pedipedFlex Sahara Sandal (Toddler/Little Kid)

My son and I prefer minimal shoes, meaning those with great flexibility, low or no rise at the heels, and little cushioning and arch support. In other words as close to bare feet as practical. Most baby and smaller toddler shoes are like this, but it's harder to find in little kids shoes. We've been using whatever vivbarefoot shoes we could find on clearance somewhere (they are very expensive). Closed toe sandals are almost as hard to find. The best widely available, protected toe minimalist kid's sandal is the Nike Sunray Protect. But they don't work at all for kids with wide or high volume feet like my son's. After a lot of looking, we took a chance on the Pediped Flex Sahara because some reviews on other sites were complaining that they were too roomy. Both of us are happy with the result. They are nowhere near as minimal as the Sunrays, but are much roomier, and they are lighter, have less cushioning (lower stack height), more flexibility and less heel lift (I'd guess 4mm) than anything in the wide sizes from Stride Rite or Jumping Jacks. They are also washable and the two white stripes are reflective. My son has worn them for two days now, including lots of running, jumping and climbing and is very happy with them. This is after flat out refusing to take more than a step in a couple of varieties of Stride Rite wides. Note that the Euro sizes are a full size up from normal. The US size equivalents are close, but I wouldn't size up. Note that these may be too loose for kids who don't have wide or high volume feet. I'll update later with durability, but they certainly look to be made of tough materials and to be well put together.UPDATE. Still 5 stars. My son has worn these exclusively for 6 weeks now (he's outside at least 6 hours a day) and they are holding up very well. Only a small amount of wear on the soles and no issues with the stitching. He has worn through a little bit of the fabric next to the rubber toe cap on the toe of the left foot, but that's from dragging his foot on the ground to stop his scooter. He destroyed his previous left shoe (a vivobarefoot rooty) doing that, so the rubber toe pad is really helping out. I've put the sandals in the washing machine a couple of times and also handwashed them in the shower with no problems. They dry out in a couple of hours. All in all, I'm very happy with these sandals.

My 3 yr old used to only want to wear crocs or natives but he loves these! They’re lightweight perfect for having to nap at school in shoes. They’re better than keens. My son has a thick foot and these still Velcro shut because the Velcro part is so long it’s easily adjustable. I like the sizing, they run a little big compared to other shoes but that’s good so they grow into them.

My son loves these sandals. They do run a little big. Great for the sand or everyday wear.

I bought my son a pair of Sahara sandals a couple of years ago, and was not happy. I ordered a 7-7.5 (a size up for him at the time), and they were HUGE. They didn't fit him until the next summer, when his actual size was a 10-10.5 in all of Pediped's other shoes. I was also not happy with the strap, because it was no thicker than a ribbon with very little velcro. It tended to get twisted, didn't allow for much adjustment, and started to fray. After awhile, one of the straps almost completely detached from the shoe.I was hesitant to buy them again, but since I couldn't find colors I liked in the other styles, I decided to give them another shot. This time I bought 2 pairs-- for my 6 year old and 2 year old. They are much improved. The strap is now made of thicker, more durable material, and the velcro runs about half the length of it, which is great for adjusting the fit. It does not twist, and probably will not easily fray. They do still run big, but not as big. I ordered a size down for my older son (he is an 11-11.5 and I bought the 10-10.5), and a half size down for my toddler (size 6, ordered 5.5). They fit perfect!

Love these shoes! Washable, comfortable, stay on easily. We typically get 2 years of life from a pair. They run large so order down but worth the money for support and comfort!!!

My little one loves the rich red color and the fact that he can 'help' put his shoe on and take off. I love the fact that his foot is protected. The straps are placed very well so that even mulch doesn't get in his shoe. (His older brother has a different pair of Pedipeds that are wonderful in many ways, but somehow allow mulch pieces to get inside. He is always taking off his shoe to dump out the mulch.) The nice thing about all the Pediped sandals is that none of them have given the boys blisters. Previous purchases of Stride Rite, Timberland, and Tevas have left blisters or red marks on their feet. No need to break in the Pedipeds. They were comfy from day one!Only critical point is that the strap sometimes comes undone. Not sure if it is because I need to be better at 'sticking' it down, but it may be because the strap is on the thinner side. Overall, another Pediped winner!

These fit my kiddo just fine, and were certainly lightweight, flexible, and easy to get on. I just decided to go with something with a bit more heft (Keens) because I was worried these wouldn’t give quite as much protection if he stubbed his toes

I bought these shoes for my son last year and this year, and both times found that they ran a full size large (long, not wide). We exchanged last year's pair for a size down, which fit perfectly, and my son wore them every day. After a month or so, I found that the shoes had stretched so much that my son had to tighten the velcro strap considerably beyond the intended range. Well before the end of the season, the shoes were worn out, and by the end of summer, the piece holding the metal loop through which the strap runs had come off both shoes. I did not notice, when I ordered them last year, that they are described on some sites as "water shoes." I had thought they were designed to be everyday sandals, which they clearly are not, but by the time we figured that out there was no way I was getting my son to give them up for everyday use. I ordered them again this year to use as water shoes and beach sandals, and I think they're great for that use. I can't exchange them for the size he needs this time, so will probably put them away for next year.

nice design just still a bit big for my son the brand seems to fit larger than his other shoes.

Fit as expected as I know this style run large so I ordered a size smaller than my son's usual footwear. He wore the same style a size smaller last year and loves them. Flexible, lightweight and protects his toes.

Perfect fit, fast delivery.

Un zapato que es muy blandito para que no les cueste andar. Va bien sujeto y se ve de buena calidad. Repetiré sin duda .Aunque es algo grande, ya que cogí su número y le sobra zapato, aún así me gustó tanto que nos lo quedamos; y en menos de un mes ya lo hemos estrenado porque le creció el pie. Va super cómoda y aguantan perfectamente sin hacerle sudar en exceso ni que huelan mal incluso en loa días más calurosos con más de 42 grados.

Esta marca talla como un número más, pero por lo demás es genial. Este modelo en concreto después de un verano entero de uso está en perfecta s condiciones, es cómodo y práctico, seca súper rápido... el año que viene repito seguro.