Summer shoes for toddlers

DD is just about 18 months old. We live in sunny So. Cal and its already in the 90s so summer weather is here. DD is a proficient walker/runner now and very active.

I was planning on getting a closed toe (or partial closed toe) sandal for sure, but does you DC ever wear sneakers in the warmer months? It can get into the low 100 degrees where we live.

Plus, for those parents of toddler girls, what has your experience been with other sandal styles that expose the toes? I am primarily asking about everyday shes and not special occasion. Has anyone ever gotten the flip flop style for toddlers?

Any favorite brands (besides Keens) for this season? Plus, any brands or styles that you won't buy again and why?

Keens rule here- sorry!

In the old days when ds1 was little, I bought open toed Tevas and they were just fine. I hate flip flop style ones for kids, as do they. If you want flip flop ones, Keens make a nifty one with covered toes.

Sneakers never get any summer wear.

For the record, I have nothing against Keens. I know they are popular with this board, but was just curious if anyone had other brands or styles they like. I just cant afford them right now.

While I love flip flops for me, I think that might be a better style for when she is much older. With as much activity as she does, my sense is something like a keen or closed toe type sandal would offer her more protection.

See Kai Run sandals are the only ones I buy. Closed toe and very cute. I also like Livie and Luca but they run wide.

We got DD a pair of Keens for this summer, and we love them. A little girl in her class has Target-brand shoes that look basically just like Keens. No personal experience with them, but I saw them at Target and I think they were $15-$20 or so, so they might be worth trying out.

I got DD these from Marshall's for $14.99. Ross has a very similar pair for $13.99.

http://m.kohls.com/kohlsStore/kids_s...rt+Sandals.jsp

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Originally Posted by teresah00

We've done keens or fisherman sandals. I don't like open toe at that age.. Still too much stumbling.

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At that age, I did only fisherman-type sandals (closed toe), Pedipeds and Stride Rite.

I only recently started buying DD open toe sandals and just got her her first pair of Crocs.

Brands that we've had good experiences with are Stride Rite (fisherman sandals), Geox (open toe sporty sandals) and Pedi-Ped (fisherman sandals).

We haven't tried Keens but I'm thinking of getting DS a pair this summer.

We don't like flip flops, not enough support, their toes seem too exposed and our daycare doesn't allow them. Although they have Crocs, we only let them wear them at the playground, not if they're running around on pavement.

I would NOT do open toed sandals. Those are asking for injury IMHO.
We've done Stride Rite Angler fisherman sandles--DS wore those the summer he turned 2 and DD is wearing the same pair this summer at 2.5 (she has small feet). We've also done Keens.
My kids love their crocs but we let them wear them sparingly because they tend to fall down in them.
But they both do wear sneakers some in summer. DS has been wearing sneakers almost exclusively in summer for the last several years because his feet get too stinky in sandals, and he's super active so needs the toe protection.

We bought some Stride-Rites that are open on the sides for airflow but have closed toes for protection.

Livie Luca Gold Celestinas.

I always loved Livie and Luca around that age, but DD only has had 2 pairs because they are so expensive.
We also did Stride Rite fisherman sandals- 2 pairs of those as well. Cute and sturdy, but also pricey.
I know Target usually has some basic fisherman sandals that look nice. My niece has had those and they look like a solid choice.
We have done Keens for the past 2 years and have been happy.
A lot of people like Crocs too- but we don't usually wear those anywhere except our back yard.

I would highly recommend Keens or Keens knock-offs (there are plenty of affordable ones).

Fisherman's sandals with closed toes - Stride Rite, Gymboree and a bunch of other brands make them. For DD1, I bought ours in EUC on eBay for like $5 apiece and they're still in great shape for DD2 - who has the world's tiniest feet, so is not going to fit in her sister's sandals for a while.

DD3 is close to 21 months, and just barely wears a size 5 shoe. We tried See Kai Run and Umi- they were both too wide. We tried Stride Rite fisherman sandals- every single SR pair of shoes I bought within the last two years has something wrong with the velcro. It drives me nuts. Naturino was a good brand for DD- but they didn't have any sandals in the store. Our last ditch effort was to try on Keens (and they worked), but I was more than willing to try other alternatives. DS wore SKR fisherman sandals until he outgrew the line.

They aren't closed toe, but I love Teva Psyclone 2s. My DD has had a pair every summer since she started walking. They are the only sandals that have fit well and haven't rubbed her feet at all ( new Keens have already rubbed).

We are in a hot, humid climate. 3-year-old DS's summer shoes are:
See Kai Run sandals
Crocs
Stride Rite sneakers for when we go to the zoo or another place that requires a full day of walking

The Crocs are his favorites by far.

ETA Maybe it's easier with a boy, but my preference is to buy a few pairs of good quality shoes rather than lots of pairs of cute, cheap ones

I am very anti-flip-flop ... and DD has to have closed-toe shoes for daycare.

She has a wide foot, so shopping for fisherman's sandals in the girls' department was a total bust. As was shopping for regular sandals that she might wear a couple of times with dresses at parties or whatever.

So ... I went to my beloved boys' section for things to try and we got two pair similar to these:

http://www.striderite.com/store/Site...ultOption=true

(And, no, I didn't pay $49 for them.)

She wore sneakers and Crocs last summer, but had friction issues from the Crocs, so I refuse to buy them ever again. I bought her a pair of super-cute sandals by Circo at Target but they gave her blisters & cut into her ankles & feet, so they're also on the "never again" list. I was drooling over Saltwater Sandals on Zappos, but can't bring myself to spend a lot on shoes she won't wear that often, KWIM?

We'll be in the market for new aquashoes in a few weeks; I saw some at BRU that I'd get if I could figure out sizing better than the Speedo ones at Target.

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Originally Posted by rin

We got DD a pair of Keens for this summer, and we love them. A little girl in her class has Target-brand shoes that look basically just like Keens. No personal experience with them, but I saw them at Target and I think they were $15-$20 or so, so they might be worth trying out.

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I didn't see the keen knock offs at Target. My local store didn't have much to choose from at all. I will check another store. Seems like they are worth trying out.

I really like some of the SkR styles, but keeping an eye out for any deals!

OP - we're in hot and humid Texas, so I feel your pain.

I guess I'm the outlier - DD has two pairs of open-toe SKR sandals and no accidents yet (knock on wood). She also has this pair of Pediped Mary Janes that she wears almost daily - sturdy, closed-toe and don't seem to get too hot or sweaty.

We love the Stride Rite fisherman-style sandals. Our girls are wearing these this summer:

http://www.striderite.com/store/Site...ultOption=true

And here's the version for younger toddlers:

http://www.striderite.com/store/Site...ultOption=true

kohls makes a jumping beans keen imitation that is pretty flexible.

dd2 was that age last year and wore skr, crocs and pedoodles. Nothing open-toed. DD1 is 6.5 and still doesnt wear open toe shoes. I just think its an accident waiting to happen for my clumsy kids

I was going to say Khols knock-offs!
Also, try Nordstom Rack, if you have one. I was going to hit Kohls this spring but stopped there first. I found higher-end sandles with a softer finish than the Kohls ones, for cheaper!

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Originally Posted by lizzywednesday

I am very anti-flip-flop ... and DD has to have closed-toe shoes for daycare.

She has a wide foot, so shopping for fisherman's sandals in the girls' department was a total bust. As was shopping for regular sandals that she might wear a couple of times with dresses at parties or whatever.

So ... I went to my beloved boys' section for things to try and we got two pair similar to these:

http://www.striderite.com/store/Site...ultOption=true

(And, no, I didn't pay $49 for them.)

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My DD wore these last summer. Sadly, they do not come in her size anymore. These were the absolute best IMO. I could not do fisherman sandals b/c summercamp does not allow full open heeled shoes. DD now wears orthodics so it's a full sneaker for her this summer.

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Originally Posted by doberbrat

DD1 is 6.5 and still doesnt wear open toe shoes.

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:yeahthat:

Re: Keens - this is our first year wearing Keens, and my DDs LOVE them - especially DD#2, who wears her lime green Keens with (essentially) everything :).
They also have Crocs, and white Stride Rite fisherman sandals that they wear for church/dress-up. At 18-24m, DD#1 wore Merrells (a mesh style) and white Nina mary
janes (similar to the Stride Rite's twowhat? posted), and DD#2 wore Crocs (with fabric straps) and white Robeez Tredz fisherman sandals.

another vote for the Kohls Jellybeans knock-off Keens. DS1 wore them to death all last summer.... they finally blew out a couple of months ago just as he was growing out of them.

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Originally Posted by SoCalMommy

For the record, I have nothing against Keens. I know they are popular with this board, but was just curious if anyone had other brands or styles they like. I just cant afford them right now.

While I love flip flops for me, I think that might be a better style for when she is much older. With as much activity as she does, my sense is something like a keen or closed toe type sandal would offer her more protection.

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My 2 year-old lives in his Keens.

I totally get you on the not paying for the Keens. I bought his off Craigslist for $15 and it was in excellent condition. Plus it's machine washable. :)

In addition to the places that PPs have suggested for real Keens or knockoffs, you can also check a nearby consignment store (the one close to me in the Bay Area was selling Keens for ~18) or at online retailers, like Amazon or 6pm.com.

In my opinion, though, it is totally worth it. I may just pay full retail for them if I can't find a deal for them next summer because it's what he wears every single day for the last 2 months or so.

Here's the Kohls Jumping Beans sandals:

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/zbra...rt+Sandals.jsp

Thanks! We have a Nordstrom Rack and Kohls nearby!

I will definitely check them out. :)

We loved fisherman sandals at that age, DD wore Stride Rites, DS wore See Kai Run - both were great! I actually do like sneakers in the summer, because when playing at the playground, it seems like bark mulch gets into every kind of sandal, even fishermans & Keens. I bought the Stride Rites with coupon codes at Shoebuy and got them for around $15 shipped each year.

I just bought these for DS. They were a little bit more than I wanted to pay but a less desperate shopper could probably wait for a better sale:

http://www.famousfootwear.com/Shoppi...976&pg=1019673

I'm really happy with them, they have the close toe, are water friendly and while they look they have a lot of rubber on them in the pic, they are actually super flexible/lightweight.