My addiction extends beyond my closet to include the closet my little ones share. Inside you will find a variety of shoes, from $5 Croc knock-offs to pricier pairs. And while I’m all for budget-friendly shoes because of the speed at which my younger children grow out of them, I also understand and believe in the importance of high-quality, comfortable shoes for those precious little feet. Rileyroos are the perfect fit.

Sure, Rileyroos are super stylish, soft and lightweight but more importantly they are designed to imitate barefoot walking, the best way for little ones to learn how to walk. Their uppers are crafted of soft leather or suede and have a flexible leather or suede sole (I’m a big fan of the flexible sole) with rubber padding to protect little feet.

One of my favorite features of Rileyroos was something I didn’t even notice the first time I saw their product line: the sole curls above the toes. Why? Apparently it provides better leverage as children go from sitting to crawling and eventually to walking. Their shoes also have a padded leather collar, leather lining for greater breatheability and a Velcro closure for easy on-and-off and a snug fit.

You won’t find all these features in my son’s fake camo Crocs; hence the $5 price tag. Don’t get me wrong, those shoes do have their place (most often poolside), but to keep my little ones’ feet healthy as they toddle around, I’ll invest in something like Rileyroos. You can view and purchase many of their styles for around $30 on Amazon.com. - Emily H.