The Perfect First Steps: Why Dr. Kong Shoes Are a Game-Changer

I'm absolutely obsessed with Dr. Kong kids' shoes - they're the perfect choice for little ones taking their first steps!

These adorable booties are surprisingly comfy, and my toddler didn't even notice they were wearing shoes at all!Why I love Dr. Kong shoes When my little one started taking their first steps, finding the right shoes became my top priority. I took my friends' advice and looked into Dr. Kong shoes, which had been raving about them. Since I'd never heard of them before, I decided to order a few pairs in different sizes from the marketplace.

The try-on process was a breeze - we managed to get my kid's feet into the shoes in seconds! They're so comfortable, my little one didn't even notice they were wearing shoes at all.

The adjustable strap is super easy to use - just slide it back and forth to get the perfect fit! The clog-style shoes are super easy to put on and take off. The extended toe box gives my little one plenty of room to move around, and the flexible sole is perfect for helping them develop a healthy gait. The materials are top-notch, too - nothing's going to irritate their skin or put pressure on their feet (unlike those Kotofer shoes, which left nasty marks on their legs).We ordered a few pairs to try on, and ended up buying two of them on the spot.

Our booties - we ended up loving the blue ones even more! Here's a comparison of the lacing systems on different Dr. Kong shoe modelsAnd check out the soles - they're identical on the back!A little about our very first pair of shoes... Our first pair of Dr. Kong shoes was actually purchased from the Kotofer store. Unfortunately, the sales associate managed to squeeze my kid's feet into them, but we had a hard time getting them to stay on. My little one was being super fussy, and it was clear that these shoes just weren't meant to be. We ended up wasting 4,000 rubles on them. I wrote a full review of our experience with the Kotofer shoes in a separate post:

💙 https://irecommend.ru/content/malysh-v-etoi-obuvi-...

Finding the right size...

When it came to choosing the right size, I relied on the sales associate's recommendations. I drew around my kid's foot on a piece of paper while they were standing up (which, let me tell you, is not exactly easy with a wiggly toddler!). I then measured the distance between the farthest points and matched it to the size chart on the Dr. Kong website. It landed me on between 21 and 22 sizes. We tried on both, and 21 was a tight fit, so we ended up buying the 22 size. The sole has a 5mm gap in the heel and toe, and the width is perfect - my kid's foot doesn't stick out at all.

I put the insole on the foot to show you how it looks

The insole information

Pros and cons

➕ I want to highlight the washing machine feature that the seller mentions – it's a lifesaver for parents of active toddlers! The shoes dry quickly, which is super convenient. ➕ The materials are artificial, but soft. My toddler's foot only sweats when they're hot. At +5°C, the foot didn't freeze, but I think it might get hot at +25°C. ➕ The sole is very flexible, soft, and allows for natural foot movement.

We've worn the shoes less than 10 times, and you can already see creases on the toes

A crease on the toe of the shoe

The shoes' appearance immediately after washing in a washing machine

➖ From the cons, I want to mention the floating price, which depends on the availability of sizes (we paid 4096 rubles, and now the price is 3403 rubles), and note that the sole marks and requires additional cleaning with a brush after washing, but that's not a big deal.

The sole marks, like the insoles of the shoes. Clean only with a brush.

I think buying two pairs is a good idea. I give this pair 4⭐️ because of the sole. It gets dirty quickly and looks messy. We wear our blue shoes every day and haven't washed them yet. These ones, we reserve for spare use.

Advantages: ❇️ Maximum comfort for the first steps ❇️ Simple fastening system ❇️ Extended toe cap for free movement ❇️ Excellent sole flexibility ❇️ Machine washable ❇️ Quick drying ❇️ High-quality materials

Disadvantages: 🔴 Marking on the sole (not washable in a washing machine)

🔴 Floating price

⚠️ Recommendation: If your toddler is taking their first steps, Dr. Kong shoes are the perfect choice! They're super comfortable, convenient, and practical. ⚠️ The only thing for this model is to be prepared to clean the sole manually occasionally, or look for another shoe from the Baby Steps 1 series.