Tootsie Stride Rite is having a year end clearance sale with savings on every shoe in stock! A selection of our kids shoes have been reduced by as much as 40 percent off Stride Rite's suggested retail price. In addition to our "up to 40 percent off clearance product list", the rest of our Stride Rite shoes and socks have been reduced at least 20 percent off Stride Rite's suggested price.
And finally, you can save even more off our already reduced prices with our coupon for $10 off a total product purchase of $100 or more. The $10 off coupon code is Save10. Simply type the code Save10 on our order page where asked 'What is the coupon code?' and an additional $10 will be subtracted when you product purchases exceed $100!
To shoe our online Stride Rite store and take advantage of our year end closeout prices, simply click on any product pictured above or on our store name: Tootsies Stride Rite
Monday, January 18, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Proper Shoe Fittings for Toddlers
Shoe Fittings for Toddlers
It all boils down to whether a shoe fits your toddler's foot well. The first step in buying toddler shoes is to have your child's foot sized by an expert.
"Go to a store that specializes in children's shoes and work with a knowledgeable salesperson to get a good fitting," Cox says.
There are three key areas of the foot that you should focus on when buying toddler shoes: the front of the shoe, the back, and the width. All three will play a part in whether or not the shoe fits properly.
"First, you want the appropriate length in the front of the shoe," says Tillett, who is also a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. "The general rule of thumb is you want about a centimeter to a half inch of space in the front of the shoe. Too big [and] they could be unstable; too small and it constrains the foot."
Width is also very important, Tillett says.
Kids' feet tend to be wider when they are younger, and as the foot grows, the length proportionately catches up to the width. So you want a shoe to accommodate a wider foot, and you need it to not be too restrictive or too tight through the arch.
"The key to making sure a shoe is the right width is to use the tongue of the shoe as a guide," Tillett says.
The tongue of the shoe and the edges where the laces or Velcro are usually located should be parallel; if there is too much space between them, the shoe maybe too tight, and if they overlap too much, the shoe is too loose, Tillett says.
Finally, the back of the shoe should offer some wiggle room as well.
"You want to make sure the heel of the shoe is not too loose so they slip out of it, and not too constricting that it puts strain on the Achilles tendon," Tillett says. "The rule of thumb here is that you should be able to slip your pinky finger in the heel, but only up to the first knuckle. Anything more than that and the shoe is too big, and anything less and it's too tight."
Tootsies Stride Rite has been fitting children shoes since 1985 in Richmond, Va. Over the past 25 years, we have properly fitted tens of thousands of children. We now bring that expertise to the internet. To visit our site, simply click on our web site name: Tootsies Stride Rite
It all boils down to whether a shoe fits your toddler's foot well. The first step in buying toddler shoes is to have your child's foot sized by an expert.
"Go to a store that specializes in children's shoes and work with a knowledgeable salesperson to get a good fitting," Cox says.
There are three key areas of the foot that you should focus on when buying toddler shoes: the front of the shoe, the back, and the width. All three will play a part in whether or not the shoe fits properly.
"First, you want the appropriate length in the front of the shoe," says Tillett, who is also a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. "The general rule of thumb is you want about a centimeter to a half inch of space in the front of the shoe. Too big [and] they could be unstable; too small and it constrains the foot."
Width is also very important, Tillett says.
Kids' feet tend to be wider when they are younger, and as the foot grows, the length proportionately catches up to the width. So you want a shoe to accommodate a wider foot, and you need it to not be too restrictive or too tight through the arch.
"The key to making sure a shoe is the right width is to use the tongue of the shoe as a guide," Tillett says.
The tongue of the shoe and the edges where the laces or Velcro are usually located should be parallel; if there is too much space between them, the shoe maybe too tight, and if they overlap too much, the shoe is too loose, Tillett says.
Finally, the back of the shoe should offer some wiggle room as well.
"You want to make sure the heel of the shoe is not too loose so they slip out of it, and not too constricting that it puts strain on the Achilles tendon," Tillett says. "The rule of thumb here is that you should be able to slip your pinky finger in the heel, but only up to the first knuckle. Anything more than that and the shoe is too big, and anything less and it's too tight."
Tootsies Stride Rite has been fitting children shoes since 1985 in Richmond, Va. Over the past 25 years, we have properly fitted tens of thousands of children. We now bring that expertise to the internet. To visit our site, simply click on our web site name: Tootsies Stride Rite
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tips for Buying the Best Toddler Shoes
Tips for Buying the Best Toddler Shoes:
When your toddler becomes mobile, protecting his or her feet requires Mom and Dad know a thing or two about buying the best toddler shoes.
Here is some advice from the experts on navigating the baby shoe market:
Hard soled vs. soft: Just like adult shoes, toddler shoes with soles that are too soft can cause slips and falls. "You want a shoe with a little bit of a sole, to minimize accidents," Cox says. "Usually, a leather or rubber sole will help provide the traction your toddler needs."
Sneakers vs. boots: "Sneakers are good because they generally don't constrain the foot and allow for proper development," says Steven G. Tillett, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist in Portland, Ore. Also, sneakers are usually constructed out of canvas and pliable leather, allowing the shoe to mold to a child's foot for a good fit, he explains.
Cheap vs. expensive: "For young children who are just learning to walk, inexpensive shoes are OK," Cox says. The key is not so much cost -- it's that the shoe fits.
Open-toed vs. closed: "Open-toed shoes don't offer a lot of foot protection for a child just learning to walk, so closed-toed shoes are generally better," Cox says. And the same goes for shoes like Crocs -- kids can easily trip on these types of shoes if they're just learning to walk and not entirely stable, so hold off on these until around age 2 or later, Cox says.
New vs. used: Although it might be tempting to use hand-me-down shoes from friends or family to save a few bucks, this is one area that requires you buy new. "Kids' shoes mold to their feet," Cox says. "If you use a hand-me-down pair of shoes, you are forcing your child's foot into a shoe that has already molded to the shape of someone else's foot, which means your toddler could end up with blisters."
Tootsies Stride Rite has been fitting children shoes since 1985 in Richmond, Va. Over the past 25 years, we have properly fitted tens of thousands of children. We now bring that expertise to the internet. To visit our site, simply click on our web site name: Tootsies Stride Rite
When your toddler becomes mobile, protecting his or her feet requires Mom and Dad know a thing or two about buying the best toddler shoes.
Here is some advice from the experts on navigating the baby shoe market:
Hard soled vs. soft: Just like adult shoes, toddler shoes with soles that are too soft can cause slips and falls. "You want a shoe with a little bit of a sole, to minimize accidents," Cox says. "Usually, a leather or rubber sole will help provide the traction your toddler needs."
Sneakers vs. boots: "Sneakers are good because they generally don't constrain the foot and allow for proper development," says Steven G. Tillett, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist in Portland, Ore. Also, sneakers are usually constructed out of canvas and pliable leather, allowing the shoe to mold to a child's foot for a good fit, he explains.
Cheap vs. expensive: "For young children who are just learning to walk, inexpensive shoes are OK," Cox says. The key is not so much cost -- it's that the shoe fits.
Open-toed vs. closed: "Open-toed shoes don't offer a lot of foot protection for a child just learning to walk, so closed-toed shoes are generally better," Cox says. And the same goes for shoes like Crocs -- kids can easily trip on these types of shoes if they're just learning to walk and not entirely stable, so hold off on these until around age 2 or later, Cox says.
New vs. used: Although it might be tempting to use hand-me-down shoes from friends or family to save a few bucks, this is one area that requires you buy new. "Kids' shoes mold to their feet," Cox says. "If you use a hand-me-down pair of shoes, you are forcing your child's foot into a shoe that has already molded to the shape of someone else's foot, which means your toddler could end up with blisters."
Tootsies Stride Rite has been fitting children shoes since 1985 in Richmond, Va. Over the past 25 years, we have properly fitted tens of thousands of children. We now bring that expertise to the internet. To visit our site, simply click on our web site name: Tootsies Stride Rite
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tips for Buying Shoes for Toddlers
Tips for Buying Shoes for Toddlers
Your toddler will need a new pair of shoes and a new sizing about every two to four months, experts say. So before you go out and buy a dozen pairs of shoes for your little one, you might want to focus on the basics. "You really only need one, or maybe two, pairs of shoes for your toddler -- a play shoe like a sneaker, and possibly a dress-up shoe," Cox says.
When you are buying toddler shoes, each shopping trip should be treated like the first -- examine all aspects of the shoe and make sure it fits all around. And, an important tip to remember is that kids' shoes are different from brand to brand, style to style, and sometimes even from shoe to shoe, So the "trying on" experience is important.
Also, bring a pair of socks with you when you're shoe shopping for your toddler. In general, you want your child to wear socks with his shoes to prevent chafing.
Finally, when you've followed the advice of an expert shoe salesperson, and used your own rules of thumb to gauge whether or not a shoe fits, follow one last simple test when buying toddler shoes: Ask your little one to walk around in them.
Tootsies Stride Rite has been properly fitting toddlers in their Richmond, Va., store since 1985. Over the past 25 years, we have fitted hundreds of thousands of kids with their first walking shoes, and now we bring that fitting expertise to the internet. To find out more about Tootsies Stride Rite, please visit our web site at http://www.tootsiesstriderite.com or call us at 1-866-235-0626 between the hours of 10AM and 6PM eastern time.
Your toddler will need a new pair of shoes and a new sizing about every two to four months, experts say. So before you go out and buy a dozen pairs of shoes for your little one, you might want to focus on the basics. "You really only need one, or maybe two, pairs of shoes for your toddler -- a play shoe like a sneaker, and possibly a dress-up shoe," Cox says.
When you are buying toddler shoes, each shopping trip should be treated like the first -- examine all aspects of the shoe and make sure it fits all around. And, an important tip to remember is that kids' shoes are different from brand to brand, style to style, and sometimes even from shoe to shoe, So the "trying on" experience is important.
Also, bring a pair of socks with you when you're shoe shopping for your toddler. In general, you want your child to wear socks with his shoes to prevent chafing.
Finally, when you've followed the advice of an expert shoe salesperson, and used your own rules of thumb to gauge whether or not a shoe fits, follow one last simple test when buying toddler shoes: Ask your little one to walk around in them.
Tootsies Stride Rite has been properly fitting toddlers in their Richmond, Va., store since 1985. Over the past 25 years, we have fitted hundreds of thousands of kids with their first walking shoes, and now we bring that fitting expertise to the internet. To find out more about Tootsies Stride Rite, please visit our web site at http://www.tootsiesstriderite.com or call us at 1-866-235-0626 between the hours of 10AM and 6PM eastern time.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Boy White Black Saddle Shoes
Since 1917, the Willit Shoe Company has been manufacturing and distributing children shoes in the United States. Based in Halifax, Pennsylvania, Willit's Shoe Company gained a solid reputation for high quality all-leather footwear. That reputation and original dedication to detail, quality and service was responsible for the company's growth over the years. Willits is a Children's Footwear Supplier offering traditional children’s shoe styles that range in sizes from toddler sizes to child size 12.
From this company, we offer our traditional white/black saddle oxford with matching saddle stitch featuring a full-grain leather upper, quarter leather lining and flexible slab outsole. The white/black saddle is the ideal toddler shoe for that short pant formal outfit you purchased for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The white/black saddle shoe is available in sizes toddler 5 to child 12 in medium, wide and extra-wide widths. In fitting this shoe in our Stride Rite retail store since 1985, we know that this shoe runs large. Please order sizes smaller than your child's current sneaker size, typically ½ of a shoe size smaller than a sneaker size, for the best fit.
You can order the white/black saddle shoe online by clicking on Tootsies Stride Rite, or by calling us toll free at 1-866-235-0626.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Infant and toddler shoes from Stride Rite
Stride Rite, the first name in baby walking shoes, has designed a whole line of toddler shoes around its stage 3 technology. Included in this series of shoes includes Stride Rite’s traditional baby white shoes, Stride Rite toddler boy sneakers and toddler girl sneakers, toddler boy dress shoes, toddler girl dress shoes, and toddler sandals. Stride Rite baby shoes, enhanced with their ultra-comfortable Natural Motion System™, Stage 3 is designed to mimic barefoot walking and to give babies the flexible stride path and natural propulsion they need to grow into strong walkers. A center stride path of soft rubber helps disperse pressure evenly across the entire foot as babies take those tentative first steps. These Stride Rite shoes are constructed to fit babies in sizes toddler 4 through toddler 7, and are available at Tootsies Stride Rite in Midlothian, Virginia, or Tootsies Online shoe store, Tootsies Stride Rite, at http://www.tootsiesstriderite.com/
Monday, January 4, 2010
When is the Time for Your Next Child Shoe Purchase?
Parents have asked us thousands of times over the past 23 years questions on how often do they need to have their children's feet checked or how fast will their kids grow? We have told them to follow this schedule:
12 - 18 MONTHS OF AGEEVERY 2 MONTHS: The average child's foot grows more than half a shoe size during this time frame, so a new fitting should be done every 2 months.
18 - 30 MONTHS OF AGEEVERY 3 MONTHS: The average growth within this age range is half a shoe size every three months, so refitting should be done every 3 months.
30 MONTHS - 5 YEARS OF AGEEVERY 4 MONTHS: Growth rate on the average is less than a half size in three months, so refitting is recommended every 4 months.
5 YEARS & OLDEREVERY 6 MONTHS: The average growth rate slows down to 1/4 size over three months, so pediatric professionals recommend fitting every 6 months. We hope that this information is helpful in planning for your children's shoe purchases.
12 - 18 MONTHS OF AGEEVERY 2 MONTHS: The average child's foot grows more than half a shoe size during this time frame, so a new fitting should be done every 2 months.
18 - 30 MONTHS OF AGEEVERY 3 MONTHS: The average growth within this age range is half a shoe size every three months, so refitting should be done every 3 months.
30 MONTHS - 5 YEARS OF AGEEVERY 4 MONTHS: Growth rate on the average is less than a half size in three months, so refitting is recommended every 4 months.
5 YEARS & OLDEREVERY 6 MONTHS: The average growth rate slows down to 1/4 size over three months, so pediatric professionals recommend fitting every 6 months. We hope that this information is helpful in planning for your children's shoe purchases.
How to Buy Kids Shoes
Kids don't really enjoy shopping for shoes, but at the rate they outgrow them, regular purchases are a must. Since they can't always tell you that shoes are getting too small, checking their little feet regularly is essential. Plan ahead to remove some of the nightmare elements of shopping for kids' shoes.Step1Check the child's feet in each pair of shoes, feeling their toes. Make sure they aren't hitting the ends of the shoe. If the child can talk, ask them if their shoes hurt at all.Step2Take the child shoe shopping in the afternoon or evening. You'll get a truer sense of the correct shoe size at this time since feet swell later in the day.Step3Have your child's foot measured at a store to get sizing accurate.Step4Avoid spending too much on trendy or specialty shoes for kids. At the rate they grow, you'll be spending a lot over the course of a year.Step5Visit a children's shoe store for specialized help and a larger variety of options under one roof. This will be especially helpful if your child is irritable and easily distracted when trying on shoes.Step6Choose shoes with ties, velcro or another form of fastening. Avoid slip on or backless shoes.Step7Look for shoes with a pattern or textured sole. They provide traction, which prevents slipping.
This information is being sent to you by Tootsies Stride Rite. To visit our website simply click on Tootsies Stride Rite.
This information is being sent to you by Tootsies Stride Rite. To visit our website simply click on Tootsies Stride Rite.
Tootsies Stride Rite Home
The following is 9 interesting facts sent to us by the Stride Rite Corporation that may address some of your concerns about how your child's feet develop:Whether your little one is the world's greatest living room performer or an expert sandbox engineer, she's constantly curious and always on the go! The early years of your child's life are a critical time to support growing bones and developing joints. It cannot be overstated the effect proper footwear has during the early years of your child's development.
Fact 1:
It takes nearly 18 years for a child's foot to mature fully. During this time, you should make the effort to ensure that your child's shoes are the proper size so that proper growth can occur.
Fact 2:
In the first 10 years, your child's foot will grow a total of about 6-inches. The greatest changes will occur in the first 3 years of life.
Fact 3:
Your child's feet are subjected to enormous stress not typically experienced by the average adult foot. In fact, the stress on a child's foot can be 3 times the stress experienced by adult feet. Our shoes are designed with padded footbeds to absorb this stress.
Fact 4:
Your child's bone structure will be fully developed in the first 24 months of life.
Fact 5:
Your baby's feet will grow faster during his first three years of life than at any other time in his life. That's why it is recommended that your baby's shoes be checked every 3 months from age 1 to age 3 to make sure that the shoes are the proper size!
Fact 6:
Your baby's foot contains more cartilage than bone. That's why children shoes come in various widths so the shoe does not restrict your child's normal foot growth.
Fact 7:
Your baby's foot arch is not fully developed for the first two years of life. If fact, many children's arches are not completely developed until puberty. You may see at various times that your child's foot turns in or out, or may pronate due to the fact that the foot arch has not fully developed. In order to protect your child, good athletic shoes with appropriate arch supports, padded collars and footbeds, and good heel counters are recommended from ages 3 and older to protect your child from injury during their peak playing years.
Fact 8:
The toes on your baby's feet are proportionally longer than an adult's.
Fact 9:
Your baby's foot perspires two to three times the rate of an adult. We highly recommend cotton socks be worn and changed once during the middle of the day to reduce the chance of a foot fungus.
During these critical years of development and activity, the design, construction, and fitting of children's shoes require special skill and attention. Many medical practitioners believe that the majority of adult foot problems stem from poor foot and shoe experiences over the course of a child's developmental years. Therefore, it is critical that proper shoe selection be made in these early years.
Fact 1:
It takes nearly 18 years for a child's foot to mature fully. During this time, you should make the effort to ensure that your child's shoes are the proper size so that proper growth can occur.
Fact 2:
In the first 10 years, your child's foot will grow a total of about 6-inches. The greatest changes will occur in the first 3 years of life.
Fact 3:
Your child's feet are subjected to enormous stress not typically experienced by the average adult foot. In fact, the stress on a child's foot can be 3 times the stress experienced by adult feet. Our shoes are designed with padded footbeds to absorb this stress.
Fact 4:
Your child's bone structure will be fully developed in the first 24 months of life.
Fact 5:
Your baby's feet will grow faster during his first three years of life than at any other time in his life. That's why it is recommended that your baby's shoes be checked every 3 months from age 1 to age 3 to make sure that the shoes are the proper size!
Fact 6:
Your baby's foot contains more cartilage than bone. That's why children shoes come in various widths so the shoe does not restrict your child's normal foot growth.
Fact 7:
Your baby's foot arch is not fully developed for the first two years of life. If fact, many children's arches are not completely developed until puberty. You may see at various times that your child's foot turns in or out, or may pronate due to the fact that the foot arch has not fully developed. In order to protect your child, good athletic shoes with appropriate arch supports, padded collars and footbeds, and good heel counters are recommended from ages 3 and older to protect your child from injury during their peak playing years.
Fact 8:
The toes on your baby's feet are proportionally longer than an adult's.
Fact 9:
Your baby's foot perspires two to three times the rate of an adult. We highly recommend cotton socks be worn and changed once during the middle of the day to reduce the chance of a foot fungus.
During these critical years of development and activity, the design, construction, and fitting of children's shoes require special skill and attention. Many medical practitioners believe that the majority of adult foot problems stem from poor foot and shoe experiences over the course of a child's developmental years. Therefore, it is critical that proper shoe selection be made in these early years.
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