Attipas Baby Shoes: Your Questions Answered

You want to know the facts, so we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions about Attipas baby shoes. See below the top five questions our subscribers and customers ask us:

1. What are Attipas shoes?

Attipas shoes are the premium choice of baby shoes in Australia. They are lightweight, breathable and support first steps. Attipas shoes are based on 7 years of research from the Seoul University in South Korea and are endorsed by Australian podiatrists. Multi-award winning, Attipas are recommended by 98% of Australian parents.

2. Are Attipas shoes good?

Yes, Attipas shoes are fantastic and have hundreds of 5-star reviews! Their lightweight and flexible design mimics barefoot walking, allowing babies to learn to walk in the most natural way possible. Attipas have a big toe box which means babies toes are also not cramped or impeded while learning to walk. Attipas also have a superior, non-slip grip, giving babies confidence as they learn to walk.

3. How do you wash Attipas shoes? 

Attipas shoes can be washed in the washing machine at a maximum temperate of 30c. You can wash Attipas shoes with your regular washing loads in similar colours. Avoid using hot water on Attipas shoes. Attipas can also be hand washed if preferred by gently washing with laundry liquid and water in the laundry tub. Gently shake and squeeze excess water off Attipas shoes and avoid twisting to preserve their shape. Always air-dry your Attipas shoes after washing (avoid the dryer).

4. How do you clean Attipas shoes?

As Attipas shoes are fully machine washable to 30c there is no need for complex scrubbing routines or finicky toothbrush work. Simply put your Attipas baby shoes in a netted laundry bag and throw them in the washing machine with your regular loads. Click here to see a short video on how to care for your Attipas baby shoes. If you have minor scuff marks on the toes you can use gentle cleaners such as Jiff or Gumption to remove these.

5. Do you wear socks with Attipas shoes?

During the colder months, some parents choose to put a pair of socks under their baby's Attipas shoes to keep them warmer. However, wearing socks under Attipas shoes is not required as Attipas shoes are fully lined with a sock. Socks under Attipas shoes may also assist with thickening the shoes while babies grow, if they are slightly too big.

6. What sizes do Attipas shoes come in?

Attipas shoes are sized from 3.5 US (6-12 months) to 9 US (3 year+). We always recommend measuring from our easy size guide before purchase. You can watch how to measure, or download a copy of the size guide here.

7. Does my baby need to wear insoles with Attipas baby shoes?

Insoles are not required when wearing Attipas baby shoes but do provide extra comfort for your baby. Wearing insoles is a personal choice for parents. If you do decide to use insoles, we recommend using Acti-fit insoles which have been especially designed to fit inside Attipas baby shoes.

8. Can Attipas shoes go in the water?

Attipas baby shoes can absolutely get wet and this is the one of their greatest features. Many parents choose to wear them to the beach, in mud or dirt or on wet grass, knowing their babies' feet are protected. After getting Attipas baby shoes wet, machine wash them back to new. Attipas also launched aqua shoes in 2020, which are made from a quick drying fabric with SPF 50+.

Are you struggling to get shoes on your baby?

The whole idea behind Attipas baby shoes is that less is more. Goodbye to heavy shoes and socks, and hello to lightweight, practical, flexible shoe-socks that let babies 'feel' the ground.

Attipas slip on like a sock, saving you time as you rush your toddler out the front door. That’s why our founder, Caroline Africh, originally brought Attipas to Australia and our entire range can easily replace all the other shoes and socks in your baby's cupboard. 

As Seen at the Oscars!

Attipas baby shoes made it to the Oscars! Founder Caroline Africh and her team were flown to Hollywood where they handed out Attipas baby shoes to celebrities including Zoe Saldana, who is a huge fan.

Caroline also made an appearance on the Today Show where she talks to David Campbell and Sonia Kruger about getting close and personal with Ryan Gosling!

While other brands may sell 'first shoes' for babies, Attipas are the only baby shoes that successfully mimic barefoot walking.  And the evidence is clear.

Attipas baby shoes come in six sizes and can be worn from 6 months to 4 years. They start from $39.95 and are sold on the Attipas Australia website.

Attipas baby shoes come in over 50 colours in an identical design that slips on like a sock but supports like a shoe. Bestsellers include Attipas Sneaker: cute, sneaker-style shoes that look like traditional Converse; Attipas Rainbow: unisex, bright and bold stripes that match any outfit; Attipas Attibebe: soft pastel tones, a favourite for girls; and Attipas Marine: cute nautical themed pre-walkers, a favourite for boys.

Our founder, Caroline Africh, discovered Attipas baby shoes on a holiday in Japan and knew she needed to bring them to Australia. As a mum of a then 1 year old, Caroline had unique insight into exactly what a toddler should be wearing on their feet while learning to walk. An avid fan of the barefoot movement, Caroline says: “As a new mother, I was very conscious about selecting the right first shoes for my baby.”

“The biggest mistake parents make when choosing first baby shoes is that they think they need to be structured,” Caroline says. “The reality is that science really speaks for itself. Being barefoot helps baby develop brain function and the barefoot movement has been massive for decades. When choosing suitable pre-walking shoes for babies, parents need to select something that mimics the concept of walking barefoot.” 

Long before Caroline founded Attipas Australia, she had two very successful careers—first as an auditor, and then secondly as a project manager.

Caroline began her career as an IT auditor in the early 2000's, working for PwC Sydney as a graduate. Not feeling as though she 'fit in', it was then she realised her aspirations to become an entrepreneur — which she would later fulfil by bringing Attipas shoes to Australia.

At age 25, Caroline packed her bags and moved to London, and just like that, she worked her way up the chain to become a Project Manager in an investment bank. Over the next five years, she managed several large-scale IT implementations however still felt like something was 'missing' from her work life.

In her early 30s, Caroline had a baby and moved back to Sydney. After nearly a decade working in corporate, Caroline wanted to start her own business and become an entrepreneur. As a new mum conscious about baby foot health, Caroline discovered Attipas shoes in Japan and knew it was her inner calling to bring Attipas to Australia. We are proud to say: she succeeded. As seen on the Today Show, at the Oscars and on Shark Tank, over 500k pairs have been sold since Attipas arrived in 2012.

Caroline's 'less-is-more' approach to toddler foot health has been adopted by hundreds of thousands of Australian parents, who use Attipas on their babies every single day.

What our customers are saying about us...

“We bought these for our then 11 month old and they are the perfect baby shoe! They protect little toes, are easy to walk in even for an early walker, and the sock-style means she can't pull them off. She's one now and loves them so much that she sometimes brings them to you to put them on for her, even inside! Very glad we bought the next size up as well.” — Victoria

All Attipas Products are tailor-made for environmentally conscious families.

We care about making our products safe and healthy for you—and our planet. That’s why our products are non-toxic and contain no formaldehyde or BPA.  They are also vegan-friendly and not tested on animals. We also keep packaging to a minimum and use cardboard over plastics where possible.

Anyone can have allergies. If your baby or toddler has any discomfort or a rash develops, discontinue use and consult your doctor.