Information about Kuoma products
Product and distribution
All our shoes are designed and manufactured at our facility in Kuomiokoski, Finland. Finished shoes are transported to our logistics centre in Mäntyharju for distribution. A more detailed description of how our shoes are made can be found here.
Good shoe size
Having at least 1 cm of extra space lengthwise between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe will ensure that your shoes are comfortable to wear. For children, we recommend leaving approximately 1.5 cm of extra space in front of the longest toe, so shoes will not be too small too soon as children grow. The insoles of Kuoma shoes are removable, so you can easily check which size fits your child. Please note that the width and length of Kuoma shoes varies by model depending on the used fit. For example, Putkivarsi by Kuoma has a large fit, so usually, it is enough to take a size smaller shoe than normally. Kuoma’s Lumi model is approximately two sizes longer than average shoe sizes.
Children’s feet grow 2–3 sizes a year on average. The feet of 1–3-year-old children grow approximately 1.5–2 mm per month, the growth rate for 3–6-year-olds is approximately 1 mm per month and for 6–10-year-old children less than 1 mm per month. Children’s shoe sizes have to be checked several times per year and always before putting on old shoes if they haven’t been used over the summer or winter months, for example.
The sizes of Kuoma Putkivarsi and children’s ages (approximate sizes):
Size 20–21 for approximately 1–1.5-year-olds
Size 22–23 for approximately 1.5–2-year-olds
Size 24–25 for approximately 2–3-year-olds
Size 26–28 for approximately 3–5-year-olds
Size 29–30 for approximately 5–6-year-olds
Size 31–32 for approximately 6–7-year-olds
Size 33–34 for approximately 7–8-year-olds
Size 35–36 for approximately 9–10-year-olds
Size 37–39 for older than 10-year-old children
The sizes of Kuoma Lumi and children’s ages (approximate sizes):
Size 23–24 for approximately 2–3-year-olds
Size 25–27 for approximately 3–5-year-olds
Size 28–29 for approximately 5–6-year-olds
Size 30–31 for approximately 6–7-year-olds
Size 32–33 for approximately 7–8-year-olds
Size 34–35 for approximately 9–10-year-olds
Size 36–38 for older than 10-year-old children
More accurate measurements are listed in the Kids’ sizes table (link below). You can find also Adults shoe sizes table link below.
Suitable size of clothes
The sizes given based on the age of the child are indicative, as the children are different in size. It is therefore a good idea to use a measuring tape measure to help you choose the right size. A suitable children’s clothing size is best found when measuring a child’s height and chest, waist and hip circumference. By comparing the obtained measurements with the size numbers given in the clothing size chart, the clothes are quite sure to fit and be comfortable over the child!
You can find more detailed dimensions in the Clothing Sizes table below (link below).
Use and lifecycle
Kuoma’s products are designed to last. By taking care of your Kuoma shoes, you can make them last even longer.
Instructions for care
In order for your Kuoma shoes to stay in good condition, you have to take care of them, as of other shoes. The upper material of Kuoma shoes is mainly dirt- and water-repellent upper fabric, textile, felt or genuine leather, such as nubuck leather. Read the care instructions for Kuoma shoes. The instructions are located either on the hangtag or on the care tag attached to the product (inside the boot’s shaft, for example). Always follow the instructions for care provided with each product. Keep your Kuoma shoes clean in room temperature. This way you will be able to use them for as long as possible. Do not dry Kuoma shoes on radiators. Please find below instructions on how to take care of your shoes.
WINTER SHOES
Shoes with upper made from fabric (for example, Putkivarsi, Lady, Universal): Winter boots that have a care tag can be cleaned by following the instructions provided in the tag: water temperature max. 30 degrees Celsius, same for drying. Do not use fabric softener and do not tumble-dry. Remove insole before washing. The good properties of your product will remain longer if you protect your shoes with appropriate water- and dirt-repellent sprays, particularly after having washed them. It is important that you use instructed temperatures. If you dry your shoes in a drying cabinet, for example, the upper material can be damaged. Do not dry your shoes on radiators.
Boots with soft leg section (for example, Glamour, Gloria, Rocky): We recommend using a damp cloth to wipe dirt off your shoes. Boots can be handwashed in max 30 degrees Celsius. Machine wash and tumble drying are not recommended. Remove insole before washing. Let shoes dry in a well-aired place. Do not dry your shoes on radiators.
Felt shoes: Shoes made from wool felt are cleaned with a brush. It is not possible to wash felt shoes. If felt shoes get wet, they can shrink. Let felt shoes dry at room temperature in a well-aired place. Remove insoles and put, for example, paper that absorbs moisture into the shoes. Do not dry your shoes on radiators.
Leather shoes: We recommend that you apply a leather conditioner to your leather shoes before using them. Clean your shoes with a cleaning sponge or a brush. Reapply the leather conditioner after cleaning. Let wet leather shoes dry at room temperature in a well-aired place. Remove insoles for the drying period. When leather gets wet, it can stain. Do not dry your shoes on radiators.
SUMMER SHOES
Nubuck leather shoes: Nubuck leather is a fine leather material, which is soft as velvet. We recommend protecting these shoes with water- and dirt-repellent sprays designed for nubuck leather specifically. Protecting your shoes with a shoe care spray before use and at regular intervals later on will extend your shoes’ lifecycle. If necessary, you can brush the shoes clean with a suede brush. You can also wipe them clean with a damp cloth. Never wash nubuck shoes. Do not dry your shoes on radiators.
Leather shoes: Kuoma’s leather shoes have a dirt- and water-repellent finish. We recommend that you apply a leather conditioner to your leather shoes before using them. Clean your shoes with a cleaning sponge or a brush. Reapply the leather conditioner after cleaning. Never wash leather shoes. Let wet leather shoes dry at room temperature in a well-aired place. Remove insoles for the drying period. When leather gets wet, it can stain. Do not dry your shoes on radiators.
Shoes with a textile upper: Clean with a damp cloth by wiping dirt off. Never wash shoes with a textile upper. Do not dry your shoes on radiators.
OUTERWEAR
We recommend using a damp cloth to wipe dirt off of Kuoma children’s outerwear. The clothes are made with 100%polyester, and they can be machine washed in max 40 degrees Celsius. Dry in room temperature or in a clothes dryer (max. 40 °C). Do not tumble-dry. Please follow the instructions provided on the care tag carefully.
PU SOLE
PU or polyurethane. Polyurethane is widely used as an outsole material for footwear. PU is used in the hood because it has good shock-absorbing properties. As a material, PU is also light and flexible and is very resistant to wear. In the seasonal storage of PU-based footwear, attention should be paid to the storage method. Choose a shoe box instead of a plastic bag. The plastic bag is so tight that the moisture accumulated in the PU soles cannot evaporate. This in turn causes a reaction in which the PU reacts with moisture, the molecules are broken down and at the same time an acid is formed which breaks down the sole of the shoe. In the shoe box, moisture can evaporate.
For the same reason, shoes should be worn regularly because walking on the soles creates friction that generates heat. The heat, on the other hand, evaporates moisture from the soles, so that no acid can be formed, ie the bottom remains good. In other words, by using shoes and with the right storage method, you will prevent the PU soles from becoming brittle and extend the life of your shoes!
