What does your toddler wear on feet in summer?

[OriginalHugsy]

My 18 month old is a good walker and has been walking running for last 6 months or more. I went in to local shoe shop and was told not to put her in open sandals until after age of 2. Anyway I just wonder if this is general advice?

Toms!
Well Toms last year, this year they have £5 fake ones from Matalan

Thanks Silver, I thought they were good. My dd loves hers and I'll admit, on adults, I can't stand them but on a22mo they are really quite cute.

My DD loves her crocs (18 months), ideal summer shoes, practical, rinseable, go in sand pit/ shake out sand, have grips, cover toes, more substantial than flip flops but don't need socks, we are sold

"Crocs have actually been clinically proven to be good for your feet..."

By a study funded by Crocs no doubt

i suppose it depends on the child whether they are prone to accidents. My dd is either still (rare) or running, so she goes so fast that she sometimes trips over and the thought of her stubbing her toe is painful!
Good ideas though, I might get her some doodles as they are quite lightweight I suppose. I wonder whether they can wear without socks at all or would they rub too much? Pfb alert

Ricosta closed toe sandals (from eBay).

I always put socks on, for one thing feet burn easily.

Crocs - lightweight, supportive, nice and airy.

But I put them on using the heel strap, rather than as a slip-on.

When I needed NHS Physio I mentioned using crocs, and the physio's eyes lit up "oh GOOD!"
I think if they'd been proven bad for you she'd have had the opposite reaction. Perhaps they're bad for toddlers but I doubt it.

Pitta, can you link an article for the study you mention?

Crocs

My 3yo lives in his Crocs and has done from the age of 2. With the back strap rather than slip-on. Hideous on adults but cute on kids, practical as they can easily be rinsed and dried in the sun. My 13mo will be in t-bar doodles when not barefoot as she's starting to walk. Open toes would worry me as she's pointing her toes and dragging her foot as she steps, pretty typical with early walking, and would be likely to trip on the open toe end - I assume that's why they're not recommended for the early stages of walking.

spring - it's silver who should be citing their sources. Silver claimed Crocs were "clinically proven", and I was quoting. I doubt any good studies show Crocs are good for kids feet!

I have a 6 year old and just turned 3 year old.

They get a new pair of Keen sandals each around April/May and they do until early October. They are very hard wearing and supportive, closed toe which I prefer for scooting, biking, playground etc they can also be worn in our spray parks.

They also have a pair of 'prettier' sandals which are opened toed and worn with dresses or occasions where they won't be running around so much.

They also have some crocs/fake crocs/hand me downs which they can wear in the garden or if their other sandals are wet. My eldest always wore crocs when she was younger before I discovered Keen ones I agree they are a very practical summer shoe.

I am not in the UK and our weather is warmer, here the kids live in sandals for a good 4/5 months. So I find a selection works for us.

Pitta, you actually said "bad for feet."

Why did you say this if you're now saying you just doubt that they're good for feet?

No one had mentioned studies until you made that claim. So now you're saying you don't actually mean "bad for feet" you just mean you have your personal doubts that they're as good as people might think?

Oo just logged on to see a bit of a clash kicking off! My source, bitta....

www.m.webmd.com/diabetes/features/crocs-healthy-shoes-just-comfy

Approved by the APMA and the US Ergonomics Council (both American groups but Crocs are an American brand)... A quick Google will turn up many more (albeit equally surprised) endorsements. There general consensus is so long as the strap is down and they're not being used for v marathon running or the like they're a safe bet!

And they Do look cute on a 2yr old DDs are bright yellow so have the added bonus of making her v. Hard to lose!