- Soft-sole baby shoes provide protection for babies' feet. The shoes couple the freedom of being barefoot with the stability and friction of footwear. Pediatricians recommend children go barefoot as much as possible up to two years of age---but as beneficial as this may be, it isn't always practical. Soft-sole leather baby shoes combine the best of both worlds. They protect feet from the cold and other elements without compromising natural barefoot flexibility.
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Many styles of soft-sole leather baby shoes are available. Most utilize elastic instead of shoelaces to keep the shoes from falling off and feature breathable leather insoles and linings and non-slip treads. The elastic gently grips the baby's ankles and, unlike traditional shoe laces, can't come untied.
The shoes come in a variety of prints and colors. You can even find soft-sole baby shoes made from ultrasuede, an alternative to leather that is just as durable but made without animal products. -
Pediatricians recommend flexible shoes for young children because they enable feet to grow naturally. Soft-sole leather baby shoes help muscles and strength in the feet develop properly. They allow a baby to grasp the floor and gain a sense of balance. The shoes are flexible, durable, and many brands are fully machine-washable. Always check the manufacturer's instructions on how to care for the shoes.
Many parents claim their babies trip when wearing traditional walking shoes, but not with soft-sole shoes since they're not at all chunky. - Soft-sole leather shoes come in many styles, patterns and colors. You can find shoes as girly---or boyish---as possible, as well as shoes with hearts, dragons, cars, or licensed NHL hockey teams. You can even find soft-sole leather boots for winter. Other soft-sole shoes may be lined in fleece or lamb's fur for extra protection in cold weather.
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Stiff, high-top walking boots with a slight heel were the favorite choice for baby shoes until recently. Bobux, developed in 1991, were among the first soft-sole baby shoes. Designed by a father and architect, Bobux were created to combat the frustration of constantly picking up lost baby shoes that came untied and had fallen off. Robeez, one of the most popular brands, was started by a mom selling shoes from her basement in 1994. The company now sells shoes in over 4,500 stores and is owned by the Stride-Rite Corporation.
Today, there are many brands selling their own version of soft-sole leather---and non-leather---baby shoes.
