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National Post

Where to shop for kids' shoes from Canadian brands

Article content I went shoe shopping with my daughter – again. I truly never realized just how quickly children grow out of shoes. As a first time mom I was quick to blame myself and wonder if I was just buying too small a size each time. or maybe my daughters feet grew quickly. It turns out this is just the norm with kids. Article content Article content According to the Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine, 'On average children's feet grow two sizes per year in the first four years of life and one size per year thereafter until growth is complete. However, this does vary. Ideally you should check every 8 weeks.' Article content Article content In addition to regularly checking to make sure their shoes fit properly, there are also a ton of other factors to consider when buying kids' shoes. Since children's feet are still growing it is best to opt for flexible footwear that is still protective. This means shoes that have flexible soles, a wider toe box that is rounded, a supportive heel cup and lightweight materials that aren't too bulky. This allows for natural foot movement and leaves enough space for toes to spread out, but with enough protection to support the child and prevent falls. Article content So before your next shoe purchase (which I'm sure will be sooner than later) check out these Canadian kids' shoe brands to make the task easier. You can also check out our guide to Canadian shoe brands for adults. Article content Quick summary of the best Canadian kids shoe brands Article content Native shoes – British Columbia Kamik – Montreal Jan & Jul – British Columbia Baffin shoes – Ontario Stonz – British Columbia Soft Moc – Ontario Vessi – British Columbia Article content Article content About: Known for their extremely lightweight shoes, Native Shoes was founded in Vancouver in 2009 and designed to keep up with children on the move. Available in various styles, many of the shoes are made from EVA waterproof material, so they can be used casually or as water shoes. They are also easy to clean and odour-resistant. Where to buy: Native Shoes | Amazon | DSW | Foot Locker Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content About: Baffin was founded in 1979 in Ontario. Aiming to provide the best-in-class cold-climate protection, which includes their kids boots, each pair is put to the test to ensure it will deliver warmth, durability, comfort and protection against the cold. Where to buy: Baffin | MEC