Quality footwear for little feet

November 6, 8:40 AMOrlando Parenting ExaminerRobyn Kurth

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Tiny Toms for little feet. (Credit: www.tomsshoes.com)  

Little feet grow in big ways in a very short amount of time. I confess that I am not much of a shoe person; I am hesitant to spend a lot of money on my own shoes let alone shoes that my kids will outgrow in a few months. That being said, I clearly understand the importance of quality footwear for children. Little feet need room to grow, and cheap shoes that fall apart before your little one grows out of them are ultimately a waste of money.

So here are a few favorite, affordable—and best of all—durable brands that have passed the test in our home.
 

• Robeez: I actually discovered these padded slippers for babies and early walkers after my second child was born (my poor son just hung around barefoot most of the time when he was a baby, but most of the year in Florida that’s completely okay). Their footwear is approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association, which is important because poorly fitting shoes can impede a child’s progress towards taking his or her first steps.
• Stride Rite: Toddler feet tend to be wide, and Stride Rite does a great job offering wide sizes. Plus, they never fall apart. I never have to throw out a pair of Stride Rite shoes, I simply pass them along to family members. Here in Orlando you can find Stride Rite shoes at up to 50% off of the retail price at the Stride Rite store at Prime Outlets (north I-Drive) and Premium Outlets (south I-Drive). Basically, the only time our family ventures out to the outlet malls is when the kids need new shoes.
• Crocs: They’re cute and kids love them. Up North they wear Crocs with socks (what’s up with that?) but here in the Sunshine State your kids can slip them on at a moment’s notice, decorate them with Jibbitz from Walt Disney World, and wear them to the beach. I even have a pair myself.
• TOMS: My kids don’t have a pair of TOMS, but I am on my second pair already. These colorful canvas shoes fit like a glove and are as comfortable as a pair of slippers. The Tiny TOMS line for children are available in Prewalker sizes 2 & 4, and Toddler sizes 5-10 only. One reason why I am a big fan of TOMS is because of the company’s pledge to children in some of the world’s most underprivileged areas. For every pair of TOMS sold, the company donates a pair to a child in need—it’s a great product and a great cause.