Stride Rite

Went to the store and it was terrible in there. They hardly had any shoes or good sales and it reeked of cigarette smoke in the store. My child is asthmatic and instantly started a cough attack to top it off the associate was acting like if he was on drugs while working, the Stride rite brand is not what it used to be, and has forever lost a customer. If I wanted to put myself and my child through this I would have bought shoes from the sweat shop they are made in.

For toddlers learning to walk, little people’s shoes need to be of the highest quality possible. If your toddler is getting ready to walk, Stride Rite has a large selection that will help your toddler be comfortable while he/​she takes his/​her first steps.
As I learned from books, websites and pediatricians, toddler feet are different than kids’ and adults’ feet. They are developing so not only they do not have any strong feet muscles, but their feet are basically fat. In other words, consider a toddler’s foot a big ball of fat, top and bottom, with very little muscle.
Also, since they are learning to take steps, their legs, hip and buttocks are weak, not to mention the little issue with balance. For that reason, shoes that have anti-​slippery rubber soles are preferred. Hence, shoes that fit appropriately, with good support, and that minimize slips, are needed.
Now, you may find shoes with rubber soles everywhere, but shoes with good support that fit right are hard to find. That is why Stride Rite is that one stop shop.
If you go to a regular shoe store, most transactions go as follows: employee finds the shoes you need, takes you to the register and tells you to come back again after they try to sell you something useless. Not the same at Stride Rite. At Stride Rite, their employees will measure your toddler’s foot, not only for shoe size, but to see if he/​she has a wide or narrow foot, to check for a high arch or any other issues. Even if you are not planning on buying their shoes, they may give you a heads up on possible issues with your little ones feet.
Normally, the shoes here are around $ 40 or $ 50. They are usually leather and that adds to the price, but you are not just buying better shoes here. You are getting some insight on your child’s foot. You could go to the luxury retailers and you will get nothing valuable except an expensive pair of shoes. At Stride Rite, you will get important information, and that is almost guaranteed.
I have been coming to this location for quite some time, and like I mentioned above, all the salespeople have been extremely helpful and full of information. Sometimes they have sales, sometimes they have bogo deals, but even if they didn’t, I have always been happy with my purchases here. Always.
And, with all that said, the best way to strengthen tiny feet muscles is by walking barefoot. Then again, little people can’t be barefoot all the time.
By the way, Stride Rite has a special collection for girls called Disney Princess, so if you have seen those shoes around, this is where to find them.