When quality is not a toy

For sellers of children's shoes, the quality of the goods is not just a pleasant addition to the image, but a strict necessity. It is about the health of a child whose body is still too susceptible to any external influences, therefore, improper design or harmful materials of shoes can literally ruin a person’s life. How to identify low-quality goods at the order stage? And is it worth recklessly trusting the name of the manufacturer? These questions are answered by the partners of the KIDDYPAGES children's goods information center, for whom children's shoes are a profession.

We are responsible for those whom we shoe

As practice shows, the end customer does not always choose children's shoes, guided primarily by its quality. Very often, when choosing a shoe for a child, the visual characteristics of a pair become a decisive factor for an adult. “Beauty, fashion and visual quality are some of the most important factors that make shoes attractive to customers,” confirms Inga Kromer, head of children’s clothing and footwear at Maria. - Although, of course, not only they form a positive image of the brand. Value for money and brand awareness also play a significant role. A pleasant addition in the form of a children's shoe spoon, a small funny toy or an original box enclosed in a box leaves a pleasant “aftertaste” from the purchase and can sometimes affect the choice of the buyer. ”

However, after the purchase is completed, it is the quality of the shoes that becomes critical. And it is better if the seller at the stage of ordering models saves himself and his customers from a threat to children's health. “Once we ordered a batch of children's models from one well-known manufacturer and almost crippled our friends’ children with these shoes, ”the owner of a children's goods store shares in a forum of shoe makers. - A few days after the purchase, the child began to limp. Since we highly recommended this shoe brand to parents, they did not think bad about shoes and began to take the child to doctors. In the end, it turned out that the problem was caused by an insole in this model. It turned out to be too thin, and the fasteners that connected the insole with the sole began to dig into the child’s foot after a while. ”

A similar story is a nightmare of any seller of children's shoes. And it’s not clear what is worse: to lose the image of the store and the trust of customers or to harm the health of children. So that the nightmare does not come true, it is desirable to select models with your own hands, referring to the online order only for checked items. “The direction of online trading today has become almost one of the priorities in retail and in some wholesale stores,” said Irina Anyanova, development manager of Avangard LLC. “However, you can only evaluate the quality of materials, the convenience of the model and the level of the product by holding the item in your hands. "These factors are extremely important for children's shoes, so do not neglect their careful study."

Name = Warranty?

Children's shoes are a very specific type of product that may turn out to be too tough for a well-known but not experienced shoe manufacturer in this area. “The recognizable brand name is not always a guarantee of the quality of children's shoes, because luxury brands often pay attention to the image and beauty of models to the detriment of their quality,” says Irina Krutchenskaya, general director of the show room More and More. “It’s worth buying branded shoes in the form of a pleasant addition to the same clothes, and it’s better to choose shoes for a child from the assortment of a brand specializing specifically in children's shoes.”

According to the manager of the Rik-Style company Eldar Avdiev, one should also be suspicious of the manufacturer, who transferred production to developing countries in an effort to reduce costs or move to a different price category. “The name of the brand can serve as a guarantee of quality only if it is a European manufacturer from the Old World, which has been manufacturing products at one enterprise for decades,” says Eldar.

If the brand you like has not yet been personally tested by you and does not fit the category of absolutely trustworthy, specify what quality control each model passes. Especially diligent manufacturers check products in several stages - from checking materials and experimental images to eliminating shortcomings and controlling final products.

No matter how reliable the brand may be, “there is a hole for the old woman,” so you should not cancel your own research on the quality of shoes. So, how to identify high-quality and low-quality models by selecting products at an exhibition or in a manufacturer’s showroom?

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What you should pay attention to

Natural materials are one of the key criteria determining the quality of children's footwear. Since children's feet are significantly smaller than those of adults, but have just as many sweat glands, they tend to sweat more. It's crucial for a child's feet to "breathe" in shoes; otherwise, they will sweat and chafe. Membrane materials, which are well-suited to our climate, are best suited to creating the right microclimate in shoes. The use of allergenic materials and harmful tannins is prohibited in the manufacturing process for children's footwear, and major European manufacturers voluntarily certify their products for their absence. Certified materials include chromium VI-free leather, rubber adhesives, and linings with the appropriate pH level.

The last is another important criterion for the quality of children's shoes. In pre-teen and children's shoes, its comfort can be determined visually: it looks ungainly, as the main purpose of the last in shoes for young children is to ensure comfort and safety for foot development. High-quality children's shoes, regardless of age, should have a firm heel counter that securely holds the heel and prevents it from twisting. Children's shoe models created by Russian manufacturers often have slightly wider lasts than European models. This is due to the unique characteristics of Russian feet, including those of very young children.

It's important that the soles of children's shoes are lightweight, durable, non-porous, and preferably ribbed. For low thermal conductivity, soles made of foam materials like polyurethane or EVA are ideal. When testing the sole for flexibility, make sure it bends primarily at the toe.

It's preferable for the insole to be removable and, in winter models, to absorb moisture well and dry quickly. High-quality insoles are made of multiple layers, one of which is leather and the other of soft, shock-absorbing polyethylene foam. Arch supports are an essential part of children's shoes, but they should be used with caution. "Don't look for an insole with an orthopedic arch support. Such shoes cannot be sold in a regular store, as they are therapeutic and are prescribed by an orthopedist based on a foot scan," warns Eldar Avdiev, manager of Rick-Style. "Up to a size 26, the insole should conform to the anatomical structure of the foot, meaning it should be almost flat, while arch support in the form of a curved insole profile is only available in shoes for schoolchildren and teenagers."

The lining should be durable, soft, and preferably made of natural materials, such as fine genuine leather. If the lining is leather, it's best to choose a natural color, as the dye can stain the foot. In Russia, this is considered a defect, although European manufacturers use natural, safe dyes. Linings can be made not only from natural materials but also from high-tech textiles and synthetics. These are more durable, interact better with the membrane in winter models, and can be machine washed without losing their appearance in summer models.

Upper materials should be soft yet provide adequate support. High-quality shoes have even, durable seams that avoid rough joints either on the outside or inside of the shoe. Closed-toe shoes for toddlers and children should have a protective "bumper" to further protect the toe and children's toes from injury. Consideration should also be given to the method of attaching the upper to the sole—whether glued, stitched, or cast. The latter is the most technologically advanced, but also the most expensive, method. It securely anchors the upper to the sole and allows the membrane materials of the upper to fully utilize their properties.

Additional indicators of quality include hardware, which should be securely attached to the shoe, as well as safety features such as reflective elements. Also, pay attention to ergonomics: high-quality children's shoes are designed to be easy to put on and take off, provide a secure fit, and are adjustable for width, for example, with hidden elastic bands.