On test : Soft soled baby shoes

• Consumer Editor says
• When will my baby need shoes?
• Meet our parent panel
• What we tested for
• Test overview – we compare and contrast soft soled baby shoes

Consumer Editor says:

Lara Thomas and Finn, Consumer Editor and Product Tester!

Your baby’s first steps marks one of the many major milestones of childhood
and they’ll love the new sense of independence that walking brings them.
It’s perfectly fine to let them explore their new view of the world barefoot,
but when they start to venture anywhere other than the soft surfaces of
your home, you’re likely to start thinking about shoes.

Soft-soled shoes are a good option for cruising babies who are getting
to grips with walking and strengthening the muscles in their feet. They
also allow for more flexibility than hard-soled shoes and tend to be made
from soft, breathable leather that keeps your babies precious tootsies
comfortably sweat-free.

When will my baby need shoes?

Once your child starts toddling around confidently without
support, he’s likely to be ready for his first pair of shoes. However,
it’s important to be patient. It’s a lesser known fact that infant feet
don’t actually need shoes for support as the foot muscles are well equipped
to do the job perfectly fine on their own! Walking barefoot will help
build strength and co-ordination in his legs so encourage him to explore
his new skill by letting him walk on different textured surfaces like
sand, wooden floors, soft carpet and tiles. He’ll love the contrasting
sensations and it will increase his appetite for walking.

Meet our panel of parents

This months panel are from East Barnet and Dulwich and met
through various mother & baby clubs. They’ve been busy road-testing the
shoes for the past three months and have enjoyed watching their babies’
model this season’s latest styles and designs!

          Where to next:

• Read the test overview to find the best shoes for your baby
• Read our parent panel reviews:
• Daisy
• Roots 
• Hippychick
• Inch
• Blue
• Pitter
• Patter 
• Robeez
• Become a parent panel member
  
• See all our Big tests – buggies, beach pods, lightweight strollers,
  safety gates and lots more!