Stride Rite Carla

This versatile maryjane is the perfect back-to-school shoe. Made of soft leather for durability and comfort, the Stride Rite Carla is easy to clean and maintain. The leather upper and lightweight outsole are both very soft and flexible for all day comfort. And a fresh sock liner that helps reduce moisture to keep feet cool and dry all day long.

The Stride Rite Carla offers a padded collar and footbed, a hook and loop closure for easy on/off and adjustments, and a 3/8" heel on the outsole for that older girl look. Available in navy and black leather in medium, wide and extra-wide widths from a child size 8 1/2 to an older child size 4.

For additional information on the Stride Rite Carla, click on the following video:

Is Barefoot Walking the Best Option for Toddlers?

Toddlers learn to walk in their bare feet by using their toes to grip the floor and keep their balance. The best environment for barefoot walking is inside your house on a carpet. If your indoor floors are hardwood or tile, then it becomes impossible for your toddler to grip the fllor. And if these floors are also cold, then footwear is needed for warmth and protection. If your toddler goes outdoors to run on a deck, patio or grass, then shoes are necessary.

The best shoe option for mom is Stride Rite shoes. Stride Rite has been manufacturing children shoes since 1919, and in the past 100 years have fit more children in kids shoes, and have done more research on how kids best learn to walk than any other company in the USA. Tootsies Stride Rite, a Stride Rite distributor, has been fitting children shoes in Richmond, Va. at its retail store since 1985.

For more information on Stride Rite shoes and Tootsies Stride Rite, visit our web site by clicking on our store name, Tootsies Stride Rite.

Stride Rite 40 Percent Off Sale at www.tootsiesstriderite.com

Tootsies Stride Rite is having a 40 percent off Stride Rite shoes sale at its online store at http://www.tootsiesstriderite.com/ All of the shoes are current sandals and sneaker styles from spring and summer 2011. This sale will be going on through July5, 2011.

For more information or to view products that have been reduced by 40 percent or more, visit our web site by clicking on our store name, Tootsies Stride Rite, or call us at 1-866-235-0626.

Can My Child Learn to Walk without Shoes?

It’s really important that little feet are able to grip the ground with their toes as they begin to develop bone and muscle in the foot. Your baby can best accomplish this while barefoot but, being barefoot is not always practical. For instance, if its the winter time and you have hardwood floors and they are cold on your bare feet, then you baby's feet will also be cold. Or if its summer time and you are outside, it would not be advisable to put your child bare feet in the grass, on concrete or stoned driveways, for this could cause injuries, cuts and infections.

When footwear is required as in examples above, flexibility and a soft and thin outsole are key. Look at Stride Rite shoes. Stride Rite infant walking shoes have been designed to be worn from the time your child first pulls up and stands around 9 months, to the time your child takes their first steps, around 12 to 15 months.

Our unique SRT product is based on years of research to how children best learn to walk in footwear. For more information about Stride Rite shoes, visit us online by clicking on our name: Tootsies Stride Rite. Tootsies is a Stride Rite distributor located in Richmond, Va. since 1985.

Stride Rite Austin H&L in White at Tootsies Stride Rite

Stride Rite boy's all-white leather sneaker with hook and loop strap closures for easy adjustments, a great Stride Rite boys sneaker for school, especially ones with dress codes, or casual dress days.

Stride Rite Austin H&L features a fresh feet sock lining to keep feet cooler, durable outsole for longer wear and flex-grooves in forefoot for ease in walking. In addition, a padded footbed and collar adds to the comfort and fit.

Available in medium, wide and extra-wide widths from a child 8 1/2 to an older child 3 online at Tootsies Stride Rite. This Stride Rite shoe is on sale this month for 20% off Stride Rite's suggested retail, plus receive free shipping on product purchases of $100 or more.

To watch an informational video on Stride Rite's Austin H&L, click on the following:

Healthy Shoes means Healthy Feet

Healthy Shoes

Learning to walk is a milestone in a child’s development. From the first step and throughout a lifetime, we will walk about 115,000 miles. That’s equivalent to about 9000 steps per day. It is not surprising that three out of four Americans will experience serious foot problems at some point in their lives. Keeping your feet healthy starts with your first pair of shoes. When selecting kids shoes , special consideration should be given to fit, soling, design, breathability and comfort.

Fit

Most shoes are built on plastic molds called lasts. Lasts are designed to replicate a size and a width of a human foot. Developing a good fitting last takes time and technical “know how”. Last sizing can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. One companies size 7 may be another companies size 6 ½ or 7 ½. Over the past ten years, many manufacturers have replaced traditional lasts in B,C,D,E,EE and EEE with generic lasts in narrow, medium and wide. In addition a quality children shoes manufacturer offers whole and half sizes.

Flexible soling

Children’s feet are tender and flexible. Each foot has 26 bones, 19 muscles, 107 ligaments and 33 joints. The outer sole provides traction, cushioning and flexibility for the feet. Young children need smooth bottom flexible soles to prevent falling. Our children’s shoes have age appropriate soling for correct foot development and flexibility.

INNER SOLE

Each foot has 250,000 sweat glands. As much as ½ pint of moisture can be generated by our feet in one day. The inner sole should be made from an absorbent material that will remove moisture. Insoles should also have cushioning properties capable of absorbing 2 to 3 times a child’s body weight.

Breathability

It is a well known fact that leather breathes. Attractive looking shoes made from nonbreathable material may look good but will not dissipate all the moisture created by our feet. In addition, a shoe made from leather with a nonbreathable lining will trap moisture inside the shoe. All of our childrens shoes are designed and made with breathable linings and leathers.

Comfort

Each pair of feet is unique. Most people have one foot larger than the other. Throughout the day our feet are subject to a great deal of impact, perspiration and swelling. Keeping you child’s feet comfortable and healthy depends on the experience and knowledge of the manufacturer. Here are a few guidelines that may help when you purchase the next pair of shoes for your child.

• A good fitting children’s shoe allows room for growth in the toe area (about 1/2 inch), some extra room at the ball area (widest part behind the toes) and a close fit at the heel.



• Soling and insoling should be flexible and shock absorbent.



• Upper and lining materials should be breathable.



• Choose footwear available in widths



• Have your child’s feet measured by a professional. Make sure your child’s footwear is breathable, flexible and fits their feet properly.

This information was brought to you by Tootsies Stride Rite, a children's shoe retailer and etailer since 1985 in Richmond, Va. For more information, visit us by clicking on our store name, Tootsies Stride Rite or call us at 1-866-235-0626.

Stride Rite Grayson at Tootsies Stride Rite

Stride Rite Grayson is our first walking shoes in white leather. This traditional moc-toe baby bootie offers a wear-everywhere versatility for boys and girls. The Sensory Response Technology™ Grayson's sensory pods provide ultimate flexibility and comfort for your toddler, making this shoe the ideal transition shoe from barefoot walking to walking with shoes.

The grayson features a moisture-wicking, eco-friendly lining, a self-molding footbed with contoured heel cradle to keep him comfortable and a removable insole with a Check Fit system, so you know when to get your baby new shoes. Add a lace tie closure allows for a secure fit and you can see why the Stride Rite Grayson is the number 1 selling Stride Rite infant walking shoes. Available in sizes toddler 4 to toddler 8 in medium, wide and extra-wide widths at Tootsies Stride Rite.

For more information, come to our web site by clicking on our name, Tootsies Stride rite, or watching the following informational video: