Kids sandals

Among the various models of children's shoes, sandals are especially popular., they are especially relevant for toddlers of preschool age. This rather open shoe also provides a good fixation of the foot, aiding the correct development of the gait and protecting the child's feet from injury.

Children's sandals are available in options for both boys and girls. A wide assortment of styles and colors cannot but please the children themselves and their parents. All this variety can be conditionally divided into the following groups:

• Closed heel and toe garments - the most popular option especially among toddlers. At the same time, the heel is quite rigid, which best fixes the child's foot. Orthopedists advise children to wear a soft backdrop only from 5 years old. The closed toe protects the toes from injury. This model is recommended for children who tend to stumble frequently. Closed styles most often have small cutouts or pinholes for air penetration.

• Closed heel when open toe - a less popular type of sandals, while having its fans. The open toe is optimal for hot summers, but not recommended for children who have not yet stabilized their gait. Note that the heel should not be too high, otherwise it constrains the ankle joint and such fixation will impede muscle development.

• Open heel when closed toe. This model has been in high demand lately. Note that these sports sandals are more suitable for boys, replacing light sneakers with them (for example, when playing football). And girls, as a rule, prefer elegant sandals.

In addition, children's sandals are divided into ordinary and orthopedic. It is advisable to wear the second type of footwear during the first two years of a baby's life, when he is just mastering upright posture. For children with special problems with the musculoskeletal system, experts prescribe special anti-varus sandals. They are distinguished by a special structure, which not only strictly fixes the foot, but also, due to the high back, fixes the desired direction of the ankle and knee joints.

Preventive sandals are very popular with parents, which are intended for the prevention of flat feet due to a small heel and an instep support. In such models, the sole bends well in the area of ​​the toes, and the hard heel prevents the foot from falling inward.

As for the instep support (it is also called a podvodnik), today the overwhelming majority of children's sandals have it, although for healthy legs, in principle, the arch support is not needed. In a newborn baby, instead of a deepening, there is a fat layer on the foot, which disappears on its own by about 6 years old due to muscle strengthening.

For active kids, designers develop sports sandals, equipped with high quality thermoplastic soles. It is very comfortable to run in them, and the soft roll will prevent the child from stumbling. The non-rigid upper material ensures no corns and calluses.

Another type of children's shoes is beach sandals. (also called crocs), which are also suitable for the pool, outdoor recreation and sandpit games. Made from high quality synthetic material, they are easy to clean and great to wear. Beach models are characterized by a comfortable shape, an interesting catchy design and the presence of various decorative elements. Such shoes are usually equipped with strap or Velcro fasteners that securely hold them on the leg. There is a special insole that prevents the foot from slipping. A distinctive feature of these sandals is their light weight.

If you want to please your son or daughter, get the luminous sandals. Such a model has built-in LEDs - when the child walks, they begin to flash with cheerful lights. In addition, these shoes will increase the safety of the baby in the dark. It is clear that the illumination from these "flashing lights" is not very bright, but it will help the child to orient himself in the space in the evening, and you will not lose it in the crowd.

On very tiny children who have not yet learned to walk, knitted sandals look lovelywhich warms the legs and has a decorative function. Moms who have knitting skills can make them on their own. Options for girls usually have lace and flowers, while boys' options are more serious.

Most sandals today come with Velcro, which the baby himself can easily fasten and unfasten. But many orthopedists advise for a child who is just starting to walk to choose models with laces, since in them the shoes will fit better to the leg. But since the laces tend to untie, and the baby is in danger of falling, parents should securely fasten them with a knot.

Popular are sandals with cork soles, which, being more flexible, adapts to the anatomical structure of the child's foot. The grooves in the heel keep it in position for improved stability while walking. In addition, the cork sole absorbs excess moisture if the foot sweats.

As for teenage models of sandals, their design is already close to that of adults. For example, among girls of this age, models in the Greek style with flat soles or very small heels with interweaving straps or ribbons that cover the leg (sometimes almost up to the knee) are popular. It is preferable to wear such sandals with light cotton sundresses or dresses and loose hair, carelessly intercepted with a ribbon.

The most popular material for the production of children's sandals is, of course, genuine leather. Every mother knows that she is flexible, stretchable, absorbs moisture and guarantees good air circulation. Artificial leather on such sandals can be trimmed or decorative elements.

Another option for the material for sandals is split leather. This is a second-class raw material that remains after the outer layer of the skin is cut. Unlike the leather itself, the split is heavy and loose, after stretching it does not regain its shape. It is usually used as a shoe lining. However, some unscrupulous manufacturers to reduce the cost of products make the upper part of children's sandals from split leather, labeling it as natural leather - such things are distinguished by low wear resistance and comfort.

There is another version of sandals - from textiles. These shoes perfectly fit a child's foot, have a large assortment of bright colors and are inexpensive. Fabric products are highly breathable. They are ideal for relaxing walks, playing in the sandbox, as home clothes as an alternative to slippers. However, textiles have many disadvantages: they get wet, easily get dirty and poorly cleaned. And due to the impossibility of making a hard back in such shoes, experts do not advise children under 7 years old to wear it constantly.

As for children's beach sandals, they are usually made of rubber or a combination of materials. based on high quality synthetic leather. Popular products are made of ethylene vinyl acetate - a form-stable raw material, elastic, lightweight, with high hygienic properties.

The range of colors for children is truly huge... In stores, you can easily choose a model for any outfit. For active games on the street, it is preferable to choose dark colors, since they are less easily soiled.

Fromitems for girls are distinguished by a characteristic color scheme in pink, yellow, purple shades. Dressy models are often white or metallic. Boys' sandals are most often made in a variety of shades of blue., gray and brown. As for sandals for older children, their color palette is calmer. For example, Greek sandals for teenage girls are usually characterized by neutral tones (beige, brown and gray).

Among the foreign brands, we will single out an American company Tommy Hilfiger, products which will ideally complement children's summer wardrobe.

As always, Italian brands are out of competition. So, comfortable models Geox equipped with a breathable sole and a prophylactic insole. Well, the design of these sandals is simply incomparable.

Another shoe company from sunny Italy - Naturino - manufactures sandals for children using the "sand effect" technology. A special soft layer imitates the feeling of sea sand under the feet of a child. The shoe is shock absorbent and has the ability to absorb shock vibrations, minimizing the risk of injury. Another advantage is the non-slip sole.

Russian brands also produce shoes of very good quality. So, a shoe factory "Antelope" presents models for toddlers, preschool, school age made of leather, suede, nubuck of decent quality. The brand has developed a special line of anatomical antilopaorto children's sandals with prophylactic properties and an orthopedic leather insole.

Domestic firm Vitacci keeps up with the latest fashion trends and produces adult-like kids' models with a soft upper and special soles for added safety. The company's products comply with medical requirements and undergo compulsory certification.

Many parents prefer brand products "Kotofey". All the company's sandals have a minimum weight and are equipped with a comfortable leather sole. This footwear also helps to prevent flat feet and to form correct posture. The range of sandals includes lace-up items.

Shoe factory "Skorokhod" (St. Petersburg) focuses on European technologies. Children's sandals are characterized by the absence of unnecessary elements, since, according to the developers, this only complicates the wearing. The fasteners of the products are very simple, even a child in a nursery group can handle them. What is especially important, the Velcro does not lose its properties even after long wear, and the laces do not tend to untie when walking.

The choice of sandals for your child should be approached especially carefully.as an unsuccessful model can disrupt the formation of the gait and foot, as well as subject the spine to excessive stress.

If these are ordinary regular sandals for kindergarten or summer walks, then, first of all, pay attention to the convenience of the model and the quality of the material. If your baby needs orthopedic shoes for medical reasons, then here already analyze the design properties of the product., on which the therapeutic effect depends.

An important part of children's sandals is the sole, since the formation of the arch of the foot depends on it. The outsole needs to be flexible and fairly soft in order to function as a shock absorber. The necessary difference between the toe and heel is about 5 centimeters - this will not lead to disturbances in gait.

Pay attention to the stiffness of the heel, which is especially true if your baby is toddler. At the same time, you should not be too zealous: the child should have different shoes for all occasions (slippers, sandals), although for everyday wear the ideal solution is still a model with a backdrop.

In children's models, it is difficult to overestimate the role of the fastener, because it is the guarantor of reliable fixation of the foot. Although most models today are fastened with Velcro, a metal fastener or a less heavy plastic fastener is still preferable.