Outdoor shoe recommendations for an intermediate walker?

[marinak1977]

Hi Mamas, my DS has been walking for a couple of months and getting more confident in his stride but it is obvious that he is still learning his gait. He has been wearing the early walker stride rite shoes and they seem very soft and flexible, however, the store I usually go to doesn't have his size, and I'm also interested in trying other brands.
I need shoes that can withstand being outdoors (sometimes in damp conditions) as inside he always is barefoot. Any recommendations? Are there good places to buy baby shoes online?
I've looked at pedipeds and I'm a little confused as to which line he needs - the originals (which seem similar to robies) or the grip and go - are those too stiff?
Thank you for any advice!

[ElaynesMom]

I love Soft Star Shoes. They are handmade in Oregan and they have excellent customer service. They have rubber soles that are super flexible. The soles are so flexible I can roll the whole shoe up like a jelly roll. The quality is great, they don't scuff easily, and ours have even survived having maple syrup poured inside them and being washed. You can purchase them in narrow, regular, and wide widths. Also, if you don't like any of their instock styles you can design your own (although that is quite a bit more expensive).

http://www.softstarshoes.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=41

If you do purchase this brand I would recommend using their print out size charts to make sure the shoes will fit well.

I have also used See Kai run, which were ok, but looked old and worn very quickly. the soles are also not as flexible as the soft stars. They have very cute styles however. I'm sorry I don't have any experience with the pediped original line.

[Asiago]

You could ask the manager to order your baby's size in the line that you are interested in. This was an option presented to me when I went to Stride Rite (soft Motion Foal shoe). In the end I purchased something else from another store but I wish I had ordered the other shoe.

[lovepickles]

Skidders shoes are my favorite. They are like socks with a big rubber grippy foot that is very flexible and great for protecting the foot outdoors. Just make sure you get the right size. It takes a second to adjust because the grips are so strong but after the brief learning curve they are amazing.

http://www.myskidders.com

[marinak1977]

Thank you for recommendations everyone! I especially like the soft star sandals - will look into getting a pair for the summer. I'm not completely in love with their look though, I think I need to get them here and fall in love that way (I want a pair to try myself)
I did buy a pair of pediped grip n go and it is stiffer/cushier than the early walker stride rites but the sole is very flexible. DS is always barefoot in the house where he does the majority of his walking so I think occasional cushier shoes should be ok.
If anyone has any more suggestions I'd love to hear it!

[mumkimum]

See kai run are *really nice* (pricey - I picked some up secondhand in good condition though, and have been really pleased).  

I did find an okay pair of softer-sole at target for dd1 around this kind of age several years ago.  And we had a little kid pair of converse for her too (surprisingly soft sole - did need tying though, which isn't always ideal).  Other good suggestions by pp's too.

[flavorfull1]

I cannot recommend See Kai run smaller shoes enough!  They are wonderful!  I think it is totally worth the money and I looked at a TON of shoes to find one flexible enough for my little guy when he started walking.  See Kai Run has a sub category of shoes in their "smaller" category that have some rubber at the ball of the foot and some at the heel, the rest is really flexible but protective enough to wear outside.  We wear ours everywhere and they are great!

[JudiAU]

I like the Smaller line from See Kai Run at this age. Much more flexible than there regular shoe but still gives shoe-like protection. I wish they had a bigger size range. At this age, you want the more flexible pedipeds which are pretty similar to Smaller.

[Katico]

We loved Pediped, DD had two pairs of their shoes last summer and they were great.  They aren't stiff at all and wore SO well, through all sorts of conditions. They were true to size, as well - I had no problem ordering them online to fit.

Livie and Luca is another brand you should consider.  They are amazing quality.  she is on her third pair and they wear beautifully.  Her spring shoes are a little pair of brown leather mary janes from them and they have gotten soaked in unexpected rain several times and are still in perfect shape. 

http://www.livieandluca.com/shop.html

Another thing you might want to consider for summer is a pair of Salt Water Sandals - they are made to withstand water without stiffening or rusting and are supposed to be extremely comfortable!

http://www.zappos.com/salt-water-sandal-by-hoy-shoes

[Lula's Mom]

I love Angel Covers!  We have the leather boys' style with the 3 x's across the toe in every color.  They belonged to my older son, and now my 20 month old is wearing them. They are still in excellent shape.  The rubber soles are very grippy, but extremely flexible (you can bend them in half).  And the squeakers in the soles are a bonus- he absolutely loves hearing them squeak as he walks.  (But if they ever bother you or you need to go to a quiet place, you can take the squeakers out!)

Not to mention they are a great price, and it's a charity.

[tzs]

livie and luca all the way! they are so flexible it's amazing, i think dd even walks better in them. they are having a 20% off sale right now (until the 24th) with the code may20off.  if you get on their mailing list they will send you notice of their sales and they do a couple 50% off deals a couple times/year.

i honestly don't get the see kai run thing. we had a pair and they seemed so stiff (even our target brand was more flexible) and she would trip over herself when she wore them. but they are cute.

also on those mom deal websites they often have different brands of squeeker shoes for around $12-15 and i've found all squeekers to be very flexible.

we also like the skidders (dd literally squeeled every time i'd tale them out) but with the sock top i'd think they wouldn;t be so great in rain.

[Katico]

Originally Posted by tzs 

i honestly don't get the see kai run thing. we had a pair and they seemed so stiff (even our target brand was more flexible) and she would trip over herself when she wore them. but they are cute.

A friend ordered S.K.R. for her two girls and they started to fall apart with normal outdoor playground sort of play!  She was really disappointed and retired them to indoor, daycare shoes.

[devasma]

We've used Robeez 1st Steps shoes, and liked them.  We also liked their mini shoez, but had them in the winter so I'm not sure how they would hold up on cement.  I mainly wanted to comment that you can sometimes find See Kai Run, Livie and Luca, Robeez and Pedoodles on babysteals or kidsteals, for pretty good prices. There are some Livie and Luca in the archives right now, but it looks like bigger sizes.  

http://babysteals.com/dailydeals/archive.php

[marinak1977]

Thanks for the recs everyone, I'm not too thrilled with the fit of the Pedipeds right now although DS walks fine in them. I'm going to look into the other brands - hoping that I can find a store and see a bunch of brands side by side.

[AKislandgirl]

We love Soft Star Shoes. They hold up to a lot of wear and tear too. DD wore hers in the ocean one day and they were none the worse for wear. They are really great for growing feet. DD loves to wear her Soft Stars!