Robeez actually makes a soft shoe too. I am not a fan of the robeez slippers and much prefer the kids be in a proper shoe. It helps with balance and getting a flat foot so no toe walking. I have watched too many kids wearing slippers that are too small and toes are being scrunched or wearing them too big and then the slipper twists slightly and the child turns their foot slightly to compensate. When professionals said barefoot walking was the best they meant barefoot not slilppers. Either go barefoot or wear shoes but that is just my old fashion opinion, lol. Not to mention a cheap pair of runners is around $5 if you shop around and those slippers cost more than my runners I wear in the house do.