I was invited to review a pair of StrideRite Early Walker shoes for babies and toddlers and they sent me two pairs! I’ve decided to give them both away to you, out of the goodness of my heart. (And also because both pairs are size 5 and my daughter wears a size 6. If they fit her, there’s no way you’d be getting your mitts on these, I love them that much.)
I’m a big fan of letting kids go barefoot as much as possible, especially when they’re learning to walk. This goes very much against French theory that you need the stiffest, most supportive shoes possible for toddlers, which in turn leads to arguments with my French mother-in-law over my insistence on shodding my children in supple soled shoes as they will obviously never learn to walk correctly.
I like soft leather shoes because they protect a kid’s feet from cold and any potential sharp objects, without being confining but they’re really only useful for inside. As soon as your baby starts to walk outside, he or she needs something better, at the very minimum, water and broken glass resistant.
That’s where these StrideRite early walker shoes come in. They are incredible supple and flexible, but have a real sole- your toddler can splash her way through the mud or scramble over gravel without a care in the world- her feet are protected. These shoes are well made as well- although I’m not a shoe expert, I like that there are no rough edges around the inside, and all the seams appear to be well-stitched. I’m not quite sure why they call them early walkers, because I would put them on any young child.
What don’t I like about these shoes? I only wish that there were a few more designs and patterns available, especially for girls. It would be nice if I had a choice of something for my daughter that wasn’t pink. I would also like to see these in a summer sandal version- these designs just have ‘Winter’ written all over them. That’s OK, however, seeing as how we are in the middle of December!
It’s your lucky day! I am giving away both pairs of shoes, the pink GOSLING model, size 5M, and the brown PUGGLE model, size 5W, both with a $45 value. I’ll ship them anywhere in the world, so this contest is open to anyone with a valid shipping address. Here’s how to enter: leave a comment on this post, or for two entries each write a blog post mentioning this contest and linking back to it or sign up for my RSS or email feed and send me the secret code at the bottom of the feed. The contest begins Monday, December 15th at 12:00 GMT and ends Monday December 22nd at 12:00 GMT. Good luck!
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Those shoes are so cute, and my boy is a size 4 or 5 so they would be fab.
The non-pink ones would be best if possible.
Love the blog.
MammaBug´s last blog post..Breastfeeding how long is long enough?
Cool! These are cute – count me in!
Trish´s last blog post..Handmade Holidays
Oh these are so cute! We would love a chance for the Puggles!
thanks!
Terra Jones´s last blog post..Menu Plan Monday
I get the feed via reader…guessing I need to email you the secret word??? I’ll do that, lol
Terra Jones´s last blog post..Menu Plan Monday
Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks
fun giveaway! I just love that little face on the brown shoe! too cute! thanks!
jodi @ bpr´s last blog post..Join the Club
Hi, these shoes are so cute! Perfect for my only size 4 but growing quickly toddler.
Cheers!
Zoe´s last blog post..Cat in the Hat Game
I’m with you re: soft-bottomed shoes, and on wanting shoe colours besides pink for girls. These ones look cute, I’d love for our new baby boy to try them out when the time comes.
What great shoes! Mum bought a few pairs of these for me and my siblings when we were little; we still have the teeny tiny shoe boxes incorporated into our Christmas ornament storage scheme. I’d love to win either pair for my progeny.
Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway! My little girl is about to grow out of her 4s, so these shoes would be perfect for her!
Lisa {borrowed heaven}´s last blog post..
This shoes are so cute!!
These are sweet! I, too, am a firm believer in barefoot walking, and I truly believe that my daughter is as agile as she is because she started out mostly barefoot (especially inside). Thanks for such a neat giveaway!
Enter me in the giveaway…My daughter is just beginning to start walking and these would be great!
sheryl´s last blog post..Office Space
These are adorable! I would love the puggle ones.
Mercedes
Mercedes´s last blog post..FREE Redbox Rental Today 12/14 ONLY
They look adorable…my little Melissa just too her first unassisted steps this morning……
Added a link to my blog…and I also subscribed to your feed :0)
Cheers!
Kari
Kari´s last blog post..0 for 3
Ohhh I would love the brown Puggle ones.
Love the monkey shoes!
This is the first time I’ve been enticed to write, as I usually leave the comments to the more eloquent posters.
But this giveaway is perfect timing for me. My son is just learning to walk and he doesn’t even have a pair of shoes. I’m a real advocate of bare feet too. When we go out, I’ll put some socks on but he’ll whip them off as soon as he gets a chance. I was planning to pick him up some shoes this week but then- bingo! – i saw todays post! “I love it when a plan comes together”
Please enter me in the giveaway. These shoes look great!
Oh my word do I LOVE Stride Rite shoes… my whole life I have said, when I have kids, they will wear stride rites. Now I have a 5-month old and would LOVE to have these shoes for him.
Crossing my fingers.
Jessica Turner´s last blog post..Winners and December Daily
I would love either pair. Sooo cute!
Their shoes are super cute…a nice change from your typical shoe.
Such cute shoes, but definitely out of our price range. Our wee one would love to win a pair!
Those are adorable–just perfect!
Tomato Lady´s last blog post..Menu Plan Monday
Too cute. Love the shoes.
These are so sute!
Those shoes are adorable! I also prefer soft-sole shoes to the hard soled ones. They are so much gentler on those little growing feet.
These would be the perfect size for my daughter. Thank you!!!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
I enjoy reading yours!
Amy in CA
I really love the shoes. I would love the chance to win. Thank you!
Oh, how cute! My little one is too old for these, but my sister is having a baby in January and I would love to give them to her! Thanks for a wonderful giveaway!
Autumn @ My MoonBean´s last blog post..Aloha Friday
Thanks for the chance to win! I agree with you about girls shoes, something other than pink please! Don’t get me wrong, I love little girls in pink, but there is a point…
Those are so cute! I would love to win them! Enter me!
Kelly´s last blog post..Perspective
Love the shoes, they’re really cute! Shame they don’t fit your daughter
Adorable shoes! And I agree with you that barefoot or soft shoes are best for babies learning to walk.
StrideRite is a great brand. Thanks for the giveaway!
Holly´s last blog post..Christmas Cheer
Please enter me in the giveaway for the Stride Rite shoes. My grand kids wear this brand almost exclusively!
the next best thing to barefoot for little popsicle toes. thanks for letting us play!
Those are soooo cute! They look perfect for my little ones feet!
So cute, and the perfect size for my guy! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Courtney´s last blog post..How to say, “A little less religion with my Christmas, please.”
The puggle shoes are adorable! Thanks for the giveaway!
Kara´s last blog post..almost done!
My size-5 fashionista daughter would LOVE the pink booties–too cute!
I’m all about the barefoot/flexible shoe theory, too. Why mess with nature? It’s usually the best way!
(Good luck convincing your monther-in-law, though!)
Rachel´s last blog post..Wee Bunny
they are both so cute-thanks
I’d happily gift these to my niece – she’s the right size! (and I love love love Stride Rite shoes)
Cute shoes. I agree about needing more girl stuff that isn’t pink. Too true.
Thanks!
Kellie
kellie´s last blog post..joy = packages in the mail
what a great giveaway! just in time for the holidays. my little madalyne would look super cute in either pair. thank you for sharing
Oh so cute!!! Count me in please!
Ooh, our twins wear size 5!!! I hope I win! Those shoes are adorable, and Stride Rite does make the *best* shoes for their little feet.
What a great giveaway!
These look wonderful. My little on just started taking her first steps and these would be great with our cold, cold winter. Thanks!
Love the shoes and your site!