Crocs or Stride Rite for 18 month old?

[JaxJags08]

So I bought some Caymans for DD using a fantastic code I found on this board last week. I was so excited until my DM told me that Crocs are dangerous. "They can get stuck on the escalator!" "They're slippery when it's wet out!" Now I'm not about to let her stand on the escalator at her age, but the slippery part I worry about. She has been walking for a long time now, and also runs, but she still falls fairly frequently if on uneven terrain. The Crocs also came in the mail today and aren't as snug on her feet as I thought they would be, though she walks fine in them. I guess I'm worried because I bought them thinking she could use them outside to play and to go to WDW (though, I'm afraid of her slipping if it rains in the park).

What have your experiences been with Crocs for little ones at this age? Would you recommend I return them for Stride Rite sandals like these?

Buying both the Crocs and Stride Rites aren't really an option since we are on a budget and she grows out of shoes so quickly. As you may be able to tell, I am leaning towards returning the Crocs, but wanted to see what all of you have to say first!

 

[Iott Family]

My kids are wear crocs as do I. We find them easy on/off and veerrrrrryyyyy comfortable. i have not noticed are children being any more accident prone before wearing crocs and now in crocs! my children are 2, 4, 10 and 12 and I watch a 15 month old who wears crocs, too!

BTW, crocs arent anymore dangerous than any other shoe. If they were there would be a HUGE recall!

 

[Mophia'sMom]

My DD(21m) loves her crocs. She has worn them for about 7 months, and we havent had any problems. In fact, when I tell her to get her shoes she always goes for the crocs. I think I have created a monster, she wears crocs with her smocked dresses for Church.

 

[ceecee]

Those Stride Rite shoes are awesome. DD had them for years (similar style). The Crocs are very slippery when wet, I fell last year while wearing them. I would go with the Stride Rites they have a much better thread on them and they were never slippery. DD wears Crocs as well and she has tripped several times in them, I think because of the large fit, it's always in a store with shiny floors, they seem to stick!!!

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

We actually do both for DD 2.5 and we have since she was about 18 months-old. She has 2-3 pairs of Crocs per size and one pair of Stride Rite sneakers per size. She mostly wears the Crocs, but I do insist on sneakers for going to the park/zoo/etc. I've found plenty of deals on Stride Rite sneakers on Shoebuy (with $10 off codes, 10% off, Ebate, etc.), and I don't think I've paid more than $20 per pair.

 

[JaxJags08]

Thanks for the advice! I'm going to have DH look at them on her when he gets home and get his take on it. DD already has a pair of white Stride Rite sandals that she wears with her more dressy things and a pair of Stride Rite sneakers that she wears out to play. We are in FL so I was looking for a pair of shoes for her to play in that I can clean easily and keep her feet cool. She also has very wide feet, so our options are limited. At this age I don't really see the need for her to have so many shoes. I would go to Target for new sandals if I could, but she can't even get her foot in them!

 

[merekc]

There are true concerns about Crocs especially in regards to escalators. I think it is up to you to know what your comfort level is with your child wearing Crocs or similar shoes.

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/escalator.asp

 

[DMickey28]

I live in S. Florida and have a 12.5 month old. He has been walking on his own now for about a month and half.

He has one pair of Stride Rite sandals that he is just about to outgrow and one pair of caymen crocs. I haven't decided if we are keeping the crocs yet. They are size 6/7 and I am afraid they are too tight on his foot but the 8/9's are huge. He seems to walk fine in them but I wouldn't let him wear them exclusively because they don't have the support structure on his foot and ankle that they need at this age. I KILLS me to spend $40 on his Stride Rite but I can't find his size any place cheaper so we are going to have to get another one soon.

On the other hand my best friend's daughter is 20 months old and has been wearing croc-like shoes since she started walking. They are an off brand and she hardly wore anything else and she is doing great.

It's what you are comfortable with!!

 

[Shelly D.]

When my son first started walking a little before his 1st bday, I bought him Stride Rite shoes which he was able to stay in for almost 6 months (not a bad run for baby feet that are always growing). But, I caved and bought him a pair of disney crocs during our trip when he was 15 months old and he LOVES them. He now has two pairs of crocs and wears them all the time. They are so quick and easy and I haven't noticed him having any trouble with falls or the shoes getting slippery. So easy to clean, they still look brand new! Escalators haven't been a problem because I can't think of when he'd stand on one. At the mall he's in a stroller, etc.

I did go ahead and buy him an inexpensive pair of sneakers at Payless to wear when we go to parks with lots of gravel and I plan on getting him another pair of stride rites in the fall before preschool starts. But for summer, I can't think of anything better than his crocs.

You mentioned they looked a little big and I did want to say that my son's two pair are both the same size (6/7), but they fit very differently. His Disney ones fit bigger than his regular ones and he's able to pull them off on his own (we've had to go pick them up at lost & found twice at Target now!). But, he's never pulled off the regular ones. Weird.

 

[KadysMom]

My DD6 has always worn just Stride Rite shoes. This past October I let her get her first pair of crocs. I hate them. They are ugly, and I dont let her wear them to school. Since she is getting older I let her wear them, but as a baby I wouldnt. I dont think they have the support like the stride rite ones do. My DD was walking early, and I felt she needed the extra support.