Shoes for Toddler

Updated on July 11, 2011
S.K. asks from Chicago, IL
13 answers

My 14 month old is now walking.I want to buy him shoes that are very comfortable. Any recommendations??
I have bought couple from babies R us (koala baby brand, I think)- both soft and hard soled. He seems to do fine with them. The shoes come off often on his left leg, but other than that seems to be fine. I don't know if it's confortable for him or not, but he hasn't cried to wear them so far.
Also, since it's so HOT these days, I am also looking for something he can wear without socks. He wears them all day at daycare and his feet get all sweaty. Do your kids have any shoes that they love? Please do share where you got them.TIA!

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N.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have two kids this age in my home daycare right now (12 mos and 13 mos). They both just started walking in the last 2 weeks and ahve the Stride Rite Soft Motion shoes. The little girl always has thin socks on but the little boy (with wide little fat feet!) just wears the shoes. They are great! I highly recommend them for any new walkers!

I wish I could get some for M.!!!

http://www.striderite.com/store/SiteController/striderite...

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Stride Rite. $$$$ but worth it.

M.P.

answers from Provo on

Pedipeds are my favorite!!! I'm going to be trying out Stride Right next paycheck :D

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D.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

I agree...stride rite or pedipeds. I also got a brand once called shofoo that were nice. And there are weesqueaks that have a removable squeaker that make sure they are walking on their whole foot. Definitely don't do the cheap stiff brands if they are just starting to walk. There is a Stride Rite in Albertville and at Southdale that I know of. Also try Kids Feet, Von Maur or Nordstroms. I have had great luck at all of these places.

H.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

pedipeds.com -Worlds best shoes. Worth the extra $.

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R.P.

answers from Cleveland on

we have always got my daughters shoes at outlet malls (name brand shoes and clothes for a heck of a lot less) and they are good shoes and last until she out grows them or its a new season and we need new shoes (we usually get new shoes 3 to 4 times a year)

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L.O.

answers from New York on

Stride rite... I resisted at first because of the cost but then found a stride rite outlet store to buy my son shoes at.

You might want to check with your daycare about what shoes they want your child to wear. We were told they have to be in sneakers and not sandles.

At this age I also highly recommend getting shoes with velco and not laces. We have both and we NEVER use the shoes with laces.

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M.H.

answers from Detroit on

If your toddler just started walking I would go with Striderites and hopefully you can find a deal on them cause they can get pricey. Once he is more comfortable with walking then you can probably go with the cheaper shoes like the Koala baby brand, Payless, Targer or K-Mart especially considering how quickly they grow out them. My daughter is 2 now but I got her some good Striderite walking shoes from an Outlet and luckily they were cheaper. I even got my daughter the Payless crocs and she LOVES them. I just can't see paying $30 plus for a pair of toddler shoes no matter how cute they may be. lol

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I.G.

answers from Seattle on

If he has to wear closed shoes at daycare (mine did for licensing requirements) I would recommend getting him a good pair of leather shoes. Real leather is breathable and comfortable. I have always been of the opinion that if a toddler must wear shoes (barefoot is best at that age) I would rather spent a small fortune on one good pair of shoes than buy a bunch of cheap crappy shoes. I have looked into less expensive shoes many a time and have never found a good pair.
That said take your kid to the mall with you to get him sized properly. Stride rite and Nordstrom do a good job with this. Our preferred brands for kids shoes are Stride Rite and Primigi. My daughter also had a really nice pair of Naturino shoes one summer. They do cost more than I ever spend on shoes for myself, but crappy footwear in infancy can give kids problems that may last into adulthood (with their feet, knees, back...)
Good luck.

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M.M.

answers from Lake Charles on

Striderites were AMAZING. Comfy and washable too. Plus it helps them with walking correctly.

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A.S.

answers from Eugene on

A shoe with leather uppers they won't sweat like plastic. They cost more-but they are worth it. Pedi peds have a shoe line up to about 3 years old. Out here I find them at good baby stores. Crocs brand are a pretty comfortable-we had a knockoff that caused blisters. Crocs are at sporting goods stores and kiosk in the malls. Crocs we found on sale for $15 vs $25.-we used to buy cheap shoes and have a lot of them that didn't fit or wore out. Now my kids get one expensive pair instead of 2 cheap pairs.

Your sons left foot might be smaller-. Make sure you try shoes on both feet before you buy them. Before I realized my dd had two different sized feet, I tried shoes on her small foot, bought them, she grew out of them so fast-because of the big foot.

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L.K.

answers from Sheboygan on

The first pair of shoes that I bought for my son was a pair of crocks...they lasted a LONG time! He wore them until it started snowing and then we switched to boots. :)

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