Pediped [Review + Giveaway]

Ah spring... a time when the flowers start to bloom and the air gets a little warmer.  A time when we all start dreaming of the days to come where we can swim, hike and run barefoot.  Does that sound like you?  My husband puts on shoes as soon as he wakes up and doesn't take them off until it's time for bed.  Me?  I would go barefoot literally everywhere if businesses would let me.

Let's take a little quiz, shall we?  Which is better for you: shoes or bare feet?  Did you guess bare feet?  That's right!  It's true and not just because that's my preference.  Being barefoot isn't only good for adults either- it's great for kids, especially ones first learning to walk.  Bare feet strengthens and promotes agility from the feet all the way up to the hips.  When we don't wear shoes our feet are able to feel the ground beneath us better and thus learn to respond in a healthier way.  Those tiny adjustments add up and over time improve our balance, movement and posture [Read more about this here and a variety of other online and paper sources.]

That's great!  But wait, we have to wear shoes almost everywhere except our home (and the beach!)  That's where these awesome little shoes come in...

[Disclaimer:  I received free product for review from pediped in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and in no way am I required to write a positive review.]



pediped

What is pediped?  It's a company that specializes in making shoes that provide protection for your feet while encouraging healthy foot development.  How you ask?  By making shoes that are the "next best thing to bare feet"  (that's actually their slogan!)  Pediped has shoes for young boys and girls (and 'tween and women sizes too) with three separate categories to best fit a child's growing needs- Originals, Grib n Go, and Flex. 

I asked if I could have the Originals Norm Grey for my son to try.  I love that they look like little boat shoes and the color is perfect!  But how does he like wearing them?  Here is a little video of him testing them out for the first time...

He was able to run from grass to rocks and back to grass again without missing a beat.  I really feel like the flexible sole helped him do this as I have watched him "trip himself up" more than once before in some of his hard-sole shoes and sandals.  They also didn't come off when he ran which is of course always a good thing!

So here's the deal with these shoes...

-They are made from a soft leather, have a flexible sole and a soft foam insert in between the layers of leather.  The particular style we tried is part of the "Originals" collection which is made for babes that are first starting to walk (available in size 0-24 month).  If your littles are a shade older than this read here for information about the larger stages.

{FYI my son can walk over these rocks no problem in these shoes because they move and bend as needed}

-They have a velcro closure which I love!  Once I even mention the word "outside" my son is so ready to go that he has no time for shoe laces. I can whip these shoes on him in seconds flat!


-Each shoe is made with hand-stitching which helps their little feet breathe.  And let's admit... it's totes cute- am I right?

You can see in the photo above how the darker grey has a textured look to the print.  I love the small details that really make these shoes look nice.


-The soles also have a surprisingly good grip.  They are made to be slip resistant and as you can see in the video below, my son didn't have any trouble climbing up this loose gravel which really did surprise me.

Did I mention that they come in a nice box?  Maybe that's just exciting for me...

We don't store the shoes in the box but we will use the box for lots of other things.  My son likes to carry it by the handle!  It's the little things in life.

If you have a little girl, make sure to check out their collection of girls shoes because oh. my. gosh. cuteness overload.  If I ever have a little girl I'm buying those floral ones!  Of course, you know I love the boys shoes too- boys clothing/accessories has really improved in the last couple of years!  It's all so precious.

Want Your Own?
Pediped is sure you are going to love these shoes and wants to offer one of you a pair for your little one as well!  Winner will receive a pair of Originals shoes and will be able to choose "boy or girl" and size but not style.  Each style is unique but holds the great qualities that I've mentioned already.  Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest open to residents of US and Canada 18 years of age and older.  See Terms & Conditions for more details.

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann