There is a special little window of time when a baby is doing a bit of crawling, pulling up and taking some steps. It is the first time that shoes become an essential, especially when it comes to playing outside. New Walkers are on the move and, for the first time, their feet need to be protected. Baby’s feet at this age are often wide width with a high instep (the top part of the foot), otherwise known as adorable chubby baby feet. It is important that shoes are soft, flexible and that they fit properly. Also, it’s key that the shoes can slip on wiggly feet easily and even more important that they stay on! First walkers are a “rite of passage” purchase. The shoes you ultimately choose should not just be adorable but should also be high quality you feel good about buying. Side note regarding the New Walker stage: Little feet grow fast. This stage is going to fly by. My recommendation is to buy one pair and wear them everyday so it’s not too big of a bummer when you need to purchase the next pair of shoes in just a few months.