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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. At what age should my child start wearing shoes?
The main function of shoes and footwear for babies is to protect their feet and provide warmth. Since the bones in children's feet are not fully set until around the age of 13, choosing the proper shoe at every stage of a child's development is very important. Footwear for babies should be soft and flexible with slip resistant soles and plenty of room for movement. Baby shoes should never be tight or restrictive. The best material for baby shoes is a soft leather as leather will absorb sweat and keep little feet warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Other than wearing soft leather shoes for warmth or protection, a babies feet should not be restricted. Babies should remain bare footed as much as possible to allow the foot to grow and develop unrestricted. Once your child reaches the toddler stage and becomes more active on his feet, around two years of age, you should consider walkers. These shoes typically are made higher around the ankle for added support and have a padded collar for comfort. Leather is still the best material choice and velcro closures solve the problem of untied laces.

Q. How quickly do children's feet grow?
According to the experts at Robeez, children’s feet grow very fast so remember to check your baby’s feet often. It is important to allow at least one finger’s width from the end of the longest toe to the tip of the shoe or Ľ" to ˝” extra when selecting footwear size. If your child wears socks inside his or her shoes or booties, you may want to allow extra room.

Q.How often should shoes be changed for a larger size?
According to Primigi, shoes should be frequently checked for size because the rate of growth may vary from one child to another and children's feet often grow in spurts. As a general rule, however, it is time to change to a bigger size:

about every month from 1 to 3 years
about every 2 months from 3 to 6 years
about every 2 to 3 months, from 6 to 10 years

Q. Is it alright to hand down shoes from one sibling to another?
According to PRIMIGI this should be avoided. Even if the shoes have had very little wear, they will have conformed to whoever has used them first and all feet are different.

Q. I've read that children should not wear the same pair of shoes every day. Why is that?
PRIMIGI advises that you supply your child with at least two pairs of shoes for each season, for wear on alternate days. Kids perspire a lot and wearing the same pair of shoes each day encourages the stagnation of sweat and the proliferation of bacteria and micro-organisms. Most PRIMIGI shoes are equipped with removable and washable insoles. Made from natural leathers, they can be conveniently rinsed once a week in soapy water to keep bacteria at bay and in the interest of healthy feet.

Q. What is the best way to clean my shoes:
These cleaning tips are from Aster:
Smooth or embossed leather:

Clean with a soft brush to remove excess wax or dust residues.
Apply a small quantity of traditional wax in the same colour as the leather.
Leave to dry and then shine.

Suede:

Brush the suede leather.
Clean it with soapy water and leave in the open air to dry.
Spray on a waterproofing product to keep the velvety effect or a wax for a smoother effect.

Nubuck:

Brush with a piece of natural crepe. For stubborn stains, it is better to use a brass wire brush or a suede eraser.
Clean with soapy water and leave to dry in the open air.
Use a spray in the same colour as the leather.

If you need help with sizing or have questions regarding a particular brand please send us an e-mail or give us a call at 256-739-0262. We're here to help!