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OK . . . Soft-soled Shoes

Loves Vintage

Loves Vintage

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
4,568
So, what's the deal with these soft-soled shoes? We have some Robeez, the really super soft shoes that you can fold in half. How long do kids need to wear these? Also, there are tons of other makers of what appear to be identical to Robeez shoes. Does it matter what brand I get? I did buy a pair off of ebay that were, like I said, seemingly identical to the Robeez, but Miss Lucy (avatar) perceived one of these shoes as a doggie toy. Sigh.

And, what about sandals? Do they make soft-soled sandals? Baby started wearing capris this week, and I'm not liking the robeez, plus socks, plus capris look. :wacko: ::)
 
LV, hi there! Our nurse said the soft soled shoes are great for the babies because it lets the feet muscles develop and strengthen. I am not sure how long to keep them in them but I would guess till they are doing well walking. I hear materials like leather and suede are good and the knock offs are fine; it allows the foot to breath. I think it is is interesting because the Native Americans always had their babies in moccasins so maybe they knew that it helped develop foot strength. I know right now lots of runners and fitness classes are pushing the no shoe classes to help strengthen your feet too, kind of a different approach to babies foot wear when we were growing up (the stiff soled shoes).
 
LV, Nolan started out in a semi-soft shoe - as in the sole was rubber but thin and bendy (is that a word?!?!). Anyway, his second pair of shoes were made by Stride-Rite and were considered and *early walker* shoe. They have a thicker rubber sole but were light and really flexible (ah, that's what I meant when I said bendy! :lol: ). This week, the front seam came un-stitched and we have no back up pair of shoes so I had to run out and buy new shoes. I was SO tempted by the grown up shoes in little kid sizes so I bought a pair of Nike. As a back up, I bought of pair of Tsukihoshi (the Maru to be specific). We put on the Nikes and, as cute as they were, he was walking like he had bricks strapped to his feet! We put on the Tsukihoshis and he walked better than ever. The sole is fairly thin, flexible and *split* allowing the front half of his foot to bend when he walks. He was properly rolling heel to toe and not tripping over all of that extra shoe the "grown up shoes in kid sizes" have. Anyway, my point is, Nolan is 20 months old and has been walking for 8 months, and still really benefits from a shoe geared toward toddlers specifically.

If S is walking outside, I'm not sure the Robeez will cut it because she'll probably feel (or get tripped up by) rocks or other small things that she might walk over.

I'm pretty sure Pediped and StrideRite make soft rubber soled sandals.

ETA - FWIW, my brother and SIL have never bought baby or toddler shoes for my nephew. He's worn Adidas shelltops, Nike running shoes and crocs. He's 2 and has never had any issues walking in any of the shoes they've put on him.
 
Skippy - Thank you for the info! Those shoes you posted are super cute! They look like they have a bit of a thicker sole, so I was confused re: when to go for the thicker, but still soft, soles. I do like those that you posted and from what Puppmom says, I do think I need shoes just like the ones you posted for outside. At daycare, they tell me, that when they take her outside, she walks all around the playground pushing her little shopping cart around. :love: Sooooooooooooooo cute! :love: :love: :love: But, her robeez have shown quite a bit of wear just from a few weeks of use, so I think it's time to upgrade. We do keep her in just socks or bare feet in the house, which they say is best.

Puppmom - Thank you! I was wondering about when to transition to the thicker soft-soles. We are totally going shopping today. Stride rite it is! Oh, wait, I just googled Tsukihoshis. First of all, whoa those are expensive!! At what type of store did you find those???? And, second, do you think the shoes Skippy posted will be ok for outside? I will ask the folks at Stride Rite and hope they are somewhat knowledgeable!
 
They cost $50...that's what happens when you're in a rush and have no back up pair of shoes! :lol: I have no regrets though because they're perfect. And they'll probably last him until summer.

I don't know about the soft leather soled shoes for outside but those sandals are so stinking cute! If you go with Stride Rite, I would get S sized in the store then shop online because you can get deals online. I also find that Stride Rite's in-store stock kinda stinks. I got N's shoes at Olly shoes. I actually recalled that it was a Stride RIte which is why I went there but it must have changed hands.
 
Hi LV! Agree with pupp...if you have a Stride Rite by you i would highly recommend that store (the outlets are amazing too and have great prices!) They have shoes with very flexible soles to make it easier for a toddler to walk. They also have shoes specifically designed based on your childs walking skill level. I think right now they are having a buy one get one half off sale too! ;))
 
Lucy, :wavey: So nice to "see" you here. How is being a mama to two babies going? I totally went to a Stride Rite outlet today, and then saw your post when we got back! Love the buy one get one 50% off! I was going to get 4 pairs (buying some sizes ahead), but it took me a LONG time just to decide on two pairs. They had a lot of sizes in the back, so that inhibited me a bit. I also had a ton of questions for the nice woman who worked there and sized S at 6m. Hmm, that's so helpful to know! I almost got a 6W. I didn't even realize babies could have wide feet!

Oh, so everyone, if you have a Stride Rite outlet near you, GO! They also had Robeez (which is apparently a Stride Rite brand), and some were marked down to $12!! With the sale, that's $9 a pair! I was tempted to get a summer pair, but since she would really only be wearing them in the house, and I think she will be most barefoot in the house, I decided against them. Oh, their Robeez sizing only went up to 18-24.

So, I got these for now:

http://www.striderite.com/store/SiteController/striderite/productdetails?catId=cat1530399SR&productId=8-130041&skuId=***8********BG41481*W080&stockNumber=BG41481&showDefaultOption=true&subCatId=cat1530651SR&subCatTabId=&viewall=

and these for the summer (went with a 6.5):

http://www.shoebuy.com/stride-rite-srt-clara/423990/902585?cm_mmc=frooglelist-_-none-_-none-_-none

for $55 total!! Woo-hoo! Oh, I decided to get a closed toe sandal because the sales person said she likes them better. With open toe sandals, the shoe (footbed I guess you would call it) often gets stuck on things when kid walks.

Puppmom, Wow I had no idea how expensive baby shoes were! They're more expensive than what I'd spend on shoes for myself!! I was surprised when I saw the retail prices on Stride Rite on-line. I am really happy with the outlet. Can you tell? Haha. Went to the Old Navy outlet too and had a ball!

Kunzite, I've seen See Kai Run before, mostly on ebay. Those are some cute shoes! Off to look at the girl summer shoes you linked to.
 
Hi LV! everything is going well- the first couple weeks were a bit chaotic but things are definetly much easier now! My daughter is enjoying being a big sister and "helping" take care of her little brother...haha ;)) The last time i went to the striderite outlet i spent hours in there too trying to figure out what shoes to get, sizes, etc. I thought they were going to kick me out! Happy you were able to find such cute shoes!!
 
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