what are your favorite sandals/summertime shoes for toddlers?

[indigosky]

I picked up a cheap pair of sandals for DD at Target, but within an hour of wearing them, her feet had dark red marks where the shoes were cutting into her, and she was asking to take them off (of course I said fine).

Who has found sandals or other shoes for hot days that are comfortable for the wearer yet sturdy enough to wear on playgrounds and running around outdoors?

I'd love to keep the cost reasonable, too, given how quickly kids outgrow their shoes...

[Aka mommy]

Keen sandals. They aren't cheap but they are soooo sturdy and are waterproof. We use to do crocs, but these are FAR better! You may be able to find them online for cheaper. But these have worth the investment! So far we've been using them at the lake, the park, walks, the water park and church!

[luv-my-boys]

LOVE stride rite but we usually only shop at their outlet store. I have bought the same style of sandals I think at least 3 yrs in a row for mulitple children in assort. sizes. It is a great "water sandal" but it has a nice thick rubber athletic bottom and is a strappy type sandal with velcro closure. Great for the boys in summer because if it gets wet it dries quicly, isnt hot yet still supportive if say were walking at a theme park all day. Theese were slightly more expensive than what we usually pay for sandals ( 29) but they have been handed down several times/seasons with little wear on them.

Stride rite outlets usually have some great sales often. We have bought shoes for as little as 19.99. They are usually last yr's styles which really my kids could care less and often stride rite carries the same style several seasons with little difference between the "old" style and the "new" plus the quality is great and they come in various sizes adn widths.

[MommaCrystal]

I'm big into sneakers. I HATE sandals. They just get rocks and sticks and sand or whatever in them. I feel sneakers are the only safe shoe for climbing, or riding bikes, or whatever.

If we're going to be in or near water then they get water shoes.

[indigosky]

No other votes?

[ellemenope]

keen

The perfect sandal for your toddler.

The other day DD had on her umi sandals. She was so much more slow and unsteady in them than in her keens. Keens are basically an open sneaker (So, no socks, yay.) I have a pair that I have worn hikng and in the ocean. They are great for any age.

Oh, one stinky downside. They are the only shoes to ever make my DD's feet smell like vinegar.

ETA: LL Bean makes a similar shoe that I think is quite cheaper. But, keens are so worth the investment.

[basmom]

Love Keens! I have a pair. DH has a pair. DS has a pair. They do get very stinky, but wash well (usually soak with dish detergent and baking soda). They are very sturdy and cover toes and heels so I feel fine wearing them hiking, biking, wading, etc.

DS also has a pair of Crocs that he loves (easier for little hands to put on independently)

[tbone_kneegrabber]

keens
crocs

love em!

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

my boys are.........energetic..........brave.........among other things. So Sandals past the stage of crawling make me nervous. I want to avoid as many stubbed, bloody toes as possible.

[tbone_kneegrabber]

Originally Posted by Barbie64g

my boys are.........energetic..........brave.........among other things. So Sandals past the stage of crawling make me nervous. I want to avoid as many stubbed, bloody toes as possible.

but that's what is so great about keens, they have a closed toe! they are really the only sandal *I* wear because I am a toe stubber

[MamaPhD]

We got these awesome sandals from Old Navy. But now that I'm trying to look for them to show you, seems they don't carry those sandals any more. They are hot pink and looks like sneakers with a few holes (not mesh like water shoes), super comfy and cute. Sorry!

[Mal85]

I was going to buy DD some Keens because they are so highly recommended. I found a knock-off at Kohl's though and she loves them. They have the closed toe as well and she is very steady in them. They were only $10 compared to the $40 I would have spent on Keens.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Originally Posted by tbone_kneegrabber

but that's what is so great about keens, they have a closed toe! they are really the only sandal *I* wear because I am a toe stubber

Gonna go google them now.

[mamadelbosque]

I love croc's crocling line for kids - they have elastic neoprene stuff in the back so they slip on and off really easy, but also *stay on* unlike the other normal crocs and knock-off crocs. This year though, I found keen knock-offs at Khols from Jumping Beans and DS1 really likes them. DS2 will be barefoot this summer, cause' I don't see the point in bothering with socks/shoes at less than a year

[indigosky]

In case this thread has inspired anyone to buy Keen sandals, the best price I could find was $30 at Zappos.com. There's a chance of getting a slightly better price on eBay if you're willing to spend a bunch of time bidding and waiting for auctions to end, and also if you're open to pre-worn shoes rather than new.

[tmwmommy]

DD loves crocs because she can put them on herself. She really won't wear too many other sandals. I bought a few pairs for around $10 each at the crocs outlet.

[maddycakes]

Agree with other posts. Keen sandals!! I just ordered DD her first pair a few weeks ago from Zappos.com and they arrived in two days (free shipping both ways/365 day returns). They are very sturdy, closed toe sandals with fairly wide toe box and velcro straps that can go in the water. Perfect for summer. In our house, we have a sneakers-only rule for bikes/playing at the park but honestly I think she could wear these and be fine (shhhh...don't tell her that! ). We used Stride Rite last summer and even though DD wears pretty much SR's for all other purposes (wide foot), their sandals let me down. Too snug and didn't seem as sturdy underfoot, at least in my experience.

[mamika]

I notice this thread seems to be a pro keens and crocs, which I haven't personally used, but I recently bought a pair of sandals from shooshoos for my ds (19 months) and I love them. I'm not sure how old your little one is but these sandals are close toed and they have a velcro strap so they are very easy to put on and take off. The biggest plus, however, for me is the sole because its still soft and flexible enough that the sandal doesn't impede on ds' walking.

These sandals are made of leather so they aren't great water shoes but they seem to breath well. I bought them for 30 which isn't bad for a good pair of shoes.

You can check them out at their website : www.shooshoos.com

[Kindermama]

Keens and Crocs

[greenemami]

another one for Keens-just bought pairs for dd (3) and dsd (almost 9) and so far aboslutely love them. THey have closed toe and a closed heel. Usually we buy sneakers and crocs for summer, but I am just buying these to serve as both. They are pricey, but we will pass them down from kid to kid since they should easily last, so i think it is worth it in the end. Dp also has a pair and loves them-they have held up really well and he is REALLY hard on shoes!

btw, we like crocs too, but these are so much sturdier and less likely to be tripped over. hth!