Suede vs. rubber bottoms

[californiagirl]

DD, at 11 months, is a new walker. She does the robot walk by herself for a few steps, but really wants to power around all over the place hanging onto a hand or two. I suggested getting her shoes with bottoms. Not anything rigid; I was just thinking of ordering the Preschoolians with the rubber bottoms to use as outdoor shoes. DH is surprisingly resistant to this concept -- he doesn't see why she needs more protection even toddling down the sidewalk. And he has a point. She's not walking random places, just along sidewalks where the main hazards are the occasional stick. How fast are her suede-bottom shoes going to wear out on concrete and wet grass? How likely is she to encounter a hazard they don't deal with? And if he actually feels them, are they flexible enough to make him feel better?

[stewmom]

DS wears his suede-bottomed Robeez all over the yard, driveway, and sand beach, and I haven't really noticed them wearing out. Nor does he seem bothered by anything he's walked on. I love the thought of his little toes being able to stretch and move and feel the ground. However, I try to remember to put something else on him when the grass or sand is wet as the dark bottoms bleed onto his socks. HTH -

Sam (mom to Stewart 8-15-03)

I tend to agree with your dh. I did move to preschoolians eventually, but the suede bottom is really sufficient for now. I feel like kids pay more attention to how they place their feet when they can feel the ground. They walk more softly and are less likely to hurt themselves. IMO. Ben can walk barefoot on gravel and woodchips, no problem. The only benefit to the rubber bottom is dry feet. :)

Oh and here's a pretty pair I found today:
http://www.frogandelephant.com/pd1824.html

http://www.frogandelephant.com/images/mf/MFdaisy.JPG