THE FRODDO GUIDE TO BUYING CHILDREN’S SHOES

Approximately 98% of people are born wit h healt hy feet... ... but only 40% of these still have healthy feet by the time they reach adulthood. There are a number reasons why feet get damaged. One of the most notable is the problem of unsuitable footwear.

Children’s feet can remain healthy, active and will develop correctly in high-quality shoes. These will prevent injuries to feet and ankles, thus increasing the amount of sports activity, which is good not only for healthy physical development, but also for improving self-respect and f itness.

Children’s feet are extremely soft… and therefore easily f it into shoes that are too small and for the foot to properly develop it needs plenty of space.

Children’s feet grow very quickly between 3 and 6 years of age the average growth is 1mm per month.

Variable feet

12 mm of space…

Ver y often the right and left foot are not identical in length, therefore when purchasing shoes it is essential to tr y them both on.

an ideal distance between the big toe and the top of the shoe that will allow children`s toes to move freely which is impor tant for proper development of the feet.

Feet are shor ter and narrower in the morning when we wake up than when we go to sleep at night and therefore it is better to buy shoes in the afternoon.

When possible let children walk barefoot… because in that way they train and strengthen the muscles in the feet. Strong, well developed foot muscles are essential for healthy growth.

More t han 50 % of children are not wearing appropriate footwear meaning, they are wearing footwear that is too small.

Feet are longer when we get up and shor ter when we are sitting or lying - make sure you stand up when tr ying new shoes on. Feet need the most room when walking or running because the toes move with ever y movement – therefore, before you buy shoes, take several steps to make sure they are comfor table.

How to buy children’s footwear?

Proper purchase of children’s footwear is extremely impor tant because children’s feet are still developing and growing. Parents need

to pay attention to a number of things – which brand to choose, which materials, foot length, foot width, its shape, how active the child is, where, when and how long they are going to wear them. Be prepared and you will f ind the solutions to these many questions. Good preparation is the key.

Natural materials It is best to choose footwear made of natural materials. Froddo uses only cer tif ied materials – natural leather that is healthy for the development of the feet. Leather is a material which absorbes humidity from the inside and repels it from the outside.

Are you buying shoes for kindergarten, school or for a special occasion? All Froddo shoes are anatomically shaped and regardless of the time that children spend in them they will be comfor table. The anatomic insole gently suppor ts the instep and allows proper development.

In terms of style you should consult with your child, maybe let them pick the colour they like or perhaps choose one to match their current wardrobe. Look for a compromise.

Measuring feet

Shoes should definitely not be too small or too large. The ideal gap between the big toe and the top of the shoe is 12 mm, which will allow the child’s toes to move freely. This is important for the proper development of the feet. Here is a simple method for checking whether your child’s foot has enough space in the shoe: • • • • •

let the child stand on a piece of f irm cardboard (barefoot, or in socks) draw an outline of both feet add 12 mm to each foot from the fur thest toe connect the endpoints to the outline, and make a cut-out place the cardboard cut-out foot in the shoe – if it enters easily into the shoe, this means that the shoe is the right size

Feeling t he toes By feeling the toes in the shoe, we can estimate whether the shoes are long enough. The foot will have enough space if, between your child’s big toe (or longest toe) and the edge of the shoe, there is enough space for your f inger. Also, check whether the toes are cramped while in the shoes by lightly pressing the toes with one hand, and feeling how far they reach with the other. Always measure both feet.

Wide or narrow foot? When they are small, children`s feet are chubbier, but as they grow they develop in different ways. Some have a high instep and others have narrow feet. Froddo shoes are shaped according to children`s feet and therefore in our collections you can f ind styles for narrow, but also for wider feet. So tr y out several styles.

BEST MATERIALS FOR CHILDREN`S FEET

FRODDO is particularly concerned about the healthy growth and development of its customer`s feet. That is why we create only high – quality and comfortable footwear, made from healthy, certified material, without any harmful substances. Froddo collections offer footwear for all ages (sizes 17-40)

CHOOSING SHOES DEPENDING ON THE AGE OF THE CHILD

First smiles, first hugs and first steps. Unforget table, warm and entertaining. Pediatricians recomend soft, flexible footwear made FRODDO minis come in sizes 17- 27 and make the from natural materials with firm but flexible soles. first steps easier and safer.

FRODDO minis

Lightweight with a heel stabilizer that forms the heel par t and keeps the child`s foot secure while walking. A thermoformed cap with enough space for growth and development and an anatomical insole that follows the natural line of the foot - the per fect choice for those happy f irst steps.

17-27

FRODDO kids ...come in sizes 25 - 40 and include low and high top trainers, shoes and pumps with interesting decoration and a great range of colours.

Trainers, pumps, ankle boots and boots in sizes 25 - 40. The FRODDO Kids range offers soft, f lexible and durable styles which can cope with an active lifestyle.

25-40

FRODDO TEENS Froddo range designed specif ically for teenagers and popular with both children and their parents. Stylish and using natural, durable materials.

31-40

OUTER MATERIAL

PROTECTION

TEX MEMBRANE

INNER LINING

FRODDOTEX Feet will stay dry because it is proven that FRODDO TEX protects from humidity, rain and snow. Ankle boots and boots from the TEX range have an additional waterproof membrane and a waterproof tongue and insole to keep them completely dry.

FRODDO ARNEPLANT INSOLE has a key advantage over other insoles. It is a patented insole made from recycled antistatic material, containing anactivated charcoal and antibacterial substance. These materials have superb powers of absorption and hinder bacterial development. A three-layer breathable system significantly reduces perspiration. The upper section is coated with leather, while the middle section features a breathable membrane, providing ventilation and preventing the development of bacteria.. The third layer contains the activated charcoal and antibacterial substance. Extremely lightweight and durable, these insoles are anatomically shaped for an anti-shock effect.

INSOLES

smile

A leather insole with an imprinted smiley face to indicate the ideal place for your big toe or your longest toe. The insole is simply removed from the shoe and placed on the f loor. The child then stands on the insole, at which point it should be immediately clear whether it is a correct f it.

Look for our products and feel...

The soft and healthy touch of aniline leather

Aniline leather is treated exclusively with soluble dyes, which avoid colouring the upper layer of the hide. The results guarantee this product gives MA XIMUM COMFORT. Uneven colouring with transparent pigment highlights the natural structure of the product with its visible contrasts and characteristics on the sur face of the skin, while preser ving the VITALIT Y and providing the MOST NATUR AL and UNIQUE LOOK. In the f inal production phase the product is nur tured with CAREFUL HAND PROCESSING using neutral creams that are water-resistant, while hand-applied wax gives an aesthetically pleasing effect and a waterproof spray gives added protection.

MAINTENANCE

For a beautiful and well-preser ved look, it is necessar y to treat and protect footwear made from aniline leather by:

• • • •

Applying neutral creams Wiping with soft cloths Polishing with soft brushes Applying waterproof spray

MEASURING FEET When buying shoes, apart from checking the manufacturing quality, the use of natural materials and the attractive design, it is of prime importance to select shoes of the right size.

12 mm

IDEAL

TOO BIG

TOO SMALL

HOW OFTEN SHOULD SHOE SIZES BE CHECKED?

CHILD’S RECOMMENDED AGE CHECKING 1-2 YEARS

EVERY 2 MONTHS

3-4 YEARS

EVERY 4 MONTHS

5-6 YEARS

EVERY 6 MONTHS

More advice 1. Shoes that are not the right size can harm the feet. It is therefore important to measure the child’s foot during every purchase

5. Measure and try the shoes on both feet. Always buy shoes for the biggest foot (feet are rarely the exact same size). Often the biggest foot is on the opposite side to the hand the child writes with.

2. Don’t give away or accept previously worn children’s shoes. Shoes that perfectly fit one

6. If you are buying shoes that the child will wear

child won’t necessarily fit another.

with socks, make sure they try them on in that way.

3. Pay attention to the sole in the heel of the shoe. The child will often wear out the heel before growing out of the shoe. If the sole in the heel is unevenly worn on the left or right foot, then you should go with the child to visit an orthopaedist.

7. The perfect time for buying shoes is in the late afternoon, when the feet are a little swollen.

4. Make sure you take your child with you when buying shoes. Let the child say whether the shoe fits, because every shoe fits differently.

8. When trying on shoes it is very important that the child stands up once you have fitted the shoes and takes a few steps in them.

1.

CHECK WHETHER THE SHOE HAS A HEEL STABILISER This can be found at the back of the shoe, above the heel. It is used to stabilise the child’s foot during walking. If that part is soft, it is better to put the shoe to one side.

2. CHECK THE SHOE FLEXIBILITY.

The shoe must be flexible, not to the extent that you can completely fold it in on itself, but just so you can feel that the sole can be lightly squeezed.

3.

TEST WHETHER THE MIDDLE OF THE SHOE IS FIRM so as to prevent twisting of the feet. You can do that most easily by taking the shoe with one hand by the front, and holding the back part with the other while twisting the front part of the shoe to one side, and the back part to the other. If you feel you can do that easily, and that the shoe is able to twist in the middle, put it back on the shelf.

WHY

EXPERIENCE AND HERITAGE NATURAL MATERIALS WITHOUT CHROME VI MANUFACTURED IN THE EU CERTIFIED MATERIALS ADJUSTED TO THE AGE AND ANATOMY OF FEET COMMITMENT TO QUALITY SAFE PRODUCTS CONTROLLED PRODUCTION IN ALL PHASES OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

1

2 3 4

5

6

7

Thermoformed cap with enough space for healthy and unobstructed foot development Insole made from natural leather Anatomical insole Basic insole that retains the shape of the sole part of the mould Heel stabiliser – shapes the heel part and stabilises the child’s footwhile walking Lining made from natural materials, the softness of which provides comfort while allowing the foot to breathe Flexible sole – absorbs impact with the ground

WWW.FRODDO.COM

6

1

5

4

3

2 7