Where to buy first shoes for big-footed toddler?

[AngelDog]

I need to get my 15 m.o. DS his first shoes. I had him measured today and he came out at size 5 1/2, width G or H fitting.

He's been walking without support for about 4 weeks - still quite wobbly but rapidly gaining in confidence.

He's never worn shoes at all - we had some suede soled pram shoes, but he hated them. I don't think he'll like having to wear them now - he had a meltdown in both shops we visited.

Jones the Bootmaker advised he should wear Clarks 'cruisers' range (pre-walkers) rather than 'walkers' as he needs as thin a sole as possible because he's not used to shoes. However, they don't make them in a big enough size. They suggested these 'walkers' as an alternative.

Clarks shop suggested he wear these canvas shoes.

Will canvas shoes give enough support for a first shoe?

Will having thick soled shoes like the walker make it really difficult for him to walk?

Is there anywhere else I can buy 'pre-walker' type shoes with a softer sole but which might have bigger sizes?

Am I just being a PFB worrier?

TIA

I would try Startrite - mine both have wide feet and they are much better fits. also Geox. As the weather warms up, he might be ok in sandals or light weight shoes anyway.... thick soles are heavier but they will give more support but then a lighter shoe may allow him to move quicker.....see which ones he'll tolerate best!

We put DS straight into Clarks "walkers" (actually very similar to the ones you've linked to) when he had just started walking. Before that, he'd only worn Shoo Shoos. He was a 4.5H. Never had any problems.

Have a look at Shoes for Kids Much cheaper than the shops.

These are the equivalent of size 6 I think:
here

I suggest you try an independent shoe shop that stocks a variety of European brands- although they aren't width fitted so you need to feel confident the fitter knows what he/she is doing to ensure a good fit, you will have a lot more choice and some of the European brands are great quality.

I'm surprised Clarks suggested doodles. When my son (PFB) was small I emailed both Clarks and Start-Rite about their canvas shoes and both replied that they weren't suitable for an everyday shoe but were an occasional shoe, like a wellie for example.

Doodles will be fine. Ds is 17 months and if anything walks better in these than he does his normal walkers.

Thanks for all the replies.

I only want them for outdoors really; we've not done any real walking outside except for at a country park on Sunday, but he's getting more interested in walking as well as crawling outside now.

I've found an independent shoeshop here which I'm planning to try - I think they sell StartRite and some other brands.

I wasn't overly confident in the assistants tbh - they were about 12 quite young and both had to go and consult a colleague about what would be best.