Are they good to play on mulch? Or does it get in the shoes? I’m looking for a cool alternative to sandals, which obviously don’t work on mulch. It’s so hot here, wearing sneakers is kinda miserable.
Are they good to play on mulch? Or does it get in the shoes? I’m looking for a cool alternative to sandals, which obviously don’t work on mulch. It’s so hot here, wearing sneakers is kinda miserable.
apricot / 285 posts
I am a big fan of natives, just picked them up for my son to wear this summer. We don't have a ton of mulch but he definitely encountered it last summer and I don't remember it being a huge problem. Depending on how fine the mulch is etc they should be fine. I am sure there were times we had to shake them out for him from sand dirt, mulch but I don't recall it being a constant issue.
The shoes held up very well last summer and I prefer to not have him in open toe shoes. Super easy to wash and I think they are adorable.
apricot / 264 posts
We love natives. My kids each have about three pairs. Some dirt gets in but it’s not bad at all. Super easy to clean and a Mr. Clean magic eraser gets the white part bright again.
persimmon / 1345 posts
Another vote for natives. Both my kids lived in them from around this time til late fall (we live in the south). They hold up really well. They all need new pairs bc they outgrew them but I saved it to use for younger kids. I don’t remember mulch being an issue. They’re also great shoes for the pool or swimming lesson . It’s not that slippery and obviously can get wet.
pomelo / 5084 posts
We love them too! Good tip about the magic eraser - I’m going to try that this year. But op - size up a full size!!!
apricot / 488 posts
My DS only wears his natives for most of the year. We are in Texas so basically it’s always warm or hot and he hates wearing socks. I agree to size up. He does occasionally get stuff stuck in them but they are easy to slip off to clean out.
persimmon / 1483 posts
I wanted to love natives so much! They gave both my kids blisters on the back of their feet
persimmon / 1286 posts
I buy the gap version when they go on sale, perfect for water/sand/dirt.
persimmon / 1005 posts
My son has multiple pairs of Natives and he and I really like them, HOWEVER, they do get sand/dirt/small mulch in them. It's not a big deal to take off and clean them out, and it's much more of a pain to clean off dirty socks as he gets all the crap in those too; just realize they aren't like magic dirt repelling shoes
persimmon / 1310 posts
Thanks, guys! I saw some for resale, and will probably go ahead, ordering up!
apricot / 264 posts
@Madison43: use blister block from bandaid. It looks like a mini deodorant stick. Rub it on wherever the shoe rubs and it prevents blisters. I always used it when I got a new pair of heels. And then I tried it on the kids and it also works!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
This would be our 3rd year for DD1 wearing Native Jeffersons. She wears them to school, to play, to beach/pool, with pants, with dresses... I LOVE them. I always order up when I see sales!
kiwi / 705 posts
My kids each had a pair and we found them uncomfortable and they gave blisters. Mulch, sand, etc. got in them as well which my kids really hate.
We aren’t interested in any shoes that require blister block or any extra maintenance to wear.
persimmon / 1270 posts
If your kids have wide or chubby feet they might not fit at all. I've tried a few times and they just don't fit my kids.
nectarine / 2987 posts
They get mulch in them. As a preschool teacher I am not a fan. They are adorable, but unlike sneakers they absolutely fill with sand and mulch and unlike sandals they get sweaty and are hard for kids to put on independently.
pineapple / 12053 posts
we have native jeffersons in every size since DD1 started wearing hard soled shoes. we live in CA and both girls wear them year round. we've never had issues with blisters, they are so easy to clean out, rinse off and they can both get them on themselves (5 and 2.5).
@MrsSRS: weird that you said that as we've found them perfect for preschool where my kids can't participate in some things without close toed shoes!
nectarine / 2431 posts
I'm so glad I clicked on this post! DS's new preschool requires close toed shoes year round and I haven't been able to find any sandals that fit the bill.
nectarine / 2431 posts
@birdofafeather: Since you have lots of experience with them, would you say they run true to size?
pineapple / 12053 posts
@crazydoglady: the jeffersons always have run TTS for my girls. They have average width feet as well if that helps! DH has always called them 5 star shoes because they fit the bill for so many uses. I try to get them on sale but if we’re desperate for the next size, he has no issue paying full price. They’re also the only shoes that my now 5 year old can actually pass onto her younger sister as the rest get destroyed but the natives hold up!
persimmon / 1005 posts
@crazydoglady: when my son started wearing them right after he turned 1 I had to size up because his chubby feet didn’t fit, but now at almost three and without the baby fat he is in his correct size.
nectarine / 2431 posts
@birdofafeather: @Jennibenni: Thank You! I just grabbed a pair from Amazon for $22!
persimmon / 1310 posts
@MrsSRS: thanks for your response. Natives probably aren’t our answer for school then. The playground is a mulch surface, but the weather is really hot. I guess sneakers are the only way to go? Have you seen anything cooler that works?
nectarine / 2987 posts
If your playground has sand I'd opt for keens/some thing similar or crocs because they are easy for kids to take off and dump independently. If no sand I'd do keens or sneakers.
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
@birdofafeather: I missed out on some sales earlier this year and totally okay with paying full price for them seeing how much they get worn. Bu I'm still hunting around for now And so agree that it's perfect for school for us and easy to get on/off.
I find them much easier to clean when sand/mulch get in as well.
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