As children's shoe store owners or children's shoe brand innovators, you should know the materials of children's shoes and their features. Only by understanding this knowledge, you can give a clear introduction to parents and help them find the right children's shoes for their children.
To help buyers have a basic understanding of children's shoes, the author would introduce some commonly used materials in children's shoes.
Leather
Leather is one of the popular materials in the shoe industry, which usually is obtained from animal hides (cows, pigs, crocodiles, snakes).
And, due to its excellent flexibility, the leather is suitable for young feet. Also, it molds to the shape of the foot over time, offering a comfortable and custom fit.
The leather is excellent in breathability. It allows air to pass through, keeping the feet ventilated and preventing excessive sweating, which helps in maintaining foot hygiene. However, the pairs of shoes made from leather require some amount of care and can be quite costly.
Canvas
Canvas is often used for children's sneakers for its various features that cater well to their needs.
First, the canvas absorbs dyes easily, so it offers a large variety of colors to children.
The canvas has another advantage ---- they are generally lightweight, making them comfortable for kids to wear for extended periods without feeling weighed down.
The third feature is canvas shoes are often easy to clean. Most canvas shoes can be machine-washed or cleaned with a simple solution, which is a bonus when dealing with kids' messy adventures.
Synthetic Leather
Synthetic leather, also known as faux leather or vegan leather, is made from artificial materials such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and plastic or natural materials such as cactus, apple peels, cork, fruit waste, and mushrooms. Thus, the synthetic leather can be regarded as an environmentally friendly material.
Moreover, made from artificial material, synthetic leather may be suitable for families with ethical concerns about using animal-derived products.
Synthetic leather shoes are often more affordable than genuine leather, offering a cost-effective option, especially for growing kids who frequently need new shoes due to size changes.
By the way, compared to traditional leather, synthetic leather often repels water better, which can be beneficial in wet or rainy conditions, keeping kids' feet drier.
Textiles
Textiles or fabric is also a common material used for children's shoes. It includes cotton, polyester, nylon, propylene, wool, etc. The cotton is lightweight, easy to clean, and gives shoe wearers a comfortable wearing experience.
Polyester is a synthetic material, so it is affordable and very durable. The wool is the perfect material for the manufacturing of children's winter boots because it can keep children's feet warm.
Natural rubber
Natural rubber is a practical material used for making shoe soles. Latex is extracted from rubber trees and processed into natural rubber. Thus, natural rubber is very flexible, elastic, durable, and water-resistant. Here are the benefits of using natural rubber shoe soles:
First, with high flexibility and elasticity, the natural rubber allows for easy movement and provides comfort for children's feet.
Second, thanks to their excellent durability and resilience, the shoe soles made from natural rubber are capable of withstanding rough use and external elements. They can bend and stretch without losing their shape, making them suitable for various activities. They also can endure abrasions and maintain their integrity over time.
Third, natural rubber is the perfect material for manufacturing rain boots and shoes designed for wet conditions because it is inherently water-resistant. This feature keeps children's feet dry and protected from moisture.
By the way, being a natural material, rubber is biodegradable, which means that shoes made from natural rubber can decompose more easily than those made from synthetic materials, making them a more environmentally friendly option.
Faux suede
Faux suede, also known as microsuede, is a soft, warm, cozy material for children's boots. It is similar to real suede but is more affordable and often easier to maintain. Some key features of faux suede in shoes include:
First, faux suede closely resembles real suede in its appearance, offering a luxurious and soft texture. It often has a velvety surface that mimics the look of genuine suede.
Second, while not as durable as genuine suede, faux suede is relatively durable and can withstand regular wear. It's more resistant to water and stains compared to real suede, making it easier to clean and maintain.
Third, it's available in a wide range of colors and finishes, providing designers and manufacturers with more versatility in creating different shoe styles and looks.
Fourth, faux suede is often easier to clean and maintain than genuine suede. It can usually be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth or mild soap, whereas genuine suede requires more specialized care.
Fifth, children's hoes made with faux suede can be comfortable to wear due to the material's softness and flexibility. Thus, children can walk around without feeling hurt.
Conclusion
There is an array of great materials good for manufacturing children's shoes in the industry. The above materials are some of them. If you want to be a qualified children's shoe store owner or great children's shoe designer, you should have a full understanding of the materials of children's shoes.
Superocean is a professional children's shoe factory that offers a wide range of children's shoes made from various materials to meet various needs. If you want to customize children's shoes and have no idea about the materials, you can order them in Superocean. Superocean can satisfy your specific requirements in children's shoes.
