Stride Rite Shoes

Barefoot is best whenever possible. I wouldn't spend a whole lot of money on shoes. Remember, your child will outgrow them before wearing them out.

I just talked with my doctor last week about shoes for my 18 month old. He said that no shoes or soft (like robeez) are the best because shoes actually impair the balance and make it more difficult to walk! so i'd hold off on buying shoes yet, and then use them only when going outside, and when you do, go with the stride rite softest soled shoes.

Get Pedipeds...They are the number 1 shoe recommended for babies by podiatrists and pediatritians. They cost about 30 bucks and are sizes 0-24 mos but they do run big. This spring they are coming out with Pedi Flex so kids up to a size 10 can wear them.

Sweetie, it is not a brand. Your girl will walk when she is ready. Probably soon.
Both of my children, 1 girl 1 boy did not walk until at least 15 mos.

If you are worried, talk to your doctor. Seriously. My children were late walkers. They are fine now, ages 6 and 9. I know it is easy to feel like your baby is not on track.

But---- unless your ped. Says check it out, give it a few more weeks.

Best,
B.

I love stride rite's. They are expensive but they are very good shoes for your child's developing feet. I put my son in stride rite's before he was walking...around 9 months and he has been using them since. Good luck!

Hi J., I would highly recommend Stride Rite sneakers for your daughter. They are fantastic for their support which is so very important at her age of beginner walker. Both of my boys have XW feet so I didn't really have a choice. Expensive, you bet but well worth it. The thing is, once we decided on stride rite, we're purchasing them about every 3-4 months x 2!Good luck with your decision.

pedipeds worked best for us--our little guy was doing the same thing and around 15 months walked and ran in those until he was really playing in the mud,etc (but now they make rubber soles too). We love them! They really are the next best thing to barefoot!
pediped.com

Other people might feel differently, but I kept both of my sons in Robeez-type shoes for several months after they were walking very well. My younger son just turned one but has been walking for a few months and pretty much runs now. Even with being very steady on his feet, he gets frustrated with other shoes I have tried on him recently and much prefers his Robeez. My older son is three, and the same thing happened with him. I went out and bought other shoes and ended up just using them for "show" since he did not really enjoy wearing them as much as his Robeez. I think I waited until they had been walking very independently for about six months before transitioning to "big boy" Stride Rites or something similar routinely. Your daughter might react differently and enjoy the other shoes, but this has been my experience twice now (and ended up with wasted shoes both times.:))

My daughter was a late walker. I bought her Stride Rite shoes and she did not take her first step until she was 17 months old. By the time she started walking the Stride Rite shoes did not fit anymore so we found a great deal on a pair of reebok hard sole sneakers and she did fine. Any type of hard sole shoe would work

For both my children I usually buy at Stride Rite. They have extra wide shoes for chubby baby feet, and the real leather seems better than fake leather which is what less expensive shoes are made of, sometimes. I also appreciate having an Stride Rite employee measure the kids feet, instead of trying on different sizes at a store that doesn't have help - like Marshalls. Yes, Stride Rite is expensive - last week we spent over $50 on my toddler's new sneakers but their shoes are high quality. Wish I had a Stride Rite outlet near me - I know there is one in NH.

We have a Stride Rite outlet that has great buys on their shoes. I highly recommend them for children. Maybe do a google search on an outlet nearer to you.
Good support is important!

I am a barefoot mom myself and my children didn't actually wear shoes until after they walked and then mostly outside.

Hi J.,

I just bought my daughter (our second child) her first pair of Stride Rite shoes. She's fully walking though (she made the transition about a week ago). Up to then we were using Robeez and Pediped. I really like Pediped for a "transition" shoe - they have more of a sole than Robeez, but they're more flexible than Stride Rite. Stride Rite does have "Stage 2" styles with a much more flexible sole. But their selection of that stage of shoe is much more limited... Ultimately I think Stride Rite are great shoes. Our 4 YO son has been wearing then since they day he walked. They're great quality and really wear well. You might check ebay - we bought a couple of brand new pairs there for a lot less than the stores. They also have outlets where you can buy last year's styles for a lot less - the selection at the outlet in Kittery is really great. Good luck!

M.

My daughter who is now 21 months have only used Stride Rite shoes. Stride Rites are expensive but they are very good for toddlers' feet. We never bought anything else.

Hi J.,

My son is 15 months and started walking about 1 month ago (so at 14 months!). I bought the stride rites and saw a huge difference in how he walked when I assisted him. In fact, I think any hard-soled shoe would work. Old Navy and the Gap sell little sneakers for under $10! My son doesnt seem to prefer one over the other. I just think that the Robeez dont give them any support so it's hard for them to initially balance themselves and get going on their own. Hope this helps!!! Good luck. And believe me when I say, the walking will happen overnight!

While Stride Rite probably won't like my response, you do not need to buy them to give your child adequate support for developing feet. In fact, when inside, bare feet are best. Shoes are necessary outside to protect little feet from sharp objects and bugs and the like. When kids are learning to walk and then balance on one foot, run and higher level skills, they use the feedback they get from the input to their body to "teach" the brain what to do. The best feedback comes from bare feet (bare is better than socks as they are slippery, but if you want to keep the feet warm, use the socks with rubber grippies on them to prevent sliding) When you buy a pair of shoes, make sure they are the proper size for the little feet. Should be an adult finger width from the end of the big toe inside the shoe. Most brands of sneakers made for kids (with the exception of keds and the canvas tennis style shoe which afford no support at all!) are enough support. You don't need to buy expensive sneakers, kids outgrow them faster than they wear out anyway.

don't worry- my son didn't start walking by himself until he was 13 1/2 months. remember every child is different. it looks like your daughter isn't in any kind of rush. Robeez are the best so continue to wear them- you want your childs feet to develop arches naturally. enjoy her right now because before you know it she will be running around the house like crazy.

Hi J.- Our daughter did not walk "solo" until 18-19 months! I did actually "invest" in some Stride Rites as I felt she was getting closer but also mostly because of the outsole being better suited for outside. Other great brands that I found & my daughter liked were See Kai Run and Jumping Jacks They are soft soled and adequately wide. Not sure about your daughter's foot but mine was, and still is, pretty chubby! As far as not walking yet, don't worry to much! As long as your ped. says all is ok, she will master it in her own time. She may just be a cautious little perfectionist like mine ;)! Happy shooe shopping!!

My daughter was about 14 months old when she started walking and we found that the Stride Rite walking shoes we got her really helped. In fact, she had a prescription for inserts because her feet were flat (which I guess is fairly common for babies) and she had mild hip dysplasia at birth. My second daughter does not have hip dysplasia, but I intend on getting her the same walking shoes.

I think its worth it to invest...these are critical days for your little ones feet so I think the most important time to get the best. Just my opinion though :)

There is a Stride Rite outlet in the Arsenal Mall, my daughter started wearing them once she started walking (only outside though, as other posters have mentioned she was/is always barefoot or in socks at home). The shoes are typically $20-30, so it's a big savings. I get her feet measured every time we go, as they grow quick! Good luck, P.

Both of my children (ages 4 1/2 and 2) have been wearing Stride Rite shoes since they started walking at around 14 months. I have nothing but great things to say about the brand and would highly recommend them.

Hi. My daughter also started walking very late and I tried various types of shoes on her. It is definitely worth the investment in a pair of Stride Rites. Not only do they give better support it appears that when my daughter was walking they did not tire her feet out as much. You may be luck and also get a great deal on some sandals as well. I bought tons of Stride Rites in Wrentham and saved a bundle.

My understanding is that barefoot is really the way to go for learning to walk. By feeling the ground and having plenty of flexibility in the shoe the baby learns. If it is cold and New England then something like Robeez actually make great first shoes. My first son learned in Robeez. Stride Rite is nice - but expensive. I had a pair early on and they held up well. But some of the ones I got from Payless seemed just as good - they grow so fast.

Robeez and Stride Rite were our brands of choice! They are pricey however so until she really wants to hit the bricks, I'd hold off on buying.

Hi J., My doctor's office always told us it is easier for them and better for their feet to go bare foot or with grippy socks when they are first learning. Shoes are cumbersome to them. When they get really good at it, a good leather shoe like stride rite is the best.!! Hope that helps..p.s. all three of our kids walked at eight months, I never put shoes on them till we had to go somewhere! When they got really good at it, we put the shoes on and they had to learn how to walk in shoes, the softer the shoe at first the better..

Hi, J.,

When my daughter started walking, I wondered the same thing, especially since the Stride Rites are so expensive. My pediatrician said to get them, especially in the beginning because the right shoes can really help her when she is learning to walk. Plus, we got the high top shoes, which helped to support her ankles. If you live in SE Massachusetts, you can try the Stride Rite outlets, too.

Good luck!!

I've heard that bare foot is best, until they start walking. Develops the arches and strenghthens the ankle muscles..once they start walking the shoes help to support the weight of their body.

Hi J.,

I absolutely swear by Stride Rite shoes. They have wonderful pre-walkers and a three stage shoe system for new walkers that actually help them roll forward. They are pricey but soooo worth it!

B

I have three children, and with my first i did the what I knew, bought stride rights. From what I know now, it is better for the baby to learn in something like robeez. They need to grip their little toes. Shoes are only necessary for outside when rocks and stick or wetness would be an issue. Otherwise, barefoot is best, robeez is the next best thing! If you want cute shoes that are still really soft, check out pedipeds. SOOO CUTE!

I have been told that it is best to have soft soled shoes when learning how to walk. So the Robeez are the best for first walkers. I personally never invested in striderites but have friends who really liked them. I think the key is to have support and not be too heavy when you get into real shoes.

I have a son with a minor genetic disorder. Larger left side. I brought him to an pediatric orthopedic. He told me the "expensive" strideride or anything other shoe is a waste of time. Barefoot is best. That being said, I get my striderite's at Marshall's. But have used other shoes from department stores.

What is nice about a place like Stride Rite for the first go around is they do a good job measuring your child's foot. They are expensive but you can get good deals at the Wrentham outlet (avoid the weekends if possible or go early!). Also walking in Robeez is more like walking barefoot so it is good to introduce your child to shoes as they start walking.

Hi J... I've done both, invested in the expensive shoes for my new walker (my now 3 yr old) and bought some soft soled target brand shoes for my other daughter (now almost 2).... and i have to say, i didn't see any real difference in the speed in which they picked up walking etc. If you don't mind spending the extra bucks, there of course is nothing wrong with stride rite shoes, they are well made and will probably out last your daughter!! But there is nothing wrong with a less expensive pair either (in my opinion)... =)

I truly believe that a good soft shoe like robeez are so much better for the natural development of the little feet and should be used in the home as much as possible! That said there are times when the soft shoes aren't enough like when you're outside at the park, in those times I would say that a good walking shoe really helps! I like to go to Kittery and buy really great shoes so we buy them from the ECCO outlet store! I found that stride rites dont really hold up and the ECCO seems to promote better foot support and flexibility plus they look fantastic even after the first baby uses them.

My son had a hard time in hard soled shoes as a new walker-I think the Robeez really helped him learn the best-I would stick with those until she is confident on her feet, then give her hard shoes once in a while for practice-
M.

Think about how our feet are designed. The toes are important for balance in walking. I think hard soled shoes are a horror for children. If you can't let your baby go bare foot than please get the soft soled shoes that are basically soft and flexable leather. They let the feet have a normal grip. Then relax and let her do things in her time. She will walk when the desire outweighs everything else. B.

I am a mother of two boys and i found that my boys first started to walk best when they had no shoes on and then I put shoes on them.

Good Morning,

I have a 16 month old and I invested in Stride rite sneakers along time ago. They are quite costly but better yet one of the best investments I made. My daughter was walking at 9 months, ten months up and running..
I would suggest that you but the second stage of stride rite (it will run you about $40.00). Take your child with you to the store and have them messure her feet to get an accurate size - also go a half size up for comfort and growth room.. Not, sure if you do this but do not put your child in the walker at this stage - way too old.. should of been taken out around 9 months - or sooner. Reason why - it gives them no security to try and go on there own, because they have not yet learned to balance them selves due to the fact that they have the chair around there entire body.. Your child needs to do iit on his/her own..
Also, try sitting on the floor and keep about 5 feet away at a time and have your child walk toward you- try with a favorite toy, cookie, something that gets your childs attentions and when he/she comes close move back another 5 feet.. if your child falls, they will get back up on there own, but you need to let them do that first..

hopefully this didn't come across harsh, but suggective.. and hopefully some of these ideas will help..

Hi there. I am a mother of 6, soon to be 7, and my earliest walker was 11 months. My last baby, however, did not walk independently until 16 months. I found that for most of my kids, no shoes at all helped the most, because it allowed them to grip with their feet for better balance. Obviously, in the winter that won't work outside, but inside, you could let your daughter go barefoot, or use socks with the little rubber designs on the bottom for traction. Honestly, I've never stayed with one brand of shoes. I think unless there's a real physical problem, they're going to walk when they're going to walk, regardless of the shoes. Obviously, shoes that are too heavy or bulky will hinder them, but other than that, I really don't think it matters. Good luck.

I got my son's first pair of shoes from Stride Rite. I do think you should put your child in a name brand shoe because it offers better support. But, one good tip - Marshall's usually has a very wide selection of children's shoes - most name brand including Stride Rite! Also the New Balance factory is a good place to get sneakers for kids. My son is a little over 2 and I've bought his last 2 pairs of sneakers from the New Balance factory - only $15 a pop!!

Your daughter will walk when she's ready.
Shoes don't make you learn how to walk.
The best thing for learning is to be barefoot so she can use her toes for balance.
Also when you "assist" her, only hold one hand so she can wibble/wobble and learn to catch herself.
gaurantee she'll be toddling in no time. :)

You can get Stride Rite shoes at Marshalls at a good price. They are great shoes for first walkers. I was a private nanny now I am a mom/day care provider I think nothing is better for first shoes than Stride Rite. L.

hi
my daughter walked at 9 months and she always whore Robeez shoes. I have heard that soft shoes are better to learn how to walk in. My nephew didnt walk until he was 18 months old. I wont worry about it. Every baby is differant. As long as your doctor says she's fine, i'm sure she will walk when she's ready. Take care!

My ped said barefoot is best - I dont think the BRAND of shoe will help. Dont push your daughter - when she is ready - she will walk on her own!

I learned from a podiatrist that as long as the shoes are a name brand type of shoe (like Stride-Rite or New Balance) that is good. The kids, he said, also should be in a really good shoe until they are at least 2 --3 if you can manage it. They will outgrow their shoes every 3 months or so and at $40 bucks a pop... wow! But, to me, it's worth it.

I would go ahead and get her a pair of hard-soled shoes and get her walking outside with a push-type toy as much as possible depending on where you live. At first she will just go strait with the toy and being outside gives you the space for her just to go and go and go. My 12 month old was doing this at 11mo and what a difference it made in only one day of doing this with her walking coordination and strength!

The other mothers are correct in having her be barefoot as much as possible inside. From what i gather it's better for their feet not to be confined.

Hope this helps!

My daughter didn't start walking until she was 15 months old. She is not a risk taker and at the time I could tell she just wasn't confident but would do the same, cruising all the time and walking assisted. As for shoes, don't worry about it. Robeez are fine until she is actually walking better and more than you can invest in some shoes, and any would be fine, but shoes at this point might hinder her. I think I just bought my little one a pair of Nike's a few months after she started walking.

I got some hand me down Robeez and loved them until she grew out of them. I found the same style at Target for $12.99!!

Here's the link:

http://www.target.com/gp/search/601-###-###-####-###-###-...

Hope that helps. I definitely do find that my daughter walks best barefoot.

My Grandson walked at 9 months old. Now he is in the running stage. What the Peddy told us to tois give Him some stablizer toys and let him work with those. Like the fisher price vaccumm,the lawn mower for out side, a shopping with pretend food. Those are just a few of what he has here.
check your local consignsignment shops the usually have good things at low prices.
good lok
S.

Hi, my son walked early at 11 months and we went to Stride Rite to get him sized. They were helpful b/c they recommended a shoe that is flexible so still comfortable for them if they crawl in them too. After that I went shopping around for shoes but I would get her sized and see how she does in shoes...then you can practice outside.

FYI, there is a Stride Rite Outlet store in the Arsenal Mall in Watertown. So the shoes are at least a little cheaper. That's where we went. Hope this helps.

NO!!
Payless has great shoes for little ones at a much cheeper price!
I had my 3 girls barefoot as much as possible. I think it helps them walk faster! That way the child can feel the floor. All 3 of mine walked at 11 months. My niece just started walking at 15 months (after the shoe came off!)

when my son was 13 months old I purchased him a pair of stride rite show just for the extra support when walking and he took right off running. They are great there because they measure there feet and make sure you purchase the right "walking shoes for them". I still had him in his Robeez shoes in the house most of the time, but I do reccomend a good pair of walking shoes to start out.

Hi J.,
I am a believer in soft soles until they can walk solidly on their own, so I'd stick with the robeez. I know robeez *literally this month* came out with a bit of a harder sole if you are concerned with the ground she is walking on. Also, have you ever tried the pedipads?? I am about to buy them for both of my boys, 9 months and 2.5 years. I hear they are wonderful! Good luck.
http://www.pediped.com/Home/Home.aspx
A.

it's actually highly recommmended that children learn to walk without shoes. being able to feel the floor with their feet increases their success rate. and even when the learn to walk, shoes are really only an outside of the house type deal. barefeet are best for little feet

Hi J..... Guess what? The best shoes for your child are none! Yes - barefoot. (I learned this from a doctor.)
So I would hold off on the expensive shoes until you need them - i.e. outside.

Hey - how would you like to have those stiff, clunky things on your feet when you were just learning how to use them? :-)

Hello Jen,
I wanted to let you know that I read an article that when a baby is learning to walk they should be bearfoot or have shoes like Robeez. She's trying to gain balance and putting shoes on her with hard soles, she is going to lose her balance even more. I didn't put shoes on my daughter until she was running, okay walking well ;-)
I hope that helps.

I don't think it's too early. My daughter walked at 15 months. I bought her 1st pair of Stride Rites at 14 months. She wore them home from the store. When we walked in the door she walked across the kitchen to her dad. It was very funny. Go for it!

I agree, barefoot is best whenever possible. After Robeez I loved See Kai Run's for a transitional shoe. Still very soft and flexible but more protection than Robeez.

From what I understand Stride rite is the best shoe for children.

J.,
My 3 daughters walked early, 8,9 months, but I think it was just natural for them and had nothing to do with brand of shoes. They walked barefoot, or in cheap shoes, good shoes, hand-me-downs, you name it. Orthopedic Dr. did say not to use hand-me-down shoes, though for young ones. Feet can be molded in not the best way.
Is your Dr. concerned about her age and not walking? I know one or two who walked that late...didn't mean a thing in the long run. They walk when they're ready, can't make them...just make sure you give opportunities, like not too much time in swings, etc.
Good luck,
D. M.

hi
I had bought stride right shoes for my daughter when she started walking. ( Yeah I did wait a while first)
After a few days of her wearing them though, I had to take them off and put them away. The shoes were causing her feet to turn in, and she kept tripping herself. In my opinion, for first hard soled shoes, they were a waste of money for a name brand.

I know you got a lot of responses already but I also agree that the investment in a pair of Stride Rite shoes is a good one. I think its also important to get her foot measured properly at a shoe store to assure a good fit. My daughter has an extra wide foot so its been very helpful to have someone fit her shoes for me.

I put my little girl in pedipeds for her first shoes. They are soft and supportive. I waited until she was really walking solidly on her until I put "real" shoes on her. Hope this helps!

I would let her walk barefoot as much as possible then have her fitted for Stride Rite when she is walking better.

Hi, I put my youngest daughter in Stride Rite shoes and loved them. They fit her feet and she walked with out a problem in them. Recently she has been to an orthodist who recomemnded New Balance as a sneaker of choice. Ive also found these to work very well. There is an outlet in Lawrence and they were very reasonably priced. Good Luck. Jen

Striderite has great early walkers that are perfect for the stage your child is in. They cost a little more, but are the best shoes out there for kids. The people in the stores are usually prety knowledgeable & nice. My daughter is almost 3 now & has worn nothing but striderite shoes!

B. - mother of adorable 3 year old girl