EcoZeal

Soft Star Shoes promote healthy foot development without sacrificing fun and style.

Remember going to shoe store as a kid, and your mom insisting that you had to have shoes with arch support “so your feet would develop properly?

Well, it turns out that for once, Mom was wrong.

Nature almost always knows best. Turns out that the very best thing for proper foot and ankle development is… going barefoot! In fact, research by many prominent orthopedists indicates that flat feet can almost universally be blamed on ill-fitting shoes. Going barefoot helps children develop stronger muscles in their feet and ankles, and promotes better posture and gait as well.

Best Practice for Healthy Feet

Clearly, children should be allowed to go barefoot as much as possible. But it’s not always feasible. Footwear was developed for a reason – to protect feet from cold and injury. Children in both urban and rural environments are vulnerable to puncture wounds and gashes from natural debris and trash such as broken glass and rusty nails. Besides, footwear is required gear for entering most public and commercial buildings.

Soft Star Shoes, based in Corvallis, OR, has the solution. For 20 years, they’ve been creating soft-soled shoes and moccasins for all ages. Wearing a pair of their shoes protects children’s feet, while still allowing them to develop naturally.

Fun Fittings for the Whole Family’s Feet

Browsing through Soft Star’s website is like a trip to a fairy cobbler. The shoes come in a whole rainbow of colors and color combinations – and if you can’t find the perfect pair, you’re invited to design your own!   The styles are simple and comfortable, ranging from moccasin styles to low boots to sandals to something resembling Mary Janes (but not nearly as stiff!) Materials used include genuine sheepskin for insoles and locally-produced, formaldehyde-free leather. Vegan versions are also available.

The company as a whole is doing a commendable job to stay as sustainable as possible.  That includes having a solar-powered workshop, offering minimal-packaging options, recycling and donating all scrap material and factory seconds, and much more.

Soft Star handmade shoes are available from infant sizes through adult. They’re custom made for your feet, so even narrow, wide and long feet can find a comfy home. And best of all, wearing their shoes is just like going barefoot – only they won’t get you kicked out of the grocery store!