first pair of shoes

[ss_storm]

Thinking about getting DD some shoes for outside for when she starts walking (still a little while off yet). I know its best for them to have bare feet, but not in the middle of winter! A friend bought some soft leather/suede soled shoes for her DS but I don't know if that would be suitable for outside?

Can anyone recommend a good first shoe, or even the style I should be looking for, and preferably not too expensive. thanks!

[Miss E]

I've been wondering about the same thing and checking out some shops of late. From what I can tell there are two types, pre-walkers (soft leather soles) and walkers (proper soles). We've got some of the pre-walkers which were given to us as gifts. Every now and then I put them on DS (more for the cuteness factor and to get some use out of them than anything else), they work okay inside, but I can't see them being any good for outdoor use when he is actually walking because the soles just won't hold up. So I think we're going to have to get some walkers/toddler shoes for that. But if I was you I'd hold off until she is walking, they are a bit exxy so I want to make sure he gets maximum use out of them before I shell out the $$$.

[Calluna]

We have a pair of pre-walkers, the soft soled ones, mostly I only put them on him when we go out on cold days/ to hold his socks/ for a little extra warmth when it's really cold. So maybe one or 2 days a week? I let him "walk" a little bit and the soles so far look the same as the day we bought them, the tops have worn a bit though from rubbing on the carpet when he crawls.

We got them from williams for $13. So it is possible to get cheapish ones, you just have to look around a bit.

[tellytubby]

ooo there is a type of girls shoe in mathers atm..
They're SOOOO BLOODY SOFT!!! Would be perfect for a beginning walker.

They're 35 dollars a pair. Like a sandal, thong thing tho (probably not best for winter), come in white, pink, gold, purple.
Not sure on the brand, but the box has a photo of leonardo dicaprios ex girlfriend on them?? giselle?? somethingorather?? lol

im not much help sorry

[mum2micah&zac]

I love shoes for my boys!! My 5 month old is still in soft soles and they fine for indoor/outdoor use until they walking properly and my 2 year old wears proper shoes. I only buy ones that have flexible soles because they best for kiddies feet. Clark ones are too stiff. I get all mine from an online store called Baby Bootique. Check them out they have really cute shoes. They not really cheap but not at all expensive

[SammyRo]

We bought DD a pair of prewalkers from Betts kids - i think they were about the $35 mark, although Target do similar ones. They had a soft sole, with little rubber grips and held up well over winter. I had the same reasons as the OP for wanting them for outside. They don't recommend proper soled shoes until they have been walking solo properly (and not just crusing, holding hands) for about 8 weeks.

[Asparagus and Lemons]

Aww.. so cute.. little shoes. I buy kids shoes on special at big w and they last me forever, the grosby ones are the best.. but they are for me as I have kids size feet.

[Kel001]

ooo there is a type of girls shoe in mathers atm..
They're SOOOO BLOODY SOFT!!! Would be perfect for a beginning walker.

They're 35 dollars a pair. Like a sandal, thong thing tho (probably not best for winter), come in white, pink, gold, purple.
Not sure on the brand, but the box has a photo of leonardo dicaprios ex girlfriend on them?? giselle?? somethingorather?? lol

im not much help sorry

Hehe, they are called Ipanema Sandals and are a brand designed by Giselle Bundchen. You're right, they're $35 a pair and are absolutely fantastic! DD has 2 pairs (the pink and gold) bought by her Nanna who has no boundaries with her only grandchild LOL. DD's first shoes were from a company called Beautiful Soles (online) - soft leather upper and suede bottom. We live in Darwin and she got them during the set season and they were great outside and everything - including when she bumbled her way through puddles lol. I just made sure I gave them a wash in some warm, soapy water and hung them out to dry overnight - good as new in the morning! Washing instructions come with them anyway. they are $35 a pair, and have some GORGEOUS designs. But there are heaps of kiddie shoes out there in the stores, so I guess it depends on your budget and what you're looking for.

Good luck finding what you're after