Baby J started walking just after he turned 11 months old, but I haven’t been in a rush to get him wearing shoes. In fact, the opposite, as I have learned that being barefoot is best for little feet. Growing feet need plenty of room for muscles to strengthen, toes to be able to spread and learn to grip, and bones to form in their natural position.
Allowing children to be barefoot as much as possible, especially in the first few years of life, is the best way to allow this to happen. It’s not always practical, especially now that J wants to walk and explore outside, so shoes like Bobux protect those soft little toes but also mimic the freedom of being barefoot.
Bobux began in 1991 in New Zealand, created by a couple who were looking for soft soled shoes for their own daughter. All of the baby shoes available had hard soles and Chris and Colleen Bennett’s daughter Chloe would not keep them on, so they created a pair of soft shoes out of leather and suede with an elasticated ankle to keep the shoes on but allow their daughter’s feet to move and develop naturally.
Bobux is now sells shoes for babies and toddlers worldwide with each product in their range designed to allow feet to grow healthily. They understand how much change children’s feet go through in the first five years of life so their shoes allow room to grow, flex, strengthen and develop naturally. The brand has shoes suitable for newborn feet right through to confident walkers. J was sent a pair of shoes from their Step Up range, which is a selection of shoes ideal for first walkers.
The shoes in the Step Up range have been designed to look cool but still allow for natural balance, coordination and development. The shoes that I chose for J are the Bobux Micro Trainers in Navy (£35.00)* and they feature flexible soles, elasticated laces and adjustable velcro straps which make the shoes easy to fit and adjust. The shoes have a white rubber flexi sole which allows J’s feet to bend and move naturally and, along with the soft leather upper and lining, protects them from the elements.
These little trainers are really soft and lightweight, which is a must for a first shoe. After having spent the best part of a year wear nothing more than socks, learning to walk is a challenge enough without being weighed down by heavy shoes! J was intrigued by his new shoes and frequently stopped to inspect them, but they haven’t hindered his walking capabilities. He took to walking in them like a duck takes to water. The combination of leather, ballistic mesh and Ripstop canvas will give J’s feet plenty of protection from the elements as the weather turns colder and wetter. And he just looks ridiculously stylish in them!
Whether you are looking for your baby’s first pair of shoes or kitting out your toddler, barefoot is the way forward and you are sure to find something you’ll like from the range at Bobux. I love J’s trainers and will be sticking with barefoot shoes when he outgrows them!
What kind of shoes do your little ones wear?
*review sample
