Sneakers for a Toddler

[heather+mike2005]

Hi all, I need to get my 14 month old ds a pair of sneakers for daycare. Since they go outside they need to have hard soles. Any suggestions?

Thank you, thank you!

[mama2soren]

See Kai Run sneakers are super cute, and they have very flexible rubber soles that are perfect for young walkers. They are generally wider shoes, and accommodate chubby feet well.

We also like Pedipeds, but the soles are a little stiffer. They worked very well for DS when he was a confident walker. They hold up wonderfully. DS has a pair that is 2 months old, and they look brand new even though he wears them nearly every day.

[MissMommyNiceNice]

We like Stride Rite here, good for the fat footed tribe. Despite what other mommas might say, I've never found their soles particularly stiff. Some are, but most aren't that bad.

You may also consider some Robeez Tredz, which I like a lot too. Other brands I've bought that are less expensive are Buster Brown & Healthtex. Those two you can get at like a mall shoe store.

[junipervt]

I like See Kai Run for my DD. Usually you can find them discounted on Amazon.

[azdesertrn]

I really like soft star shoes. http://www.softstarshoes.com/ The ones with the rubber soles (not the all leather mocs) are great for outside if you don't need an actual sneaker. They can be ordered in different widths.

Occasionally I have seen them on Ebay. (They hold up well and can easily go through a few kids)

See Kai Run was too wide for us.

[*Erin*]

stride rite has very very flexible and softer soled sneaker options. we've always been very pleased with them. we have an outlet here, and you just can't beat the prices, either.

[chirp]

we bought our kiddo some chuck taylors (converse all stars). they are fabric up top so they confrom nicely to his chunky baby foot, but hard soled to protect feet on the playground.

plus everyone loves them. and they weren't that expensive.

[claddaghmom]

Erm, I found Dora the Explorer shoes on clearance at Target and used the $5 gc I got for writing 10 reviews on some baby website.

[Tofu the Geek]

The Pediped Flex line has several cute pairs as long as he is size 5 or above http://www.pediped.com/Product/Categ...aspx?cid=53&sf They have rubber soles so are perfect for outdoors but are really flexible. I just bought DD a pair of the Flex line and they are at least as flexible, if not more, than her See Kai Runs (and I mean the regular SKR line, not Elevens). They also come with an additional insole that can be added that takes about a half size out of the shoe which is great when you get them and they are still a bit big. Oh, See Kai Runs are wider than Pediped Flex, DD's SKRs are actually too wide for her feet. SKR told me that they are comparable to a Stride Rite wide; their Eleven line is comparable to a Stride Rite medium (but the Eleven line will be too big for your son). So, if you're son has really wide feet, I'd recommend the SKR.

[cparkly]

We like Merrell and Buster Browns.

[claddaghmom]

Originally Posted by Tofu the Geek

The Pediped Flex line has several cute pairs as long as he is size 5 or above http://www.pediped.com/Product/Categ...aspx?cid=53&sf They have rubber soles so are perfect for outdoors but are really flexible. I just bought DD a pair of the Flex line and they are at least as flexible, if not more, than her See Kai Runs (and I mean the regular SKR line, not Elevens). They also come with an additional insole that can be added that takes about a half size out of the shoe which is great when you get them and they are still a bit big. Oh, See Kai Runs are wider than Pediped Flex, DD's SKRs are actually too wide for her feet. SKR told me that they are comparable to a Stride Rite wide; their Eleven line is comparable to a Stride Rite medium (but the Eleven line will be too big for your son). So, if you're son has really wide feet, I'd recommend the SKR.

With regards to the "width" in this thread, are they wide along the toes, or the entire foot? DD has "skinny" feet but her toe spread is very wide. I have to go up a shoe size for them to fit.

[Tofu the Geek]

Originally Posted by claddaghmom

With regards to the "width" in this thread, are they wide along the toes, or the entire foot? DD has "skinny" feet but her toe spread is very wide. I have to go up a shoe size for them to fit.

The See Kai Runs? I find them wide along the entire foot. They fit DD's toe area, but we they were too loose around the rest of her foot. She just outgrew size 9 which still fit her in the toe area, but was still wide in the foot area. The Pediped Flex fits her better and still has plenty of room in the toes. But, I don't know if DD's toe area is considered wide, her toe area is definitely wider than the rest of her foot but I don't know if it's wide compared to other kids.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by claddaghmom

Erm, I found Dora the Explorer shoes on clearance at Target and used the $5 gc I got for writing 10 reviews on some baby website.

I love the boy toddler sneakers at Target. All the girl toddler shoes either have way too many holes for wearing in winter or they've got a complicated fastening system.

[PatchChild]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

I love the boy toddler sneakers at Target. All the girl toddler shoes either have way too many holes for wearing in winter or they've got a complicated fastening system.

DS is wearing that same pair right now. They are fantastic.

[olien]

I love pedipeds, but DS has a wider foot & they are so hard for me to get them on him. I had to give up on them.

I just got DS, 18mo, a pair of Robees 1st Steps sneakers. They are very flexible & he loves them. They have a lot of clearance on their web site & if you get 2 or more pairs shipping is free.

[KristyDi]

Originally Posted by chirp

we bought our kiddo some chuck taylors (converse all stars). they are fabric up top so they confrom nicely to his chunky baby foot, but hard soled to protect feet on the playground.

plus everyone loves them. and they weren't that expensive.

DD has 2 pairs of chucks. Black hi-tops and sparkly red oxfords. The kids consignment stores around here frequently have them in basic colors for around $7. And if you get them used they're already broken in and the sole is more flexible.

[Hannahkatiebell]

Stride Rite here also! Also, Sauconys are really flexible. Our physical therapist said that as long as you can easily bend the sole in your hand, they are good for toddlers, and they should also have firm ankle support. Both brands mentioned above have both characteristics.

[Shami]

Originally Posted by Hannahkatiebell

Stride Rite here also! Also, Sauconys are really flexible. Our physical therapist said that as long as you can easily bend the sole in your hand, they are good for toddlers, and they should also have firm ankle support. Both brands mentioned above have both characteristics.

What do you mean by firm ankle support? I haven't heard that. In the past they thought babies had to have little high top shoes for ankle support, but that's not true anymore. Do you mean something else?

[Shami]

We found super soft, flexible tennies at stride rite on sale. Dd's feet are pretty wide. Also, the lady seemed so knowledgeable about how to fit a shoe. She even showed me a bad example and a good example so that I could really get it.
She showed me a mary jane shoe that fit at her heel but was too loose on the top of her foot. Shoes should fit against the skin on the top as well. Hard to explain in writing, but I was happy to have an 'expert' explain things to me.

[Lilygoose]

Also a fan of the chuck taylors, We had a lot of trouble finding my DD shoes that would fit her feet well when she was younger. She started walking at 9 months and we needed something she could wear outside (she goes barefoot inside). These really came in handy.