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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

summer shoes for 1 yr old - advice please

16 replies

deaconblue · 27/05/2007 20:49

Ds can walk now so I plan to go and get his first shoes but I also want to get some shoes he can wear without socks on warm days. Do you recommend open toes or the doodles from Clarks?

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hana · 27/05/2007 20:50

I dono't like open toes on children that little, Ive always bought doodles, or startrite doodles - can wash them too

bozza · 27/05/2007 20:51

doodles would probably be as good as anything. Maybe wear them with socks for the first couple of times until they are worn in. I didn't buy my children sandals until the summer they were 2.

gingernut · 27/05/2007 20:51

Alternatively, you can get closed toe sandals.

Original poster

deaconblue · 27/05/2007 20:52

My thoughts too, was worried about him stubbing his toes. Are the doodles comfy enough without socks though?

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Original poster

deaconblue · 27/05/2007 20:53

he has the stinkiest sweatiest feet in all babydom and hates socks with a passion, hence the desire for socklessness btw

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bozza · 27/05/2007 21:07

I don't know really. DD wears them without socks a lot. But she has just turned 3 so her feet are probably a bit hardened. I bought her some open toed sandals though and they rubbed the first time she wore them without socks. Last summer she had a lovely pair of Startrite closed toed sandals, but they were wrecked very quickly.

adath · 27/05/2007 21:22

DD wore the startrite doodles when she was 18 months without socks, I did put them on with socks the first few times until the material had bent a bit but they were fine. I never liked sandals at that age in case they stub their toes at that age they are still a bit trippy really. DD has also had gorgeous closed toe startrite sandals but wouldn't wear them without socks though bit sweaty.

LIZS · 27/05/2007 21:23

Our local independent shoe shop won't sell open toes until the child has been walking well over a year/18 months due to the tripping risk. I'd go for Doodles or the Startrite equivalent cheaper, easy to clean and breathable - just make sure they have a padded collar around the heel or they might rub without socks.

hairymclary · 27/05/2007 21:32

you should be able to get sandals with a closed toe.
leather will be less stinky than canvas

ChasingSquirrels · 27/05/2007 21:35

Places like Shoe Zone and Bewise sell Doodle type shoes (but only in sizes not widths) for between £2 and £5. DS1 has always had them and I got DS2 a pair this year (now 16mo, cot them about 6 weeks ago). He wore them with socks for a week or so, and now sometimes with sometimes without. They wash well.

CantSleepWontSleep · 27/05/2007 21:38

Surprised at all the caution on here regarding open toes. My dd, 15 months, has had open toed sandals (ecco) for a couple of months now, and hasn't had any problem with tripping. She'd been walking for 2-3 months by the time we got them.

hairymclary · 27/05/2007 22:45

I was always just scared that if ds did fall over that he would hurt his toes. not that the shoes would make him fall over.
he is very much a crawling on the ground to play kind of a boy as well, which means that closed toe sandals are a good thing

hana · 28/05/2007 12:04

it's not an issue as to how long they've been walking (for me anyways) I just worry about something dropping on their toes. perhaps unfounded. Last year my 4 year old had opentoed sandals for the first time, but still don['t think I"d get a pair for my 2 year old

FrannyandZooey · 28/05/2007 12:11

My local shoe shop who I worship recommended closed toes until they are older. They said the little ones stub their toes a lot as they run around.

Doodles with cotton socks are good for keeping feet cool and comfortable. If he really won't wear socks I would recommmend the slightly more expensive brand called Aster, who make a Doodle type shoe. They smell better and the material seems to me to be more comfortable to wear without socks, plus they wash very well.

Original poster

deaconblue · 28/05/2007 14:05

Thank you so much everyone. Will look for the Aster ones, otherwise will go for the Clarks doodles I think and make him wear socks for the first few times.

OP posts:

beautifulgirls · 29/05/2007 20:03

The clarks doodles range do an open toed sandle too. They are really comfy, washable and I have them for my 14 months old and my 2y8mth old. We use socks for a couple of days and now they are fine to wear without socks. Both kids love them and I have no concerns about open toes personally. My kids dont wear shoes in the house to help ensure their feet get plenty of space much of the time and I personally dont see why that is any more risky that open toes for dropped things.

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