https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 06:22:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1569044 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 23:21:54 +0000 googly-eyes 1569044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We followed the levels sort of. We use pedipeds too and we still have grip n gos..the flex seemed a little too stiff/heavy. Dd can run but when tired gets a little wobbly... We are about to move into size six soon and we already have a couple grip n go ones and then we will probably do flex for the size after that. I don't think the grip n go (level 2) are really THAT different than the flex (level 3.) And brands also probably vary. So I don't think it's going to be a huge deal. But I'm not a doctor or anything to do with feet!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568959 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 21:49:03 +0000 californiadreams 1568959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: I just noticed your reply now! It definitely seems like a way to sell more shoes. Although I was told to get level 3 now so I wouldn't have to get level 2 AND 3 soon after! Good point about sidewalks in general. I got the pedi ped initially for outside (level 1) because they are tougher on the sole compared to robeez so I thought that was good for the park etc. but still soft soled </p> <p>Anyway. I've spent way too much time thinking about this! Thanks for all the helpful replies :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568896 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 20:55:42 +0000 californiadreams 1568896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: well, i wasn't expecting to have all those choices and didn't want to be there long. plus the sales person was very insistent that he should no longer be in level 1. i couldn't argue it as i was also attending to LO! So just tried the level 3 and seemed totally fine walking around the store. but he didn't have them for long. The level 1s that we already own he has been wearing everywhere and does great with them. That's why i didn't understand why she was saying he needs something sturdier..... but everything you are saying makes sense and i don't feel you are lecturing, but helping me decide what to do! Finding a better deal is the first step, because regardless he will outgrow them in a few months! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568854 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 20:20:04 +0000 immabeetoo 1568854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: We used robeez for a long time which are super soft, then the pedipeds with the 'leather' sole that I was convinced was rubber. different sizes are way cheaper on Amazon so that's usually the route we took, he's just now in hard-ish soles, See Kai Run, at 16 months and walking for 7 months. It's certainly not something I go around lecturing people on, but there was a clear difference in how softer soles affected mobility and confidence in movement in the small group of toddlers I see on a regular basis. </p> <p>Did you try any of them on him? I'd go with what he seems to like! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568853 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 20:18:53 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1568853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was going to say that it seems like a way to sell more shoes. Like I need another reason. Shoes!</p> <p>We started L in Robeez type shoes and then had a few of the early walker type Smaller by SKRs when she first started wanting to walk in public. We then went to hard soles. She's starting to want to walk every where we go and while it might not be an alley it is in downtown and has god knows what on the sidewalks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568822 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:53:46 +0000 californiadreams 1568822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: good analogy on the food because i never bought any baby food in any stage and he was totally fine! i was mostly concerned about using harder soles too soon. that's what surprised me the most was that they recommended the "level 3" and he has only been walking a couple of months. You are making me re-think my purchase though. i will see what deals i can find. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568816 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:51:08 +0000 immabeetoo 1568816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: I think it's just like the "stages" of food. If parents think they need to buy each stage, the buy more :wink: Not that I don't think there is a place for transitional shoes between soft and hard shoes, more that I think prescribing a certain level is silly ya know? Just a marketing tool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568814 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:46:59 +0000 californiadreams 1568814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: thanks! and that was what i thought about the soft-soled/barefoot - to do it as long as possible, hence my confusion when the saleslady was like "no that is just for pre-walking". i knew she was wrong about that, but wondered why stride rite has these levels if there was not some merit to them......anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568794 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:35:56 +0000 immabeetoo 1568794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: check amazon and 6pm for sales! We kept LO in soft sole for as long as possible - I think it's better for their feet and balance. There isn't any reason to put them in hard sole other than personal preference IMO, unless you're having them walk in alleys with broken glass. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568789 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:34:07 +0000 californiadreams 1568789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: i didn't see any sales in the store i was in. It was not a stride rite store (i don't know if there are any around here), but a kids shoe store that carries a bunch of brands.</p> <p>eta: but since i am going to the states this weekend, i will look there and then maybe return these if i find a better deal. at least i know what size/level to get, so it should be a simpler process! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568786 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:32:53 +0000 tinyperson 1568786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: I know...we've spent more on her shoes than I do on mine! Thankfully great grandma wanted to buy her last pair, and then I scored a pair of pedi peds that I'd been eyeing for a while off the classifieds, so that helps :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568785 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:32:50 +0000 Smurfette 1568785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: they just had buy one get one half off. Is it over? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568782 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:31:14 +0000 californiadreams 1568782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tinyperson: thanks! ya i will hold off too and let him get more use out of his level 1s and when the weather gets better i will start him on the level 3 summer shoes i got today and see about getting another level 3 if need be. i just went to the shoe store thinking i was just going to grab another pair in the same size i had so he has a back up....then they wanted to measure him and were talking about these different levels, LOL. And so expensive! The pedi peds i have i got on clearance for 40% off. not today! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568774 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:25:00 +0000 tinyperson 1568774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got level 2 stride Rites for S and they seem fine. L will be good in the ones you got. We'll probably hold off on hard soles for a while because she has 3 pairs of shoes now that fit her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568760 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:18:36 +0000 Smurfette 1568760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: I just get them online. She didn't like it either! But didn't too long cause the guy was fast! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568751 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:07:03 +0000 californiadreams 1568751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: i have heard of those, but have not been able to find them yet! i am going to the states this weekend though and will look there. How was your LO getting his feet measured? Mine had a fit and cried. Who knew buying shoes would be such an ordeal?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568746 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:04:28 +0000 Smurfette 1568746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: yes they are! Watch See Kai Run for sales. They are great shoes too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568744 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:02:47 +0000 californiadreams 1568744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: thanks! i do feel better about my decision to go with what the salesperson said. I wanted to make sure that they were not just pushing something on me to make a sale. they are expensive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568741 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:01:03 +0000 Smurfette 1568741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: when we went to Stride Ride she had been walking three or four weeks. They watched her walk and said that she still needed soft. We just started hard soled and she is walking fine in them. If LO has been walking for a couple months then I am sure he is fine with the hard. I know I feel better with R in hard soled since they play on the playground twice a day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568736 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:59:02 +0000 californiadreams 1568736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>in case anyone wants to know. these are the "levels" stride rite has:</p> <p><a href="http://www.striderite.com/store/SiteController/striderite/offrunning_striderite" rel="nofollow">http://www.striderite.com/store/SiteController/striderite/offrunning_striderite</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568730 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:56:27 +0000 californiadreams 1568730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: yup, i went with stride rite in the end and got a level 3 as was recommended and he did try them on in the store and did great. I just don't want to get him something he is not ready for. but i guess he is. </p> <p>I am just not sure when it is no longer "best" to be barefoot or as close to barefoot as possible.</p> <p>In the end i also got a summer shoe since she said it should fit him all summer. so i might wait another month before he starts wearing them regularly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568717 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:51:27 +0000 chopsuey 1568717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: DS will be 16 months old in 5 days, started walking at 13 months old and I just bought him his first pair of Nikes! He walks well in them and really loves! </p> <p>I would do what you feel is best though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568712 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:49:24 +0000 Smurfette 1568712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Stride Ride has three levels, I think. When R first started walking she wore their level 2 or soft soled Smaller by See Kai Run. Now that she has been walking for two months we moved to hard soled shoes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568710 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:48:37 +0000 californiadreams 1568710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey: me neither! i guess the levels are specific to the brands. like the level 1 are the soft soled and the level 3 are much more supportive. which is what i was encouraged to get him (and skip the level 2). But i wonder if it is too soon and i should get still stick to the soft soled ones. i thought he has been doing fine in his current shoes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568702 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:45:24 +0000 chopsuey 1568702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never heard of "Levels 1, 2, 3."<br /> We just started off with soft sole shoes when they first started walking, then moved on to regular shoes once the kids became pro walkers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/confused-about-level-1-2-and-3-for-baby-to-toddler-shoes#post-1568691 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:37:10 +0000 californiadreams 1568691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to pick up LO another pair of shoes today. When i bought his first pair, i just looked at the sizes and picked one that fit his feet from a good brand i researched (pedi ped, size 12-18m). I went to an actual kid shoe store today and the sales person said there are 3 levels of walking shoes. Apparently the ones I currently have are Level 1 and meant for pre-walking? She encouraged me to get Level 3 since he is already passing the point of needing Level 2. She said Level 3 has the most support and good for toddlers beginning to walk fast/run - which is accurate of where he is at.</p> <p>I am confused because everything i have read before is that barefoot or close to barefoot is best for beginner walkers. And the sales person said that is only true for pre-walkers? But i know at home for example, i will always have him barefoot, i just wanted shoes for outside at the park, etc. What do you know about these different levels? My LO is 17 months and started walking at 14.5 months.</p> <p>ETA, the different levels were for all the HB recommended brands (stride rite, pedi ped, etc) </p>