For each mother, the choice of winter shoes for her child becomes a real challenge. Among the many models and brands represented on the Russian market, it is difficult to choose the perfect boots or boots.
And the question is not what quality leaves much to be desired (modern shoes of Russian and foreign manufacturers are very high quality), but in too wide an assortment. Eyes run up.
The kids grow, as you know, not by the day, but by the hour, and you have to buy shoes for quite often.
Types of winter children’s shoes for boys and girls
But this does not mean that it should be cheap – for children’s legs, high-quality shoes are needed more than for adults.
Of course, in winter, the choice of shoes becomes more difficult, because the main attention is paid to the properties of the boots to keep warm, but still warm boots can be of high quality – and, most importantly, safe for the baby’s feet.
Among the main types of winter shoes can be distinguished…
- Traditional classic boots and boots made of genuine leather. Such shoes are quite attractive, have high strength and wear resistance. To protect shoes from getting wet and losing their appearance, you will have to regularly use special tools.
- The boots are membrane. This shoe is very lightweight, breathable, not impervious to cold and moisture. The most suitable season for her is from late autumn to early spring. Of course, membrane boots will cost more than usual, but quality and comfort are more important. It is important to note that for peanuts sitting in wheelchairs, it is better to choose other shoes – membrane shoes are still preferable for active kids.
- Thermoboots and snow boots. This shoe is considered warm, not wet, ideal for active walks in the slush. Such boots, of course, will not go to severe colds, in addition, it is undesirable to wear them on toddlers who are learning to walk, and on toddlers who have a long walk. In fact, this shoe is a rubber insulated boots: the outer material is polyurethane, and the inner felt boots are made of felt insulation. Jumping in puddles is easy, pleasant, convenient. Long wear is not recommended.
- Felt boots. The traditional Russian version of shoes, familiar to everyone. Boots can also be attached to the boots, which will make the gait more stable and reduce the risk of getting wet felt boots with a long walk. The disadvantage is that the shoes are not very comfortable; the child in them becomes clumsy. However, today manufacturers offer modernized felt boots with comfortable soles, zippers and other elements that turn felt boots into comfortable warm boots.
- Uggs. This shoe is made from natural sheepskin. These boots will be warm, comfortable, light, breathable. For dry and cold weather, they are quite suitable. Disadvantages: not suitable for slushy and rainy weather, not recommended by orthopedists for babies.
Requirements for children’s shoes for the winter and safety issues
The law, as you know, always remains on the side of children’s health, and the basic requirements for shoe safety for babies and adolescents are set out in the relevant articles of the technical regulation.
We will note the main nuances regarding the safety of children’s winter shoes and their correct choice.
So, the basic requirements:
- The presence of a quality certificate.
- Comfort and convenience. The boots should not fall off or be cramped, shoes should sit clearly in size. In tight shoes, the baby’s legs will freeze, and a big one can cause a fall.
- The size. When choosing it, it is necessary to take into account the possibility for the child to move his fingers.
- Locking elements. All fasteners should tightly fix the shoe on the legs. It is advisable that they fasten easily, which will allow the baby to wear shoes on their own. It is good if the zipper is additionally insured by the presence of Velcro. As for the shoes with lacing, it is better to leave it for older children, who will notice the untied lace and be able to tie it.
- Manufacturer’s choice. It is recommended to focus on brands with a good reputation. The ideal option is high-quality, durable shoes with elements that ensure the proper development of the foot.
- Outsole. She must bend. Boots with a “wooden” sole are not allowed. Firstly, such shoes are traumatic, secondly, it harms the development of the foot, and thirdly, it is not elastic enough. The best option is TEP. This sole is two-layer, and its shock-absorbing properties are considered the best. In addition, it does not lose its elasticity in severe frost.
- Drawing on the sole. A smooth sole is unacceptable on children’s shoes – it increases the risk of falling and injuring up to almost 100%. The pattern should be present, and, in different directions – in one direction on the toe, and in the other – in the heel.
- Breathable materials in the outer and inner layers. For the inner layer, natural material is extremely important – it will not allow the legs to sweat and freeze. For the outer layer, the ideal option is a membrane or genuine leather. Textiles require special care, “leatherette” is afraid of frost and does not let air in, and nubuck and suede quickly lose their appearance.
- The presence of a removable insole. This will simplify the drying of shoes and allow you to change the insoles if necessary.
Bad shoes or mother’s mistakes – what winter boots or boots for children do not need to be bought?
Of course, choosing winter shoes for your child is not an easy task. But the nuances in the design and the size of the price simply fade before the main criterion – and will the child in these boots freeze?
How to dress a child for a walk in winter so that he does not freeze – tips for mothers
In order not to make a mistake in choosing shoes, it is important not only to understand the selection criteria, but also to understand – why does the feet freeze?
There are several reasons:
- Very tight shoes. It is important to understand that if children’s fingers do not have the ability to move inside even the most fashionable boots, blood circulation is disturbed, as a result of which the legs quickly freeze.
- The shoes are great. Even if the baby is wearing woolen socks, he will still freeze in shoes in which his legs are not tightly fixed and hang out. The reason is the lack of a heat-saving effect.
- Mom overdid it with socks. Wearing a peanut as a “cabbage” is correct if he lives in the conditions of the “Far North”, and “cabbage” is a few thin cotton or woolen blouses. But in a normal winter, putting on a few pairs of socks is superfluous. The leg, sealed in so many layers of fabric, begins to sweat, as a result of which it quickly cools and freezes.
- X \ socks or tights on children’s legs under membrane shoes. Again, the legs sweat, cotton quickly absorbs moisture, socks get wet – and cool quickly. Synthetic tights should be worn in membrane boots!
- Circulatory failure for any reason. If the child’s limbs are constantly cold due to the disease, then the choice of shoes should be more careful.
How to choose winter shoes for your child: size chart
3 important factors when choosing children’s shoes – how to choose winter shoes for a child?
When choosing shoes, it is extremely important to focus on such a factor as the anatomical features of the baby’s foot. It depends on what shoes mom chooses – exactly how the load will be distributed at the moment the child walks.
And already if the child has just started walking, then buying the first boots that come across is definitely impossible.
So, remember:
- Foot length. Outline the foot of a child on a sheet of cardboard, measure with a centimeter and take it with you to the store. It will be easier for the seller to navigate, even if the baby is near you.
- Fullness of the foot. Typically, manufacturers create shoes with narrow, wide and medium toe legs. If your little one has a narrow leg, then boots with a wide toe will not work for you – the legs will dangle inside the shoe, and the load will not be distributed correctly. Great shoes for tight feet can be found at Viking, Antelope, Ricosta and Ekko.
- The rise. This term refers to the upper part of the foot passing to the lower leg. It is very difficult to select shoes with a high rise, especially if in this section of the boot there is a narrowed transition. Naturally, you don’t need to torment children with any shoes anyway, reassuring yourself – “well, it’s fastened, then it’s normal.” Not ok! The child’s foot should not be clamped in the toe area or in the lifting area. Look for perfect boots among Turkish and Italian shoe brands – among them there are many models for legs with a high rise (for example, Kotofey, Superfit and Kuoma).
A few important tips for parents
- Shoes for babies who are just starting to go to winter are not recommended to be taken in advance. Take the boots exactly at the moment when they become necessary. The legs of the little one, 6-7 months old, are still not too strong, and you simply will not be able to choose the right shoes correctly. Adult crumb boots can be taken only after he is already quite confidently keep on his feet. Moreover, the leg can grow by 3 sizes in 3-4 months. Already confidently stomping along the tracks? Take leather boots with real fur. Surely with a small heel so that the foot develops correctly.
- For older kids (after 1-1.5 years), who are already actively worn on a winter street for 1.5-2 hours, you can buy membrane boots.
- What to buy for a baby who is still riding in a stroller? Ideal option – ordinary boots. And even not necessarily fashionable and branded – enough of the usual Russian boots from the market, worn over downy socks.
- Measure shoes – only in the evening (approx. – in the evening the legs swell slightly) and only in the “standing” position, in which the foot becomes a little larger.
- The distance between the heel of the baby and the boot should be about 1 cm – for a warming effect – but nothing more! It’s easy to check: the little one puts on a shoe, and mother inserts a finger between his heel and shoe. If the finger is hardly squeezed in – take a larger size, if 2 fingers fit – take a smaller size.
- About the lining. Fur insulation is preferable to choose natural: sheepskin or muton. You can also pay attention to membrane shoes. For example, Gore-Tex (it is used by many shoe manufacturers – Superfit, Viking, Ricosta, etc.), Sympatex, domestic a-tech (from Antelope), Italian SPIRA-TEX and Taiwanese KING-TEX, as well as Tinsulate (for example, Merrell). The last insulation is considered the best of synthetic, and by the heat-shielding effect, this membrane is on the same level with natural fur, withstanding temperatures up to -30. Boots on Tinsulate can be safely taken even a child who is still sitting in a stroller.
- The price of the membrane. High-quality membrane boots can not be sold for “almost nothing” – they will in any case fly a pretty penny. Buying “membrane” child boots for a thousand rubles, do not hope that they will protect the child from moisture and cold. Yes, it is possible that the membrane is there, but its quality will spoil your impression of the membrane as a whole, as a result of which you will bypass even those membrane models that are really worth your attention.
