To need someone to explain the difference between these shoes?

[Linguaphile]

Consulting the high council of all things shoe-related here.

I'm being practical and, in celebration of nearly 2 months of good shoeless walking, am putting my twins' first shoes on their grandparent-requested 1st birthday wish list (will take back into the shop for a proper fitting if we receive them). I like a certain style, but there are two versions of it that look exactly the same to me except one comes in smaller sizes. Are they meant for different stages of walking? Observe two exhibits for your consideration:

Exhibit A: www.clarks.co.uk/p/20358738?cm_mmc=criteo--feed--na-_-na
Exhibit B: www.clarks.co.uk/p/20357350

What (size aside) is the difference between these? I'm obviously tempted to put the cheaper ones on the list, but are they just cruisers or are they also good for confident walkers?

No idea I'm afraid but I think it would be very odd to expect grandparents to buy their grandchildren's first shoes without their feet being measured (even if you are going to take them back to the shop subsequently). I think the Clarks fitters would be a bit too. If they decide to buy them shoes, you should all go to the store together or get them to just give you the money. Those shoes might not even suit your children's feet, regardless of the size.

Going by the sizes only. The style is the same but one is for 3 - 4 1/2 and the other for larger feet. Hence the increased price for more leather. I know you mentioned about putting the cheaper ones on the list but you can't ignore the sizes as that dictates which ones you buy! I expect that they are exactly the same type of shoe. My DCs started walking at 10 months in size 5 shoes whereas a friend's twins walked at the same age but needed a size 3.

The soles on the first pair don't look as sturdy - probably aimed at a child who is only doing a minimum amount of outside walking.

That said, I wouldn't get someone else to buy shoes without your DC there - shoes are shaped differently and these shoes just might not suit their feet. Can the grandparents come to the shoe shop with you?

The sole looks a bit thicker in the bigger one. But in a shoe that size, I'd expect either to bend readily (the size of child's foot relative to walking skill means that all are likely to be suitable for any upright DC).

They'll be growing fast. I'd get the cheaper.

I would get them measured/fitted.

I'm no expert on children's shoes but they do look different to me. The smaller ones look like baby shoes, if you know what I mean. If you open each link in a separate tab and flick between the two, the difference in appearance is easier to see.

Yes, they are made for different stages of walking.

Look at the sole on A. Do you see how it's thin, flat, and rises up at the toe? My guess is that that's to make the transition from crawling to cruising easier.

Look at the sole on B. It's ridged at structured. The foot stays flat inside it.

I couldn't say without going to look at the shoes themselves, but at that age (around 1), I'd want to put them in the most flexible sole possible. They will be able to walk/toddle in them fine, but the first ones look, to me, more flexible.

I'd echo what the other say too - get them properly measured and fitted. Baby's bones are still very soft at that age, and you want to make sure they're not being unnecessarily restricted.

I should say - I'm not a podiatrist or anything. It's just my instinct talking.

Yes I would definitely say the first pair are "cruising" shoes and the second "walking" shoes. I really wouldn't buy shoes without trying them on in the shop. Ime the shape of kids' feet has a massive effect on the fit of the shoe (more so than for adults, I think). My DS1 has a deep instep and so some shoes are impossible for him to get on.

YY to trying them on. They might not be suitable for the shape of their feet.

Put a token "picture of shoes" on the list and then if the grandparents choose that, take them into the shop and wait to see what the shop actually has, what stage your twins are at walking, and what size their feet are and go from there - that will determine which pairs you buy. Then either grandparents pay or if they're not there, you pay and they reimburse you/they give you a blank cheque/cash in advance.

I think the first pair look more expensive! The fact that the sole comes up over the front would sell it to me. Little people drag that area and scuff it badly. They look good.

You need to go & get them fitted. Length of feet is not the only consideration.

For clarks cruiser shoes have a blue diamond on the sole & walking shoes have a green square.

I was advised a childshpuldnt be in "walking" shoes until they've been properly walking at least 6 weeks. No need for cruises unless cruising outside, otherwise bare feet.

I've had them measured and fitted quite recently, so the sizes and widths won't be far off; I'd be taking them in with the shoes just to make sure they were still fitting properly if that makes sense? Grandparents live too far away for an outing together, and neither set likes giving money/gift vouchers as they feel they are impersonal.

Their feet are just between sizes (3.5F and 3.5G), so although the first set would be best for just right now size-wise, I wondered if there was something about the second set that would make it best to wait a few more weeks and go straight into those instead (obviously, again, being taken into the shop beforehand to ensure that they actually fit and suit as they're a slightly different style).

It sounds like putting them in the cruiser style with all the flexibility won't be a bad option for a newer walker, though... Worst case scenario, when we take them in for a fitting we can see if the other style would be better for them and exchange for those instead.

The first ones are cruisers and the second ones are walkers.

Keep them in the cruisers for as long as possible. It's the next best thing to barefoot.

Thanks Bouttimeforwine, that's exactly what I wanted to know!

Both look a bit hard for first shoes. The softer and more flexible the shoe the better.

Definitely take them to try them on first, iv found there is variation in Clark's styles, some rubbed DS's feet and others haven't. And as said up thread, first pair are cruisers, second are walkers.

First walkers (pic one) have a softer, more flexible sole than the second pair.

You cannot buy shoes for children, particularly young children, without taking them to a shop and having them fitted.

You can order shoes and pay for them online with clarks, to be collected in store. That way you get whatever shoe you specifically want rather than whatever's in store in their size, and you still benefit from their professional fitting service, which i personally think is really important. Babies feet can change and grow very quickly. I was advised by the sales lady in Clark's to order a couple of pairs if not 100% sure of the exact size then just take the one that fits perfectly. They don't quibble about refunds on unworn shoes within 28 days.
Having said all that, I had a nightmare experience in Clark's the other day, trying to get school shoes for my four kids. They measure older children using an iPad now, and it's rubbish, but you should be fine with a little one, as I think they still measure the little children manually.

Get the softer shoes, babies shouldn't have anything hard on their feet as their bones are still soft and you don't want to damage their feet. DS was an early walker and we got cruisers to start with then moved on to harder shoes. Start rite and Clarkes fit differently so I'd always get measured.

You're doing it the wrong way round.

Don't choose shoes from a picture, buy, then take them to the shop to have them fitted.

Go to the shop, find out what fits, then ask the grandparents to buy those.

one is for walkers one isnt x

get them fitted first then see which shoes look good on the feet x

i've wanted a specific style for my son he has a high arch i will never get him in them

The first pair are cruising shoes and the second pair are for walkers.

The first pair have a really flexible sole plus the rubber bit at the front which protects when the child is crawling, whereas the second shoe is a proper walking shoe with a sturdy sole that is better for walking outside.