Which first shoes for big-footed toddler?

[AngelDog]

I need to get my 15 m.o. DS his first shoes. I had him measured today and he came out at size 5 1/2, width G or H fitting.

He's been walking without support for about 4 weeks - still quite wobbly but rapidly gaining in confidence.

He's never worn shoes at all - we had some suede soled pram shoes, but he hated them. I don't think he'll like having to wear them now - he had a meltdown in both shops we visited.

Jones the Bootmaker advised he should wear Clarks 'cruisers' range (pre-walkers) rather than 'walkers' as he needs as thin a sole as possible because he's not used to shoes. However, they don't make them in a big enough size. They suggested these 'walkers' as an alternative but the soles are fairly solid.

Clarks shop suggested he wear these canvas shoes.

Will canvas shoes give enough support for a first shoe?

Will having thick soled shoes like the walker make it really difficult for him to walk?

Is there anywhere else I can buy 'pre-walker' type shoes with a softer sole but which might have bigger sizes?

Am I just being a PFB worrier?

TIA

Hi Angel. DS started off with cruisers (size 4) but didn't wear shoes inside, only if I knew he'd want to potter around outside. DS didn't do much walkin outside - he'd take a few steps then crawl! Wasn't until he got competent - ie walking without falling every few steps did he walk much outdoors

They don't need shoes - they learn a lot faster without them. So I'd get the canvas ones for outdoor use if absolutely necessary but let him go barefoot as much as possible.

Even now, DS has been walking for 8 months, and he only wears shoes when outside.

DD's first shoes were the same width but slightly smaller (she was 11 months and confidently walking). We tried Clarks once, they didn't remotely fit. Their width fittings seem a bit 'off' and none were wide enough. Couldn't remotely get dd's feet into them. We got some start rite shoes with an H width and they were fine. Not solid but not soft, sort of in the middle. She only wore them in places where she'd be walking a bit and I couldn't be sure of what she might encounter (the park for example). At home she remained shoeless in the garden and indoors and slowly started to wear shoes more as she gained confidence and was walking in town for example.

My DS was only a size 2 when he started walking and had to use pram shoes. (His father bought him Nike trainer ones ).

When he was a size 3 we bought him doodle type shoes (2nd picture) as we lived abroad (v hot country) and I felt socks and proper shoes would be too much.

If he has been walking unsupported for 4 weeks I would have thought he would be okay in just the normal first walker shoes?
Not easy to find pre walking shoes in that size, I had the same problem ds measured 5.5g and I wanted to get him some cruising shoes because he only walks on tiptoes (and not unsupported) so had been told some firmer shoes could help him to put feet more flat, but he is too big for all the cruisers. I have had a look but not really been able to find any prewalker type ones in that size, so if you do come across them come and post and let me know cos I am still looking too.
I would have thought the canvas one would have been okay for him though, and suitable for summer?

my DS was exactly the same, 5 1/2 Gs when he started walking. The Clarke's cruisers stopped at 5s. We tried some Clarke's walkers but the soles were too solid and he found it hard to get from crawling to standing. I ended up finding some cheap nike trainers. They had really soft soles like cruisers and were perfect - he was only in them for a month or two before he was confident enough at walking to move to the proper walkers.
The canvas shoes you linked to would probably be fine but look around because i have seen identical ones for cheaper online.
Iggly is right though, let your DS go barefoot when indoors, it will help him gain confidence.

My DS at 14 months started walking and had size 5F. Got Clarks walking shoes and they were fine for him. No problems at all.

Had the same problem - needed the 5 1/2 for DS when he was just past 1st bday! Clarks shop also suggested the canvas doodles to us and DS was fine with them. That was 4 years ago and no probs so would recommend. The canvas doodles will come in a wide fit as well.

At the time, I emailed clarks saying that I was sure I wasn't the only person with a child needing a bigger cruiser than they do. They just said the average child walks at shoe size 4 and essentially didn't care about serving much other than the average market!

Thanks for all the replies.

I only want them for outdoors really; we've not done any real walking outside except for at a country park on Sunday, but he's getting more interested in walking as well as crawling outside now.

I've found an independent shoeshop here which I'm planning to try - I think they sell StartRite and some other brands.

We bought pedoodles online as ours was also a G/H. They are very wide fitting

I got a StartRite pair in the end. The independent shop seemed to do a lot more poking & prodding of the shoe when fitting than the other two did.

Now I just need to persuade DS to attempt walking in them rather than just standing there and crying about having horrible things on his feet. He's happier than he was, though - he managed to have his feet measured and have the shoes put on before the tears started.