My son is ASD level 3 and hates shoes or anything on his feet he is almost 5 and coming into summer with bindeys and the heat we thought we would give them a go, he absolutely loves them and I’m so glad to have found these shoes! We will be purchasing more as he grows! Thankyou so much
Why gumboots are problematic for babies’ feet.
- Lack of Flexibility: Gumboots are made from rigid rubber, which restricts a baby’s natural foot movements. This limits the development of foot muscles and hinders proper balance and coordination.
- Heavy Weight: The extra weight of gumboots can make it harder for babies to walk naturally, causing them to develop inefficient walking patterns that can delay motor skill development.
- Poor Breathability: The rubber material is non-breathable, trapping heat and sweat inside the boot. This creates discomfort and increases the likelihood of skin irritation and fungal infections.
- Improper Fit: Gumboots are usually loose-fitting, leading to instability as the foot slides inside. This poor fit can cause blisters, sores, and negatively impact balance, which is essential when babies are learning to walk.
- Lack of Support and Cushioning: Gumboots often lack adequate support for developing arches and heels. Without proper cushioning, babies’ feet are at risk of discomfort and potential long-term foot issues.
- Moisture Build-up and Bacterial Growth: Water can easily get trapped inside gumboots, creating a moist environment that fosters bacterial growth. This not only leads to unpleasant odours but can also increase the risk of bacterial and fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot.
Overall, gumboots are not designed to meet the developmental needs of a baby’s growing feet, making them unsuitable for regular wear. But at Sole Sox, We have developed the perfect Solution.
SoleSox water-resistant shoes offer a superior alternative to gumboots for babies due to their thoughtful design that prioritises comfort, protection, and healthy foot development. Here’s why they are a better solution:
- Flexible and Lightweight: Unlike rigid gumboots, SoleSox shoes are flexible and lightweight, allowing babies to move naturally. This flexibility is crucial for developing foot muscles and balance, while the lightweight design ensures that babies can walk without being weighed down.
- Breathability: SoleSox shoes are made from breathable materials like combed cotton and spandex, ensuring airflow to prevent overheating and excessive sweating. This reduces the risk of irritation and infections, in contrast to gumboots, which trap heat and moisture inside.
- Water-Resistant Protection: SoleSox provides water resistance without sacrificing breathability or flexibility, offering protection in wet conditions while maintaining comfort. Gumboots, though waterproof, create a sealed, non-breathable environment that can lead to moisture buildup and bacterial growth.
- Proper Fit and Support: These shoes are designed with a snug, secure fit, offering support for the arches and heels, which is essential for developing feet. Gumboots, on the other hand, are often loose-fitting, causing instability and discomfort.
- Moisture Management: SoleSox shoes allow water to drain easily and are quick-drying, preventing water from sitting inside the shoe. This avoids the moist environment in gumboots that can foster bacterial growth and unpleasant odors.
- Non-Slip Sole: SoleSox comes with non-slip rubber soles that provide excellent grip, protecting babies as they learn to walk. This design promotes safety while allowing for natural foot movement, unlike the stiff soles of gumboots.
Sole Sox Water Resistant shoes are designed to support natural foot development while protecting against wet conditions, making them a healthier, more practical choice compared to gumboots.
Click Here to see them up close.
"As a podiatrist, I highly recommend Sole Sox for little ones learning to walk!"
Lead Podiatrist, Bethany Moutray (Step This Way Podiatry)
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 1259 reviews.
Great!
My son loves his new shoes! Great quality
Love it..Can measure my granddaughter's feet to buy shoes
Perfect Christmas present for our Granddaughter!
Fit well, she can’t pull them off and easy to clean
Perfect, my baby loves walking in these sandals
I couldn't get my 1 year old to wear shoes for more than a few minutes, until I found Sole Sox. He doesn't even try to take them off. Obviously comfy
They’re great quality and they don’t fall off
I had a great experience with Sole Sox The shoes are lovely and the company's service was excellent. I would recommend this company and product
Easy to order simple to follow sizing, great for my grand daughter only shoes she will keep on her feet.
Sturdy little shoes, love the colour and flexibility of the sole. My daughter seems very comfortable wearing them. She has worn them for a week now and they are holding up well. Not so easy to remove for little fingers as there is two velcro spots.
Very soft, comfortable. Perfect for those tiny little feet indoor and outdoor. Highly recommend.
✨ Little feet, big first adventures! 👣💛 We recently received two beautiful pairs of Sole Sox — the Chocolate Velcro Mesh and Lemon Breathable Mesh — and I’m honestly so impressed with the quality, softness and flexibility! As a mum, choosing those first shoes feels extra special, and I love that these are designed with little explorers in mind. The lightweight, flexible soles are made to mimic barefoot walking, while the wide toe box gives tiny toes room to wiggle and grow. The grippy soles are perfect for those wobbly first steps, and I especially love how breathable and comfortable they feel. The Chocolate pair with double Velcro makes getting them on and securing the fit so easy — especially when you have a little one who just wants to keep moving! And both styles are machine washable and quick-drying, which is definitely a mum win. 🥰 Seeing my little one take those precious first steps in her very first shoes makes these even more special. 🥹👣 I’m so glad @sole_sox are part of this beautiful milestone. 💕
The gift voucher was a present for my great nephews first birthday. As we live in different states I am unable to provide details on the actual solesox chosen.
Comfortable, washable, easy to wear and would love to buy more of these
My little one loves his shoes and always takes them out of storage to wear any opportunity he gets.
The socks and shoes are really lovely thankyou. I dont send phoros on social media of my grandchildren tho
My daughter‘s foot turns in a slight bit so we have tried many shoes now that she is walking for outside and they always fall off on this 1 foot and it is really difficult for us to get her shoes on so we tried the sole Sox and they have been absolutely wonderful. They stay on her feet. They’re so easy to get on , and they are the best ones so far.
Australia Post lost my order and then the incorrect size was sent. But Diana was really lovely and helped me out with it. My toddler loves his shoes! It's super easy to pop on and off :) Thank you Diana
These socks and shoes are just lovely. Very practical. 1 yr old grandson. . Still crawling so knee pads & reinforced toes on shoes are perfect. Thankyou
They are great
Cute, mint is gorgeous! And oh so soft!
Great quality, very flexible sole! Perfect for new walkers
Bought the sole Sox for my grandson who is just starting to walk and his face lit up as soon as he took a few steps! They must feel great!
To small! 🙁 even though i got a bigger size because he's not even 12 months yet. But hes going to have big feet like his dad.
They are too small for my babies big feet i even got a bigger size hes not even 12 months yet and they are still too small i was a bit disappointed. Hes going to have big feet like his dad.😅
We bought many shoes but these are the one that our little one likes
Brought a few packs they’re gorgeous and soft perfect for little feet
Really loving Sole Sox for Neom’s first shoes! ❤️ They’re so easy to put on, stay on, and I love that his little toes have plenty of room. They’re comfortable for his everyday exploring and easy to wash when they get dirty. Definitely a great choice for his first shoes! 👣
Ordered these for my 11month old who has started walking. Really happy with the quality of the shoe. It is the perfect blend between shoe and sock, looks very comfortable on her feet.
Happy shopper. Found the measurements were generous. The mystery box was surprisingly very generous.
These are great for my baby crawling and starting to take some steps, he seems to be comfortable in them. Very sturdy and easy to wash.
Absolutely gorgeous
Love these cute little shoes, super easy to them on babies and they are washable
Best socks, soft and fluffy cotton, grippy, and stays on bubbas feet without being too tight.
Thick Cotton Grip Socks - 2 Pack
Store owner replied: Hi, Shae! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review. If you have a spare minute, I would absolutely love it if you could leave us a Google review as well. As a small business, these reviews mean a lot to us and really make a difference. Here's a link to make it easier. https://g.page/r/CVswwTdeDHMmECA/review Kind Regards, Diana Sole Sox Australia
Very happy! Keeping my 10month old little toes and feet protected when he is outside.
Store owner replied: Hi, Amy! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review. If you have a spare minute, I would absolutely love it if you could leave us a Google review as well. As a small business, these reviews mean a lot to us and really make a difference. Here's a link to make it easier. https://g.page/r/CVswwTdeDHMmECA/review Kind Regards, Diana Sole Sox Australia
These are for my great granddaughter's 1st birthday which is not until 15th August, so she has not tried them yet. Sorry I can't be more helpful but to say they look fantastic.
Store owner replied: Hi, Robyn! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review. If you have a spare minute, I would absolutely love it if you could leave us a Google review as well. As a small business, these reviews mean a lot to us and really make a difference. Here's a link to make it easier. https://g.page/r/CVswwTdeDHMmECA/review Kind Regards, Diana Sole Sox Australia
Not yet used
These are great for winter! Better than anything I could find in stores
Thick Cotton Grip Socks - 2 Pack
Store owner replied: Hi, Delwyne! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review. If you have a spare minute, I would absolutely love it if you could leave us a Google review as well. As a small business, these reviews mean a lot to us and really make a difference. Here's a link to make it easier. https://g.page/r/CVswwTdeDHMmECA/review Kind Regards, Diana Sole Sox Australia