shoe advise

[Lola]

Robeez and then Stride Rite...
OMG they are amazing..the stride rite's. The ladies on here told me about them...they are now based in teh US i believe

[Erin M]

If you're a US mom, try to find a Stride-Rite outlet, their shoes are SO much cheaper there and nearly identical to what is in the store.

[Lola]

hey erin-ship them to me will ya

[maggie2]

My son's physical therapist told me that I should get him his first pair of supportive shoes around the time that he starts walking - but he should still spend AT LEAST half of his walking time completely bare foot to help develop the tiny balance and walking muscles. 

She also recommended Stride-rite - the little first walker shoes they have there and very flexible, which is important, but also provide some stability.  If you don't live near a stride-rite, I think that if you find a shoe that you can almost bend in half (toe almost touches heel) you'll be in good shape.

That said, I think it's better to err on the side of caution and have your lo spend most of his/her time barefoot.  I really only used his shoes when we went to the park a couple times a week.
We also love Roobeez!

[MDHmommy]

Oh my gosh those Pre-schoolians are adorable. Another good brand that I like: http://www.pedipeds.com. They're priced similarly to Robeez, but I like them better because they have more neutral options (no pictures) and they're easier to match to clothing Because heavan forbid your toddler's clothes don't match! LOL...

[lilmonkey]

I think that if you find a shoe that you can almost bend in half (toe almost touches heel)

I've heard the opposite to this, that the shoes should not bend at the halfway point but by the ball of the foot. 

[maggie2]

you're right - I was just trying to think of a way to illustrate the direction on the bend (as opposed to bending side to side).  You're description is much better!

[Gippie]

I am in New England as well!!!  We weore the Robeez until she was 10 months and started standing and cruising.    Went to Stride Rite and got a great shoe - she loves them!!!    You can get "fake" Robeez at Target for $12.   The Leather shoes (Robeez) stay on so well and we still have a pair she wears in the house on cold days.

[MamaC]

My lo was in Robeez starting at 6 mo to keep his socks on, then when he started crawling he wore them to protect his feet outside on the cement and rough spots. I did really love the Robeez.  He had a pair of brown sandals and blue sandals that I really liked because the whole picture and matching thing bugged me!

Then after he was walking for a month or so I got him a pair of Stride Rites and we LOVE them!  He only wears them when he is outside playing or we're walking around.  He walked around like he was king of the shoe store when we went to buy them, it was great!  They were pricey...$48 but well worth it.  I've spoken to many people that swear their children (some now adults) have good feet because of the investment in Stride Rite shoes...we'll see!  We have an outlet near us that I just discovered so we'll head there when these wear out. 

[Gippie]

MMMMm I need a SR outlet here.    I have to go back to Stride rite and get re-measured at the end of this month.  I think they reccommend every 3 months - Stride Rite sends you a reminder.  I have to say, the people who work there - in my experience so far - were very knowledgebale.    Quinn oves her shoes - we wear them out and inside - she is barefoot when it is not freezing and socks on chilly days.   we get the socks with the little grippies on the bottom - that helps a little - BUT I hate the grippy socks in shoes - so we have the non-grippies for shoe days......sigh.   

[Haydensmom]

I have a question- In October I got my then 12MO a pair of the stage 2 (cruising) Stride Rites. They were kinda expensive and the girl at the shop insisted that I didn't need the next stage shoe as my LO was not yet walking. Well like 2 weeks after we got the shoes my DS started walking. The stage 2 shoe still fits him, but should I get the next stage anyways? I know they have more ankle support- but does it make that much of a difference? I've noticed that my DS does seem to trip up a bit more in the shoes than without (and for that reason he only wears them out doors) But that could also be due to the fact that they are a bit big for him. Hayden has one foot that is 1/2 a size bigger than the other- one is a 4 the other 4 1/2 but they don't make 1/2 sizes so he's wearing a 5. Any suggestions?

[Gippie]

Kaily,

We JUST bought a new pair of shoes at Stride rite and they DID have 1/2 sizes.  We are a 5 1/2 right now.   My SIL's LO wsa put in a stage 2 and she wears them now nad we are in a stage 3 and were even before she was walking....I guess they are all a litle different.    SIL's LO was tripping on the HUGE toes from the stage 2's cause there was more rubber to protect the toes.

Stacey

[Erin M]

I'm pretty sure my LO wore the stage 2s for awhile after she started walking.  His feet are going to grow so fast anyway you'll need new ones before you know it.

[maggie2]

Kaily, we also were in stage 2 shoes for a while - we just got our pair of stage 3 and ds is now almost 17 months.  I think the only difference is that stage 2 is a bit more flexible and has more rubber on the toes to protect from bumps.

Ds triped a lot in his shoes when we first got them, just because they need to learn that they need more clearance when they lift their feet to walk with shoes on.  maybe that's why your lo is tripping?  How is he walking now?

[Haydensmom]

Thank you for all of the advice- I don't feel so bad about not running out for the next stage in shoes.

And Stacy- That makes me furious that they told me that they don't make 1/2 sizes. I thought that was so stupid! But I'm glad to know that it was a dumb saleswoman who didn't know her stuff and that in the future I can get Hayden proper size shoes instead of having him walk around in clown shoes that are too big for him!