I am totally confused. I've read that soft-sole shoes are the best, but can shoes like Soft Star Shoes or Platypaws be worn outside? Many mothers have recommended that I get StrideRite shoes for dd, but the soles just seem so hard to me! What do y'all think?
Please, please share your recommendations. Thanks so much!
I'd go for the soft soled shoes, especially for a new walker. I think it really helps them become confident walkers when they can feel the ground, especially uneven ground. They can definitely be worn outside. I got DS's shoes from Target. He wore them almost every day for about 4 months until he outgrew them and they held up really well.
My ds wore Pedipeds until he was about 1.5 and now that they are coming out with a toddler shoe he is going to go back to wearing them. The ONLY problem we had with them outside is that we have a steep grassy hill separating our house from our backyard and if there was any dampness or slickness it was too slippery for him to walk down in the smooth leather soles. Other than that though they get MORE than 2 thumbs up from me and we'll be getting them for our new baby too, when it is time!
Pedipeds for us too. Can't wait for their new line coming out in February!
We also have a pair each of See Kai Run and Ecco. They're stiffer than Pedipeds but still way flexible. DS hasn't really worn them though as I bought them way too big. Maybe in the next few months or so.
I bought my ds Soft Star shoes as they and See Kai Run were the only two options I found that are made to my ethical standards. <---- sounds like I'm a snob, doesn't it
Anyway, ds loves them and he wouldn't take a step in the stiff soled shoes as well.
If your child is spending *alot* of time walking around outside, and if the weather is appropriate, then yes, go with the soft-soled shoes. But I feel that if they are barefoot/socked/robeezed indoors, they probably get plenty of non-hard-sole time, so I don't worry about the thicker/harder soles outside. My two-year old *has* to wear sturdy & thick winter boots at this time of year, and I'm okay by that.
Originally Posted by tuansprincess
I bought my ds Soft Star shoes as they and See Kai Run were the only two options I found that are made to my ethical standards. <---- sounds like I'm a snob, doesn't it
Anyway, ds loves them and he wouldn't take a step in the stiff soled shoes as well.
Can you elaborate on how See Kai Run shoes meet your ethical standards? I know Soft Stars are made in the US and avoid toxic chemicals. Is it the same for SKR shoes? Also, do you know if either shoes use leather from humanely treated animals? Thanks!!!
I like the cheapo soft sole circo target brand shoes.. also target brand robeeze style shoes..both work great and cheap.. My daughters feet grows so fast!!! We do have pedipeds and robeeze now that she has slown down... We like those too...
Originally Posted by ZippyGirl
Can you elaborate on how See Kai Run shoes meet your ethical standards? I know Soft Stars are made in the US and avoid toxic chemicals. Is it the same for SKR shoes? Also, do you know if either shoes use leather from humanely treated animals? Thanks!!!
Oooh - I'm not sure about the leather. I didn't think about that.
It was my understanding that SKR are made in China but with ethical standards and wages. The family is from China, lives in the US and opened the company in their home-town of China. I haven't bought from them because there is no outlet that carries them close to me so I didn't dig any further.
http://www.isabooties.com Isabooties for a vegetarian/vegan robeez styled shoes. Decent price. Machine washable!! And durable. I find they breath better then robeez too, since they aren't another animals skin
I found pedipeds were the best shoes for my son when he was starting to walk as they are very flexible and can be worn outside. They are also very cute. Once he was walking well I added See Kai Run to his ever growing shoe collection as they stand up to outdoor abuse much better then pedipeds and are still flexible enough. I actually have met the owners (and their sons) of See Kai Run and they are really nice people, so it feels good to be able support their company as well.
My son has been wearing them since he started walking and out grew the pair of Robeez he had. I felt more comfortable with him wearing a thicker sole outside. The soles are really flexible and have seemed to work great for him. I have bought bigger sizes as his feet have grown. They're really soft and have several cute styles to choose from.
Inside he was (is) usually barefooted or sock footed (with little grips on the bottoms).
They're WAHM-made and half the price of Robeez or Pedipeds, and IMO they're better made. DS practically lives in his boots from her. He WILL NOT walk in stiff soled shoes. If I put stiff soled shoes, he'll plop down and refuse to go anywhere. Hey, maybe that's a good strategy for keeping him in one place for more than a half a second...
Thanks for all the advice! I am wanting to try the soft sole shoes for my son. He has fat feet. Not wide they are more thick! He walks really good bare foot and I think he might try to walk more in the soft shoes.
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