I'm having trouble finding shoes for Little E. He is just starting to get interested in the new ones I bought (after 3 previous attempts--one pair of sneakers from Gymboree, a sandal and a slip on from Carters), meaning that he doesn't scream bloody murder/start pulling them off after 3 seconds of wearing them (the new ones are a pair of sneakers from Carters).
However, his DCP said today that the sole is too thick, that they're not good for improving his walking ability (he still is not walking unassisted). So what the hell should he be wearing? I'm reluctant to buy yet another pair that he won't wear. At least with this current pair, he likes them and wants to wear them.
ETA: He's going to pull the Robeez off, I'm afraid (from what I could tell by how they're shaped).
Any recs for how to get him to stop doing that? LOL.
My kid (younger than yours) takes off all shoes and socks, but that elastic on the Robeez keeps them on her. It leaves a line on her foot, but it goes away and she doesnt seem bothered by them being tight.
I agree that it sounds like you want a softer soled shoe. FWIW, I have found Stride Rites at Nordstrom Rack in the $20 range, as opposed to paying $40+ at a Stride Rite or other specialty shoe store. Although people often go to Stride Rite in part for the measuring, the online Brannock chart someone recently posted worked for me.
We LOVED the brand See Kai Run for DS: you'll want to try the 'Smaller' line: it is designed for pre- and new walkers and has a flexible sole. They are fantastic and really cute.
Just like Stride Rite, they have an online sizing chart that you can print out to use at home. Find them at www.seekairun.com and on Zappos, too.
We've just tried our first pair of Pedi Peds for DD and they're great as well: we happened to order from Zappos.