What's zero drop?
The drop of a shoe is the difference in sole height between the forefoot and the heel. Scientific studies conducted by our research lab (the SportsLab) have shown that a zero drop allows for a more natural stride, similar to a barefoot running stride. This natural stride allows for better absorption of shock waves when running and strengthens your child's muscles and tendons in the long term.
What about the natural stride?
Athletics Easy is based on 3 criteria for a natural stride as similar as possible to barefoot running:
- Zero drop, so that the middle of the foot lands before the heel.
- Lightweight for a more fluid stride
- Flexibility for easier roll-through with the midfoot.
Result: the energy from ground contact is transmitted to the back leg muscles, which absorb the vibrations better.
A design chosen for children... and based on parents' feedback.
For these shoes, our team focused on the needs of budding athletes and their parents' feedback:
- The rubber pads at the front and back of the sole increase its grip
- The Velcro strap allows children to put on and take off their shoes themselves
- The inner strap retains your child's foot effectively
- Reinforcements in the front, back and sides of the upper offer your child more support and protection
Our design team is proud to present...
...fine, lightweight, affordable shoes.
Achieving this involved a team of 15 people, a lot of back-and-forth movement, consideration of your opinions, collaboration work with SportsLab, tests conducted in the lab then on the ground, and the desire to offer an affordable shoe adapted to the natural stride of children starting sport.
The result: "Great shoes designed with bucketfuls of common sense that are fully suited to athletics."
Carole, product manager, and Maxime, engineer at SportsLab, talk about Athletics Easy and the natural stride
"We based ourselves on the assumption that the body is naturally well made and has everything it needs for running. A natural stride starts with the child when starting sport. That's why we wanted to offer these shoes."
"The point is not to go against nature and learn how to run again: it's something that happens naturally. And when your kid takes up athletics, these shoes foster their natural movement and help them develop in the sport."
Did you know?
The fit of kids' and adult shoes are not the same!
Junior athletics shoes are specifically designed for children's feet. A child's foot is proportionally slimmer and less voluminous in the shoe than an adult's. Give your young growing athlete space so they don't feel restricted when doing sport.If an adult chooses a shoe designed for children, their foot movements are restricted, which has a direct impact on the body!
Maximum wash temperature 95°C. Normal treatment.
Iron at a maximum soleplate temperature of 150°C.