Get Your Kids the Hottest New Kicks This Spring From IFME #Sponsored

3/4/2016

***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review. All opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

Here in the Cleveland, OH area, we have snow on the ground. Again. In March. Mother Nature seems to be more than a little bit confused, and she really just needs to cut it out. We, like so many others, are more than ready to welcome springtime. Whether it seems like it's on the way or not, it will get here, probably sometime sooner than later. I hope.

Anyway, every spring, I try and update the kids' wardrobes, from their heads all the way down to their toes. Spring is all about color and fun, and I like my kids' looks to reflect a brand new season.

This year, we got brand new shoes from a well-loved Japanese company, IFME. They have recently launched their best-selling line of children's shoes here in the US market, and kids and parents everywhere are loving what they see! I mean, can you blame them? These shoes are brightly colored, designed for comfort, and definitely make a statement!

ABOUT IFME :

Released originally in Japan in 1999, IFME U.S. will launch its first spring collection in America in early 2016.

With a priority on the healthy development of children’s feet, the brand was established based on research and development with Japanese medical professionals specializing in pediatric podiatry. Since 1999 IFME has sold a total of 16 million pairs of shoes globally. IFME now has an extensive network of 1,800 stores in Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan and is looking to expand the iconic brand in the U.S. market. The name IFME, short for “IF it was ME,” reflects the brand’s deep commitment to customer satisfaction. This attitude is upheld throughout all aspects of production and distribution. The brand concept – making shoes that support the healthy development of children’s feet – remains at the heart of the IFME brand.

IFME works directly with Dr. Torii, professor at Japan’s Waseda University Division of Sports Sciences, as part of an academic-industrial alliance. As a result, IFME offers unique features and design elements that support a child’s foot movement and help muscles exert their full potential. Studies show an increasing number of children suffer from flat feet. To promote correct foot position and posture, IFME has developed a unique functional insole that allows the toes to splay and advances healthy arch development. IFME shoes also utilize a unique technology called MOFF, or “Marvelous Odor Free Fiber.” This natural cotton-based deodorizing fiber is mechanically treated by superior nanotechnology. MOFF absorbs 150 times as much ammonia odor as activated charcoal, at 20 times the speed, keeping children’s active feet odor free.

Children’s feet grow so fast that parents find themselves purchasing footwear constantly. The IFME brand is backed by Marubeni Footwear, which has vast experience in producing shoes from start to finish for numerous well-known footwear brands. Utilizing these quality resources enables Marubeni to produce a very affordable shoe. The MSRP ranges between $40.00 - $45.00.

Our Thoughts :

The generous folks at IFME sent Sophie and Xander each a pair of shoes to check out. They were both totally stoked, and their first reaction to their shoes was lots of compliments about how vibrant the colors are. IFME definitely gets an A++ for kid-friendly styles!

Now I do have to say, definitely check the sizing charts. This handy chart can be downloaded and printed to ensure you choose the proper size for your child.

Before I get into detail about individual styles, I'd like to speak for just a moment about foot health. Yes, this is important even for little tootsies! IFME shoes are made with developing feet in mind, so their shoes are made to promote healthy posture and foot positioning, and they can also help prevent flat feet. Pretty cool, right?

Sophie, who just turned 6, chose the Racer in Pink/Light Blue. These shoes are awesome, and provide a fantastic fit every time, thanks to the fact that they offer both laces and velcro. This comes in especially handy for me, since I have the terrible habit of ordering shoes a wee bit too large. The addition of the velcro closure definitely helps keep a nice, snug fit, even if there is a little wiggle room in the toes!

Sophie adores her Racers, and she loves the fact that she can run and play without getting pinched toes or blisters. These shoes are made with developing feet in mind, after all!

Xander chose the Ray in Blue/Orange. These just happen to be Chicago Bears colors, and Daddy is a Bears fan. Of course, this color combination went over very, very well in my home!

The Ray, just like the Racer, offers both laces and velcro closure. There's a good amount of tread on the soles, which helps to prevent slips and falls. Accidents happen, but when the kids are wearing their IFME shoes, it's not because they didn't have a decent grip.

But the BEST part about IFME shoes?

They keep the stinkies at bay! Little feet can get pretty funkified at times, especially if they're attached to active kiddos like mine.

IFME shoes offer MOFF technology (Marvelous Odor Free Fiber). This unique technology absorbs 150 times as much ammonia odor as activated charcoal and at 20 times the speed. Yep. 20 TIMES.

This really does seem to cut down on foot-funk. Our shoes have yet to get stinky, and the kids have been wearing them whenever snow boots haven't been a must. Should their shoes end up smelling a bit off, the insoles of IFME shoes are removable and washable. Major brownie points there!

Overall, we're definitely very glad we were introduced to IFME shoes. Not only are their shoes absolutely gorgeous and colorful, they are also very durable, comfortable, and support the needs of growing feet. Priced at between $40-$45 a pair, these are definitely a must have this spring!