How important are soft soled shoes?

[DevaMajka]

And do Stride Rites count as "soft soled"?

Ds2 is 15mos, and nearly running. We have some hand me down Stride Rite shoes (and similar brands) that are in really good condition. I know it's not ideal to use used shoes, but the insoles of these don't look worn at all.

Anyway, with ds1, I used pedoodles and preschoolians (the "running jumping" kind) until he was, I dunno, 2 or 3 at least. We do have robeez type shoes for ds2, but they are the slipper types that don't work well outside. I just feel iffy on spending $50 on shoes when we have shoes that might be fine.

Right now, he wears slippers with rubber soles that are very flexible, but they are fleece uppers, so won't work well when it's wet and rainy, or really cold. Should I just bite the bullet and buy some nice soft soled shoes for him?

[crunchy_mommy]

Personally I think Stride Rites would be fine, and I think gently used is OK too. DS has a used pair of them as well that he's just growing into, and I have no problem with him wearing them -- I'm just not into buying expensive shoes when we have perfectly usable hand-me-downs. He only wears shoes when he's out -- so I'd say at least 1/2 the day he is shoe-less and IMO that makes up for not having the world's most flexible shoes. He also has an adorable pair of shoes from Kohl's but I feel they are too rigid, they barely bend at all) so he only wears those shoes to church.

[dejagerw]

I got my son's shoes at Kohls. I personally can't see spending $50 for shoes he'll only wear for a season. I usually pay $15-$25 for his shoes. I personally used the soft robeez type shoe that Target sells for quite some time too before I ended up getting him a more solid shoe. I think the really soft shoes are helpful when they're still getting the walking thing down, but after that, a shoe with a good fit is all that really matters.

[dawncayden]

We are big on hand-me-downs and thrift store finds. We just can't afford to buy that many new shoes. So I do the flex test. I hold the shoe with both hands and see how much the shoe can bend in my hands. There are certain brands I look out for like converse, puma, robeez tredz etc. I *know* that all those are super flexable, so I snatch those ones up if I see them at the thrift store and they are in great condition. I find that some Stride Rites are good for flex and some aren't. Look to see how thick the soles are...if they are too high/thick I don't think that's great for walking/running.

btw, what size is he?

[beebalmmama]

Originally Posted by dawncayden

We are big on hand-me-downs and thrift store finds. We just can't afford to buy that many new shoes. So I do the flex test. I hold the shoe with both hands and see how much the shoe can bend in my hands. There are certain brands I look out for like converse, puma, robeez tredz etc. I *know* that all those are super flexable, so I snatch those ones up if I see them at the thrift store and they are in great condition. I find that some Stride Rites are good for flex and some aren't. Look to see how thick the soles are...if they are too high/thick I don't think that's great for walking/running.

btw, what size is he?

I do the flex test too. We used Robeez type shoe until about 18 months, with some use of other flexible thrift shoes for outside walking. After that I would just check for the flexibility on the sole. I think gently used children's shoes are fine.

[DevaMajka]

I'm still sort of torn about whether I should buy some or not. I wonder if I might find some decent sales- I know the ones I got for ds1 were nowhere near $50!

Originally Posted by dawncayden

btw, what size is he?

He's size 6ish.
These Stride rites seem pretty flexible. They are the next size up, so for now we're using the slippers, which are fine when it's not too cold or wet.

[redvlagrl]

I am BIG on soft soled shoes. DH's uncle is an orthopedic surgeon and told me that it is vital to be in bare feet of v soft soles for as long as possible. He said many of his patients are the victims of hard soles which cause the muscles not to develop properly which in turn causes problems later in life.

I only buy new very flexible soled shoes (right now See Kai Runs). BUT DD only has one pair of everyday shoes. IMO there is no need for a toddler to have more than one pair of shoes, some rain boots and some sort of snow boot (robeez and stonz for us - soft). I get the SKRs on sale so spent $25.

If I found some used that had absolutely no wear on them I would get them. I don't want her feet to be subjected to the way someone else wears the soles of their shoes down or compacts the innersole. It can be bad for the feet and legs.

[DevaMajka]

Originally Posted by redvlagrl

I get the SKRs on sale so spent $25.

Thanks! Those prices aren't too bad- I'm going to look into those.