shoe conundrum

so the boys are in the walkers/talkers room at daycare. even though they aren't yet really doing either. they cruise, they walk when pushing wheeled toys, but otherwise they still crawl to get around.

here's the thing. i'm a big believer in the whole no-shoes-until-two thing because babies' feet develop more healthily barefoot. i've always taken my guys to daycare in just socks so they can have all the flexibility of their feet available as they learn to walk. however, most of the kids, even in the infant room, show up with shoes. so obviously not everyone feels the way i do, and that's fine. we don't all co-parent, right?

well the folks in the walkers/talkers room want us to start putting shoes on the boys because, "the other kids pull their socks off." i'm very frustrated because i don't want to do something that i feel is less healthy for their developing bones simply because the other kids tug on their socks. and they can't go barefoot this time of year. we tried double-socking to make them less tuggable but that just made their feet too hot and they were coming home sweaty every day. so, fine, i'll buy some stupid shoes. <_<

i went to target and found a pair of sock style shoes that have a somewhat flexible sole, but not as flexible as i want. and we found leather sneaker type shoes but those really aren't flexible at all. i basically want something that's just barely a step above socks, that strap on and can't be tugged off.

so where can i find shoes with really flexible soles? i've seen brands recommended (although i've now forgotten so if you love a brand please recommend it) but i can't seem to find a store where they're sold. i've been to target and old navy and now i just need some suggestions so i don't drive all over hell's half acre trying to find the damn things.

i should note that my guys are small, just 18 lbs. so they have small feet. the shoes that seemed to fit best at target were size 2.

 

WE used robeez shoes until their first winter after being able to walk. I think that would be an excellent alternative for shoes.

 

I second the Robeez shoe idea. Although I don't have the real Robeez shoes, I have knock-offs that are great. They are leather shoes with leather soles and are as flexible as any pair of socks would be. They also stay on well and look very cute too! Here is a link to the Robeez site to show you what they are like:

http://www.robeez.com/Soft-Sole-Robeez-baby-shoes/Department.aspx?DeptID=303&PriceCat=2&Lang=EN-US

In Canada similar leather shoes are available at most department stores including Sears, the Bay, Zellers etc. I am sure you will be able to find them near you as well now that you know what you are looking for. I plan on having my children wear these shoes as long as possible since I also don't like most shoes for infants. I hope this helps your situation and puts everyone at ease!

 

i really like robeez too, and the ministar knockoffs at target are great. they are in the baby section of target by the socks, not with the regular shoes. since your guys are little they can probably still fit in the 6-12 month size. i personally don't think that shoes are necessary either but i do like robeez because they keep them from slipping on our tile floors, we have had a couple wipeouts with socks only(even the ones with grippy soles..)

 

Definitely Robeez.

That being said, are you sure the people who work there have been around kids before? Kids WILL take their shoes off (and socks too). Your kids in socks have nothing to do with it.

 

hmm. i looked over in that section and there were a ton of empty hooks. there were some flexible soled shoes that were probably the ones you're talking about but they were all girl styles. and they only had a couple of those.

maybe they've been ransacked now that we've had a cold snap. i guess i'll have to wait for a new shipment to come in.

thanks, all! robeez is the brand i've seen recommended but i couldn't for the life of me remember that word.

 

The other really good brand of shoes (although spendy so you may look for 2nd hand ones) are Pedi-peds.
They are recommended by the American Podiatric Medical Association Pedi-Ped website

 

see ki runs, little soles and pedi peds are also good but a little more pricey

 

I SO agree. We used these and it's like wearing no shoes as far as no hard soles etc but they grip better than socks and will protect them getting things stuck in their foot.

 

yeah, they hardly ever have any for boys at my target either... i have bought them online when they didn't have them in stock in the store, i hate waiting....

 

http://www.shooshoosusa.com/
Those are the best!
My kids both wear them all the time inside and out!

 

My kids used to wear Isabooties. A little pricey but they worked well for our kids until they were steady walkers.
Isabooties

 

I second the robeez and isoboties Mine hardly ever wear shoes, but when we go out somewhere that I know they'll want to walk (basically everywhere nowadays), that's what they wear.

 

If it were me, I'd order these because Robeez rock and because paying less than $15/pair is :good: Keep in mind that their feet can grow suddenly and quickly (my boys once gained a size and a half over the summer) so you'll need to check how their shoes fit on a regular basis.

 

this may be a totally crazy suggestion, but what about putting them in tights under their pants? i mean, i know you have boys, but it would keep the other kids from pulling their socks off. just thought i'd throw it out there, hope that's okay. :unknw:

 

Pedoodles and Robeez

 

We used a Robeez knock-off from Ebay called Shoeszoo -- lots of variety, just as soft and flexible as Robeez, and very inexpensive:

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Shoes-Zoo

 

i don't mind the suggestion at all! do they make tights with grippy feet? i also want to make sure whatever they wear will keep them from slipping. they overheated when we double-socked so i'm hesitant to put grippy socks over tights.


thanks to everyone for the recommendations. for those of you who ordered from online vendors, how did you know what size would fit? i'm nervous about buying something they can't try on.

 

If I am not mistaken, Isabooties went by age rather then size. I could be wrong though, for some reason I remember ordering them by age.

 

I LOOOVE the moccasins from Hannah Andersson. They're basically like socks with leather soles. Here's a link to one of their moccasins...Hannah Andersson mocassins

 

They have shoe fit guides available to print on their websites (I know Robeez and Pediped do). Just make sure you follow the printing guides so your printer doesn't scale it too small. Good luck!

 

I vote for Robeez too!

As a side note, my DD finally started walking at 16 months & she did much better walking when I had real shoes on her. With socks or barefoot, she wouldn't do it. But you put real shoes on her & I guess she felt more comfortable or secure or something. I know it's not what the doctors recommend, but she is a unique kid!

 

I second the Target Robeez knock offs. Here's the link to Target's selection.

They are just like moccasins. I have a huge collection of these. My impression is that they run a little big, and my boys have giant feet. I had 12-18 month sizes which I think is about size 4-6. They wore them from 6 months a year, and since I'm generally of the same view about shoes i kept them in them even after they started walking.

Robeez are nice, but unless you catch a good sale they are a rip off.

 

Do you care about the look/style or if they match? I may have a couple pairs I could send you that my ds wore in that stage. They are leather and are very flexible. He wouldnt wear shoes, even for "decoration", and these are the only things that worked.

 

Robeez. Basically like leather socks - and they keep their socks on!!

Target has a knock off brand called MiniStar too.

 

I know this is an older post so you probably will never see this post but why not put knee highs on them. They are much harder to pull off. You could even use the gap ones that are meant to be folded down and simply leave them up. That's what I do with the boy twin because when he tries to pull them off he pulls from the toe and can't get them off that way.

 

You asked how people know their sizes when they shop online... I currently use a printed measuring tool from the Stride Rite site. It's been my experience that I can measure when they're in a good mood and get a good, accurate measurement that way. I also measure much more often than I would if I had to go to a store to have it done. At that age, I measured at least once a month.

Unfortunately, some brands don't run true to size. You can often get a good idea by the reviews. People will comment that the shoes run big/small or narrow/wide and I've found this sort of feedback very helpful. With a soft shoe like Robeez, the only things you need to worry about are if it's too small or so large that they risk tripping so I'd err on the side of slightly large.

We also used Preschoolians for a first "shoe" and those have see-through bottoms with lines indicating where their toes should be. It's a fantastic idea and I wish other companies did that because the customer service at Preschoolians was so awful that I gave up ordering from them after two pair. If you do decide to try them, they give a substantial twins discount so be sure to ask for it.

 

I also second the Target Robeez knock-offs for indoor use. I had the girls' in Preschoolians "I'm walking barefoot" shoes once they started walking outdoors. I know you (OP) said you want to keep them out of shoes until age two, but once they are pretty good at walking, they are going to need protection on their feet outside, especially during the winter. So, you probably will need to put them in some sort of hard-soled shoe before age 2. I did like the Preschoolians, but they are pricey.

 

That's what I was going to say robeez and a good deal above

 

I really liked Robeez but hated the Target knock-off... they were kicking them off all the time.

 

We got Bobux for their birthday. I didn't realize they were in the same league as Robeez.
I just got a Great deal on barely used Robeez on ebay.
Size wise, my guys are 13 months old 20-21lb & are in Bobux size L 12-18month "shoes".

Hope this helps.