closed-toe shoes vs. open-toe shoes.....

[newg]

at what age do you stop worrying about finding closed-toe sandals for your LO? DD1 is 4 and I have never bought her open-toe sandals......but at almost 4.5 and with a size 11/11.5 foot I am starting to have a hard time finding cute, leather, closed-toe sandals for her.
The latest pair from SR that I bought this past spring, she's only worn a few times http://www.striderite.com/store/SiteController/striderite/productdetails?catId=cat1530401SR&subCatId=cat1530707SR&showDefaultOption=true&stockNumber=CG41395&skuId=***8********CG41395*M105&productId=8-130165& and she says they hurt her feet.

So I'm hunting for new shoes, but I'm wondering if I'm being overprotective about the closed-toe shoes for her? I have this fear she's going to stub her toes, get splinters from mulch.........

[crl]

Ds at age nine still hasn't ever had open toe sandals. I might be a bit extreme here. . . . .

Catherine

[SnuggleBuggles]

With ds1, I never worried. I always bought him open toed Tevas and we never had trouble. With ds2, I'd come to love Keens so that's what I bought but I still wouldn't be opposed to open toe and he is 4yo.

[roseyloxs]

I just bought my first pair from SKR for DD who turned 3 this week. They are meant for a wedding though and I don't think I will let her wear them to the park or school. I'll probably stick to closed toed playshoes whenever possible. I would keep an eye out for keen sales and snag some of those for now and the later years.

[AnnieW625]

I never worry unless they are riding bikes, scooters or plasma cars. When I was 7 or 8 I tore up my big toe on some rock embedded concrete wearing flip flops and since then that is the only time for myself and now my kids that I require closed toes shoes.

I did buy DD2 some fisherman sandals this year at 2 thinking I would just have her wear those, but then I got DD1 some hot pink Salt Water sandals and had to get a pair for DD2. Low and behold they are her favorites now.

DD1 has a pair of Merrill water shoes, and DD2 got a pair of Keens this summer as well.

[newg]

I never worry unless they are riding bikes, scooters or plasma cars. When I was 7 or 8 I tore up my big toe on some rock embedded concrete wearing flip flops and since then that is the only time for myself and now my kids that I require closed toes shoes.

I did buy DD2 some fisherman sandals this year at 2 thinking I would just have her wear those, but then I got DD1 some hot pink Salt Water sandals and had to get a pair for DD2. Low and behold they are her favorites now.

DD1 has a pair of Merrill water shoes, and DD2 got a pair of Keens this summer as well.

are the salt waters open toe or closed? I got a pair of their closed-toe fisherman sandals for DD1 last year and she kept tripping in them....They seemed clunky compared to their other open-toe sandals that have a thin sole.

[AshleyAnn]

DD is 2.5 and I let her wear open toed shoes unless shes doing something like riding bikes or really playing hard. I only allow sandles with a strap around the heel and nothing between the toes. Since those styles are easier to trip in

[wellyes]

I think you're probably being overprotective. DD is 4 and has been wearing open toes toes for 2 years at least. Never a problem. I don't know any girls her age in our circle who don't, and it's not like there are tons of toe injuries. I can't think of any, to be honest. I know one kid who LOST a toe, but that was at home with bare feet (they stitched it back on).

I'm not sure about boys just because I haven't paid as much attention.

I personally find open toes much more comfortable in the summer and I imagine kids would too.

[lalasmama]

DD's a child of the uncoordinated sort, as well as a child of the impulsive sort.... which, when put together, gives me reason to try to protect her feet, because I never know if she will actually think to stop and put on appropriate shoes for whatever she's doing. So, at 8.5yo, she's in fisherman sandals 95% of the time, so she can ride her bike, use the scooter, climb a tree, or go for a walk at the river, and never need to change shoes.

[KrisM]

My kids all have flip flops that get worn at times, but usually they pick closed toed sandals. Most of the other kids around do the same. They're only allowed closed toed if riding bikes or scooter, too. My kids are 4, 6, and 8 :).

[wellyes]

No flip flops allowed here, that is not what I think of when I think open-toed.

I think the best kid shoes are lightweight; waterproof; with a sneaker sole; securely attached to the foot. Whether or not toes are exposed doesn't matter so much to me.

[AnnieW625]

are the salt waters open toe or closed? I got a pair of their closed-toe fisherman sandals for DD1 last year and she kept tripping in them....They seemed clunky compared to their other open-toe sandals that have a thin sole.

Fisherman Saltwater Sandals (http://www.zappos.com/salt-water-sandal-by-hoy-shoes-sun-san-sharks-infant-toddler-white), but these are probably what you have from last year. DD1 did wear the poly sole open toed ones from 2 yrs. to 5 yrs. though because her foot was wider and they fit her better.

DD2 has the Tulip ones from Stride Rite (http://www.zappos.com/stride-rite-srt-tulip-infant-toddler-white), and she does not trip in them. Stride Rite has these (http://www.zappos.com/stride-rite-summer-youth-white) as well that look older.

These are the ones the DDs have right now:
shiny Saltwater Sandals (http://www.zappos.com/salt-water-sandal-by-hoy-shoes-salt-water-the-original-sandal-infant-toddler-shiny-fuchsia)

[Kindra178]

I just prefer closed Keen type shoes for summer play like biking, scootering, jungle gym. Less exposed skin means fewer cuts, scrapes and boo boos. I noticed that Teva and LLB make a closed toe sandal as well.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

[newg]

Fisherman Saltwater Sandals (http://www.zappos.com/salt-water-sandal-by-hoy-shoes-sun-san-sharks-infant-toddler-white), but these are probably what you have from last year. DD1 did wear the poly sole open toed ones from 2 yrs. to 5 yrs. though because her foot was wider and they fit her better.

DD2 has the Tulip ones from Stride Rite (http://www.zappos.com/stride-rite-srt-tulip-infant-toddler-white), and she does not trip in them. Stride Rite has these (http://www.zappos.com/stride-rite-summer-youth-white) as well that look older.

These are the ones the DDs have right now:
shiny Saltwater Sandals (http://www.zappos.com/salt-water-sandal-by-hoy-shoes-salt-water-the-original-sandal-infant-toddler-shiny-fuchsia)

the second pair of SR you linked to are what she has right now, and she's complaining that they rub around her ankle......and all she does is walk in them.
The first pair of SWS is what she wore last year and while very cute and durable, that front part of the sole seemed to trip her up a lot..........but she tends to catch her toe a lot in general, which may be part of my hesitation to go to an open-toe sandal.
Now, she does have crocs and sneakers for playing in/riding bikes/getting wet...so maybe for a dress sandal I should just try an open-toe and see how she does......

thanks ladies!!

[KrisM]

No flip flops allowed here, that is not what I think of when I think open-toed.

I think the best kid shoes are lightweight; waterproof; with a sneaker sole; securely attached to the foot. Whether or not toes are exposed doesn't matter so much to me.

Until they jump off their bike and drag their toes on the ground! It's stuff like that that makes me disallow open toed on bikes and scooters. I keep trying to get them not to do crazy stunts, but that's what they do.