What shoes do you buy for your toddler/preschooler

[wordbox]

Originally Posted by KaleidoscopeEyes if that were the case then kids shouldnt be barefoot at all lol

Yeah, I was thinking that as well. My son is barefoot (or in socks) at home on our hardwood floors most of the day. I'd think that would do more damage than wearing Crocs, which at least have some arch support.

[Kiliki]

Originally Posted by MsGiggles Just a side PSA for those buying crocs for wide feet: I've now heard from a few foot drs that they can cause the foot to widen even further as they don't give the correct support to the sides of the foot. Can be problematic for younger kids wearing them often.

Originally Posted by KaleidoscopeEyes if that were the case then kids shouldnt be barefoot at all lol

Yea, that.

I think the "support" part of shoes is a bit of a crock. Shoes are primarily to protect feet from things that you could step on. Proper foot growth and development really comes from barefoot walking, not wearing shoes.

We are barefoot 99% of the time and only wear shoes out of the house.

That said, we rely on soft-soled shoes up until about age 2-3y/o. Then I look for something with a flexible sole if I can find it.

I get lots of shoes secondhand. My parents raised me the same way yours did, OP - "Never buy used shoes!"

Now as an adult I understand the purpose of shoes better, and I know more about why being barefoot is best, and so shoes are only used when necessary, therefore, being secondhand doesn't matter b/c my kids only wear them a few hours at a time, at the most.

[whitneywalters]

For Amelia I have been buying robeez tredz, she is 18 months and has fat little feet, these work well for her.

[marenmccoy]

I like Keen and Simple. I've been disappointed in See Kai Run and Pedoodles.

[mamaspice]

Originally Posted by Kiliki Yea, that. I think the "support" part of shoes is a bit of a crock. Shoes are primarily to protect feet from things that you could step on. Proper foot growth and development really comes from barefoot walking, not wearing shoes. We are barefoot 99% of the time and only wear shoes out of the house. That said, we rely on soft-soled shoes up until about age 2-3y/o. Then I look for something with a flexible sole if I can find it. I get lots of shoes secondhand. My parents raised me the same way yours did, OP - "Never buy used shoes!" Now as an adult I understand the purpose of shoes better, and I know more about why being barefoot is best, and so shoes are only used when necessary, therefore, being secondhand doesn't matter b/c my kids only wear them a few hours at a time, at the most.

Like!

[Marbie]

We love pedipeds and pedoodles. They have really flexible soles and great quality.

I've also gotten See Kai Run smaller, and they are really cute but didn't hold up as long.

[addicteddad]

We just got DS a pair of Tsukihoshis. Expensive, but good wide fit without the "W" designation. Had a tough time finding a pair of 8.5W for DS, who just turned 2, to give his toddler approval to. Also picked up a pair of Sauconys just to try and get him to wear more than one pair during a stage and hopefully reduce the pickiness.

[GirlFriday13th]

I like pedoodles and jack and lily a lot. And they're frequently on the daily bargain sites for reasonable prices. We also wear a lot of target converse, they have a nice flat, flexible sole and are readily available.

[90924teeth]

Keens hands down for durability. I bought some second hand which are now on the 3rd child and going strong.
Fwiw I went to a chiropractor for some back pain who attributed it to walking around and picking the kids up in my crocs which I use as house shoes. He said it wasn't the thickness of the sole but the way it flexed when you walk. Most shoes follow a curve like pattern, crocs just jackknife.

[fallfromfender]

We are a Crocs family. I don't think I can ever wear anything else now. I am always wearing crocs flats, DS loves the clogs or sneakers. The clogs are great, he can put them on and take them off himself, and are super easy to clean. They last so long without getting gross. No more stinky boy feet!! If they do get dirty, I just throw them in the sink with hot soapy water and wash, they come out looking new! We usually go with clogs for spring/summer, and crocs sneakers for fall/winter. The lined clogs work okay for winter, but they get stinky. Oh, and my DS has fat, wide feet.
I had a pair of crocs flats that I wore nearly every day for two years. I just replaced them because the tread was gone on the bottoms, but otherwise they were still fine.
Even my DH loves Crocs! He even wears the Barista ones to work.
I have never had any issues with them, there is no need to "break them in". They are just so comfortable. Can't say enough good things about them!