What are Pre-Walking Shoes for Babies?

Confused about baby shoes? Join the club! Like you, there was a time, not so long ago, when my firstborn was getting around in his socks. As practical as this wasn't, I held off buying Henry his first pair of pre-walking shoes because, frankly, I didn't know what pre-walking shoes were so.

WHAT ARE PRE-WALKING SHOES?

Pre-walking shoes are typically a baby's first pair of shoes. They are generally soft-soled, flexible and lightweight, as recommended by podiatrists. Pre-walking shoes should be completely flat, without a groove or arch support, while your baby learns to walk. Keeping your baby's feet completely flat helps stimulate neurones in the brain which aids cognitive and motor skill development.

                                                                                                                         

WHEN TO BUY PRE-WALKING SHOES

Typically, babies start standing, crawling and 'cruising' around furniture (walking with the aid of chairs and tables) around the 6-8 month mark, though this does vary child to child. You can typically start wearing pre-walking shoes any time from the age of 6 months. Many parents like the idea of keeping baby's feet warm, protecting little toes and offering a non-slip grip during the 'cruising' phase.

Although walking barefoot is a great way for babies to learn to walk, being barefoot is not always practical. The reason I bought Henry his first pair of pre-walking shoes was that after taking him to a park barefoot when he was 12 months old, I noticed tiny cuts on his toes. Pre-walking shoes offer protection for little feet, especially when playing on rough or hot surfaces outdoors. Babies really do need pre-walking shoes.

THE BENEFITS OF PRE-WALKING SHOES

Let's go through the benefits of pre-walker shoes in a bit more detail. Firstly, wearing pre-walking shoes, as opposed to any other type of shoes, support your baby in taking their first, unaided steps. This is because pre-walking shoes are designed with a soft, flexible sole that allows babies to 'feel' the ground, developing cognitive and motor skills. Secondly, pre-walking shoes offer added support and protection for little toes, including during the heat (think hot concrete), cold (babies lose heat through their feet), unsafe terrains (rocky or sharp surfaces). Wearing pre-walking shoes also keep little feet clean and avoids cuts and infections.

WHERE CAN I BUY PRE-WALKING SHOES FOR BABIES?

Many podiatrists stock a variety of pre-walking shoes for babies, however, my favourite pre-walking shoes for babies are Attipas. Attipas pre-walking shoes for babies slip on like a sock but support like a shoe. They also have a big toe box which allows free toe movement, helping with cognitive and motor skill development. Attipas are highly flexible and have a soft sole, making them the best pre-walking shoes for babies on the market.

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.