UPDATED - Water shoes & Sandals

[psimpson3-5]

Update:
Thanks for all of your suggestions. I ordered the Speedo water shoes from Amazon. They will arrived today.

I bought Keens at our local Olly Shoe store. They don't have half sizes and DS needed 5.5. The sales associate was not very helpful during the process but stated a 6 would be fine. They didn't have the color we wanted in a 6, so she had a pair shipped to our home. They arrived yesterday. They are too big. DS looks ridiculous walking in them. He's never worn hard soled shoes, which the salesperson warned me about in store, so I figured this was why. He tripped many times and had difficulties moving from sitting to standing. He hit his head very hard on the coffee table at one point and I panicked. I immediately removed his shoes. Now I don't know what to do. Do I return them? Is this normal when moving from soft soles to hard soles? Has this ever happened to you?



Please help! I've read a few threads about summer and water shoes. I'm feeling very overwhelmed and confused. Overall I don't want to invest a ton as DS will only need them for a few months and who knows how long they will actually fit him. I do however what to make a decent purchase, shoes that will last all summer. Quality is more important than the cost.

I was told by the daycare owner that they have "water days" 2 days a week. She said he needs closed toe water shoes and no crocs. I'm assuming this means that they can be open in some places other than the toe area...? I plan to confirm this. Also, I would love for the water shoes to hold up all summer as we are going on a cruise at the very end of August.

I'd also like to get him some supportive sandals/summer shoes. My mother bought Jack and Jill Sandals for DS at Costco. While they are super cute, they have a very flimsy and flat sole. I don't think DS will have an easy time walking in them. DS currently wears the Stride Rite Step 2/Pre Walker shoes. He walks like a drunken sailor!

What do you like? What's worked for your family?

[wendibird22]

I've always done Keens with my girls. They are closed toed and good for sprinkler play, helping daddy wash the car, water table play, etc.

We've always gotten either the Whisper or the Newport H2. We had 1 pair of Sunsport that I didn't like much..more plastic feeling. They dry pretty quickly and can be put in the washing machine. Since I have 2 girls DD1's always get passed down to DD2 and look brand new.

http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/shoes/kids

I am usually able to find a deal on Amazon or REI.

ETA: once my girls were walking these were the sandals we bought.

[Nooknookmom]

I like stride rites water friendly shoes for that young of a tot.

http://m.striderite.com/mt/www.striderite.com/store/SiteController/striderite/productdetails?stockNumber=BB45608&showDefaultOption=true&skuId=***8********BB45608*M080&productId=8-136291&searched=true

Only bc they are really flexible and not bulky. Good sale too!!! Keens may work tho - Nordstrom has them on sale now for $36. Maybe you can try each kind on and see how he runs in them and I they slip or he trips and pick the best choice.

I always had a "run rule" I had DD's run in any shoe we were gonna buy and made sure their toes didn't trip. And check for heel slippage.

[MamaSnoo]

Our DCP asked us to just leave the water shoes for the whole summer. At that age, it was more like mud wrestling than water play, LOL! Any shoe would have been wrecked. They also lost some of DD's water play stuff (like a resuable swim diaper, arghh).

So, for the daycare purpose, I did something a little more budget friendly than the Keen's-- we used the Speedo (http://www.speedousa.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3106972&cp=3124328.3128428.3703806&cid=1062232) or Frisky (http://www.friskyshoes.com/toddlers/boys/aqua-shoes-water-shoes.html) water shoes. They have a rubberized sole, and neoprene top, so they really protect from bumps and scrapes. They were also good to wear to the pool (hot concrete- yikes!) or splash pad and can be worn into the pool (unlike the Keen's).

We have had Keen's or Pediped sandals too every summer for walking around in during the summer. I like them a lot, but I just would not have sent them in to DC's daycare for the mudfest (errr....water play).

For us, having one shoe for general purpose and one for water play worked best.

[mjs64]

I like stride rites water friendly shoes for that young of a tot.

http://m.striderite.com/mt/www.striderite.com/store/SiteController/striderite/productdetails?stockNumber=BB45608&showDefaultOption=true&skuId=***8********BB45608*M080&productId=8-136291&searched=true

.

We had these last summer and they were perfect for my then 18 mo old. Daycare requested closed toe for us too.

[crl]

Our DCP asked us to just leave the water shoes for the whole summer. At that age, it was more like mud wrestling than water play, LOL! Any shoe would have been wrecked. They also lost some of DD's water play stuff (like a resuable swim diaper, arghh).

So, for the daycare purpose, I did something a little more budget friendly than the Keen's-- we used the Speedo (http://www.speedousa.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3106972&cp=3124328.3128428.3703806&cid=1062232) or Frisky (http://www.friskyshoes.com/toddlers/boys/aqua-shoes-water-shoes.html) water shoes. They have a rubberized sole, and neoprene top, so they really protect from bumps and scrapes. They were also good to wear to the pool (hot concrete- yikes!) or splash pad and can be worn into the pool (unlike the Keen's).

We have had Keen's or Pediped sandals too every summer for walking around in during the summer. I like them a lot, but I just would not have sent them in to DC's daycare for the mudfest (errr....water play).

For us, having one shoe for general purpose and one for water play worked best.

I'll second these suggestions. That's the kind of water shoe I sent ds in to preschool with for water play days. And then Keens are great for everyday sandals.

Catherine

[mom2binsd]

http://www.childrensplace.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_-1_-1_976879_755249_24651|61649_baby%20boy|shoes_babyb oy

These would be perfect.

DS has had them the past three years. They fit like a real shoe, are super light weight but have enough of a sole that they give stability, and the price is right. We get about 3 pairs in different colors.

[psimpson3-5]

This has been VERY helpful! Thank you!!! :bowdown:

[AnnieW625]

So far DDs have had good luck this year with the Target Circo watershoes. They have them for boys as well. They look like Keens, but are about 1/2 of the price, $17. For growing kids I think they are just fine.
http://www.target.com/p/toddler-boy-s-cherokee-dylin-camouflage-sandal-green/-/A-13795479?reco=Rec|pdp|13795479|ShuffledCategoryTop Sellers|category_page.combo_2&lnk=Rec|pdp|ShuffledCategoryTopSellers|category_pa ge.combo_2

(they have other colors beside camo. in the store, I haven't actually seen the camo. in the store).

We did buy DD2 a pair of Keen Newports last year because they were on clearance at REI and she was a late walker (almost 18 months) so at 2 she had been barely walking for 6 months and she did just fine with them.

[Tondi G]

Something like this would probably work well

http://www.target.com/p/toddler-boy-s-circo-olin-sandal-blue/-/A-14408664?reco=Rec|pdp|14408664|ClickCP|item_page.v ertical_1&lnk=Rec|pdp|ClickCP|item_page.vertical_1

these might be good too

http://www.landsend.com/pp/boys-water-shoes~248826_1055.html

[bostonsmama]

We do the Speedo ones for the waterparks, hot concrete at the pool, and the run-through water fountains at the zoo. I got them at Wal-mart for $2 one year, at Target for $9 another year, and at TJMaxx another time for $5. I think they're not pretty, but we change out of the wet shoes as soon as we're done...and they STAY ON!

[Tondi G]

If the keens are not working for him then I would return them. There are so many other shoes you can consider and Keens are not cheap!