stride rite

With 85 years of experience under their belt, Stride Rite is putting its knowledge to the test with a new store concept featuring areas for first time walkers and kids that have been on their feet for quite a while.

Collections by Stride Rite, which made its debut in New York City last week, is more of a high-end shopping experience than your typical trip to a children's shoe store. Featuring a 3D Fit machine that uses six cameras to capture the full shape and measurements of a child's foot, fun seats and modern merchandise displays, the store is innovative. The company plans to open at least two more of these new stores this year, but future locations have not been determined.

At the grand opening, the company announced its new branding of shoes designed for its youngest customers. Rather offering "stages" of shoes, Stride Rite has begun categorizing the footwear as Prewalkers and Walkers.

To read more about the company's new baby shoe classifications, and to see how these new shoes can help the environment, read more

Worried about childhood obesity and looking to get your kid (or someone else's kid) moving?

Then Stride Rite's SuperBall Shoe ($54-$56) would be the perfect gift. The shoe has a highly responsive sole and multi directional traction lugs to keep kids on their feet. What's more? A unique mid-sole dramatically reduces weight and maximizes cushioning from heel to toe with each step. The SuperBall Shoe could be the most fun way, since those shoes with wheels, to get kids moving.

There are literally bouncy balls in these shoes -- How cool is that? Talk about bouncing off the walls. Buy a pair here.

Maybe Stride Rite should start making women's size 7.5, because I want these shoes.