Shoes for new walkers?

My girls are very interested in walking... they'll hold onto our hands and happily walk all over the place. Up until now we haven't had them in shoes but everyone I talk to says to run right out and buy Stride Rite sneakers so they get support for their feet as they're learning to walk. What do you all think? Do your almost-walkers wear shoes?

Also, does anyone know the best place to buy Stride Rite shoes? We have a local store, but I'm morally opposed to spending $45 on baby shoes!!

 

I've heard that no shoes are best when learning to walk, so that'd be contrary to what you've been told. I'm sure someone will give more details.....

Suzi

 

I have 3 recomendations..
Robeez
Robeez
Robeez

 

I believe that i read on the striderite website that 'barefoot is best'...that said, obviously you want their feet protected from the elements/dirt. So - I'd say robeez as well. I have the same issue with the stride rite prices; you might want to see if there is an outlet near you and i'm wondering if you could find last years' model online at a discount. SERIOUSLY, 90 bucks every time we need new shoes?!!

FYI, when we went to stride rite they told me that i should buy half a size UP from what they measure to give them room to spread their toes since that's how new walkers grip as they learn to balance.

 

I shop the sales at Amazon. You can print off a shoe sizer tool on the Stride Rite website or take them to a Stride Rite store to be measured (and check out the sales while you're there). With a bit of patience and checking often, I've managed to buy every pair they've owned for less than $20/pair (their new sneakers were under $12).

As for when, I didn't put my boys in shoes until they were walking well and then it was only because they were going outside. They don't need shoes for support but they do need them for protection outdoors. We have a lot of sharp gravel and sticks and such and I didn't think the Robeez would cut it -- went with Preschoolians at first. They got their first Stride Rite shoes last Spring... so 20 months. By then, their feet were strong enough that a slightly stiffer shoe didn't bother them. I tried taking them to the "cheap places" and having them try on shoes but I couldn't find anything that didn't make them walk like Frankenstein there. I still don't buy them anything that I can't bend with one hand in the area where the ball of their foot lands.

 

I had my son in soft soled shoes until he could really walk good. I love Robeez & Pedi peds, that's all we ever used with him. He now wears hard soled shoes but I've never gotten stride rite. He wears see kai run or Nike sneakers. I think it is best for them to learn to walk in something soft soled so they get the feel of it. I don't think I would spend $45 on shoes that he will grown out of so soon anyway! Good luck

 

I am bombarded with people who fuss because I don't keep my boys in shoes. I think barefoot or robeez are best. Now...I will say when mine go to daycare (they're in a class with all walkers except for them) I do put them in tennis shoes because they are cruising with walkers and I don't want their toes stepped on. I put them in shoes when we go outside to practice walking too. But in the house we don't wear shoes, and I think it's easier on them too (they used to wear robeez to daycare).

 

Ah Target also has some great shoes, the softer flex soles... Like these flex walk
and these Robeez knock offs

 

Oh, and you can get Robeez on sale also... check out the bunnies!

 

We wore Robeez first and then graduated to Preschoolians. Preschoolians are nice because they give you a 40% discount for having twins and they can be worn with or without socks. They also have an insert that is remived and a see through sole is exposed so you can see exactly where their toes are. As they get older and more active, the soles get thicker. Here is their website.

 

Another diehard Robeez fan here! Robeez are just like barefoot, yet the foot is protected from the elements!

 

I love, LOVE Robeez too. However, if you want something w/ a little more support, then I'd try Stride Rite shoes. Stride Rite has outlets and I've heard that the shoes are much cheaper at the outlets. Go to the Stride Rite website and try to find out where the outlets are.