Shoe Recommendations for 15-Month Toddler

I too have to recommend Stride Rite. My son has a wide foot with a high instep and the Stide Rite booties were my favorites for him until he outgrew their size range. Also, if you watch Filene's Basement, Marshall's and T. J. Maxx, they will often have Stride Rite shoes. You'll mostly find them in the spring and the fall. Hope that helps.

For a 15-month-old, especially with the weather getting nicer, I would recommend a soft-soled shoe like Robeez for everyday around the house and yard. (www.robeez.com or in most baby stores)

We also have bought mostly Stride Rite and we buy them at a real shoe store instead of someplace like Target because I can never tell if the shoe is fitting correctly. (also, the Stride Rite that Target sells doesn't have a selection of wide sizes, which one of my kids needs.) I don't think you necessarily need to spend a lot, but I have also been disappointed in cheaper brands so I just gave up and I buy the brand I know works for me.

i work for a pediatric orthopaedist and shoes are shoes. you do not need to spend a lot of money for toddlers who are going to out grow them in three months.
we bought our 15 month old Target shoes (play, dress, and sandals) and they were 10 bucks a pop.
going barefoot is the best although it is impractical.

jess

Two words for you ... STRIDE RITE! Not only are their shoes good, but there staff is great at fitting shoes. My 22 month old son is on his third pair. I just took him in to the store to look at a new pair (I thought he had outgrown his current pair) and the clerk told me his current shoes are still fine! I couldn't believe it! An honest and credible merchant - they will surely continue to get my vote and my business.

www.playschoolians.com
They look like Robeez, but have a sturdy sole for outdoor wear for active walkers. I just requested a shoe sizer from their website a few days ago and it arrived today. My girlfriend's son wears these, and I saw how nice they were. They have removable insoles and clear bottoms so you can see where your child's toes are. They also have interchangeable insoles if your child has wide or narrow feet. I know you don't want to spend too much on shoes, neither do I, but they are sooo important for early walkers. I'm convinced my feet problems stem from bad shoes as a child. Do a search on eBay for Playschoolians, too.

Endless.com also carries stride rite shoes for much less than their mall stores, plus free shipping either way if you need to return!

I guess I'm the only one, but I love Pedipeds.

I kept both my boys in stride rite until they were atleast 3. I think they are the best for little feet. Elefonton is good, too, however, way too expensive. Nordstrom rack sometimes has great deals.

good luck

I agree with what everyone has said. Don't go cheap on your baby's shoes until he's older, that's what experienced moms have told me. Some of my friends buy their kids shoes at Target or Payless, but (lucky for him) my son has a wide food so I can't get shoes there. I go to Stride Rite to have his foot measured, then I buy Stride Rite or New Balance Kids shoes at Nordstrom Rack or Marshalls. Since I get them at discount places, I don't always have a wide selection, but I got a pair of New Balance for $7.00 so who cares?! I have also splurged and got him a new pair of Robeez each time he grew out of the old pair, but I LOVE them, especially for at home on hardwood floors. They're really durable and comfy too, and you can throw them in the washing machine.

I agree - we bought my daughter stride rite from the time she started walking until she was 2, then we went back to the ones at payless/target. They are worth the money at stride rite, they have stages shoes, so your son would be in the stage 3 walking shoes......check out there website for some more info and to look at styles..... www.striderite.com

Looks like everyone loves their Stride Rite. With my 19 month old (who has wide feet & HATES shoes), I finally broke down and bought some. My 3 yr old has always been fine in cheaper shoes from Toys R Us or department stores.
My husband wasn't impressed with me spending $50 on a pair of shoes that will only last 3 months, but we are having another girl, so at least they'll be used again.
Also, you could get him measured at Stride Rite and find which ones you like, then check out Ebay...you can find this seasons shoes brand new. Or, check out craigslist...I've seen some there.
With all of the cheaper pairs of shoes I've purchased and haven't used more than a few days, it's worth spending more in the end.

I think Robeez are best for them until they are really out in the muck very much. Soft soles that adjust to your babies feet. You can get generic ones on ebay too.

I stuck with Stride Rite for my daughter for all her shoes until this past winter. Jumping Jacks are also very good and flexible. I'm a total on-line shopper, so I got her fitted at hte Stride Rite store and then went on shoebuy.com to get her shoes. They alwyas have 10% off or $10 off deals so you can get the shoes for about 60-75% of the price in the store (which is to say like $30 instead of $45).

B.:
I used to work at Stride Rite. What you want to look for in a shoe for children under the age of 10 is a flexible sole - one that bends where your foot bends. Good heal support - so their heal does not slip from side to side. An adults' thumb width between the end of their toes and the shoe for growth. If you purchase a shoe with a thicker sole, it is not flexible, not to mention they can't feel their little feet hitting the ground and keep their balance, also you want them standing up straight so they don't develop bad posture as time goes by. You know yourself that a breathable shoe is definitely more comfortable and you will keep them on longer than shoes that make you feet sweat!
Shoe Carnival sells the Stride Rite brand and carries wide widths if you need them. Watch for their sales and coupons. No matter how old your child is - watch the flexibility. The worst thing is the thick soled (platform) shoes and flip flops between the toes. Flip flops will widen a growing foot very fast then you will have a child needing wide widths for life.
I have 3 kids and have never skipped on shoe fit. Lots of times my daughter only had 2 pairs but they fit well and her feet have turned out fine.
Good luck!
K.

I asked my son's physical therapist about this and she said it really doesn't matter-you don't need to spend $42 at Stride Rite, as long as they are fairly sturdy and comfy for them.

Good luck!

B.,

We used Stride Rite for our son. I think it's very important to have the right fit and flexibility when they are this young and learning to walk/run/climb. Most associates there are very helpful. They are more expensive, though. But, if they grow out too fast, you can always sell them on Ebay for a good return.

T.

If you have the money Stride-rite is the best shoe. They are very flexable and easier to walk in then any other. Believe or not K-mart also has good walking shoes that are not too bad either.

We only used Stride Rite shoes for our girls growing up.

They can be costly but nothing is to much $$ for childrens feet.

J.
www.noahbyjodi.com

Target has a brand called Baby Smart that is by the makers of Stride Rite. It's not quite as good as Stride Rite (kind of like Child of Mine Carters at Walmart versus regular Carters). But the Baby Smart shoes I liked a LOT for the money. They were $15 instead of the $40+ at Stride Rite. They still had great flexibility and sturdiness and the same heel as Stride Rite...same kind of design, but just not that top of the line material that Stride Rite uses for their regular shoes. They also don't have wide or double wide like Stride Rite offers, but if you don't need extra width, the Baby Smart brand at Target is great! I like them a lot! After outgrowing those sizes, we've gotten Carter's. My 17 month old is in Carter's shoes right now. Their flexibility is good and we've been really happy with them! We look for clearances and have been able to get them for under $10. When looking for shoes in the store, try bending the soles with your hand and feeling the material to kind of test them out for flexibility and comfort. When I was first looking for shoes for my son who now just turned 3, I too found a lot of shoes at Target that seemed like little blocks of wood they were supposed to learn to walk in. The Baby Smart brand I like a LOT though. Best wishes to you!

Hi B.. I recommend StrideRite shoes or maybe their StrideRight shoes. I know one of their locations it at Golf Mill Mall. I used those as my son's 1st shoes and he and I were happy with them. They support their little ankles.

I agree that you DO NOT have to spend a lot of money on Stride-Rite (although they'd like you to think that!). As long as there is room at the toe for movement and they are flexible and bend where your child's feet naturally bend, they should be fine. Breathable material is nice, but not a must, except to reduce the smell! The best is to let them be barefoot as much as possible.

Hi B.,

When my kids first started walking I put them in Stride Rite shoes. You can get them online fairly cheaply, but it's best to go into the store and have your child's foot measured and the shoe fitted properly.

There are Stride Rite stores that often have clearance sales. I usually spend between $15 and $30 for each pair.

There is a shoe store on Clybourn called Little Soles. Sometimes you can find good deals on Stride Rite there also.

Good luck!!