Umi Shoes Spring/Summer 2010 *review*

Being new to the parenting scene, it seems like I am always shopping for the boys. Clothes and children’s shoes have to be at the top of my list, because they are always growing. I find this to be one of my biggest challenges in meeting their needs because, I feel like I am always buying.

If you can envision me in the store, attempting to “guess the future size”, you know how difficult it can be. As a parent to twins (which means double everything for shoes etc.),  you really want to get shoes and clothes that will stick with your child for at least a good 6 months if not longer. Shoes, are the biggest deal on the list because they can be so expensive. I just purchased what seemed like only a few months ago, sneakers for the boys, and their toes are already to the very tip. So now I find myself lamenting again whether or not to buy a full size larger.

Anytime we get to review shoes in this house, is a happy joy joy moment. It is nice to see what shoes fit the boys the best and I have a few on my list that rank tops on my list. Umi shoes just came out with their new Spring/Summer line of shoes for 2010 and I love their shoes. One main reason, I love their shoes is because Umi shoes allow some growing room for your child. If I order their size shoe, they have at least a half size of extra grow room. This is such a wonderful thing when it comes to children’s shoes because at least they get to wear them. I don’t know how many pairs of shoes that we have gone through that still look new because they hardly got to wear them. They outgrew them so quickly.

We chose the Brazos an open toed sandal that comes in three really great colors, black, chocolate, and navy. We received the Navy Brazos with red accents that I love. I like that it had a unique color combination but not too much that I can put this sandal with anything that they wear. One of the greatest features is that the sandal is waterproof. This is great when you have young kids, especially boys, because they can sweat and jump in water etc and you don’t have to change shoes. I almost always choose a sandal for the warmer months because they are easy to get on and off, and with the heat, their feet have a chance to breathe. The soles are flexible and durable to outlast the rigors of your child’s play. Children can run and jump and play in them, and they just look comfortable on their feet with no rubbing and wear on their sensitive skin.

We also received the Trek in Chocolate. This is a great alternative to an open toed sandal. The toe is closed but still offers the breath-ability of a good summer sandal.  It is also waterproof, so your child can run through puddles, slosh in mud, and you can just rinse off and you are good to go.  Trek comes in easy to match colors of black, chocolate, and olive.   The velcro closures on Umi shoes are some of the better ones that I have had.  Usually what tends to happen is you get fuzzies and stuff stuck in the velcro and then the shoe doesn’t stay closed on some of the shoes.   I have never had that problem with Umi shoes.  The shoes are easy to adjust and stay put.

A Little Bit About Umi

At Umi, we build real children’s shoes. Not floppy leather slipper socks. And not miniature grown-up shoes. We know a lot about growing feet. Front to back. Side to side. Top to bottom. Umi shoes are designed with children’s feet in mind.

Around here we have some pretty high standards. We craft our shoes from the highest quality nappa and nubuck leather, with carefully constructed lasts. Our manufacturing process includes more than twenty quality control checks to ensure that every pair of shoes meets our standards. The result: Umi shoes are flexible, supportive, built to fit, and go the distance.

We protect the ground we walk on. We’re also looking out for the next generation. Umi makes shoes that are healthy for kids and healthy for the planet. From first step to last, we’re committed to quality and safety. We use only non-toxic materials that are built to last. Our drum-dyed leathers are tested for colorfastness and wear-resistance. And our commitment doesn’t end there. We package our shoes in recycled materials and use environmentally sound practices to manage our waste. At Umi, making a safe, healthy, earth-friendly product is not trendy. It’s just who we are.

Umi shoes has a really great Spring and Summer line of shoes for 2010. You are sure to find something for girls and boys alike. You can also Sign up as an UmiFriend through email and an UmiFan with Facebook to stay in the know about ways to care for little feet and get some exclusive promotions for being a subscriber. Umi shoes are great shoes for little feet!

**Umi Shoes sent me two pairs of shoes to help facilitate my review, my opinions are that of my own**