All parents are proud when their little ones take their first steps. However, that doesn’t mean babies immediately need a pair of first walking shoes. Babies learn to walk best without shoes. If children wear shoes too early, it can affect their later foot posture and movement sequence.
For healthy development, the child should therefore be barefoot or in socks as long as possible. This helps them develop the confidence they need to walk and get to know different surfaces. This strengthens the foot muscles and keeps the baby’s foot in its natural footprint.
However, when the child wants to go outside, it’s time for first walking shoes. The first longer attempts at walking require consistently good support and an optimal anatomical fit. Indoors, the first walking shoes can then serve as slippers but don’t have to be worn continuously. Especially in summer, they can be left off in the garden or on the terrace. However, it is important in any case that the shoes are of good quality.
What is important for babies’ first shoes
When babies start their first attempts at walking, it is important that they are properly supported. Especially when it comes to children’s shoes, quality must be right! Accordingly, the requirements for first walking shoes are high. The shoes should…
… be made of gentle, natural materials
… have a soft but non-slip sole
… provide secure support and protection
… be breathable and free of harmful substances
… be environmentally friendly and sustainably produced
What you should know about us: Environmental protection and sustainability are close to our hearts at Haflinger. Our first walking shoes for babies are naturally no exception. We also pay attention to particularly high quality in babies’ first shoes. But see for yourself!
✓ Natural materials
First walking shoes made of leather, wool felt, or synthetic? For our little ones, we want only the best, so quality should already be right with the first shoes. They must withstand a lot but still be soft and comfortable to wear. At Haflinger, we rely exclusively on natural materials and craftsmanship so your baby feels perfectly comfortable in the shoes:
Fitted baby shoes made of soft elk leather: All our children’s first walking shoes are made of fine elk leather that perfectly hugs the baby’s foot. The leather of the entire inner lining is vegetable-tanned, meaning it is tanned with plant-based methods. This means there is no skin contact with chrome-tanned leather, making the shoes especially natural and gentle – perfect for sensitive children’s skin!
Breathable wool felt: Our first walking shoes are suitable for spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The upper material of our baby first walking shoes is made either of soft wool felt or high-quality leather, depending on the model. Our wool felt consists of 100% natural virgin wool and ensures the shoes are always optimally temperature-regulated. Wool acts as a temperature regulator, so your children are warm but not too hot and don’t sweat in the shoes. This allows the first walking shoes to be worn in both winter and summer.
✓ Flexible but firm sole
The sole is especially important. It must be flexible and soft so children can roll their feet well and develop a natural movement sequence. The sole of our first walking shoes is a blend of leather and thermoplastic material. This makes it non-slip and provides high stability during walking attempts.
✓ Secure support with a high shaft
The shaft of our first walking shoes is rather high so that children don’t twist their ankles, even if they are still a bit wobbly on their feet. Still, it is not too tight so it doesn’t restrict and helps avoid gait insecurities. The shoes are also easy to put on and take off, so the little ones learn early how to handle them.
✓ Loving design
Our shoes also impress with their adorable designs so the little ones enjoy wearing them. After all, there is nothing more exciting for children than discovering the world in great shoes. Whether children wear our first walking shoes Maxl with cute hedgehogs or practice adventures on the high seas with the Ahoi and Leinen Los versions is entirely up to you. If you prefer something simpler, you will surely like our high-quality Hafli leather first walking shoes made of genuine leather in various colors.
Finding the right size
To ensure healthy development of baby feet, first walking shoes must always be the right size. It is important that the shoes are not too tight so that children can still move their toes well. But they should also not be too loose, as then they won’t have good support and won’t walk healthily. Ideally, there should always be about 1.5 cm of space at the front of the shoe.
Young feet grow very quickly, so it is important to regularly check whether the toes still have enough room. Since toddlers cannot yet judge the right size themselves, they tend to curl their toes otherwise. Also consider whether the shoes will be worn in winter or summer. Depending on whether babies wear the shoes barefoot or with socks, this also affects comfort inside the shoe.
Determining shoe size
You can easily determine the shoe size yourself. Simply measure your baby’s feet, add 1.5 cm, and multiply the result by 1.5. Example: (Foot length 10.5 cm + 1.5) x 1.5 = first walking shoe size 18
A detailed guide for measuring baby feet – without calculation – can also be found in our size chart. By the way, Haflinger baby shoes are available in sizes 17 to 23.
Proper care for first walking shoes
When little ones are busy discovering the world, it can happen that the shoes get a bit dirty. The practical thing about wool felt is that it practically cleans itself. It is enough to air the shoes from time to time to keep them fresh.
If the dirt is a bit heavier, you can gently brush the leather or wool felt shoes with a cloth or soft brush.
But: Do not put the shoes in the washing machine or dryer!
First walking shoes for girls and boys at Haflinger
The best first walking shoes from Haflinger optimally support your little ones in learning to walk. The shoes promote natural walking movement and ensure your babies grow up with healthy feet. In addition, the soft leather is breathable and prevents babies from sweating in the shoes – even when they romp around energetically on their explorations. Thanks to the natural, high-quality materials, your children are perfectly equipped to learn to walk on two feet through the world!
Frequently asked questions about first walking shoes
What are the best first walking shoes?
At Haflinger, you will find high-quality first walking shoes for your baby. We offer a wide selection of first walking shoes made of soft elk leather or natural wool felt, perfect for babies’ first steps. Thanks to the flexible sole and high shaft, they provide the best support for exploring the world. The loving design is also impressive!
When should first walking shoes be bought?
Babies take their first steps best barefoot. But as soon as they go outside, first walking shoes are ideal. They protect sensitive children’s feet from injuries, moisture, cold, and extreme heat. Also, babies’ first shoes provide maximum support and support the natural movement sequence with every step. For cold winter days, warming baby slippers are recommended.
What is the difference between first walking shoes and regular shoes?
First walking shoes are specifically designed for beginners learning to walk. Therefore, they have a particularly flexible sole that best supports the natural movement sequence of baby feet. At the same time, they are made of very soft materials so they fit perfectly to little feet.
In which designs are Haflinger first walking shoes available?
At Haflinger, you will find first walking shoes in many great designs. You can choose between baby shoes in fine elk leather and wool felt made of 100% natural virgin wool. Our first walking shoes are also available in many beautiful colors, with cute felt appliqués and appealing embroidery: for example, our Piep first walking shoes or our Butterfly model.
How do delivery and returns work for Haflinger first walking shoes?
What you should know about us: We place great value on environmental protection. This is also reflected in the ordering of our first walking shoes. We rely on climate-neutral shipping with DHL Go Green. In addition, you can return your ordered first walking shoes free of charge within 60 days of delivery without giving any reason.
