Toddler shoes - how many pairs and what types

[Jellybeans20]

I have an almost 2 year old who loves to play with sand, run in grass, explore mud, join us hiking, attend playgroup, paint, ride a trike and go to parties/weddings.
What are the different types of shoes a toddler would need?
What do your little ones have? Are there any particular varieties that you have 2 of? For example, I bought some waterproof sporty sandals and I'm wondering if I should buy some smart leather sandals (it's warm weather where we live). What are the essentials and what are the luxury extras?

My son is coming up to five. He used to have one pair of shoes (normally start Rite) for nursery and a pair of navy Bobux for home. He's at school now so has one pair of black Bobux for school, black sketchers trainers for school, red sketchers for home, navy Bobux boots for home and two pairs of wellies ( one pair stays at school). In the summer he had some canvas pumps, some Clark's washable sandals and some bobux leather ones for smart wear. He also has Joules slippers year round. I really would recommend Bobux as they are super flexi and the leather is beautifully soft.

Bourbonbiccy

My 2 year old has one pair of well fitting shoes (Clarks) and a pair of wellies. They're casual looking shoes and he's 2 and we don't go anywhere where he needs anything smarter.

That is a lot of shoes Bourbonbiccy
Why so many?
DD had a pair of shoes and a pair of wellies. They grow out of them so fast it really isn't worth buying so many. We didn't have any smart occasions to go to at that age so she didn't need anything esle.

Goodness to all those pairs of trainers! That's a lot to replace every 6-8 weeks which seems to be how often a toddler's feet grow!

Up until starting school, ds had just one pair of proper leather Start Rite shoes or boots plus a pair of wellies, with some canvas park type shoes in the summer.

No trainers until at least age 4: they're not very good for small feet, are they? Very stiff.

My DD has a pair of trainers, plimsolls, sandals, high tops and suede effect ankle boots, they cost about £8 each from H&M, so cheap and absolutely fine for her. Her proper smart type shoes - Mary Janes - I get from Clark’s, the measuring service is fab and then once they’ve told me her size I shop around for cheaper fashion type shoes listed above. I was advised to do this by the assistant who measured her! We bought her wellies from Clark’s and were disappointed - they leaked after a few wears and cost quite a bit (£30!) so she now has M&S ones which are fine.

It also depends on the toddler...DD attracts mud and general muck 🤣 her shoes are constantly on rotation being scrubbed. I picked gender neutral shoes where I could so I could try and keep them for our next child.

DD has one pair of everyday Clark’s shoes and a pair of wellies

@Bol87 I'm in your same situation, living in UK and DD has wide feet. May I ask you what shops you buy her shoes in case I have one nearby? She's really tricky! Thanks ☺️

I like his outfits to match. I know he doesn't need them, I would never say he does, but I like them there's no harm done and I give them to my mates little fella once he's done so they don't go to waste.

We have also been away a couple of times this year, hence sandals and Sunrays
His christening was this year, so bought his brogues for that mainly and I liked them.

Once I buy them, I always nip into clarks to get them to measure as I do get some from their, I just don't like their boots at the Moment so that's why I went for timberlands.
The 1st pair of timberlands were too small even though they were the right size so had to buy a size up.

Some from there not their.

they're not very good for small feet, are they? Very stiff.

No they are fine the ones I bought, I checked in with clarks and they said they were fine,

@Camomila thankyou. should you wear shoes on tiles?is it recommended? we don't

@EssentialHommus thank you. love Clarks.

@greeentopmilk thank you. I like the idea of dressy sandals for summer. it gets very hot here.

@bibot thank you. I like the idea of getting some sneakers that can get messy. it's nice to go to parties in a fresher and smarter pair.

@MsChatterbox thank you. Havent tried tie up shoes yet with LO but purchased a pair today.

@Bol87 thank you for the pointers. we have tried clarkes. Have heard good things about bobux. Its good to know they fit wider feet. Do you advise buying online? Do their sizes run small

@BareBelliedSneetch wow that is a great idea. thanks. we are starting very soon.

@moreismore thank you for the pointers. have not shopped those brands before. will be looking into them to purchase for LO.

@ChanklyBore thank you and I do think about the way society operates. So many bits and pieces are needed to fit in. The items and in your case shoe varieties provide access to different types of activities and you thereby learn from those experiences, which is good for development. the latter I prefer.

@TeacherMaths thank you. I've noticed a preference towards clarks. LOs sandals also let sand in. this is why I bought aqua socks.

@gonewiththerain thank you. what rainwear boot brands are loved the most in your house?

@bourbonbiccy thanks for sharing. nice list. which are the most loved pair?

@Sb20162019 thanks. I love Mary Janes.

@EscapeTheOrdinary thank you for the heads up. I will be looking into those

Thank you everyone. Thinking of adding dressy sandals and a spare sneakers for now. Boots in winter. Will be looking into all the recommended brands and tips.

@jellybeans he loves his timberlands as they are so padded inside and support his ankle well.
He loves his slippers as they twinkle a bit on the front when he walks.

I like his outfits to match.

I must have been a terrible mother as I couldn't have cared less. That said the shoes DD had matched everything she wore anyway.

I'm usually obsessed with everything matching but quickly learned to let go with DS - as soon as one half of the outfit gets dirty and we have to put something else on, my perfectly coordinated outfit is ruined!

A wet pair and a dry pair

Canvas trainers for nursery
Leather boots now it’s cold
Wellies for wet/muddy times

My son has 2 pairs of wellies, one for nursery one for home. Timberland boots, smart boots , trainers and a pair of smart shoes. Also nursery shoes. In the summer he has play sandals , smart sandals and deck shoes.

I must admit, dd definitely had more shoes than she needed.
Several pairs of Lelli Kelly shoes
Several pairs of trainers
2 pairs of wellies
Slippers.

It's cold where we live at the moment (and for several months) so our needs are different but my son has 1 pair of Timberland boots in the brown workman style, 1 pair of boots in a slightly more dressy blue leather, 1 pair of black trainers, 1 pair of blue trainers, 1 pair of white trainers, a pair of denim sandshoes which I love and he's never had on as they didn't fit until summer was over, and 1 pair of wellies. In the summer he had a pair of sandals but definitely won't be needing another pair till next year. He's about to go up into the next size shoes in the next few weeks and I've just bought another batch of similar, wellies, 4 pairs of various different trainers and 2 boots. Buuut, I seem to always go overboard, I've been told I buy too many but I have OCD and things have to match. I also buy jackets, hats and gloves in each colour lol.
Obviously if it's hot where you are, you won't need boots, so it seems like maybe just a pair of trainers as well as his sandals would suffice, anything else would be optional imo

Thank you all for your feedback. I did respond individually to each reply some days back but I cant find my response here.
I value all your pointers and am looking into the brands you suggested. Take care and happy parenting :)

My 2 year old boy has:
One pair of trainers
One pair of wellies
One pair of ankle boots (smarter than trainers but still casual)

DC always had 1 pair of "proper" shoes, Wellies (UK) and in summer maybe something lighter like sandals.

Once they start running more I add in trainers as well.

Reception age DD has only got school shoes, sandally pink things (Clark's sale when hadn't grown when I thought she had), trainers, wellies and snow boots.

Would like to add walking boots/trainers with better grip for mud when her feet have grown enough!