I recently thought I'd found the solution to my shoe woes. We prefer for Owen to wear soft-soled shoes, but he is getting a bit too big for most of the readily available ones. He also has a rather fat foot, so he needs a wider shoe. When I found that Minnetonka Moccaisins made adaorable, affordable fringed moccasins, I thought we might be set until Owen started picking out his own shoes - and beyond. But, alas, when the first pair arrived, one was wide enough to fit on either of his feet while the other was too narrow to fit on either. When the replacements arrived, we found that the more narrow cut was the correct one. Unfortunately, the shoes were also VERY long. They are the oddest cut I have every seen.
I got a chance to review them this morning (see below). If you're looking for a long narrow shoe for a child, and want soft soles, then this is the shoe for you. I'm still feeling disappointed because they are just too cute. Oh well, off to search again for affordable, soft-soled shoes that come in toddler size 9 and don't cost a fortune.
Product: Minnetonka Childs Fringe Softsole Boot by Minnetonka
Submitted at: Moccasins.com
Review Status: Pending
Long Narrow Shoes by Disappointed Mama from Lancaster, PA on 9/30/2009
Sizing: Feels full size too small
Pros: Well-priced, Cute
Cons: Very narrow, Unusually long, Uncomfortable
Describe Yourself: First Time Parent We were disappointed when the first pair of moccasins came as two very different shoes. One fit my son, but one did not. After getting replacements, the new pair did not fit at all. It was made very narrow and extremely long. They were so narrow, in fact, that we couldn't even get them on my son's feet, and they were a full inch and a half longer than his foot - a tripping issue if he had actually gotten them on. Although they are absolutely adorable shoes, they are the most strangely cut shoes I have ever encountered - how very disappointing.
6 comments:
http://www.bobuxusa.com/baby_shoes/toddler_sizes/Toddler-Plain-Chocolate
Try bobux shoes, which started in New Zealand! They are reasonably priced and well made. From the sizing chart, it appears that you can get them up to size 12.5. The link above is for a cute pair of brown shoes. I hope this helps. Lots of love, Carolyn.
Thanks, Carolyn! I didn't realize they went that big. Yay!
Melinda
How well do soft soles hold up when the kid is running around outside?
How do they handle puddles, snow, ice, etc.?
...for future reference.
All leather, moccasin-type shoes hold up surprisingly well. They do leak water so we do snow boots if it is mucky outside, but we have washed multiple pairs of his shoes after he got them really gross (wet, muddy, worse) and they have lived to see another day.
They do shrink a tad but stretch back out with the first wearing.
Owen has only worn through a couple of pairs of soft soles, and those are still wearable - not worn all the way through with a large hold - just tiny a tiny one near the toe.
Carolyn, what is your experience?
Melinda
I absolutely LOVE Bobux shoes. They are still made in New Zealand and come in a variety of adorable colors and patterns. There are imitations, but they aren't as good.
Most babies refuse to wear "proper" shoes and would like to keep wearing Bobux type shoes as long as possible. Also, they are one of the few things likely to stay on babies' feet (just because they like them). I do recommend having a couple of pairs once bubs starts walking and playing outside so that you can wash and dry them. They hold up really well (I had a hand-me-down pair that lasted quite well through 2 one-year-old level abuse... they lasted for about 7 months of almost constant wear, washing and drying).
The WORST thing you can do is put an early walker/toddler in ill-fitting shoes. This creates a lifetime of problems. Barefeet a widely regarded as the best possible means of locomotion. The Europeans believe in maximum foot and ankle support in highly structured shoes, and I have bought some of these shoes for Anna (especially warm winter boots), but I think she prefers being barefoot or her ballet shoes. So, it depends on the weather conditions... mucky boots for winter are a must outdoors. For all other occassions, bobux work great.
Thanks, Carolyn. I just wanted to clarify that my previous reply should have read all-leather. . . as in ones with leather uppers and soles, not all the leather shoes in the world. :o)
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