Walking Barefoot!

Stride Rite shoes (left) and EMU Australia boots (right) 

UPDATE: Since posting this a few things have changed. I have decided to wait on getting shoes for my daughter until she is a bit older. At least until she is in a child's size 9 or 10, which is the size of my sons first Pedipeds. Now I do prefer getting a soft soled shoe as often as possible, and also buying second hand. Right now my 3 yr. old daughter is wearing some EMU Australia boots and some Stride Rites flats with a strap. Both of these I got at my local kids consignments store for a great deal. There seems to always be a plethora of girls shoes! :o) So even though the idea of walking barefoot makes sense, there is a process for your feet to make the switch. Starting out with soft soles, in my opinion, allows for children's feet to be flexible and have better posture while walking. The hard rubber soles that most shoes have aren't really necessary. If the sole doesn't bend well then it isn't good for my child's feet!

Abigail's newborn toesies :) Photo Credit

Scroll down to watch a cute little video promoting the VivoBarefoot shoes!

Right now, my youngest (almost 1 yr.) doesn't wear shoes, other than some soft sole slip on shoes. My 2 1/2 yr. old is about out of her sandals from Walmart :o) and will be needing a new fall/winter shoe. My husband and I haven't decided yet which shoe we will be getting her. It will be either a VivoBarefoot shoe or a Pediped.

My 4 yr. old son wears the Flex Hayden Pediped shoe and runs like a ninja in them! After watching this little video from Vivobarefoot, I went back and looked at the sole of his Pediped shoes.



They are very flexible, but of course do have a "snug" fit. They are a great shoe and are definitely more affordable than the VivoBarefoot. Pediped also offer a larger variety of styles compared to the VivoBarefoot. Especially for girls. :o)  My son will eventually grow out of them (quicker than anticipated as usual!) and so come spring I am sure we will be getting him something new. For now they work just great for him! :o)

I have always been a bargain shopper, and so spending this much on a shoe is not easy for me. But I have come to believe that it is well worth it when it comes to things that need the quality (not the brand name) in order for them to last longer and perform better. It's just a bummer we have to spend so much to get them! Shoes are a big... actually HUGE part of our lives. I have been experiencing aches and pains that I believe are due to my posture and the type of shoe I wear when I am out and about running errands. I have been wearing Rainbow flip flops since it was first warm enough too, probably around five months. Although I have had them for over two years now. They are pretty much done in and really aren't that good on my feet. During the winter months I would wear my flat soled boots (similar to UGG's) and then my Eastlands. I am planning on getting a new pair of shoes for this coming fall/winter, but am still undecided at this point. I am leaning towards these shoes from Merrels.  My husband has a pair of Merrels that he loves!

I hope you enjoy this video and learn a little something too! As I sure did! :o)
 
p.s. I have inserted the links above to each of the shoes I was describing which will also take to you the shoes home website.





VIVOBAREFOOT KIDS - Barefoot is Best from VIVOBAREFOOT on Vimeo.