Crocs - good for toddlers?

[SilkyDemon]

Not sure if I'm posting in the right place here, but just wondering...
DS, 20months, has finally decided to get up on his feet and walk! Are Crocs any good for his feet this early on, or should he be in proper fitted shoes?
TIA

I was told by some foot woman that they are good for feet.

I think if he's only just found his feet though, best to get some fitted shoes. My 3yo DS loves his Crocs but has been known to flop out of them.

DS2 has been walking since last weekend (15 months) he has been wearing crocs all this week and is absolutely fine in them.
He's had Clarks cruisers for a couple of months so I know what size he is.
DS1 (3yrs) wears crocs too. He always chooses to wear the crocs over his fitted shoes so they must be comfy (he's big on comfort)

I was told by the shoe fitter (in a children's shoe shop which sells Crocs) that she would not recommend crocs as the main pair of shoes for toddlers. ok for wearing on the beach etc.

I would get your ds properly fitted for some shoes- don't see that crocs can provide much support around the sides, ankle and heel really.

my ds had a pair for the beach, fine, but he's a bit older and walking properly.

My youngest has huge blisters from crocs- I wouldn't chance it myself.

are they real crocs or fakes though?

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. I did wonder about the lack of support around the sides and ankle and if he would kind of 'walk out of them' iyswim. On the other hand, I'd read that they are the nearest thing to walking barefoot, which is also meant to be good for feet - that's where the confusion has come in. Can't seem to get any expert advice - Clarks in town say no, he needs proper fitted shoes, but the Crocs retailer says they're excellent!

Fucksticks - would be going for the real Crocs

they're not supportive like fitted shoes are, but like you say if they are barefoot theres no support either and thats really good for them.
They are loose so like walking barefoot but they dont seem to slip off (well my DCs dont anyway)

That's why I was told they were good, it's like walking barefoot and that's the best way to walk.

at phantom plopper - we seem to be following each other round tonight!

I have bought real Crocs and cheap ones from seaside shops - I really do not think the branded ones were any better. None of them are very hard-wearing in my experience, the straps broke.

all on shoe threads too!

Can I tag on a question to this.... I want to get the DS a pair of Thomas the Tank Engine crocs (real ones, he is a 5 so should I go for 4/5 or the 6/7? Why they have to do the sizing like this I don't know! I want them to last but also be able to walk in them, I've heard they need to be roomy and also come up a little small, any thoughts please

I wouldn't - let me find his feet in a pair of the velcro summer sandle doodles from Clarks - they are £14 in the shop, or get him fitted & buy them on ebay. They are nice & neat fitting with cusioning round the straps, so easy & soft to wear without socks & less likely to trip him up.

Thanks again everyone for the helpful replies. I think for his first pair of shoes I will go for the more traditional fitted style, and leave the Crocs until he's steadier and more confident on his feet.

scattycatty, one of mine has the wallE crocs, and they came up smaller than the normal crocs. If the thomas ones are similar, I'd probably go for the bigger size.

Crocs def aren't supportive at all. My dyspraxic ds1 can't walk in them at all now because of the lack of support.

I bought my ds some crocs last summer & they gave him nasty blisters on his toes.