Stride Rite, formerly Stride Rite Corporation, is an American children’s footwear company. Stride Rite sells shoes, sneakers, sandals, and footwear for all seasons and for every stage of your child’s life from crib shoes and first walkers to big kids’ sneakers.  

Both of my kiddos wore Stride Rite First Walkers. Presently, my daughter owns a pair of wide-width brown leather Stride Rite Mary Janes and my son owns an adorable pair of Stride Rite soft black Chukka leather boots.

Stride Rite is a giant in the US children’s footwear game and the label is carried in most shoe stores and the shoe departments of mid-tier and higher-end department stores.

What is Stride Rite? 

Founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1919, Stride Rite is a premium children’s footwear brand. For over one hundred years, Stride Rite has specialized in creating high-quality shoes that support the healthy foot development of active kids. 

Shoe styles include crib shoes, slippers, sandals, clogs, sneakers, First Walkers, Mary Janes, ballet flats, boat shoes, loafers, and boots. 

Every Stride Rite shoe is designed to build balance, strength, and coordination. Stride Rite uses high-quality craftsmanship and superior attention to detail to create footwear that matches the shape of real children’s feet. Stride Rite Shoes have the American Podiatric Medical Association or APMA Seal of Approval for footwear that promote healthy feet.

Beyond fit, Stride Rite pays close attention to choosing high-quality, safe materials. Stride Rite sources materials from reputable suppliers that pass rigorous testing to ensure no harmful chemicals or phthalates are in your children’s shoes. Additionally, Stride Rite stitches their shoes in many shoe parts where cheaper manufacturers use glue.

Safe materials that Stride Rite shoes contain include premium leather, lightweight rubber, memory foam, breathable mesh, and removable antimicrobial liners.

Stride Rite’s safe and sturdy shoes are available to shoppers everywhere. Including outlet stores, there are over 340 Stride Rite store location in the United States according to the Wikipedia page for Stride Rite. I have also seen articles and blog posts stating that Stride Rite has closed all of its brick and mortar stores to focus on its e-commerce business.

However, on the Stride Rite website you can find some standalone store locations utilizing the store location tool. The store finder identifies both stand alone stores and third-party retailers who carry Stride Rite close to your zip code.

Whatever the exact figures, between standalone stores and third-party retailers that carry Stride Rite, most US consumers live within close reach of Stride Rite shoes.

>>> Shop StrideRite.com and save 15% off your first purchase!

What happened to Stride Rite? Did Stride Rite go out of business?

Stride Rite is still around! Ownership of Stride Rite has changed hands a few times in recent years. Stride Rite was acquired by Payless ShoeSource in 2007. Payless changed its name to Collective Brands, Inc. and then to Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group.

In 2012, Stride Rite was acquired by Wolverine World Wide through a joint agreement of venture capital groups to acquire Collective Brands. In this acquisition, Wolverine World Wide acquired Stride Rite, Keds, Sperry, Top-Slide, Robeez and Saucony.

Stride Rite had acquired these latter brands in previous acquisitions from 1979 through 2006. 

Who owns Stride Rite Shoes?  

Since 2017, Stride Rites Shoes has been owned and operated by Vida Shoes International, Inc. or “Vida”. 

In 2017, Wolverine World Wide reached a multi-year licensing agreement with Vida. Ailing under Wolverine Worldwide management, Vida is in charge of Stride Rite brand operations: global design, product development, distribution, and marketing. 

According to Wolverine CEO Blake Krueger, “Wolverine has a long history of working with great partners to license and distribute brands around the world.”

What does Stride Rite sell? 

Stride Rite sells high-quality baby and children’s shoes that support the healthy growth of active kids’ feet. This includes a range of indoor and outdoor styles. 

Shoe Styles

• Sandals
• Sneakers
• Boots
• Mary Janes
• Dress
• Casuals
• Water-Friendly
• School

Shoe Collections

• Machine Washable
• Light-Up
• Wide Width (Wide and Extra Wide) 
• Adaptable
• First Walkers 

Other Vida and Wolverine Worldwide Brands 

• Munchkins by Stride Rite
• Stride Rite 360
• Keds
• Merrell
• Saucony
• Hush Puppies
• Sperry 

Other Items

• Socks
• Face masks 
• Inserts and insoles 

>>> Save 15% off your first purchase. Shop Stride Rite now!

Is Stride Rite a good brand? 

Yes! Stride Rite is a go-to baby shoe brand for many moms. They are well constructed, comfy shoes that come in a range of styles, sizes, and widths for babies and kids of all ages. 

You can find rave reviews on just about any site that sells the label. Moms love the fit and kids love the fun patterns and colors. 

Additionally, Stride Rite shoes have an APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) seal of approval. This means Stride Rite shoes have been medically reviewed by foot doctors who agree that Stride Rite shoes support healthy foot development. 

As a mom who buys Stride Rite, I appreciate the thick flexible soles, wide width options, and the comfy memory foam insoles. Right now my daughter Margot has a pair of Mary Janes that can be a medium or wide width shoe depending on whether the insoles are removed. My son has a style with easy hook and loop closure that he can put on himself at age 23 months. 

What is the difference between Stride Rite and Stride Rite 360? 

Stride Rite 360 shoes are a price conscious line of Stride Rite shoes. They come in a range of sizes and styles and are offered at a less expensive price point than regular Stride Rite shoes. 

As an added benefit, Stride Rite 360 shoes are designed to fit medium and wide width feet. Stride Rite 360’s come with a removable insert. When the insert is removed, the shoe can accommodate a “D” width foot.  

Where are Stride Rite Shoes manufactured? 

Stride Rite Shoes are manufactured in Vietnam, China, and other East Asian countries. 

Manufacturing information is not displayed on Stride Rite’s website. I researched a bit online but the only information I could find was an encyclopedia entry stating Stride Rite shoes were produced in the Far East. 

I examined the three pairs of Stride Rites shoes we have at home to confirm what I had suspected: Stride Rite shoes are made in China. Rather two pairs of casual dressy shoes we own are made in China. Our pair of blue Stride Rite sneakers is made in Vietnam.

Made in China production is not problematic for me: I understand that China clothes the world and produces garments for many luxury, high-end, sustainable, and organic brands. However, most consumers are prejudiced against Made in China products. I have read countless blog articles and Amazon reviews stating all products made in China are cheap, toxic, dangerous, and the result of slave labor.

This just isn’t true. 

In reality, Loui Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Dior, Frugi, lululemon, Maileg, Chanel, and a number of superbly crafted brands are made in China. Most European brands are designed in Europe and made in China. Because again, China clothes the world. China does make cheap goods and fast fashion because China makes every kind of garment that there is a Western audience for. 

Brands like Stride Rite are firmly aware of consumer anti made in China sentiment. Interestingly, brands boast of garments made in India and other non-Chinese companies that have similar or worse records of human rights and labor violations.  

What sizes does Stride Rite carry? 

Stride Rite carries shoes for babies and kids. 

• Baby Sizes: 0-10 (Infants to age 4) 
• Kid Sizes: 10.5-7 (Age 5-10)  

Does Stride Rite run small?

Stride Rite shoes do run small. This is the consensus based on numerous reviews and comments on community boards in The Bump and BabyCenter. 

That said, I think it’s an issue of width. I would take your child’s measurements and compare them to the Stride Rite size chart. Often parents of children with wide feet buy a larger size to accommodate the wider width. (The longer the shoe, the wider the shoe. Thus a longer shoe is easier to fit a wider foot into.) Parents don’t always realize their kids need a wide width; they just know what size shoe they can easily put on their child’s foot.

Regular width Stride Rite shoes are going to be a true medium width and run more narrow than other brands that do not offer varying widths. 

There is not a size guide on the Stride Rite website. Rather Stride Rite directs you to input your child’s measurements or print out a sizing guide so you can trace and measure your child’s feet at home.

The Stride Rite size guide above is one I found on Stride Rite’s Pinterest account. The sizes on this chart do seem to align with sizes on the printable PDF guide.

>>> Get 15% off now! Shop Stride Rite and save!

 

Does Saucony own Stride Rite?  

No, it’s the reverse. Saucony was acquired by Stride Rite Corporation for $170 million in 2005. Stride Rite was then acquired by Payless ShoeSource (rebranded as Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group) in 2007, Wolverine World Wide in 2012, and Vida in 2017. 

Where can I get a Stride Rite promo code? 

Sign up for Stride Rite emails or SMS alerts on the Stride Rite website, save 15% off your first purchase. 

If there is a current Stride Rite promo code, you’ll find it directly on the Stride Rite website. When there is an available coupon or deal, it is conspicuously displayed. 

You can also join Little Loyals, Stride Rite’s rewards program. Make purchases, follow the brand on social media, and refer friends to earn points for Stride Rite promo codes. Get promo codes for $5 to $25 off your purchase.  

You can also look for a promo code for merchants who sell the Stride Rite brand. A number of third-party retailers sell Stride Rite and many of these retailers offer sales and promo code deals. 

>>> Shop Stride Rite deals now!

Is there a Stride Rite military discount? 

Yes! According to Military.com, Stride Rite offers a 10% discount for all military personnel and their dependents. The 10% discount can be applied to full, sale, or clearance price merchandise and it can be combined with offers. 

To claim this discount, military personnel or their dependents must present a valid military ID at the time of purchase. Online, customers must register for the discount with a .mil email address. 

Is there a Stride Rite student discount? 

No, Stride Rite does not offer a student discount. This is not surprising as Stride Rite shoes are for children ages 0-10 and kids this age are unlikely to be purchasing their own footwear. 

Where can I buy Stride Rite? Who sells Stride Rite? 

You can purchase Stride Rite directly on StrideRite.com or from a third party retailer stocking the brand. Some of these merchants include: 

• Nordstrom
• Zappos
• DSW
• Macy’s
• Kohl’s
• Journeys
• Scheels
• ShoeMall
• Surprize by Stride Rite (Target line)
• Munchkin by Stride Rite (Walmart line)