Buying DS first pair of shoes this weekend - any advice?

[pleasechange]

That's it really - I don't have a clue. Will be starting at John Lewis as I've heard they're good

[IDriveaRedCar]

Is he already properly walking? I wouldn't buy any shoes until he's been walking without any help for a least a couple of weeks. Don't even get me started on "pre-walkers" - total rip-off pointless things.

Assuming he is walking, don't just believe what the assistant tells you, with ds1 I let them assure me that the shoes fitted and I used to have to force his feet in everytime - gave up after a week. I wish I'd prodded and poked and tried taking them on and off myself.

Oh, and go for buckles not velcro if possible. Velcro is just too inviting for small toddlers.....

[ohnelly]

I always go to Clarkes - they are good

[TheCroneEvenstar]

I second what Idrive said. I bought ds2 shoes before he could walk they were from clarkes and cost me £20 they measured his feet and within 2 weeks he had grown out of them.....

[cbmum]

I went to John Lewis and they were good - our local shop sells Clarks and Startrite shoes so no need to go to two shops. My only advice is to go at a time of day that your little one is in a good mood as my DD screamed the place down.

Pre-walkers are good if, like us, you have wooden floors as they stop the constant slipping over. Plus, our DD wanted to go outside the whole time and walk on gravel - not something that's too good if you're only wearing socks!

Good luck!

[Blackduck]

If you are going to buy check the weight of them - ds's first 'proper' shoes were a very nice pair of startrites, but they were so heavy he clonked along like he had those old fashioned diving boots on

[pleasechange]

Thanks all - that's really helpful

idrivearedcard - he has only just started walking and isn't doing it consistently as such, so maybe I should wait another week or two (don't want to be wasting £20-£30 if I don't have to)

[Firawla]

i agree with red car check the fit yourself and make sure you are happy with it
i got ds fitted for pre walkers from clarks (dont know why really, was a waste of money ) i never felt happy with the fit but she said its right, if you are not sure i would go elsewhere. i think those roobeez treds look better if he is just started walking and not consistantly walking. i really felt disappointed with the clarks, and kept him in those soft leather kind of shoes for now - much much better

[BlueKangerooWonders]

Wait, wait, wait! Wait until he's been walking for a good few weeks first. They cope much better in bare feet/ socks for the first weeks, and the foot seems to 'flatten' out so it'll mean new shoes in just a few weeks.