Selecting A Toddler Shoe

My little guy is a man on the run. His primary mode of “go” is walking.  Up until more recently, I wasn’t too concerned about shoes, he really didn’t wear them that much, only when necessary.    His first pair of shoes were soft soled flexible shoes since he was an emerging/brand new walker.  Times have changed, and we needed a pair of go to shoes with a little more protection against the elements outside of home.

 

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Toddler Shoe Considerations

• It is important they still have very flexible sole to get good input from the ground.  I wanted to be able to pick up the shoe and bend it with ease.
• Arch support doesn’t matter. The arch doesn’t fully form until around the age of 5 years, so I wasn’t looking for supportive shoes.  There is still a fat pad where the arch will form.  The fat pad starts to get absorbed between 2 to 5 years.

My Other Considerations

• I needed it to have a bottom that could handle a variety of terrain.
• I wanted it to last at least as long as they were fitting.
• I didn’t want to have to be cleaning them all the time.
• I wanted shoes that were easy to put on.  No struggling with trying to get shoes on or off for me!

What I Chose

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When I started my search for his first “real pair” of shoes C had been full time walking for about 2 months.  I started by ordering Pediped Grip ‘n’ Go shoes.  When they arrived I was expecting them to be a bit more flexible than they were.   I could bend them, but I wanted to try to find something that was even more flexible.  I thought they were a nice shoe, but I didn’t feel he was quite ready for them after only walking for 2 months. I could see using them and probably will try them when he is a more confident walker. Pediped’s website does encourage staying in their first level shoes, The Originals,for as long as possible.  I personally haven’t tried them, but have heard good things from others.  They appeared have more of a leather bottom and I was looking for something with a little more grip.

My next attempt was at Stride Rite.  I first took a look at the step 3’s.  They were very similar to the Pediped shoes that I decided against for now.  Luckily, Stride Rite carried the step 2’s. These shoes had a  more flexible sole, and had the protection that I wanted for the bottom of C’s feet. I’m quite happy with the shoes!  They are pretty cute too, because let’s be honest, style matters.

Have you found a great pair of shoes that have a nice flexible sole?  I’d love to hear!

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