Best shoes for early walkers

[devotchka]

Well, it's happening ladies! This kid is walking We need to get better video of it and I will post it. It's so cute, I can barely stand it. It's been building up for months and he is finally in the "get up by himself and walk across a room" stage so it's really happening. So proud! 

Now comes the shopping I am wondering what your favorite early walker shoes are? Right now he is in these Jack and Lily shoes that I <3 so much and some fake crocs that work well for playing (however, they are not as soft which I don't like so much). The J+L are starting to be a bit warm for this weather though. I am thinking of getting Toms - not sure if it's worth it for a baby though. Should I go to Stride Rite? Also, where do you buy your (kid) shoes online?

TIA!

[charlielove]

See Kai Run! I love their shoes. Great quality and cute designs. Besides a couple new pairs, Charlotte is also wearing a few pairs from when C was her age and they have held up really well.

[devotchka]

Apr 25, 2013 23:19:51 GMT -5 charlielove said:

See Kai Run! I love their shoes. Great quality and cute designs. Besides a couple new pairs, Charlotte is also wearing a few pairs from when C was her age and they have held up really well.

Thanks! The ones I saw online were really cute. Are their sizes pretty standard? 

[charlielove]

Apr 25, 2013 23:24:25 GMT -5 devotchka said:

Apr 25, 2013 23:19:51 GMT -5 charlielove said:

See Kai Run! I love their shoes. Great quality and cute designs. Besides a couple new pairs, Charlotte is also wearing a few pairs from when C was her age and they have held up really well.

Thanks! The ones I saw online were really cute. Are their sizes pretty standard? 

Yes, in my experience they are similar to other brands w/ regards to sizing.

[Deleted]

Go Max!!! (I wish mine would start walking already)

With DS1, after he started walking he wore Robeez for 4-6 weeks before I bought him proper shoes. He totally wore them out though.

[lolaburns]

I have a pair of See Kai Run and two pairs from Stride Rite. I always find myself grabbing his Stride Rite's because they go with everything - brownish with blue and navy on them. I also think he can walk the best in them.

[devotchka]

Should I buy the soft soled infant ones or harder soles at this stage?

[lolaburns]

I got a white pair of Stride Rites that are more bendy. I think they are for the beginning walking stage. He does really well in those and the next stage for " runners" I think he doesn't do as well in the See Kai Run pair because they more much more rigid.

[Deleted]

Stage 2 Stride Rites! I really noticed a difference in D's walking in the beginning when she was in her Stride Rites, now she can wear any shoes but those really helped her in the beginning

[devotchka]

Apr 25, 2013 23:52:19 GMT -5 ladybug said:

Stage 2 Stride Rites! I really noticed a difference in D's walking in the beginning when she was in her Stride Rites, now she can wear any shoes but those really helped her in the beginning

oh wow, that's neat. thanks! maybe i will go tomorrow  

[SteelCity44]

But they're all so expensive! I have a hard time justifying that much money for MY shoes, let alone these tiny little things! Blah! The closest Stride Rite to me is at my "local" outlets, an hour away. I highly doubt they'll have "outlet" prices though.

[katie]

I feel like I have shoes from everywhere, I had a hard time finding ones I liked, then when I found them I just bought everything. I love the See Kai Run shoes (we've only tried the "smaller") and they are great! I also have a pair of Pediped but she slips all over with those, so no good for us. I also have 2 Target sandals and Koala brands from BRU (these are cheap but they work!). I just recently got the Target sandals because they were cute and she is walking better. I would personally go with the See Kai Run, I know everyone likes Stride Rite, I just haven't seen any I like.

[rubber pants]

DD LOVES her stride rite sneakers! She cries when we take them off! The sole is pretty flexible but it is rubbery, not that leather sole.

[puppylove64]

Apr 26, 2013 4:29:15 GMT -5 SteelCity44 said:

But they're all so expensive! I have a hard time justifying that much money for MY shoes, let alone these tiny little things! Blah! The closest Stride Rite to me is at my "local" outlets, an hour away. I highly doubt they'll have "outlet" prices though.

I sort of had the same mind set as you about expensive shoes that he will grow out of quickly, but then I read an article about baby's first shoes. Basically, their feet are developing and they are just learning to walk. It is important to get NEW shoes, because they are moldable and will adjust to fit your child's foot. You want to be sure you get shoes that fit properly to avoid obstructing proper growth of your child's foot. A good shoe will also help give them the necessary support and comfort while learning to walk. It is important not to wear hand-me down shoes, because they have already been molded to another child's foot.

[puppylove64]

ahhh....It ate my post!

I have a hard time justifying spending alot of money on any clothing that lo will just grow out of quickly. But I read an article about first walker shoes and it made me realize that shoes are pretty important and worth the money. It is important to have quality NEW shoes that fit properly, as lo's feet are growing and developing. You want something that will not hender growth. You also want a good sturdy, but not too firm, shoe that helps them learn balance and stability while walking and avoiding falls. It is not a good idea to use hand me down shoes because shoes are made so that after a few wears, they mold to fit your foot properly. A used pair of shoes will already be molded to another child's foot.

Lo will mostly be barefoot but IMO I will be taking lo to a shoe store to have him properly fitted and probably buy just one quality pair of shoes for him to wear. I don't want him to have any future foot or back problems because I didn't pay enough attention to him wearing quality shoes.

[lolaburns]

Apr 26, 2013 0:38:45 GMT -5 devotchka said:

Apr 25, 2013 23:52:19 GMT -5 ladybug said:

Stage 2 Stride Rites! I really noticed a difference in D's walking in the beginning when she was in her Stride Rites, now she can wear any shoes but those really helped her in the beginning

oh wow, that's neat. thanks! maybe i will go tomorrow  

Yes, it's the Stage 2's he did really well with in the beginning.

[lolaburns]

Stride Rite also has a rewards program and when I went they were buy one get one half off. I also like the sole on the inside. It has markings so you know when they are too small.

[bubbyboo]

Apr 25, 2013 23:52:19 GMT -5 ladybug said:

Stage 2 Stride Rites! I really noticed a difference in D's walking in the beginning when she was in her Stride Rites, now she can wear any shoes but those really helped her in the beginning

This!  Exactly the same here!

[devotchka]

Apr 26, 2013 9:12:53 GMT -5 puppylove64 said:

ahhh....It ate my post!

I have a hard time justifying spending alot of money on any clothing that lo will just grow out of quickly. But I read an article about first walker shoes and it made me realize that shoes are pretty important and worth the money. It is important to have quality NEW shoes that fit properly, as lo's feet are growing and developing. You want something that will not hender growth. You also want a good sturdy, but not too firm, shoe that helps them learn balance and stability while walking and avoiding falls. It is not a good idea to use hand me down shoes because shoes are made so that after a few wears, they mold to fit your foot properly. A used pair of shoes will already be molded to another child's foot.

Lo will mostly be barefoot but IMO I will be taking lo to a shoe store to have him properly fitted and probably buy just one quality pair of shoes for him to wear. I don't want him to have any future foot or back problems because I didn't pay enough attention to him wearing quality shoes.

Oh crap... I hadn't thought of that. Interesting! He is barefoot all the time when we are at home. The only time he wears shoes right now is for stroller rides when it's cooler out and when we go out but he isn't really walking around stores yet. I will keep that in mind though. Thanks!

[Beener]

I was told barefoot is best, but obviously you need shoes for when you take the baby places outside the house. We have a pair of soft-soled Pumas that Emmy walks really well in and we also have Stride-Rite stage 2 shoes that work well.

[greenkitty98]

Another vote for the Stage 2 Stride Rite shoes.

These are the ones I got P in March when she needed something more than Robeez so she could walk outside.