I have always heard that bare feet are the best feet, but obviously if your child is going to be walking any place other than around the house, you will want his little footsies to be protected. When my little ones first started to walk, my mother came across a great pair of moccassin type shoes at a yard sale. I don't know who the maker was (no tag). They had a protective but flexible sole and just slipped over the feet. They were great! Good luck with your little walker.

Thanks everybody, for your wonderful advice.  Today I went and got my son a pair of pre - walker runners from kmart.  They didn't cost the end of the earth like his other pre - walkers did. Soon he will grow out of them and he will be on to proper shoes where I will take him to a proper shoe fitting shop.

Hi Angie

I let Austin go bare foot if we are inside. I so far have only put him in the soft souled shoes. I have bought him a proper pair of sneakers, they are very cute, but he just cant walk in them yet.

I recon if you need shoes right away, just get the pre-walkers until he is really off and racing.

Cass xx

I was always told my my health nurses not put my son into shoes  or anything until he was walking outside because the support from the shoes can actually make the childs ankles weak because they become dependant on it. I wouldnt personally recommend it, my son never used them, and he started walking at 9 months, and was completely walking by 10 months.

hey, i looked into this when my daughter starting walking. I went to a shoe specialist and they informed me that it can make a toddler reverse back to crawling if they wear a shoe with a solid sole due to them curling their toes in the toe of the shoe,as well as cause problems with the sole of their feet. They use their toes for balance as they learn to walk so i was told. I would just buy another pair of pre walkers, but get a cheaper pair like from target or kmart so you dont spend too much. Your little man is better off with no shoes at all maybe around the house??? But out and a bout i would use the pre walkers till at least 4 weeks into him walking better.....this is just what i was told, hope it helps!! :)

cheers naomi xx

Personally I would wait till he is walking confidently and securely before buying shoes. Normal shoes are too stiff and restricting for crawling. If I were you, I would invest in another pair of pre-walkers, just to be safe and comfortable.

Best Wishes. Luv Winnie.xxxx

I got Keiraleah a pair of shoes at about this age. I looked for a pair that were still fairly soft. As long as they arent to heavy and are flexible i think they'll be ok. With summer coming, a pair of thongs for the hot weather is a good option as well. I've found nearly all kids love them.