Bobux Step Up First Walker Jack and Jill Sandals

I bought these for my 12 month-old because I was looking for a quality pair of toddler shoes for exploring and playing outdoors during the summer.By that time, she''d been walking for a few months, so she''d outgrown the soft, leather-soled pre-walker shoes she''d worn indoors while learning to walk.She needed footwear that would provide more protection from uneven terrain, stones, sharp objects and other outdoor elements, while still being flexible enough to allow her feet to grow and develop naturally.These Bobux "Step Up" sandals are perfect for this purpose.They''re made of durable eco-leather with natural rubber soles, and their sandal-style design provides adequate ventilation to keep my daughter''s feet cool in warm weather.The rubber soles provide plenty of protection from dangers underfoot, but are extremely flexible and non-constricting, allowing her feet to have total freedom of movement.(It''s no surprise that these shoes are accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development).What''s more, these sturdy little sandals can take a licking and keep on ticking!My toddler has worn them almost daily to daycare, she''s put them through the ringer, and they''ve survived the sand, dirt, grass, paint, and even water, virtually unscathed.I bought these sandals in white, and all I''ve ever needed to do is wipe them down with a damp cloth or paper towel, and they look as good as new.

Just a word of warning when shopping for this item: Please pay careful attention to the sizes listed in the item description, as these shoes run large.In most other brands of infant/toddler shoes, a US size 5 = European size 20; but in these Bobux shoes, a US size 5 actually equates to a European size 21.I didn''t pay close enough attention to these sizes, and instead, went by the foot measurements on Bobux''s website.My toddler''s feet were well over 4-1/2 inches when I measured them, so I initially purchased these sandals in a US size 5 (Eur. 21).They were ridiculously big for her, so much so that it looked like her little feet were swimming in these shoes!So I exchanged them for a US size 4-4.5 (Eur. 20) instead, and they fit her to a "T."Even now, 3 months later, they still fit her very well, with a bit of room to spare.

These are the ideal shoes for little-ones who''ve already learned to walk, but who''re still finding their footing and thus need footwear that allows them to "feel" the ground.I wouldn''t recommend them for infants & toddlers just learning to walk, since they need as little material as possible between the soles of their feet and the floor, to simulate barefoot walking.For that purpose, the Bobux Soft Sole shoes are ideal.However, once your child is walking, I highly recommend these Jack & Jill Sandals, and the rest of Bobux''s line of Step Up shoes.

Grade: A