Best first walking shoes...Pediped Flex?

[candelaria80]

I'm sure there is a thread about this, but I cannot find one. I am trying to figure out what the best first walking shoes are. I am thinking Pediped Flex because I loved the regular Pedipeds so much, but before we shell out $48 a pair, I would love some feedback. I will be getting a few pair as she just must match her shoes to her outfit so if anyone can recommend a lower cost option that would be great as well.
thanks!

[Blessed_Mom]

[ssh]

DD wore See Kai Run shoes. I bought some of them on ebay and other from the company that were on sale. Barefoot is better indoors. We only had a couple of pairs of shoes at a time, until we needed snow boots too.

[Bokonon]

I think it really depends on the baby. Some prefer the barefoot feeling and some like the more structured shoes to start walking in. My son was a very late walker, and took his first steps in Stride Rite sneakers.

So with this LO, I have Stride Rites for her, as well as a pair of Squeakers for the positive reinforcement, but I also let her be barefoot at home.

[Bokonon]

Oh, and if you have a Stride Rite outlet near you, they have GREAT deals on high-quality shoes. I've gotten Stride Rite sneakers for $15-20 that originally retailed for $40.

I had one pair of See Kai Run shoes for DS when he was a toddler, and loved them, until the airline lost his suitcase with the shoes in it on the way to the ILs' house.

Right now there is a coupon for 25% off select shoes on Diapers.com:
http://www.babycheapskate.com/2010/0...rite-and-more/

[LDSmomma]

DS walked at 10 months, and we didn't get shoes for him until he was walking. We got Robeez, as they have so much flexibility. When we tried putting any other, more structured shoes on him, he kicked his feet as if we'd dipped them in whipped cream or something, and was trying to fling it off.

Stride Rite has the best shoes in our area, but they're way expensive, so I buy them at consignment sales. I do take DS to get sized at the Stride Rite Store, and the lady told me at this age, babies outgrow shoes every four months. I can't imagine shelling out $50 bucks for a pair of shoes he'll outgrow in 4 months, so I don't buy new Stride Rites.

Make sure whatever shoes you get are super flexible. Visit a stride rite and have them show you how flexible their shoes are for beginning walkers.

[Friday13th]

I kept DS in regular Pedipeds or Robeez until he was really running or walking in situations where he'd get shoes muddy or soaking wet. And even now at 2.5 he wears soft sandals if we're just running to the grocery store or something indoors and we have a pair of really flexible Umi sandals for when he's playing outside.

Umi and Riley Roos make shoes with grippy portions that make them a little more structured but the rest of the sole is leather so they're still super flexible. I think Bobux does too.

[mamaofthree]

i've used robeez, sort of like being barefoot.

h

[candelaria80]

Thanks for the input everyone!
I have read that barefoot is best inside and on familiar surfaces, but we are out of the house a lot. We have a few pair of Robeez and Pediped soft soles, but she's only been taking steps for a few days they they are already on their way to getting thrashed. I bought 4 pairs of Squeakers (Mamabargains) and they seemed like they would work, but at her Dr's app. he commented that she will need some more supportive shoes?
I am going to look into the suggestions above.
Bokonon - thanks for the coupon!

[wholewheatmama]

My daughter (now 2 1/2) has worn Pedipeds (regular and flex) and Soft Stars almost exclusively, and I love them!

Pedipeds is currently having one of their Make-A-Wish sales, so certain styles are priced way less than normal. I try to wait for these sales to stock up on the next size up for my daughter. You can sign up for their email alerts to find out when the sales are. The current sale runs through July 11th.

http://www.pediped.com/Product/CategoryInfo.aspx?cid=58

[omelette]

I'm a fan of StriteRites b/c they come in widths for a good fit and the soles are nice and flexible. My 1st son has wide feet so many other styles did not fit well.

[Blueone]

We used Robeez First Steps and I bought them a size up just so they last longer and they are a church shoe only.

In general, I use the flexible sole rule. If I can bend the shoe from the sole, it's safe. I'm just not willing to spend a whole lot on shoes that my son will outgrow in a matter of months. I do have one pair of squeaky shoes that co-ops sell that seem great so far! I love them, they're flexible and they squeak so I can hear where he goes.

[belltree]

DS walks barefoot or with socks outside and inside. He also has some Hannah Andersson Moccasins, that are supercomfy for when he walks in my lab.

[kayabrink]

http://www.jackandlily.com/
Only slightly less expensive, but have free shipping on orders over 50$ (I buy two pairs at once in two diff. sizes, like 12-18 mo and 18-24 mo.)

[candelaria80]

Thanks again everyone...6pm.com had some Umi's and See Kai Run's for under $30, they didn't have her size in the color I wanted, but they seem like a good deal.

http://www.6pm.com/girls-see-kai-run-kids-shoes

I ended up getting a pair of Pediped Flex and 2 pairs of the Jack and Lilly's. I think we will try the others on the next run.

[EmmaJane]

DD1 has work Pediped Flex since she outgrew the largest size of regular Pedipeds. I really like them, and every pair has been comfy from the start... she's in the largest size now, and am not sure what we'll do next.

... but DD2, who's just starting to walk, won't let me put anything but soft sole shoes on her. She loves her Robeez and Pedipeds and Smallers (OMG do Smallers get trashed fast though! the leather scuffs and the insoles come unglued) -- but NO solid soles at all.

I guess I'll try again when it gets cold again... until then I don't think it matters much.

[alegna]

I don't use shoes that stiff until at least 18 months. New walkers need something soft enough to crumple in your hand.

-Angela

[Sarah W]

If she hasn't been walking very long, the Flex may be too stiff.they are much more like a regular shoe. We stayed in regular Pediped or Robeez until she was a size 6, around 20 months.

[flower01]

My DD wore Robeez and regular Pedipeds until she was two. I think we bought her Keds the summer after she was 2 and were confident she could walk in a harder sole. She had outgrown regular pedipeds and I couldn't afford the Flex at the time - well, I still can't if they aren't on sale.

[Auraji]

Ebay is your friend! Seriously!

I refuse to buy brand new baby shoes unless absolutely necessary, because the ones I like are expensive and they used them for such a short time. I'm also all about reusing things until they have no more life in them and I'm poor lol

I just got a pair of roobez, a pair of pink UMI sandals and these bronze baby gap sandals for 20$ and that includes shipping. I received them in the mail today and I can't believe the great condition they're in. If it wasn't for the soles that show a minimun amount of wear you could never tell they're not new.