The Shoe That Grows, a shoe that expands five sizes for kids impacted by poverty, is getting an upgrade!
While The Shoe That Grows has undergone multiple changes over the years—starting from a garage prototype with a croc-base—the most recent update is one we’re particularly excited about.
The new version of The Shoe That Grows
“Andrew, this new version looks so similar to our current version of The Shoe That Grows,” laughed Founder Kenton Lee after revealing the new version at our Because Day event held virtually this September.
Kenton is right, the shoe looks similar to previous versions; however, the changes are big and will impact our ability to get more shoes to kids around the world.
In short, the difference between the previous and new version is that the sole now consists of a single injection-molded piece, whereas originally it was made up of eight separate parts stitched and glued together. Before making this change, the process of adhering the eight components was both time-intensive and complex.
According to Because International President Andrew Kroes, the change is also important because “with more complexity was a higher cost, as well as an opportunity for it to eventually break down.”
After designing the new sole, Because International got to work undergoing rigorous testing in both factory and field. In the factory, the new version went through tests ranging from how the sole withstands abrasion over time, to the durability and flexibility of The Shoe as it moves with a foot.
In the field, Because International’s Africa distribution partner Japheth Opondo distributed 500 pairs across seven locations in Kenya, visiting each month to see how the shoes were holding up. “The latest version is really holding up well—I’m positive that if we produce them, we’ll be able to reach out to more kids with this kind of version,” Japheth shares.
The testing pairs of the new design were produced on a temporary mold form, so that adjustments could be made as needed. Now that initial testing has been completed, steel molds are being made and are expected to arrive at the factory in early 2022, allowing for final field testing to take place alongside production.
Andrew and Kenton during the Because Day event
“This new design and the production process gives us a path toward bigger partnerships, getting a lot more shoes produced in a given period of time, as well as distributed,” Andrew shared. The most important goal of this new design is to get more quality pairs of shoes to more kids around the world.
Kenton adds, “It really is a game-changing new version of The Shoe That Grows.”
Learn more about The Shoe That Grows and how you can donate pairs each month by joining The Sole.
