Are these okay for a prewalking/walking DD?

[juliasmom05]

Okay, you would think after all these shoe posts lately, I would be able to figure this out myself. But, I am at a loss. DD just turned one, and is cruising all around, but not walking unassisted yet. She needs shoes at daycare, so she has been wearing Robeez (6-12M). I want to get a pair of white sandals for the summer, but not really feeling the Robeez sandals. Are the Soft Star sandals or Stride-Rite Guppys appropriate for prewalking/early walking or should I just stick to Robeez/Bobux type soft-soled shoes.

Thanks

Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

Soft Star
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33062.jpg



http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33063.jpg
Guppy

[lenad]

When my dd was in that stage I had her in Robeez. We did get her a nice pair of sandals (Italian, they don't have them here), but though they were reasonably soft, she only wore them when it was wet outside, as she "walked" more easily in the Robeez.

I would say get the softest possible sole you can. And closed-toe sandals are definitely the way to go. The sole on the sandals you are showing seems similar to the shoes I got when she could already walk and I didn't think it was particularly soft. Hopefully someone else will know it for sure.

HTH,

LD

[juliasmom05]

Thanks. That is what I was afraid of. I think I will probably go with something like these Bobux sandals then.


Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33064.jpg

[lenad]

Cute! The only problem w/ Robeez/Bobux is they can't be worn out when it's wet.

BTW, have you seen Livie and Luca shoes? Here are some white ones (though not pure white):
http://livieandluca.com/html/detail_page_33.html
http://livieandluca.com/html/detail_page_83.html

[juliasmom05]

Those are really cute, but the soles don't seem as flexible. Would they be good for an early walker? Is there anything similar to Robeez/Bobux that are really appropriate for outdoors or rain?

Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

[lilycat88]

We did have the Guppy for DD when she had just started walking and she did fine with it. DD was being seen by a PT for a bit of a gross motor delay and her PT okd them for her. That being said, they weren't her "primary" shoe. If I knew we were going to be in a situation where she would be wanting to walk quite a bit, she had some tennis shoes. These were for really hot days and even at that, I found that daycare would often just take off all of the kids shoes and let them run around shoeless.

[lenad]

Have you seen this review? Seem quite flexible.
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=8&topic_id=88133&mode=full
They seem to run a bit on the narrow side though...

[ellies mom]

Have you seen these Stride Rites?
http://www.striderite.com/images/us/local/products/detail/MALLORYWHITE.JPG
They have a really flexible sole and and should work for outside.

These Stride Rites are even more flexible but the sole isn't rubber the whole way so they may not be as good for wet grounds, if that would even be a problem.
http://www.striderite.com/images/us/local/products/detail/104191_93.jpg

[juliasmom05]

Those are cute as well. We live in the boonies, so I have been doing everything online. I need to find a store nearby so that I can try some of them on her and see how they fit. Thanks.

Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

[lenad]

You got me going on a shoe search, and I love Soft Stars. They seem great... I think I'll order a pair for my dd. And look perfect for what you want.

[juliasmom05]

They are cute, aren't they? Now, I am back to where I started. Can't make a decision. There's really no such thing as too many shoes, now is there? ;-).

Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

[stanathan]

Just to make it a little more complicated...:)
Preschoolians have great shoes (also white sandals - see the picture) with very flexible soles (and a clear window to check for fit) BUT they are pricey and apparently they have TERRIBLE customer service. But can buy them at zappos.com (free shipping and free return) to avoid dealing directly with the company.

My DD had preschoolians as first (post-Bobux) real shoes. Then we had soft star shoes (also very flexible), then pedoodles, then see kai run (that's where we are right now). They are all very flexible. I would avoid Stride Rite Guppy as they are much stiffer than what your DD is currently used to. Their early stage shoes (natural motion) would probably be fine.
I never tried Livie and Luca because my DD outgrew their largest size by the time I learned about them - but I also heard and read that they are very flexible (like See Kai Run).
Good luck!

[holliam]

Just to echo what others have said, I would definitely not get the SR Guppy for a prewalker. I got them for my almost 20-month old and she does fine in them but she's been walking for 7 months now.

We used the Robeez white sandals last summer.

Holli

[juliasmom05]

Yeah, I was also looking into those as well :-) . Who would have thought that buying shoes would be so complicated x( . Which do you think are better for beginning walkers, preschoolians or soft stars?

Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

[juliasmom05]

Thanks. Well that's a least one less to consider :-).

Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

[Mom2M]

I have a pink pair of those Soft Star Shoe sandals and DD (19 months old) refuses to wear them. I really liked them and they were pretty expensive! She loves to wear her Gucios, SKR, and Preschoolians, so I'm not sure why she hates the Soft Star shoes so much...

[stanathan]

I think either would be great. However, I would probably get preschoolians because:
1) they have a good resale value on e-bay (if you are thinking about recouping some of the cost) and your DD will probably not wear them long enough to ruin them - my DD at that age averages 2-3 months in one size
2) closed-toe sandals are much better for beginning walkers - soft star sandals have an opening in the front through which dirt, mulch, etc. can get in and cause discomfort. Also beginning walkers trip more often so any toe protection helps.
3) The elastic band on the soft stars gets loose/streched quicky (at least that's what happened to us) and it doesn't look good. But we didn't have problems with their velcro closure.

But I would get them from zappos because you would avoid dealing with preschoolians direclty and you can return them for free if the don't fit.
Hope this helps.