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Parenting

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Original poster

1st shoes are they ok

30 replies

19annie86 · 19/04/2023 22:08

My child is 12 months old and has been walking pretty confidently now for about 3 or 4 weeks, still the odd wee tumble, hasn't been wearing shoes while learning to walk, but a few days ago we got her fitted and told the girl they would be her first shoes.

They are clarks trainer type shoe with velcro, however a family member has commented saying they are the wrong shoe, should have got a different sort, from looking at the clarks website I think they are referring to pre walking shoes, said the ones we got would damage her feet are so gard etc

The girl asked us was she walking and we said yes so she showed us our options which we all mostly trainer type

Can anyone please advise, iv attached picture of shoes we got, are they ok for a 12 month old who has been walking for a few weeks now

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SErunner · 19/04/2023 22:11

She probably would be better off with pre-walkers if she's only just getting going. They are thinner and more flexible so help them balance better and help the intrinsic muscles of their feet develop better. They don't usually class them as 'walking' until they are confidently walking indoors and outdoors. Might be worth going back with the receipt and seeing if they will swap them.

HappiDaze · 19/04/2023 22:14

Clarks know what they're doing and are well trained so the trainers should be fine for your DD needs at this exact moment on time.

Iminthemoneylife · 19/04/2023 22:17

The sole looks too thick and inflexible.

Clark’s shoes aren’t great, especially girl’s school shoes.

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ejbaxa · 19/04/2023 22:19

Walking shoes were considered fine once a baby had been walking 6 weeks in my day. So possibly your dd is slightly on the early side for them - but they are trainers with a soft collar and adjustable with velcro so they aren't a disaster.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 19/04/2023 22:24

I agree with pp who said they don't look flexible enough.

kernowpicklepie · 19/04/2023 22:26

Clarks are very good so these should be fine.
Try and keep DD bare foot/socks/tights indoors and the shoes for outdoors only at this stage

RedRobin100 · 19/04/2023 22:27

I’d be going with prewalkers for a good while
yet. Still very young, I feel it’s best to let their feet develop and strengthen up before hard soles.

MuffinToSeeHere · 19/04/2023 22:27

They don't look very flexible at all and although she is walking confidently I'd want a 12 month old in shoes which were less restrictive. Have a look at barefoot shoes, for the price you'd pay at Clarke's I'd rather get a pair of barefoot style shoes which won't be as restrictive.

RedRobin100 · 19/04/2023 22:27

Apart from outdoors/wet ground etc obviously!

SorePaw · 19/04/2023 22:33

Can you bend them with your finger & thumb?

Have you tried her indoors with them?

they're bigger bulkier than I'd personally go for, I'd go for a much lighter, more flexible shoe, BUT if she does ok with them indoors I'd use them for outside on wet muddy ground and get some thinner ones for drier ground.

obviously not wearing any whenever possible.

eatdrinkandbemerry · 19/04/2023 22:44

They are fine.
They look alot lighter than some first shoes 👍🏻

LIZS · 19/04/2023 22:45

How flexible are they? Is she able to walk correctly in them, or drag her toes and trip?

Fullofpudding · 19/04/2023 22:49

I'd say something softer like this would be better.

FamilyAreEverything · 19/04/2023 22:50

Clarks are awful shoes - rigid soles with no flexibility for developing feet.
I’d avoid any shoes for a few more weeks, and definitely bare feet (no socks) when indoors.
Have a look at Bobux (although I think they may be financially struggling at the moment) or other ‘barefoot’ shoe brands.

HappiDaze · 20/04/2023 01:00

If she's walking then she won't need pre walkers she needs shoes to walk around in outside protecting her feet

Original poster

19annie86 · 20/04/2023 06:15

Don't think il be able to return as she has worn them a few times, she doesnt have them on alot just for a short while in the house and then if she is outside ealking which isnt yoo often, the girl asked was she walking and when we said yes she told us to ignore the top shelf which was the softer pre walking shoes and only had two shelves to chose from then which were all trainer type

OP posts:

SuperSange · 20/04/2023 06:30

Clarks aren't all that great in my experience. Those are too rigid for her. Unless she's walking outdoors lots, there's no need for shoes just yet; those moccasin socks are fantastic for indoors for early walkers. And they done fall off

itsabigtree · 20/04/2023 06:51

Personally I'd have her on prewalkers (sometimes called cruisers) until she's more established. but these won't harm her, it's not a huge deal.

Merrow · 20/04/2023 06:57

I wouldn't worry about it if she's not walking about outside much and keep her out of shoes inside. If she's suddenly walking around outside a lot I might reconsider, but I'd wait until that point and then look somewhere other than Clarks.

LT2 · 20/04/2023 07:01

I didn't do my research before we went for the fitting so when I was shown to the pre-walking shoes I said 'oh, he's already walking though'. I think it's advised because they are lighter and easier for the child to get used to the idea of wearing something light on their feet first. I would personally return them and get pre-walker shoes.

LT2 · 20/04/2023 07:04

HappiDaze · 20/04/2023 01:00

If she's walking then she won't need pre walkers she needs shoes to walk around in outside protecting her feet

When my baby was properly walking (no longer tumbling over and no cruising) Clarks said to buy pre-walker shoes first. Even though they are walking, this is what they should wear first as they are lighter, more flexible.

moonspiral · 20/04/2023 07:06

I think your child is at the in-between shoe stage

LT2 · 20/04/2023 07:06

HappiDaze · 19/04/2023 22:14

Clarks know what they're doing and are well trained so the trainers should be fine for your DD needs at this exact moment on time.

The Clarks assistant manager advised pre-walking shoes first for my walking 14 month old, so the stores are advising different things. Sounds to me like this girl wasn't very experienced.

MissMaple82 · 20/04/2023 08:14

No! She needs first shoes which are designed for trios and stumbles amd are lighter in weight!

Eggseggseverywhere · 20/04/2023 08:21

My mind boggles why people rush to spend money on shoes that aren't necessary..
Babies don't need shoes.

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