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24/10/2025
The first steps of a child are a special moment. Parents often wonder: when does my child need shoes, and which are the most suitable? In the world of children's shoes, you often hear the terms prewalker and first step shoe. They look very similar, but the difference between the two is crucial for the healthy development of children's feet.
We follow one important basic rule: always leather, never fabric or synthetic materials. Leather children's shoes breathe, adapt to the foot, and provide exactly the right support young feet need.
A prewalker is a soft leather shoe for children who cannot yet stand or pull themselves up independently. At this stage, they are actively crawling and exploring, but they do not yet bear weight on their feet. The foot muscles, tendons, and bone structures are still developing and need to move freely.
The purpose of a prewalker is to protect the feet without supporting them. A prewalker therefore has no heel counter or reinforced heel, as this is not yet necessary. The feet need to learn to engage and move on their own without external support.
The sole is very flexible and made of rubber, so it moves with every crawling motion and provides enough grip on smooth floors. The shoe is made entirely of soft leather, which breathes, feels comfortable, and prevents the feet from getting too warm.
As soon as your child begins to pull themselves up, walk along furniture, or take steps holding your hand, it is time to switch to first step shoes.
A first step shoe is suitable from the moment your child can pull themselves up, take steps while holding your hand, or move from furniture to furniture. At this stage, the child learns to maintain balance and walk properly, making support important.
A good first step shoe has a sturdy heel counter that keeps the heel in place. This support helps teach a correct walking movement. The shoe is preferably slightly higher cut, around the ankle. This provides extra stability and helps to limit tiptoe walking. The slight restriction of the Achilles tendon helps the child develop a natural walking posture.
The sole remains flexible and made of rubber, allowing the foot to roll naturally at the toes. This encourages a smooth, healthy walking motion. The upper and lining are made entirely of quality leather, so the shoe breathes and molds nicely to the foot.
The feet of young children are mostly cartilage and need to move freely to develop properly. A prewalker provides that freedom of movement, while a first step shoe provides the right support as soon as the child begins to walk.
The reinforcement at the heel, the heel counter, is essential from that moment to keep the heel straight and teach a good and stable walking movement. The difference between the two shoes may seem small, but it largely determines how children’s feet continue to form and develop.
In short: prewalkers protect without supporting, first step shoes guide and support walking development.
| Feature | Prewalker | First step shoe |
|---|---|---|
| For whom | Children who are crawling | Children taking first steps independently |
| Sole | Very flexible, rubber | Equally flexible, rubber |
| Support | Light, without heel counter | Sturdy, with heel counter |
| Material | 100% leather | 100% leather |
A child needs a prewalker as long as they cannot stand or pull themselves up independently. This is the crawling phase, when the feet are still developing. Once your child pulls up, takes steps holding your hand, or moves from furniture to furniture, it is time for first step shoes. Prewalkers are no longer worn, except possibly for short moments outside with an outdoor model.
Yes, definitely. Some prewalkers are designed as indoor slippers, others as outdoor shoes with a fine rubber sole. The latter are ideal for short outdoor moments, for example when your child is sitting or crawling on the terrace or grass.
Children should have about 12 millimeters of growth space in their shoes. This gives the toes enough room to move and grow without the shoe feeling too large.
Since children’s feet grow quickly at this age, it is best to measure them every three to four months to ensure the shoes still fit well and are not too small.
Leather is breathable, flexible, and molds to the foot. It prevents sweaty feet and friction, which is important for the sensitive skin of little children. Fabric shoes do not provide enough support and do not allow the foot to breathe properly.
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