Shoes Glorious Shoes!

A reader emailed me asking about baby shoes.

Okay, so it was a Cool Mom Picks reader. You guys never write to me. *wah* (okay, guilt over. Now I'll get all these trolly emails).

But still, it's a good question. There are A.LOT. of baby shoes out there. Of course, if you're a knock off purchaser or one of those "dude, they are shoes, for a baby, who doesn't walk or really need shoes" people, then I'm not going to offer you any interesting information. But if you love baby shoes, and feel that they are INDEED required or that they are the BEST part of having a baby (you know, after that whole birthing and sleepless night part), then read on. Oh, and keep in mind that a lot of these were started by moms, and many of them are run by moms. So, you're giving money back to moms.

That's cool, I think.

The Shlippers: Now, these have become uber popular and there are about six-bazillion brands of these, including Shoo-shoos, Bobux, and Jack and Lily. My two personal favorites are Cute Baby Shoes and Robeez (a mom-started company that was just bought by Stride Rite). Both of which have some cute styles and run around the same price.

I love me a cute shlipper (yay for Robeez for putting out some more rockin' styles), but as many people will say, they can get a little slick and icky. Plus, when you go outside and they are cruising, it just seems like they need a little padding (or is that just me?). A great vegan alternative is Isabooties - started by two moms and the styles are EXTRA cute. The ones I have seem a little thinner than Robeez, but they have a great sole that's got some grip to it.

The Non-Functional But Incredibly Cute Baby Shoe: There are about the same number (that's six-bazillion if you're counting) of great shoe companies like Pedipeds, for example. My other favorites include Pedoodles (great for first time walkers) and Oh Fives (ridiculously adorable). But my ultimate favorite is Vincent Shoes -- a Swedish company that makes fairly affordable pre-walkers (extra affordable if you use this code: OCT-20-OFF).

Drew has the Mini's and we love them not only because they are adorable, but because they actually have some support and padding. However, they're still soft and comply with all the "early baby walker shoe rules."

I'm a huge fan of European styling, so these shoes are perfect for my taste, and the Minis have a bit of ankle support as well. The dot sole is great for grippage on our hard wood floors. And he doesn't try to pull them off. I take that as a good sign.

You can always try to win some for yourself. Just check out the site and leave a comment here with your favorite shoe (any one -- not just a prewalker) and why you like it.

And I'll be honest. I was getting really tired of the shlipper.

There I said it. 

Keep in mind, a lot of these places carry older kids shoes, (here's a complete listing) and so it's worth checking them out if you're sick of the same styles and same offerings. We tend to spend more money on shoes for my daughter since she broke her leg as a young toddler and we both think she needs good support. However, she gets blisters from ALL Stride Rite shoes, so we're always looking for great alternatives that don't look like Rockports.

Now, if you have any other baby "gear" questions, apparently I think I'm the person to ask. Go figure.

Comments

[ImpostorMom]

I just got these slipper socks from One Step Ahead. They combine a shoe and a sock and they actually stay on Boogie's feet.

They sort of look like a little hippie shoe though, but I'm a little crunchy so I'm ok with it. They won't be good once he's actually walking but they work ok for now.

[Shauna Loves Chocolate]

My favorite are PediPeds (http://www.pediped.com). My daughter LOVES these. They are slightly padded at the soles so she comfortably walks over rocks.

But I think the best part is that they are a little loose fitting around the foot (but have a strap across to hold them in place) so that the foot can breathe.

[Queen of Shake Shake]

I was a total Robeez and Shoo-Shoo fan when Parker was a baby. It was the only shoes he'd wear the first year he walked. In fact, his "first shoes" were Shoo Shoos. I was sad when he started wearing plain, ugly boy shoes.
I have secretly stashed two pairs away to keep.

Do you want me to write into you a question? Because I will. Funny or serious? I'm multi-talented like that.