Cruiser shoes- what do you do if you think Clarks and Start-rite designs are horrid?

[TabithaTwitchet]

I have held off getting DD cruisers as I think they are a bit of a rip off.
BUT she has suddenly started being a bit more enthusiastic about walking (holding my hand) and I want us to be able to get out and about a bit, not just shuffling back and forth in the house (for which she is barefoot). So I have reluctantly caved in to the idea of cruisers.
I have had a look at the Clarks and Start-Rite websites and they are all a bit girly-frilly-pink-sparkly for my taste. (don't like chunky macho brown and mud-blue either though).
So what other options are there? Is it Clarks and Start-Rite or nothing?
If so as I don't want to spend £20 on shoes I don't even like.

PS I don't want to buy online, I'd rather have them properly fitted.

The only other option is to go to an independent shoe shop and they should have other choices. There are other makes of shoes available. Elefanten is one make that sticks in my mind from DS being younger.

Dare I say trust your instincts? I have never bought a pair of cruisers and all 4 of mine manage to walk just fine

Go to a department store and they will have other options.

DS never had cruisers either, but I suppose he learned to walk over the winter, i.e. on carpet.

We always shop at an independent shoe shop. I find the assistants way more professional and the choice broader. However, at the end of it all, we buy the shoes that fit best.

I was thinking of going straight to "proper" shoes (not that the choice is that much better) but she will not walk unless someone is holding her hand, and she has only even been doing that a week or so. I don't want to damage her feet and I heard you should hold off the walker shoes until they've been walking unaided for 6 weeks. Which is certainly not the case.
I just feel she'd benefit from being able to walk round the corner to the shops, to the swings etc in this nice sunny weather.
She is almost 18 months and I just feel in comparison to her friends, who are charging around everywhere, she is slightly missing out. (She despises her buggy now, so it is always a battle to go out).

I will try the department store idea, didn't even know they sold shoes for children. Do they fit them properly? We have a John Lewis not too far away, would they have them there?

Get some crocs, dd 14mo adores hers and walks really well in them, they are really good for childrens feet and fit for ages as they cover two sizes.

And they sell them in John Lewis, or size her there and they get them on-line in nicer colours.

My DD is cruising as well. I hate all the clarks and startrite shoes - they are virtually all pink or ridiculously girly. I don't particularly want my DD in a really boyish dark coloured shoe either so I have ordered the lightest pair of boys cruisers to be sent to my nearest clarks for my DD to try...link below...

www.clarks.co.uk/find/EndUses-is-cruising/product-is-20324723

look online for your nearest independent children's shoe shop

They will fit your Dc with cruiser type shoes to begin with if they are young and just walking as they are much softer.

DS had a pair of jelly tot by start rite and they were very nice I have to say. They do them in red too, so neutral.

DS got these when he could walk though, but he just took off and there was no stopping him! He was only 10 months and wouldn't have wanted him in normal hard shoes as it were, then.

I know the designs are naff though. there is a real hole in the market in this country.....maybe we should all get together and make our fortunes by filling the hole with our wonderfully designed shoes?

I got some of those soft leather socky-slipper type shoes from a shop on ebay.

They don't need fitting really. They are just like little leather socks.

I don't buy into Clarks nonsense, they are out for a quick buck from guilt laden parents. IMO of course

Lots here

I think it depends on how much they are walking. I had some of those for Ds when he was just crawling and toddling (not walking) but as soon as he took his first steps unaided, I mean it, he was off! His physical skills are amazing, and was a very very confident walker. He would have worn those out within a week. In fact, the last ones I got him before shoes, he did wear out within 2 weeks it was. Mostly he went bare foot though at home and as often as poss, and even now too, But like I said, think it depends on which level of walking. I certainly wouldn't buy them (shoes) for toddling and holding hands at the very beg of walking.

Yes John Lewis stock cruisers. For the biggest choice you'll need a large store or else you will just get clarks and start rite. I got a start rite pair for my daughter which are white with small
Silver detail, not sparkly or garish pink. They are lovely. Be sure to ask of there are other colours available in a shoe you like the style / fit of as I found out quite a few come in different options, but not always on display. The store can order them in for you.