Are Zero Drop Shoes Best Footwear For Toddlers?

Even though there is a passionate debate on the benefits of barefoot walking and running for adults, medical experts overwhelmingly agree that barefoot walking is best for healthy foot development in infants and toddler. Information about movement comes from the nerves on the soles of our feet. The more kids can feel the ground, the better they can respond and the better they can develop walking and postural skills.

Dr. Wikler, a podiatrist specializing in children’s foot development claimed that  “foot trouble among children is almost always caused by shoes, and that most adults' foot trouble would either not exist or would be much less bothersome if properly-shaped shoes had been worn during childhood or, better yet, if those people had gone barefoot”..

Dr. Rossi, a podiatrist who specialized in footwear, warned about the risk of this type of shoes on children’s foot development.

Minimalist or Zero Drop shoes that are intended to mimic barefoot walking can be the proper footwear solution for toddlers in situation where barefoot walking is not safe or undesirable. However, in reality most of those shoes are not built correctly, and may interfere with natural foot function and natural growth of a child’s foot and body.

  

When a barefoot is positioned on the ground, the foot seats fully flat, and there is no space between the foot and the ground at the heel or toes area.

However, many common minimalist and Zero Drop shoes are built with curved soles that have a substantial space between the ground and the sole in the front part. Instead of allowing the foot to be flat on the ground, these shoes push the front part of the toes up, which is referred to as un-natural dorsiflexion.  That causes extra stress on the foot, and does not allow it to function naturally. Additionally, the soles of many of these shoes are too stiff and do not allow free foot motion.

To offer toddler shoes that mimic barefoot walking, KidOFit engineered its toddler shoes using advanced biomechanical and ergonomic concepts.

Kidofit’s comfort system includes:

Barefoot Sole Design -KidOFit utilizes unique soles, made of thin, flexible elastomer, which perfectly mimics the barefoot walking experience and promotes natural foot motion. 

 

Light and Flexible
The shoe's flexible construction allows the foot to move naturally and respond to changes in the walking surface, feeling as close as possible to barefoot walking. What’s more, the light materials enhance the barefoot walking sensation, and improve comfort.

 

Anatomical Shape - KidOFit shoes are designed with a wide and roomy toe box, conforming to the unique shape of the child’s feet and allowing the child to wriggle and spread the toes without constriction. The wide base of the shoe enhances stability and walking confidence.

 

 

Transparent Soles – provide a clear view of the child’s toes, and allow for checking how the foot is positioned inside the shoe.

Soft Interior - KidOFit shoes are engineered with a unique interior, which combines soft fabric, foam padding and seamless construction. The result is very gentle contact with the foot, eliminating irritation, and providing ultimate comfort and protection.

Comfortable Toddler Shoes Features

When choosing shoes for toddlers and infants, parents are looking for cute and comfortable shoes, however, there is still a debate on what constitutes a comfortable toddler shoe.

Many children shoes have adult shoe designs, which are scaled down to fit kids, but children’s feet are shaped differently than an adult’s feet, and require different features than adult shoes.

Children’s shoes that feature an elevated cushioned heel and arch support were regarded in the past as comfortable and beneficial, but recent research shows that they actually cause more harm than good.
Dr. Lee Bivings, a pediatrician from Atlanta, has found that more than 60% of babies have acquired foot problems at just six years of age because of badly shaped shoes.

Dr. Rossi, a podiatrist who specialized in footwear, warned about the risk of this type of shoes on children’s foot development.

 Medical experts worldwide agree now that barefoot walking is the best thing for healthy foot development, for proper posture development, and for building stronger muscle and bone structure.
Barefoot might be best but it’s not always practical, and therefore, children shoes should allow the foot to function as close to barefoot as possible. When choosing your child’s shoes look out for the following features:
 
Flexible
Flexible shoes allow the foot and ankle to develop most naturally by enabling the foot to respond to changes in the walking environment. When choosing a toddler shoe, you should be able to easily bend it to insure that it adapts to the surface, and that it allows free foot movement. Inflexible, rigid shoes that restrict motion are potentially harmful to kids’ foot development.



With wide toe-boxes
Children’s feet are not just a scaled down version of adult’s feet. They have a triangle shape, which is wider at the toes, and need shoes to reflect this. Good toddler shoes require a correspondingly much bigger toe area than the shape of an adult shoe. Shoes with wide toe boxes enable the child to wriggle their toes freely, and allow their toes to spread without constriction. Not only should the toe box be wide, but the opening to the shoe should also be wide enough to enable the foot to slip in easily, without having to squeeze the toes in any way.




Soft Interior 
The interior lining, which is the interface between
the shoe and the foot, should be soft and smooth to avoid irritation. The best material for children’s shoe lining is fabric, padded with foam, similar to the one in athletic shoes. It is recommended to put your hand inside the shoe, and check that the interior of the shoe is completely smooth.



Flat soles 
The best soles should simulate barefoot conditions, while protecting the child’s feet. Mechanically it means flat and thin, without heels, arch supports or other "molding" features. Soling material should be slip-resistant, shock absorbing and very flexible.


For more information on Comfortable and Healthy Toddler Shoes, visit the KidOFit.com.

What Makes the Best Toddler Shoes?

Recent research has shown that children are more likely to have good posture if they go without shoes as often as it is possible and safe. Information about movement comes from the nerves on the soles of our feet. The more kids can feel the ground, the better they can respond and the better they can develop walking and postural skills.

Dr. Wikler, a podiatrist specializing in children’s foot development claimed that  “foot trouble among children is almost always caused by shoes, and that most adults' foot trouble would either not exist or would be much less bothersome if properly-shaped shoes had been worn during childhood or, better yet, if those people had gone barefoot.”

Main reasons for that are:

• Most children’s shoes are too stiff and do not allow for natural foot movement
• The front part of most shoes is narrower than the child’s foot, and therefore, squeeze the toes and distort the foot.

Dr. Lee Bivings, a pediatrician, estimates that 99% of newborn babies have perfectly normal feet — and in his clinic, more than 60% of these same kids have acquired foot disabilities at six years of age, mainly because of issues with the shoes that they had been wearing. He was always looking for an ideal “physiological” shoe that mimics barefoot walking and would enhance healthy foot development in infants and toddlers.

New designs of minimalist or barefoot shoes that were introduced in last few years were invented to offer suitable solution, but in reality most of those shoes are not built correctly, and still interfere with healthy foot development. Instead of allowing the foot to be flat with ground, these shoes push the front part of the foot up, and do not allow for natural foot function. The soles of these shoes are not flexible enough, and instead of being fully flat, they are curved in the front, a shape which is called excessive Toe-Spring (in shoe-making industry terminology).

To offer toddler shoes that mimic barefoot walking, KidOFit engineered its barefoot shoes for toddlers using advanced biomechanical and ergonomic concepts.

KidoFit’s comfort system includes:

Barefoot Sole Design - KidOFit utilizes unique soles, made of thin, flexible elastomer, which perfectly mimics the barefoot walking experience and promotes natural foot motion.  

Transparent Soles – provide a clear view of the child’s toes, and allow for checking how the foot is positioned inside the shoe.

 

Heel Strap - All KidOFit shoes (except boots) are constructed with a heel strap in the back portion of the shoe, enabling the adjustment of the grip around the heel and eliminating slippage. The result: customized fit from wide to narrow feet.  

Elastic Construction - An elastic collar stretches around the heel to conform to the individual foot width. It also helps with getting the foot into the shoe without having to squeeze the toes. The supple design insures soft contact with the foot for maximum comfort and protection.

Fitting Inserts - A set of inserts, which comes with the shoes, can be used to reduce the space inside the shoe when the fit is too wide or too loose. As the foot grows, the inserts can be removed, extending the life of the shoe.

Soft Interior - KidOFit shoes are engineered with a unique interior, which combines soft fabric, foam padding and seamless construction. The result is very gentle contact with the foot, eliminating irritation, and providing ultimate comfort and protection.

Light and Flexible - The shoe's flexible construction allows the foot to move naturally and respond to changes in the walking surface, feeling as close as possible to barefoot walking. What’s more, the light materials enhance the barefoot walking sensation, and improve comfort.
 

Anatomical Shape - KidOFit shoes are designed with a wide and roomy toe box, conforming to the unique shape of the child’s feet and allowing the child to wriggle and spread the toes without constriction. The wide base of the shoe enhances stability and walking confidence.

Easy On and Off - KidOFit shoes are constructed with a wide opening at the tongue area, enabling the foot to easily enter the shoe without having to squeeze the toes.
 

For more information on what makes the best shoes for toddlers, visit the KidoFit website today!

KidOFit: Barefoot Children Shoes

Buying children’s shoes can be quite a task. Parents are often faced with the difficult guesswork since younger children aren't able to tell you how they feel. Sometimes, when children are being fitted for shoes they have a tendency to contort their feet, which makes it more difficult to judge the fit.

This can create a bigger problem when you finally get home and find that the shoes don’t fit your child well at all. Ill-fitting children’s shoes have the same negative effects that ill-fitting adult shoes have. They can cause blisters and calluses, causing your child even more foot pain.

When you do find a pair of shoes that actually fit, more often than not you and your little one will be shoe shopping again in a few months.

KidOFit barefoot children’s shoes were designed by Dr. Ron Bar to alleviate all of the aches and pains you and your child endure in buying shoes. KidOFit barefoot shoes for kids are designed with a flexible sole, mimicking the benefits of barefoot walking.

The other advantages of KidOFit barefoot shoes for kids are:

Transparent Soles – This feature allows parents to view the actual fit of the shoe while your child wears them, taking all the guesswork out of the process.

Adjustable Fit – KidOFit shoes are designed with an elastic collar around the back of the foot. This provides a more comfortable fit for your child, and minimizes slippage.

Fitting Inserts – KidOFit barefoot shoes for kids include fitting inserts with every pair of shoes. These can be inserted to reduce excess space and ensure that the shoe fits snugly. As the child’s foot grows, the fitting insert can be removed, extending the life-span of the shoes. Perfect for the ever growing child.

If you would like to know more about KidOFit shoes, or have any questions about the benefits of barefoot children’s shoes, visit the KidOFit website today. 

"Support and comfort is what make them a total win!"

Read the rest of the review from Mom, Are We There Yet? by following the link>> KidoFit Shoes- Style & Support For Babies & Toddlers

"These are great shoes and worth the investment"

Check out this review from Nicki's Random Musings to see how KidoFit shoes can benefit your child.
Read the review here: KidoFit Barefoot Comfort Shoes Review

"I have to bargain with him to get them off his feet for bedtime!"

Read the entire review from Emily Reviews here>> KidoFit Shoes Review