New Shoes Skeanie Shoes
For the last few weeks Esther has been the proud owner of some Skeanie shoes. Skeanie sandals to be precise! She has been stepping out in comfort and style with some of the nicest toddler shoes I have ever seen. Not only do I love the look of Skeanie shoes I also love the ethos behind them.
SKEANIE shoes and boots are designed to nurture and protect little feet, hand-crafted from high quality eco-leather. At birth, feet are mostly cartilage and the last bone doesn’t form until the child is about 3 years old. Even throughout childhood, their feet are soft and pliable, making them prone to damage from abnormal pressure, such as ill-fitting shoes.
More than 80% of foot problems, bunions and injuries are a result of misshaped and inflexible shoes! Research shows that soles over 6mm thick prevent approx 80 percent of a child’s foot flexibility, hindering a normal step sequence.
As well as providing room for natural growth, SKEANIE’s soft soled shoes allow sensory feedback from the ground, which is especially important for little ones learning to walk and getting to know their surroundings. Research shows that young ones who wear flat, soft soled shoes have improved proprioception, balance and foot and ankle strength.
I have horrible feet and I am certain it is because of the pointy toed shoes I used to wear in the eighties. My sister’s feet are the same and we wore the same shoes for most of our childhood!
Esther and William did not ever wear shoes as a baby and Matilda does not wear shoes now, for the same reason, I want their feet to grow without restriction.
I am amazed at how quickly Esther and William’s feet grow. At every 8 week measure they have grown at least one size. I do worry that badly fitting shoes are going to cause damage to their feet.
My worries together with their Daddy’s current interest in barefoot running made me really keen to review Skeanie shoes and see if they live up to the things that they claim on their website.
What makes SKEANIE shoes so different?
•Super soft, non-toxic, eco-leather upper
•Shoe slides on with ease but stays on due to Flex-Ease™ technology in the heel
•Shoes are wide at the toes, mimicking the infant foot – growing toes need room to spread, wiggle and balance
•Leather lining means shoe is breathable, comfortable and soft – allowing feet to grow naturally, unrestricted
•Lightweight and very flexible sole made from rubber, designed to protect the foot but allow for sensory feedback from the ground. Perfect for running, jumping and exploring!
We were allowed to choose any shoe from the Skeanie range and I plumped for a white sandal because all the shoes I have found previously for Esther have been pink and she often wears clothes that do not go with flashing pink shoes! The soft soled close toed sandals looked great on the website and were even better in the flesh.
Skeanie Sandal
The sandals really are soft and the soles are thin in keeping with the barefoot ethos that Skeanie and my husband believe in. Esther and William always play barefoot at home and wherever possible away from home. They love it and so I am not surprised that the Skeanies have quickly become Esther’s favourite shoes. She can really move her feet in them so they are great for dancing and climbing, two things that she loves to do.
The shoes do go on easily and importantly they stay on, in the car, atop a climbing frame, running through long grass, they stay on Esther’s feet.
Esther is funny about her feet and often fusses when having shoes put on but not so with her Skeanies. She is happy to have them put on, can put them on herself and loves keeping them on. With her Skeanie sandals, my fussy footed daughter has happy feet!
Stepping Out with Skeanie
And Mummy is happy too that these handmade shoes are both environmentally and economically friendly. £34.99 is a great value price for these feet friendly shoes.
Now, which ones shall I buy for William?
Which shoes would you choose for your little one?
You can check out Skeanie shoes on their website, Facebook page and by following them on Twitter.