[mamatiger]

I need to buy DD some new shoes, like yesterday. The Robeez she's wearing are starting to get holes in them and I think in two or three more days she'll have outgrown them. My backup pair (given by a friend) are super stiff stride rites that she can't walk in (though she loves for me to put them on her, because she's a shoe girl... but the second she tries to take two steps she falls down.)<br><br>
She's 17 months and has been walking for about 2 months. I decided to keep her in Robeez type shoes for at least one more set before graduating up to some see kai runs or preschoolians. I was checking out JoShoes this morning and they look like a good shoe to try. I was all set to order a pair.. but all the options!<br><br>
Can someone tell me which options they like and which ones I could skip? We're in Louisiana and winter is in his last throws (keeps sending us a 50 degree day here and there, but they don't go outside at daycare when it's colder than 60 because that's too cold for humans <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"> .) So I'm not thinking fleece lining would be necessary. But, I was thinking about the PUL and the Foam linings in particular. Are they good options? Tough toes or tiptoes?<br><br>
How do the sizes run? Are they kind of wide or narrow? Robeez 12-18 months are what I would buy if I went with those again, and the width is good for her (she's narrow footed like her mama).<br><br>
Thanks!!

 

[CawMama]

I've heard that they highly recommend the toe reinforcements on their shoes.<br><br>
If you end up getting them, will you pm me and let me know what you think? I've been wanting to try her shoes....especially since they are made here in Michigan! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[hottmama]

I've been buying them for my kids for a while (2 years?) and I like them a lot. For a Northern winter, you definitely need fleece lining, but not in Louisiana! The leather they're made from is much thicker than Robeez-- I'd say 3x as thick. The soles are made from 2 layers of thick suede, so they're much thicker than Robeez, too. For that reason, I think the foam is unnecessary for any terrain, I only buy it for winter to add an extra layer between their feet and the icy ground. In summer, I would just get PUL to make them waterproof. Also, we've done with and without the tiptoes. My kids don't drag their toes and even after 6 mos. of wear on a pair, they don't really wear the toes, so the tiptoes/tough toes are pointless for us. My oldest drags his heels and gets holes on the back seam somehow, but only after many months. My 2 yr. old (who started walking at 8 mos. and runs all over the place) can't hurt them at all-- he's been wearing the same pair of JoBoots EVERY day since October and they look almost new. The soles get smooth after a while but you can scuff them up with sandpaper.

 

[joy2grow]

My dd is also 17mo and wearing the 12-18mo size Robeez booties. I purchased my first pair of JoShoes with the intention of them being a spring weather transitional shoe before going to See Kai Run sandals for summer. I got the 18-24mo size because I was concerned about her outgrowing the 12-18 too soon.....well, the 18-24 is about 1/2 inch too long right now so it will probably be months before they will be appropriate...rats!<br><br>
Also I'd opted for the foam bottom and tough toe extra--I hadn't realized how much thicker they were compared to Robeez otherwise I wouldn't have chosen the extras. They are quite a bit stiffer than Robeez. DD wanted them off her feet immediately--not sure if it was the extra length or the stiffness that illicited that response.

 

[joy2grow]

double post.....

 

[Boot]

I know this wasn't what you asked for but I just got my DS Tip Toey Joeys as a transitional shoe from Robeez to See Kai Run. So far I really like them. Just in case you were looking for another option.

 

[mamatiger]

Awesome, thanks for the responses Ladies!<br><br><br>
Off to order the shoes... except now which color to get?! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love">

 

[MotherWhimsey]

JoShoes are the best. They last forever and they're so freaking cute!

 

[babybugmama]

I've been getting them for ds from size 12 months + . I love them. They are a little stiff at first but soften up very quickly to kid glove softness. They are extremely durable and sturdy. I have the fleece lined and the tough toes..but honestly I got the tough toes for looks as much as durability. I think they're sooo pretty too! I think it'd be cool to get some for me! Or my dd (who's 5 <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">). They are pricey though, but worth it. The shoes I bought for ds in November? He wears them every single day and they still look like new. I don't know what re-sale-ability are though... I've been trying to sell some 12-18 month shoes without a lot of luck.

 

[daniedb]

Report back about which colors you got! Heads up - the applique style is getting discontinued soon because they are adding an absolutely precious sneaker style soft shoe, so if you like some of the appliques, you may want to grab them now. I love JoShoes! We have, literally, 8 pair. Ben wears them constantly. He even wears them to sleep. As in, to bed. He will find them and come to me, sit down and hold his feet up and say, "EH! EH! EH!" until I put them on." <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[comfybuns]

I know you have gotten all the answers you need but.... WE LOVE Joshoes. They are amazing and hold up soooo well.

 

[Zuzu822]

Not much to add, except that we ordered JoBoots in wide width for DS based on his measurements at Stride Rite and the owner's recommendation. Not sure it was 100% necessary, but I was terrified they'd be too narrow and they aren't returnable.<br><br>
I did PUL and fleece lining. After nearly six months, no signs of wear!<br><br>
We adore these! I'm definitely ordering a pair for spring/summer (if the snow ever melts), but I'm still conflicted on the wide/regular width. Oh, and the color choices are just too hard! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngtongue.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Stick Out Tongue"> I agonized for <b>days</b>.

 

[Jessy1019]

We love JoShoes! I just had to buy my son a pair of Robeez before we went away last weekend, and I was so disappointed that we didn't have time to get JoShoes instead!<br><br>
We go with the average elastic fit for my chubby-footed kids (even my five year old loves her joshoes), and though we've never done the reinforced toes before, I think we will with our next pair. We do get fleece lined, but it's cold here, and we don't do any of the other options.

 

[*Robin*]

We LOVE <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love"> our JoShoes! I just ordered another pair a couple of days ago. DS, for the first time, outgrew the shoes before they wore out, like his Robeez and Bobux always did. We get the tough toes, but I don't even know if it's necessary. We live in Michigan and for the winter we had a fleece lined pair with PUL. I got the next size up with PUL, but no fleece. (hoping this never-ending-winter will end)

 

[DaughterOfKali]

JoShoes are the only shoes that ds would wear when he was younger. He has sensory issues but he loved the JoShoes. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[mamatiger]

Thank you thank you everyone! I ordered a pair last night and I'm so excited. White mary janes with sky blue accents, a white faux button and PUL. Only $26 including shipping, what a fantastic deal!! (Even DH said so...<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">)<br><br>
Also, thanks for the heads up about the softness! I'll let y'all know when I get them in!<br><br>
(How long does it usually take for them to get in?)

 

[Julia'sMom]

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(How long does it usually take for them to get in?)</div>
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We've gotten them within a week sometimes! Incredible fast service for a custom order product, in my opinion.<br><br>
Also, Jo has been great for answering questions before ordering. I too was struggling with whether to get a wide shoe or not and she helped a lot!

 

[joy2grow]

My order was placed in Jan and took 13 days to arrive. I was wanting them for a trip so I was anxiously counting the days....

 

[didkisa]

Would you recommend tight or reg elastic? What influences that decision most?

 

[mamatiger]

I got the shoes in!! They came in on Wednesday, so that was a week.. really quick for a custom made shoe!<br><br>
And can I tell you they're adorable!!<br><br>
She loves them. They are a little bit stiff, but I know they'll soften up a little bit quickly. They're very well made, much more substantial than robeez.<br><br>
Can I tell y'all I am SO ready to tell the world about joshoes!<br><br>
Thanks for the help everyone!<br><br>
Oh, and for the mama who was asking about the elastic tightness... I ordered regular b/c I figured it was a good place to start. DD is a pretty skinny kid and I think they're perfect (but i honestly couldn't tell you if she has skinny ankles for a 17 month old or not b/c i haven't surveyed many 17 month old ankles <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">. The robeez were getting a little tight around her ankles and had started leaving little marks. Maybe she could pull them off, but I'm not sure that's a bad thing.