Best shoes for 4 year old?

[mybabesuz]

My DD wears Keens when we are there.

I second the keen's...

 

[whitneyNC]

All crocs, all the time. Great for wet rides, fountains, and rain showers. They are cool and breathable. They are not plastic (they're croslite) they float in the pool, and don't smell! Carry socks for hot spots at the end of the day. Crocs have too much traction (as opposed to not enough) and that is why some people tend to stick and stumble in them. Obviously they are slip resistant since they are allowed in restaurant kitchens and in hospitals. Don't go with the fakies; they aren't the same. Socks and athletic shoes are HOT, and miserable if they get wet. Oh yeah, we love Keens too! Have a good trip!

 

[Tiger926]

All crocs, all the time. Great for wet rides, fountains, and rain showers. They are cool and breathable. They are not plastic (they're croclite) they float in the pool, and don't smell! Carry socks for hot spots at the end of the day. Crocs have too much traction (as opposed to not enough) and that is why some people tend to stick and stumble in them. Obviously they are slip resistant since they are allowed in restaurant kitchens and in hospitals. Don't go with the fakies; they aren't the same. Socks and athletic shoes are HOT, and miserable if they get wet. Oh yeah, we love Keens too! Have a good trip!

My, you love your Crocs! Do you work for them? I only ask because I totally beg to differ about the them having "too much traction." We feel that they don't have enough traction, and that is the problem. You literally have to replace them every few months, which is what we did (spent so much money on these greatly overpriced shoes), and even then, they still aren't good. They wear down faster then anything I've seen, and so that is why they are not safe shoes. They slip and slide on dry pavement, so wet pavement is a disaster. I totally don't get the whole slip resistant thing either as our brand new Crocs (and we've had tons) were still slippery. I just don't get how people wear them in hospitals and restaurants?

We fell for the hype and did our research, but once we started wearing them, we quickly realized they are totally slippery and unsafe. I will agree that they are breathable and great for wet weather, as they don't get soggy, but they are totally slippery and unsafe in wet weather.

It's great for Crocs that so many people like them - I did at one time too, as they made my aching feet and back feel good, but not anymore. After awhile, that good feeling wears down - pun intended - and they don't feel good at all anymore.

They do make cute designs and the kids like their Jibbitz, but we are only wearing Crocs in the backyard on grass these days. Don't even feel safe with wearing them at the pool any longer as they really are that unsafe.

Good luck to OP making her shoe decision - wonder what shoes she chose?

Tiger

 

[whitneyNC]

Sorry your experiences have been negative. You obviously have to go with what works for your family! Here's an opinion from a "foot expert" (or two) of sorts! Crocs are not perfect for everyone all the time, they just really work for us!

Crocs, which were created in 2002 as footwear for boating with non-slip tread for wet boat decks and docks, and waterproof tendencies, have morphed into a foot phenomenon for all ages and even into the workplace. It's clear that for kids in particular, these shoes offer a hip alternative to sneakers, and when the warm weather rolls around, a much better option than bare feet.

"Crocs shoes do provide protection, compared to going barefoot, or wearing flip-flops or even sandals," says Donna M. Alfieri, DPM, associate professor at the N.Y. College of Podiatric Medicine. "They offer arch support and cushion, the holes in the shoe allow air in and keep the feet from sweating, and the antimicrobial properties of Crocs could help prevent infections in kids' feet." Kids' crocs come in so many different styles and colors, kids everywhere are wearing the shoes that fit their feet and their personality.

"In addition to the support and protection kids get from Crocs, the great thing is they want to wear them," says Hal Ornstein, DPM, chairman of the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management.

"My kids wear Crocs all summer long," says Ornstein. "Instead of having to tell them to tie the laces on their sneakers and worrying about them tripping over untied shoes, Crocs are convenient and they like them -- they're cool." He's created a checklist for parents:

Activity OK for Crocs?

Gym Class- No
Hiking over rough terrain - No
Walking to and from class - Yes
Recess - No
Going to the beach - Yes
Going to the pool or waterpark- Yes
After-school sports - No
Boating - Yes
Walking on a cold winter day- No

 

[Tiger926]

Sorry your experiences have been negative. You obviously have to go with what works for your family! Here's an opinion from a "foot expert" (or two) of sorts! Crocs are not perfect for everyone all the time, they just really work for us!

Crocs, which were created in 2002 as footwear for boating with non-slip tread for wet boat decks and docks, and waterproof tendencies, have morphed into a foot phenomenon for all ages and even into the workplace. It's clear that for kids in particular, these shoes offer a hip alternative to sneakers, and when the warm weather rolls around, a much better option than bare feet.

"Crocs shoes do provide protection, compared to going barefoot, or wearing flip-flops or even sandals," says Donna M. Alfieri, DPM, associate professor at the N.Y. College of Podiatric Medicine. "They offer arch support and cushion, the holes in the shoe allow air in and keep the feet from sweating, and the antimicrobial properties of Crocs could help prevent infections in kids' feet." Kids' crocs come in so many different styles and colors, kids everywhere are wearing the shoes that fit their feet and their personality.

"In addition to the support and protection kids get from Crocs, the great thing is they want to wear them," says Hal Ornstein, DPM, chairman of the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management.

"My kids wear Crocs all summer long," says Ornstein. "Instead of having to tell them to tie the laces on their sneakers and worrying about them tripping over untied shoes, Crocs are convenient and they like them -- they're cool." He's created a checklist for parents:

Activity OK for Crocs?

Gym Class- No
Hiking over rough terrain - No
Walking to and from class - Yes
Recess - No
Going to the beach - Yes
Going to the pool or waterpark- Yes
After-school sports - No
Boating - Yes
Walking on a cold winter day- No

Interesting to note that these "experts" mention that Crocs are safer than going barefoot or wearing flip flops. Not much of a comparison if you ask me. Flip flops are horrible for the feet - I don't think you'll find one doctor who will say otherwise. Don't even get my Chiropractor started on Crocs or flip flops - LOL! Incidentally, they also mention nothing about the soles or treads - they talk about protection, which is more than likely because the toes are covered, and they talk about arch support, as the footbed is a molded one. Like I said, they were comfy for me for awhile, especially while I was pregnant, but now, they hurt my feet and my back (and I have multiple pairs as we replace our Crocs very often for safety reasons). Incidentally, kids want to wear them because they are colorful and bright, it still doesn't mean they should wear them.

The Crocs debate is one that could go on forever - but since we've logged thousands of miles in the parks while wearing Crocs, that is what I have based my experiences and opinions on. I absolutely would not recommend them as park shoes for any kids, much less adults. Although they are breathable, and maybe comfy for some, the safety factor is more important to me. I don't allow my children to wear flip flops either - safety is more important than fads.

I do wish the OP like in her shoe search - the DISboards are a great source of knowledge for many excellent quality shoes for both kids and adults.

Happy shoe wearing to all, Tiger

 

[wickywinn]

Crocs and an umbrella stroller. Sometimes they wear socks with their crocs but usually not. My kids could sleep in their crocs though so it depends. I love them because they can wear them in the water and dry them under the bathroom air dryers.

 

[CLR4321]

I would say to go with sneakers, as these are usually better for walking around the parks in, as far as comfort goes. My one main bit of advice is DO NOT buy new shoes for the trip. Have him wear broken in shoes! If he will be close to changing shoe sizes, go ahead and buy the bigger size and let him break them in before the trip. New shoes often times cause blisters, and having no stroller could potentially be setting yourself up for some trouble when you add this to the picture. I honestly would take a stroller unless you don't plan to spend much time in the parks at all, and if you plan to take breaks in the room in the middle of the day. Most 4 year old's will not do well without a stroller for when their feet get tired. I would bring a pair of water shoes or sandals for the pool and walking around the resort.

 

[longstangetrip]

Crocs, which were created in 2002 as footwear for boating with non-slip tread for wet boat decks and docks, and waterproof tendencies, have morphed into a foot phenomenon for all ages and even into the workplace.

Incidentally, they also mention nothing about the soles or treads - they talk about protection...

??????
We've been rockin' crocs for about four years. No wet socks and tennis shoes for us at WDW! OP- have a great trip!

 

[Tiger926]

??????
We've been rockin' crocs for about four years. No wet socks and tennis shoes for us at WDW! OP- have a great trip!

Sorry, my English teacher side was coming out - The "they" I am referring to are the "experts" quoted in the article. Those quotes were provided in this thread as a way of justifying why Crocs are ok from a medical standpoint. Those experts do not speak about protection at all - they talk about other stuff that really isn't relevant to the safety of the shoe at all. The other text is from the company's promotional promotional/marketing materials. You can't use this as evidence, since the company will say whatever they need to say to sell their shoes.

Sorry, as I didn't want this to be a Crocs debate at all, but the OP asked about shoes for her young child, and I just can't recommend Crocs (and I'm not alone as evidenced by this thread) for anyone, much less children, especially in wet, summer weather, as they are not safe at all. We've BTDT, so this is not about the look of Crocs, but about safety while wearing Crocs, so that is why I do not recommend them to parents asking for their young children.

Tiger

 

[boltfans]

I will addt that aside from the above mentioned blisters from Crocs, I also slip in mine all the time. My kids don't seem to do it as much, but I do replace theirs more often than mine so that could be why.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

I purchased keens 6 months ahead of our last Disney visit. They were fine for wearing all day here in Indiana. However, wearing them in the Florida heat was another story. I didn't last long in them. I did better in my old nike sneakers with socks.

I vote for Striderite sneakers. We also have a striderite sandal.