Baby’s first shoes

[mandylin]

Hi everyone,

My baby girl is 13 months old and has just started taking her first steps. I’m looking to get her first pair of proper shoes and wondered if anyone has recommendations for good brands or styles for early walkers.

Any suggestions or tips would be really appreciated!

https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/roamer-craft-toddler/26142290-p

We had these and I remember they were good. If you search for Clarks Roamer there are lots of different colours and styles including some very cute T-bars.

Same as above. Clarks first walkers/roamers all the way

As above - you cannot beat Clark’s first walkers.

Yes we either did Clarks or John Lewis to make sure we got their feet measured properly.

Go to clarks. Get them measured properly.

These are my favourites. I like the Clarks roamer too, but the sole is softer and more flexible on the Bobux.

https://bobux.co.uk/products/go-xplorer-balletpink-gold

Clark’s Clark’s clarks. Great shoes, correct sizing and let’s face it, it’s a ride of passage

I had to get Strart Rite pre walkers for my tiny-footed 12 month old. From John Lewis.

Everyone raves about Clarks, blistered my baby’s feet so bad they bled. No apology or anything from them, despite them measuring etc
i wentnto to a podiatrist who said the wider and softer/ bendier the sole the better as the grow. So any barefoot shoe brand for at least the first few years

My family member works in a podiatrist and Clarkes really aren’t the way. Look at properly getting them fitted for barefoot

I would look at the European makes like ricosta or petacil. If you can find a good independant shoe shop, you will have more choice. My girls are now in their late twenties but even when they were little Clark’s were a last resort.

Make sure you get very flexible ones as their bones are so malleable - you should be able to bend the shoes in half. And keep baby barefoot/in socks as much as possible to allow their feet to develop unconstrained.

Clarks and start rite are great. Never had a pair wear out before grown out. You need to look for a flexible sole. Their both have a wide range of width fittings too so feet bones aren't crushed

Don't do what I see so many mums do by getting their feet measured then going to a cheaper shop or getting a pair of miniature adult trainers etc. Proper shoe shops design their shoes with the health of kids feet in mind, not just shrink the adult versions down. Its so important this age as you can cause permanent damage to their feet bones by choosing a bad pair of shoes!

Ideally barefoot shoes.

But the Clarks early walkers are good too.

Avoid any fashion brands like Vans or Converse. They should have a very soft, bendy sole and these type of fashion shoes won't be suitable.

Don't use shoes at all until she's properly walking i.e. there is no need for shoes if she's only taken a few steps. They should be barefoot for as long as possible.

We measured in Clarke’s and the first day of wearing them our nursery told us they were too small. What a pain.
We bought these on Amazon which have a wide toe box and look nice. Also bought some leather slippers for indoor use.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0FSKS2JZH?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title