baby’s first shoes

Robeez and Bobux are both supposed to be really good shoes for new walkers. The Robeez are sold at The Right Start, Stride Right, and Nordstroms, and are usually around $25-$28, but I’ve been keeping my eye on some on ebay too, you can usually find new ones there too, although normally they wind up costing about the same in the end once shipping is included. It looks like Target sells a lower-priced version, made by Bobux, called Ministar, which I may pick up for Easter, since Dagney’s not even close to walking yet!

Here are some links:

http://www.robeez.com

http://www.bobux.com

When Hailey was only walking indoors by holding onto furniture etc, and not really proficient to walk around outdoors, we did Robeez (which are basically like bobux).

Once she starting walking outdoors we did real shoes. I’m actually a really big fan of two of the payless brands (If you have payless in the US). One for small kids up to size 5 is called “teeney toes” and then for sizes 4-10, I like the “smart fit” brand. I read about both these brands and they are well designed and follow the important principles for a good fitting shoe (good wide toe box, sufficient arch support, some flexibility in the sole, and good heel support). I once read that they may even be made by the same people who make stride rites, but that has never been substatiated as far as I can tell.

I’m just too cheap to get stride rites. My sister buys them religiously. Our ped actually tells people when their kids start walking not to waste their money on brand name shoes, to go to walmart and get a well fitting pair.

target’s kidSmart seems to be from Stride rite (I’ve been googling) but I haven’t seen anything about the payless ones?

also getting rave reviews: http://preschoolians.com/landing_boys.asp

I have always bought Smart Fits by Payless Shoes for the same reasons Lori mentioned.