Shoe is Customizable

Child/Youth Rambler

138 Reviews
From:
$70.00

Need moccasin-like comfort that will stand up to romping around backyards and playgrounds? Have your little one step into the Rambler, the zero-drop kid's shoes that seamlessly transition from indoors to outdoors.

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Size Guide
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6mm Child Shoe Sole

Learn about XWIDE

XWIDE can only be made in child sizes 4–12 and is not available in baby sizes 2 or 3. The XWIDE option will only appear in the width dropdown menu above if an eligible shoe size is selected.

Many parents struggle to find shoes wide enough for their children. For the majority of these cases, our standard wide width will be enough, as it is already wider than most other shoes. However, a small percentage of our customers have children who experience a toddler growth phase with extra chunky feet. We call them "potato feet" in our workshop, and they usually even out after a few years. In addition to being wide, these children's feet often have unusually high insteps that make it difficult to even get their feet inside most shoes. Our XWIDE width option was designed specifically for this situation.

If you are unsure whether or not your child's feed are wide enough for XWIDE shoes, then we encourage you to contact our customer service team. They will ask you to provide specific measurements to determine which width will be the best fit for your child.

We can only make XWIDE shoes in certain styles. Due to the extra labor and materials involved in making an XWIDE shoe, selecting this width incurs a $10 surcharge.

softstar-shoe-width-comparison

softstar-shoe-width-comparison

Looking for a smaller size? Check out our Baby Rambler.

We designed the Rambler shoes to provide durable soling with the cozy fit of your child’s favorite moccasins. This minimalist kids’ shoe features a flexible, stitched-on VibramTM sole that will stand up to growing feet while exploring and playing outside. Elastic concealed in the ankle seam secures the shoe to the foot while allowing the wearer to slip it on and off with ease.

The Rambler shoes come equipped with our suede innersole, which works well with or without socks. You can also opt to add genuine sheepskin insoles for moisture-wicking temperature regulation in every season. For the smooth leather uppers, choose from many colorful leather combinations.

The Rambler will accompany your child on adventures from toddler stages through big kid years. Ramble on, comfort-lovers!

  • Indoor/outdoor shoe.
  • Zero-drop 6mm VibramTM Pyramid sole.
  • Moccasin-like design for optimal comfort.
  • Buttery soft smooth leather uppers.
  • Zero-drop kids' shoes with healthy toe box.
  • Suede innersoles (fleece insoles can be added separately).
  • Elastic ankle closure for a secure, easy-on, easy-off fit.
  • Can be worn with or without socks.
  • Minimalist kids’ shoes shape to feet for healthy growth.
  • Designed and handcrafted in Oregon, USA.

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You can measure your feet or your child's feet at home using a book, a ruler and a wall. You can then see where the measurement fits on our unisex shoe size chart to find the recommended shoe size.

Measure Your Feet...

sizing-feet-steps
Place bare foot with heel barely touching the wall and longest toe barely touching the flat spine of a book. Step away carefully and measure the distance from the wall to the book.

... and Find Your Size

Once you have the measurement, look for it on the charts below to find the recommended Softstar shoe size. Contact us if you have questions.

Note: we do not recommend tracing feet because doing so usually gives a larger measurement.

Adult Size Chart
Softstar Adult
Shoe Size		 US Shoe Size Foot Length Foot Width
5 Unisex 4.5 - 5 Mens
5.5 - 6 Womens		 22.2 - 23.0 cm Regular: 8.1 - 9.8 cm
Wide: 9.9+ cm
6 Unisex 5.5 - 6 Mens
6.5 - 7 Womens		 23.0 - 23.9 cm Regular: 8.4 - 10.1 cm
Wide: 10.2+ cm
7 Unisex 6.5 - 7 Mens
7.5 - 8 Womens		 23.9 - 24.7 cm Regular: 8.7 - 10.4 cm
Wide: 10.5+ cm
8 Unisex 7.5 - 8 Mens
8.5 - 9 Womens		 24.7 - 25.6 cm Regular: 9.1 - 10.8 cm
Wide: 10.9+ cm
9 Unisex 8.5 - 9 Mens
9.5 - 10 Womens		 25.6 - 26.4 cm Regular: 9.3 - 11.0 cm
Wide: 11.1+ cm
10 Unisex 9.5 - 10 Mens
10.5 - 11 Womens		 26.4 - 27.3 cm Regular: 9.6 - 11.3 cm
Wide: 11.4+ cm
11 Unisex 10.5 - 11 Mens
11.5 - 12 Womens		 27.3 - 28.1 cm Regular: 9.9 - 11.6 cm
Wide: 11.7+ cm
12 Unisex 11.5 - 12 Mens
12.5 - 13 Womens		 28.1 - 28.9 cm Regular: 10.2 - 11.9 cm
Wide: 12.0+ cm
13 Unisex 12.5 - 13 Mens 28.9 - 29.8 cm Regular: 10.5 - 12.2 cm
Wide: 12.3+ cm
14 Unisex 13.5 - 14 Mens 29.8 - 30.5 cm Regular: 10.9 - 12.6 cm
Wide: 12.7+ cm
15 Unisex 14.5 - 15 Mens 30.5 - 31.4 cm Regular: 11.2 - 12.9 cm
Wide: 13.0+ cm
Youth Size Chart (5-10 years)
  1. This chart accounts for growing room.
  2. Many of our youth sizes end at size 4Y. In these cases, you can find the next size up in our adult category starting with size 5U (adult unisex). Note that measurements differ slightly for sizes that overlap on both our youth and adult sizing charts because the youth chart accounts for growing room and the adult chart does not.
Softstar Youth
Shoe Size		 Approx Age Range Foot Length Regular Width
1Y 4 - 6 Years 18.5 - 19.4 cm 6.4 - 8.0 cm
2Y 5 - 8 Years 19.4 - 20.2 cm 6.7 - 8.3 cm
3Y 5 - 8 Years 20.2 - 21.0 cm 7.3 - 8.9 cm
4Y 6 - 10 Years 21.0 - 21.9 cm 7.5 - 9.1 cm
5Y/5U 6 - 10 Years 21.9 - 22.7 cm 8.1 - 9.8 cm
6Y/6U 8 - 10 Years 22.7 - 23.6 cm 8.4 - 10.1 cm
Baby/Child Size Chart (0-5 years)
  1. This chart accounts for growing room.
Child Size Approx Age Range Foot Length Regular Width
2 0 - 6 months ≤ 10.2 cm 4.3 - 5.9 cm
3 6 - 12 months 10.2 - 11.1 cm 4.6 - 6.2 cm
4 12 - 18 months 11.1 - 11.9 cm 5.0 - 6.6 cm
5 18 months 11.9 - 12.8 cm 5.3 - 6.9 cm
6 18 - 24 months 12.8 - 13.6 cm 5.6 - 7.2 cm
7 2 years 13.6 - 14.5 cm 5.7 - 7.3 cm
8 2 - 3 years 14.5 - 15.3 cm 6.0 - 7.6 cm
9 3 years 15.3 - 16.2 cm 6.4 - 8.0 cm
10 3 - 4 years 16.2 - 17.0 cm 6.7 - 8.3 cm
11 4 - 6 years 17.0 - 17.9 cm 7.1 - 8.7 cm
12 4 - 6 years 17.9 - 18.7 cm 7.5 - 9.1 cm

Want Sizing Detail by Style?

Adult US Size to Softstar Size Converter

OR: Try Our Printable Stand-On Sizing Guides

Our printable shoe size charts provide another way to help you find the best fit for your feet. These are especially useful for small children who don't like to sit still. Just print the guide for the appropriate age group below and follow the instructions on the page.

Before you print these guides, make sure your printer settings will not shrink or scale the page. Uncheck any boxes labeled "Fit to Printable Area" and/or set scaling options to "None."

Shoe Care

We want you to get the most out of your Softstar shoes. Follow the guide below for tips on keeping your shoes clean and maintained.

Click these links to jump to tips for specific materials:

 


Care Tips for Full Grain (smooth) Leather Shoes

Includes Sublime, Nova, Dublin, Highline, Torino, Shiny, LITE, Plonge, Aged, and Vegetable-Tanned Leathers

WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVE:

Softstar Shoes are made from eco-friendly leathers tanned in the USA. Leather is a natural product and some variation in texture and hide markings is to be expected. Because we use leather colored with non-toxic food grade dyes, there will likely be some initial color transfer to your socks or skin if your shoes become damp. This will decrease with use, but we don't recommend wearing your new Softstars with your favorite white socks the first time you take them for a spin.

If your shoes are a little snug at first in the toe box area, you can gently stretch them by stuffing the toe box with a dry cloth. Push the cloth tightly into the front of the shoe and let sit stuffed overnight to stretch. Do not use a damp cloth as the water can stain the leather or innersole of some leather types, rendering it non-returnable.

MAINTENANCE:

Most full grain leather we use is naturally water resistant, but our special vegetable-tanned leather (available only by custom selection on some of our design-your-own shoes) and Colorado leather are "naked" leathers and will stain from water alone. You can clean shoes as needed with water dampened cloth and let air dry, but please note if you do this on vegetable-tanned or Colorado leather then you will need to wet/stain the entire shoe to avoid water marks. Condition the leather as often as desired with any quality leather dressing, but be careful to keep it away from the edges of your rubber soles. Do not use mink oil on your shoes, as it can degrade the adhesion on bonded soles and cause the sole to separate from your shoe over time. We highly recommend Bee Natural Amore for general conditioning or Rain & Snow or Nikwax Full Grain Waterproofing on smooth leather for enhanced water resistance. The color on shiny metallic shoes will eventually patina with use into an antique wear look, which can be accelerated with repeated use to water and high wear (e.g. scuffing toes).

WASHING:

We do not recommend frequent washing of any leather product as it strips the leather of it's natural oils and tends to dry stiffer. For all of our leathers (except vegetable-tanned) you can clean by hand with a damp cloth, or if needed you can hand wash your leather shoes using a gentle shampoo and cool water. Let them air dry. Do not attempt to dry your shoes by exposing them to high heat, such as a clothes dryer, a hair dryer or by leaving them on a radiator or next to a fire. Doing so may damage leather or rubber soles.

We are often asked if our shoes can be washed in a washing machine. While not recommended as a normal course of action, when in dire straits the Elves have been known to toss a pair of shoes in the machine and generally have had good results. Just don't mix them with any other item because of color bleeding. Shoes with sheepskin can take 3-4 days to air dry if fully submerged in water, but you can speed up the drying by stuffing with old newspapers and replacing the paper twice a day.

 


Care Tips for Suede and Nubuck Shoes

WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVE:

Softstar Shoes are made from eco-friendly, tanned in USA leathers. Leather is a natural product and some variation in texture and markings is to be expected. Because we use natural food grade dyes in our leather, there will likely be some initial color transference to your socks or skin if your shoes become damp. This will decrease with use, but please do not wear your new Soft Stars with your favorite white socks the first time you take them for a spin!

If your shoes are a little snug at first across the top of the toes, you can gently stretch them by stuffing the toe box with a slightly damp rag. Push the cloth tightly into the front of the shoe (don't worry, you won't hurt it). Let the stuffing sit in the shoes overnight to stretch the leather.

MAINTENANCE:

Use a suede brush to remove dirt. You can also choose to use a suede/nubuck leather care product to protect against stains and water absorption (we recommend Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof). While not necessary, it will help keep your shoes looking new over time. Do not use generic leather care products on suede, but only those specifically formulated for suede. Products for full grain or smooth leather will be too oily and may permanently darken and mat suede fibers. Please do not use mink oil on any Softstar shoes as it will mat the fibers of our natural leather and will break down the adhesive soling on styles that have bonded soles.

Over time, suede outsoles naturally develop a smoother surface with wear If you’d like to refresh the texture and add some extra grip back, a quick touch-up with a suede brush can easily restore the nap.

WASHING:

We do not recommend frequent washing of any leather product because it will strip the leather of it's natural oils and cause it to dry stiffer. When a suede brush is not enough, you can use a damp cloth or hand wash your suede shoes with a gentle shampoo and cool water, then let them air dry. Do not attempt to dry your shoes by exposing them to high heat, such as a clothes dryer, a hair dryer or by leaving them on a radiator or next to a fire. Doing so may damage leather or rubber soles.

We are often asked if our shoes can be washed in a washing machine. While not recommended as a normal course of action, when in dire straits the Elves have been known to toss a pair of shoes in the machine and generally have had good results—just don't mix them with any other item because of color bleeding. Be sure to give your wet shoes ample time to air dry. Shoes with sheepskin can take 3-4 days to air dry if fully submerged in water, but you can speed up the drying process by stuffing them with old newspapers and replacing the paper twice a day.

 


Care Tips for Sheepskin Boots

Softstar Phoenix boots are made from genuine, high quality sheepskin.

While genuine sheepskin is incredibly cozy and beautiful, it is also delicate and will stretch under strain. When wearing your Phoenix boots, use care to avoid stepping off the back or sides of your heels while you walk as doing so repeatedly can affect the shape of the boots and alter the way they fit. The best way to prevent this is by insuring you purchase the correct size. For adults, we recommend selecting a boot size that fits very snugly at first, as they will stretch over time. For children, growing room is important, so a little extra space is recommended. If possible, have your kids wear their boots the first few times on dryer days to give them time to form to their feet.

The boot uppers are made from eco-friendly leathers that are tanned in the USA. Our leather hides are natural products and some variation in texture and markings is to be expected. If you need to clean your boots, wash gently by hand with a damp cloth and let them air dry.

Condition the leather as often as desired with any quality leather care product, but take care not to get any oils on the edges of the rubber soles. Mink oil, specifically, will degrade the sole adhesion and can lead to separation of soling over time—we do not recommend the use of mink oil anywhere on our boots, as it can eventually seep down to the sole. For general conditioning we recommend Bee Natural Amore, For enhanced moisture protection we recommend Bee Natural Rain and Snow or Nikwax Full Grain Waterproofing. Be careful to use these products only on the smooth leather portion of the shoes and not on the suede cuffs (leather care products designed for the full grain leather uppers may permanently darken suede). It is not necessary to apply a suede protectant or waterproofing to the cuffs, but doing so may help keep that portion of the boot looking clean. If you do choose to add extra protection to the suede, be careful to use a product specifically made for suede leather.

Sheepskin boots can take 3-4 days to air dry if fully soaked with water. You can speed up the drying process by stuffing the boots with old newspapers and replacing the paper twice a day. If they become this wet, be very careful to avoid wearing them again until fully dry because the leather will be more susceptible to stretching and the fit may alter. Do not attempt to dry your shoes by exposing them to high heat, such as a clothes dryer, a hair dryer or by leaving them on a radiator or next to a fire. Doing so may damage leather or rubber soles.

Which Shoe Style is Best for Your Child?

Use our handy chart below to compare our child shoe styles and find the best fit for your needs. Remember that all Softstar shoes are made from soft genuine leather featuring lightweight, flexible soles for healthy foot development. For children in particular, this is important as the bones in their feet are still forming and not fully ossified until ages 9-11. We believe shoes should provide protection from the elements while doing their best to mimic barefoot conditions.

If you cannot see the entire table, swipe left/right or use the scrollbar at the bottom to expand your view.

  Roo Moccasin Rambler Classic Laguna Sandal
Summary

Kids Roo Moccasin

A soft and flexible slip-on moccasin with sheepskin insoles. Ideal for indoor and light outdoor use.

Kids Rambler Easy to slip-on with a rubber sole for increased durability on the playground. Kids Classic A classy fitted style for all occasions. "Closed" design keeps out water, debris and snow. Kids Laguna SandalEasy Velcro strap and open toes and heels keep feet cool on warm summer days.
Features

Our signature moccasin, and suitable for all ages from 0-99!

Roos feature lush sheepskin insoles, suede outsoles and natural leather uppers to allow our most unrestricted barefoot-like movement. Cozy to wear around the house and preferred by schools that require soft-soled classroom shoes. Also recommended for encouraging healthy foot development in early walkers.

A slip-on style similar to our moccasins, but made with a rubber outsole for enhanced durability. Still a good first walker shoe and great for rough outdoor play. Also acceptable for schools that require soft classroom shoes.

The first shoe made by Softstar in 1985, and still a family favorite!

Upper is made from a single piece of leather stretched around the shoe for a classy fitted design. Features a Velcro closure for easy on/off. Great for outdoor play, but can also work for formal occasions with the right colors.

Keeps kids cool on hot days! Open toe and heel not only provide ventilation, but also give a little more growing room before your kids need to size up. Features a Velcro closure for easy on/off.
Leather

Smooth full grain Sublime leather (a slightly softer, more flexible version of our Nova leather).

Smooth Nova leather.

Smooth Nova leather.

Smooth Nova leather.
Closure

Elastic (slip-on).

Elastic (slip-on).

Velcro strap.

Velcro strap.
Innersole

Sheepskin only. Our genuine sheepskin fleece naturally wicks moisture and helps keep feet dry.

Suede only. Removable sheepskin insoles can be purchased separately.

Suede only. Removable sheepskin insoles can be purchased separately.

Suede only.
Outsole

Suede leather sole; will become smooth and shiny with wear.

6mm rubber Pyramid sole.

Extra durable 8.5mm Rugged soles also available for sizes 6+ (recommended for kids who play rough and wear through shoes quickly).

6mm rubber Pyramid sole.

6mm rubber Pyramid sole.
Wide?

YES! Wide width options are available, and this flexible shoe stretches well to adapt to big feet. Elastic can also be adjusted after shoe is made if more ankle room is needed.

We can also make this style in XWIDE width upon special request for kids with exceptionally large feet. Visit this page for more info.

YES! Wide width options are available, and this flexible shoe stretches well to adapt to big feet. Elastic can also be adjusted after shoe is made if more ankle room is needed.

We can also make this style in XWIDE width upon special request for kids with exceptionally large feet. Visit this page for more info.

Wide widths are available, but fitted design is not as accommodating to extra wide feet as our other styles.

Works well for most wide feet... better than the Classic, but not as roomy as a wide Roo or Rambler.
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Customer Reviews

4.7

138 reviews

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Top customer reviews

  1. Verified Buyer

    Favorite Shoes!

    Rating

    My baby boy is lightning fast in these shoes! He loves to run and these shoes are his favorite to run in! They are super soft and very comfortable my kid never takes them off that’s how much he loves them! Will definitely order his next pair in a few months time! ????
  2. Verified Buyer

    comfy, but don't last

    Rating

    My daughter loves these shoes. We're on her second pair. My only problem with them is that as the sole wears down, the stitching attaching the leather to the sole disappears. Luckily I have a good cobbler nearby, and he restitched her last pair of shoes a couple of times. Her new pair, which she's only been wearing a few months, already needs to be restitched. Please consider a redesign of how the leather attaches to the sole. It's been such a problem for us, I'm mystified that nobody else seems to mention it in their reviews.
  3. Verified Buyer

    Best Shoes Ever

    Rating

    These shoes are simply perfect! They are of course the perfect shoe to support a natural gait but they are also ADORABLE. Elizabeth loves them and asks for them over all of her other shoes. I highly recommend them!
  4. Verified Buyer

    Great shoes!

    Rating

    My 3 year olds favorite shoes. She can get them on and off independently and they hold up well to any environment. We did size up slightly according to the softstar size chart
  5. Verified Buyer

    We love these!

    Rating

    My daughter uses these as her indoor shoes at her Waldorf school. I asked her what she thought of them after a few weeks of wearing them every weekday, and she said, "I love them!" They are great quality, came looking exactly as described, and are comfortable.
  6. Verified Buyer

    our favorite shoe, could improve one thing

    Rating

    both our kids have worn these shoes since birth to present ages 5 and 8. we love their flexibility and easy on-off. the only complaint we have is that the front of the shoe is totally separate from the back of the shoe, and the gap can allow dirt/mulch/grass/straw/pebbles/debris in general to get into the shoe easily. this results in constant "I have something in my shoe" problems.
  7. Verified Buyer

    She runs so fast!

    Rating

    This was the first time I invested in new Softstar shoes for my 3 year-old. She loved choosing the colour. They are easy for her to put on, she runs so confidently in them, and due to the leather she will definitely get spring through fall out of them being worn almost every day. Excited to pass these ones to her younger sister and to purchase the next size up next year! The sizing chart is accurate and I found the width to be good for my kiddo with average to wide feet.
  8. Verified Buyer

    Perfect for my rambuctious granddaughter!

    Rating

    She chose the colors and wears them day in day out. She got them wet, I dried them with terry cloth finishing them up with my hair dyer (the girl needed her shoes!) and they are holding up to use and abuse!
  9. Verified Buyer

    Bought for son, daughter won’t stop wearing them

    Rating

    I bought these for my son but my daughter tried them on and doesn’t want to give them back! She is very picky about her shoes so this was a surprise… we ordered her a pair in purple. These shoes are perfect - easy on/off which encourages independence, light weight and wide to allow for natural motion. I just wish I had found these shoes before my kids were in a size 3 youth!

  10. Son is obsessed

    Rating

    My son is so finicky about shoes. Either they rub his heel or he’s constantly getting dirt and rocks in them or they are too big or too small well after 8 years of dealing with that I don’t have to anymore! I am so happy I found these shoes they are his favorites ever and I won’t ever buy him anything else again! Thanks so much guys!
  11. Verified Buyer

    Great farm boots

    Rating

    My grandson goes to the barn with me about every day. As a new walker with a very wide foot we were having a hard time figuring out what he could wear that would protect his feet, and accommodate his wide feet. I did some research and came across your product. He loves his boots! They were comfortable from day one. They have held up very well. We are impressed, thank you for making a great product!
  12. Verified Buyer

    Your kid needs these

    Rating

    I bought these for my 2.5yo because I want to support healthy foot development with a minimalist shoe. We're in love with these shoes and will buying them for many years to come. Major differences I've noticed between the ramblers and her other toddler shoes: 1) she almost never trips or stumbles when wearing her ramblers. 2) she rarely drags her feet when we're out walking. 3) I can see her toes gripping and her arches working when she climbs up the little rocky hill in our yard. 4) her big toenails look healthier. Bonus: the color selection is fantastic.
  13. Verified Buyer

    The best toddler shoe!

    Rating

    This is my second pair of Ramblers, because my daughter outgrew the first pair after much use. Since I liked them so much, I just bought a larger size to keep up with her feet growth. I also bought a wide width this time, and the shoes are sooo much easier to put on now. She always get compliments on them when she goes out, and I like them because the sole isn’t thick like commercial children’s shoes, so it’s even better for developing feet. I will continue to buy these as her feet grows!
  14. Verified Buyer

    Child rambler

    Rating

    We found softstar as a result of looking for a US company that made barefoot shoes for children. My son (22months) is now on his second pair and he loves them. We live in the PNW so they do get wet, we have had no issues with drying overnight, we just put them near the fan. I enjoy the option to customize, and have had some fun playing with different colors. We will definitely be back for more pairs!!
  15. Verified Buyer

    ramblers for life

    Rating

    my kids have been outfitted with these softstar gems since they started to walk. besides receiving complements everywhere we go on the unique appearance of the shoes (always with a few adults that exclaim their own desire to own such shoes) my family has been enjoying the quality, colors, and most importantly, the knowledge that bio-mechanically, my kids are walking around preserving their bodies innate ability to engage the environment and earth as their bodies were INTENDED to. when the environmentally friendly packaged shoes arrive from the "softstar elves", the kids gather around to witness the "unveiling" of their next pair. as city dwellers currently, they play hard and, lucky for them, this happens often! thank you softstar for answering the call of our barefoot family's needs! 5 out of 5 stars!
  16. Verified Buyer

    "These are so comfortable"

    Rating

    The first day my 4 1/2 year old daughter wore her shoes -- she beamed up at me and said, "Mom -- these are SO comfortable!" She is in love with them. The extra material around the foot took her a day or two to adjust to -- but she runs and frolics in them with ease now! She loves them and we will be ordering more as she grows...
  17. Verified Buyer

    awesome as always

    Rating

    This is the 3rd pair of these my son has had. He grew out of the other 2 pair and they are now on their second life with a new owner. The shoes are durable, made with pride by fairly compensated people in the United States and also very important, allow my sons feet to move and develop naturally as he grows. I'm a huge fan of Softstar shoes and the company. At first glance some people don't care for the aesthetics of Softstars and if I'm being honest I was one of them before I tried my first pair. Now I can't hardly wear anything else. These are as close as you will find to going barefoot and they are totally worth it! Give them a try and see for yourself.

  18. Favorite Shoes

    Rating

    My daughters love these shoes, I’ve been buying these for them for the past few years. I love that they are healthier for their feet than many of the styles in stores and that they can put them on themselves. As one other review states, there are sometimes issues with the stitching at the toes. The last pair I got my oldest busted open at the toe at a month of wear. But, I’ve also had some pairs last a year without coming apart. So, it can be hit or miss on that I think. But, I also think if you’ve purchased them more recently the “elves” will do repairs on the shoes to fix up the stitching. My daughters definitely think these are the most comfortable and they get compliments on them a lot. Overall, these are a great choice and I highly recommend! Although I would say just reach out to the company if you happen to get a pair that is not as well constructed.
  19. Verified Buyer

    Want to love them…

    Rating

    My kid love these shoes so much! He prefers to wear them daily over his other shoes. Unfortunately , they are advertised as being rugged, that of which I am doubtful. The last two pairs of these, the stitching busts out at the toe after about a month. I measure his foot every time and follow the instructions on sizing. He wears them to school and for running errands with mamma. If the stitching were a bit more reinforced at the toe I would love them!

    Response from store

    Note from the Elves: Hi Jessica - thanks for your review! We reached out via email to see if we can't get your son into some Rugged Ramblers as these might be a better style for him. Looking forward to hearing back from you when you get them.

  20. I want to love them?

    Rating

    I love this company, their kind and helpful customer service, and the quality of their shoes. However, these particular shoes are too hard for my daughter to put on herself. They fit a little big so I thought it would be easy for her to pull on, but it feels hard even for me helping to put them on her feet. I wish I could love them because they're beautiful and my daughter says very comfortable. If she can't put them on herself, it sort of defeats the purpose as these are school shoes...

  21. Son’s favorite

    Rating

    These are my sons favorite shoes. They hold up well. He outgrows them before they breakdown.
  22. Verified Buyer

    Light and well-made

    Rating

    My kids love the ramblers. The design is very simple yet efficient. The shoes are easy to put on. My only negative point is that the sole is 6 mm thick; so yes it is flexible, but not enough to me.
  23. Verified Buyer

    Love these

    Rating

    I’ve been buying these for years now for my kids! They love them, and I do too. They are comfortable, never give them blisters no matter how long they wear them, and they wear them on playgrounds, piles of dirt, rocks, and so forth. They are a beloved staple.

  24. 100% recommend

    Rating

    We love these shoes for our twin toddlers. They are easy for them to put on, and the colors are so fun. We’ve gotten 6 pairs total and we will continue buying Softstars!
  25. Verified Buyer

    I liked these but she refused to wear them

    Rating

    My 9 year old has always worn the soft sole slippers around the house but wore holes in 2 pairs so I ordered these instead. However, she refuses to wear them inside the house but that was no fault of the shoe. Maybe she'll wear them outside.

  26. Perfect toddler shoe

    Rating

    Happy with the purchase. My 2 year old fits in them great and is able to put them on herself, which makes her happy. Honestly the best shoes for kids ever. I can see how they will last a long time.
  27. Verified Buyer

    the umpteenth pair

    Rating

    I have been buying these for my kids for the past 11 years. My son loves them because he can pull them on quickly and they're super comfy. They're great for playing. He has climbed many a tree in them.

  28. High quality shoe

    Rating

    Very nice and durable material. Sole is soft enough for him to walk on his toes. I'm glad to be supporting a US business. Their shipping packaging is simple to minimize waste.
  29. Verified Buyer

    Sons shoes

    Rating

    My 2 year old loves these shoes! They are his preferred show for walks.

  30. MOM

    Rating

    The shoe fits great even though I purchase a custom made one previously. There is one little problem one of the shoe a little tight around the ankle. This one foot has always been thicker and wider than the other foot. No fault of Softstar. I believe if I replace the elastic at the ankle portion and make it 1/2 to 3/4 in" longer it would help, because this is the area that feels tighter. The shoe itself is wide enough for the foot portion. I have not tried it yet I am waiting to see if the elastic will give some on its own because I don't want to mess it up. Going to purchase another shoe.

  31. Love these

    Rating

    My son has worn the moccasins since he started walking. We recently bought these so he can have a shoe with a little more grip. These are perfect and well priced.

  32. Love these shoes

    Rating

    Highly recommend. Worth every penny. I got them for my 14-month-old then went back and got a pair for my 4-year-old. Fit great and I feel good about what I’m putting on their feet.
  33. Verified Buyer

    Wonderful shoes for rough and tumble

    Rating

    We love these shoes! This is the third pair we have had from Soft Star! So comfortable for my son who has extra wide feet. A lovely small company with excellent customer service!
  34. Verified Buyer

    Diehard fans since size 4!

    Rating

    We've been buying these shoes for our son since he was a size 4, just got our pair of 10's. He loves them, they are easy to put on and even easier to run around and be a wild man! He climbs, jumps, crawls, you name it, these shoes have been through the ringer. Best of all, by the time he grows out of them, they are STILL in good enough condition to save for future wild and free toddlers. He tried on a "normal" pair of shoes once and he had a hard time walking as they were so clunky! My absolute ONLY con is that sometimes the color of the leather bleeds through, but it truly doesn't bother me.
  35. Verified Buyer

    Cute

    Rating

    Love these! So cute and durable def our favorite softstars.

  36. Love them!

    Rating

    All three of my kids have grown up in Soft Stars! Ramblers are my favorites because they’re cute and they hold up very well! We have yet to “wear through” them and my kids are HARD on them!! We are always pleased with these!

  37. Great shoes.

    Rating

    Bought my second pair. For my baby. He loves them.

  38. Overall, great experience

    Rating

    My son was in soft moccasin-style shoes as soon as he started walking. I was sad when he finally outgrew the brand we were using, so I went looking for another barefoot-style shoe. I ended up stumbling upon Softstar after we had the worst experience with another "barefoot" brand. I am so happy with these shoes. I am so glad that he can still have the comfort and space of his moccasins, with the soles that allow him to be a normal 3 year old outside in the mud and dirt. We did have some stitching start to pull out fairly quickly, but we cut it and used shoe glue to keep it from further unraveling, and haven't had any issues since. I will definitely be continuing to buy these shoes as he moves into bigger sizes.

  39. Barefoot for baby!

    Rating

    We love these shoes for our boy! The quality is high, the durability has been great, and they are easier to put on than shoes with laces. He has received MANY compliments on them from adults, and they really compliment his outfits too.

  40. Bigger sizes for bigger kids, please!

    Rating

    I am 11 yrs old and I love these shoes - they’re my favorite but wish they had a bigger sizes because I have adult size feet now!

  41. Mrs

    Rating

    Shoes are comfortable, fit great, can be put on and taken off easily and are cute! Only complaint is that the purple color rubs off on skin when worn without socks.

  42. Great shoes.

    Rating

    Our two year old has gotten a lot of use out of theses shoes. We live near the mountains and hike a lot. These shoes work really well outside on the trail and in town. They are really well made and the materials are high quality.

  43. Love

    Rating

    I refused to buy a conventional shoe for my newly walking toddler, and knew we wanted a wide, foot-shape, flexible soled shoe made of natural materials. As close to barefoot as possible. Softstar was the obvious choice! We ordered 2 pairs of shoes for my son (16 months) and we love them both. I prefer the Classics over the Ramblers, though I love the look of the Ramblers style. We ordered these in a larger size to accommodate for growing room, but they’re a bit too roomy around the ankles and they get kicked off often. Once he grows into them a bit, they’ll be great. Only downside is when the shoes get wet, they leak dye onto his feet. I’m hoping that the dye is of natural origin so this doesn’t pose health risks... I also think the sole is a bit thicker than I would prefer, especially for such a small shoe; a few millimetres thinner would be ideal. Overall, we are in LOVE with them and will definitely be back for more!

  44. M

    Rating

    We are on our third pair of ramblers for our daughter, they are the best shoes! My child loves them, they last and last and it is a great feeling knowing they are healthy for her and the environment, thank you soft star for making such a wonderful product!

  45. Mom

    Rating

    I have been purchasing ramblers for my boys for years. The eldest passes them down to the youngest and then they go off to live even longer with friends and relatives. I wore my personal pair into oblivion and switched up to the crazy adorable Mary Jane style. Soft, durable and healthy! Both my boys have enjoyed custom designing their color combos.

  46. Very Comfortable

    Rating

    Six-year-old daughter very happy with the purchase. We had stopped buying the ramblers in recent years as I think my daughters felt they weren’t in line with what their friends were wearing. But my younger daughter was drawn to the flamingo colour and she wears them constantly; very comfortable. She also appreciates not having laces or Velcro.

  47. We tried other shoes before, but I must say, this are our favorite!

    Rating

    I got a pair of Ramblers for my 20 months old son. We love them. At the beggining it was a bit of a struggle to put them on, as my son is not a fan of wearing shoes (it was quite cold, so we kinda have to wear shoes) and the elastic on the shoes was a bit tight. But in time it got better and it goes way easier. We tried other shoes before, but I must say, this are our favorite! I love how soft the leather is! And they are really cute!
  48. Verified Buyer

    Purchased for 3 and 10 year old- really great shoes

    Rating

    My kids love LOVE these shoes! They were always in barefoot shoes but I hadn’t tried Softstar before. We’ve had them 3 months now. With temperatures down to 2 Celsius, they’ve held up to it and the wet weather better than I expected. Note they had wool socks too! Great shoes for running, climbing etc. My daughter especially loves that there’s no laces. my 3 year likes the indépendance of being able to put them on and I like that these are barefoot. You can’t go wrong. Customer service great with questions on ordering and Softstar notifications to keep you up to date on status.

  49. Don't fit well

    Rating

    I purchased the Roo Moccasin as my baby's first pair of shoes and I loved them and they fit great (they are also super cute). I purchased the Youth Rambler as his second pair and I am not sure if they are defective or if it's the fit of the Youth Rambler - his toes are all bunched up in the toe area despite that there is ample room in the heel. I first noticed this when we received them in the mail. I called and spoke with someone and they indicated that if we put the shoe on with the foot toward the heel, it should resolve the fit issue. I decided to keep them and now I regret it; spending $80 on a shoe that doesn't fit is painful.

  50. Love in NZ

    Rating

    Both my children have worn these for the last 3 years and have loved them. They are super comfortable and they use them from cross country running races at school to hiking in the mountains. We live in NZ so have to get a friend from the States to get them sent over. We would love to see them come to NZ. So many people comment on them and where they can get them from but are put off buying as you don't ship outside of the States. Both my children have outgrown their sz 6 and found you don't go to sz7. Can you start making this great shoe in an adult size as i would certainly wear these amazing shoes.

  51. Long lasting favorites

    Rating

    We received our first pair of soft stars as hand-me-downs. My daughter wore them learning to walk and when she outgrew them we passed them along again! We then bought her a new custom pair, which she loved, wore daily, and has outgrew. We’re on another hand-me-down pair now, and I’m ordering her a pair of Mocs as inside shoes. These shoes are such high quality and so adored - totally worth the price. Pass them on!

  52. Great for wide feet and high insteps

    Rating

    I bought a pair of these for my 14 month old son who has wider feet and a high instep. Because there is an elastic band under the tongue of the shoe, it makes it really easy to stretch and slip on my son's foot. A great design overall and stays nicely on my son's foot when he crawls or walks around.

  53. Ripped elastic

    Rating

    We ordered these for my daughter's school. They are great, soft, noise-reducing. However, the elastic that holds the top of the shoe came apart within the first week of her wearing them at school. I was less than pleased considering the price of these shoes.

  54. Best shoes in the universe!!

    Rating

    This is our 3rd pair of softstar shoes for our son. We buy the Ramblers for outdoor use and the moccasins for indoors. I cannot say enough wonderful things about their products. We are lifelong fans and cant imagine life without softstar⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  55. We will continue to buy every year with no regrets!

    Rating

    My daughter loves these shoes! We got the rugged ramblers last year but felt like the extra sole wasn’t necessary, we will see how these hold up this year. My daughter wears these shoes whenever she will be playing outside/doing anything active. She prefers merry Janes for other times (because they are cuter). She’s worn these shoes on a backpacking trip and other than an occasional slide in leaves they were perfect (she’s 3 so it was a very easy going backpacking trip). They hold up well to light water exposure but we try to keep them dry. We will continue to buy a pair of ramblers and merry janes every year with no regrets!

  56. Beautifully crafted

    Rating

    I gleefully ordered a pair of these shoes for my 4 year old starting his first Montessori school. Instagram Montessori moms recommended this company. My son wears a 10.5 toddler size in sneakers so I ordered a size 11 per the company’s recommendation. The shoes are beautiful! And look very comfy! My son complains however that they are too big and that he trips in them. Turns out he was wearing the right on the left and vice versa. His teachers did not seem to notice the mix up. It is slightly difficult to tell left from right (not as noticeable as say regular sneakers). I wrote R inside the right and L inside the left and haven’t had an issue with tripping since. I also stuffed cotton balls in them until his feet grow a bit more. So overall a good purchase, but I wish I had ordered down a size (10 instead of 11).

  57. Easy and stylish

    Rating

    Call me biased, but I think our boy looks fantastic in these shoes! They are easy to get on and off, super durable, and all around fun. He mostly wears them without socks and I don’t have any issues with it.

  58. Great shoes!

    Rating

    My toddler loves his soft star shoes! They are easy to put on and he seems very comfortable in them. I have a pair of soft star shoes as well and we get compliments everywhere we go. I definitely would recommend these shoes and I have been recommending them.

  59. Great shoes, but color bleeds

    Rating

    We love these shoes, they're so versatile and can be worn for almost anything. Unfortunately the blue ones we just bought dyed our kids foot blue from just getting a little wet!

  60. Love these shoes - on our 4th pair

    Rating

    Love these shoes! My two-year-old is now on her fourth pair and she takes right to them every time. Using the Bee Natural Leathercare - Rain and Snow on them has gotten us through every season. These shoes have survived rain, mud, and snow (with the sheepskin inserts), plus walking on all kinds of terrain. We'll definitely keep buying as long as my daughter is willing to wear them.

  61. better than Pedipeds

    Rating

    Before we found Softstar, we bought our little ones Pediped shoes. The problem with them is the soles wear out in a very short time once they start walking outside. The Softstar youth Rambler has a nice thick, yet pliable rubber sole and they are holding up fantastically. The leather is very soft and smells wonderful. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these to anyone with kids!

  62. My kids and i love these shoes.

    Rating

    My kids and i love these shoes. They're comfortable and look awesome and hold up well to play. I have an 11 year old and a9 year old and they wear them all the time. Easy on and easy off, fun colors, comfortable as can be and look good even after being put through the daily life of an on-the-go active child. Love them so much. We will keep buying them as long as you keep making them. Thanks!
  63. Verified Buyer

    We just keep coming back.

    Rating

    I've bought these shoes three times in a row. I'm always a little disappointed that they do eventually wear out (this last pair lasted a year and a half). My kids wear these shoes all the time and love them. They're actually great for the summer as no sock shoes, so we don't bother with sandals. They are so easy to put on and take off.

  64. The quality is superb but I want a thinner sole

    Rating

    I wanted to love these shoes. I had been eyeing them for a year and finally bought a pair for my 18 month old son. The quality is superb, the leather is soft and beautiful.....but the sole is simply too thick for a tiny shoe to be considered a "barefoot" shoe. My son is average size, but as he walked, the soles had almost no flex. It looked as if he were wearing any standard non-minimalist shoe with the way that his foot pushed off as a unit. I was so disappointed. I cannot return as they have been worn once (after waiting a few months for him to grow into them). I will be looking elsewhere for a children's shoe with a more flexible sole.
  65. Verified Buyer

    indoor or dry summer shoes

    Rating

    This is the third pair of Soft Star shoes I've ordered for my now 1.9 year old and I have mixed feelings about this one. First of all, these shoes are not stitched on the sides, which means they are basically open on both sides so I'm surprised they are described as shoes suitable for wet weather. Secondly, the new thicker sole is considerably less flexible than the 4mm one used in earlier models. Finally, the shoes cost USD45 (on sale) but we were charged an extra CAD17 in duties on delivery (we are in British Columbia, Canada); I realize that this is by no means the seller's fault but thought I'd mention it in case you are ordering from Canada (other reviews mention there were no duties collected but we were not so lucky unfortunately). Baseline: nice summer/indoor shoes but not quite what I expected.

  66. We have had many of these through the years with more to come!

    Rating

    Our child likes the regular rambler with thinner soles. We get the sheepskin liners for a cozy fit. We have had several of these though the years and will buy more. They have the comfort of slippers but can be worn anywhere!

  67. Beautiful, healthy, happy feet!

    Rating

    My son adores these shoes! They are sturdy, flexible, and clearly extremely comfy for him. Perfect for indoor and outdoor play!
  68. Verified Buyer

    love them!

    Rating

    I love these shoes for my three-year old. He wears them with socks for his classroom shoes. He can put them on and off on his own and they don't slip while he is playing. I am sure them will become his go-to summer shoes once school is out.

  69. Amazing Shoes!

    Rating

    These have been awesome for my 4 year old son. He loves them and are his favorite shoes. I love that he can put them on himself and they are such good quality. I also love that they are flexible and good for his growing feet. These shoes are the best!
  70. Verified Buyer

    Love these shoes!!!!

    Rating

    Ramblers are my favorite Soft Star shoes for my toddler! He loves putting his “ooos” every morning. I like that they mold to his feet rather than making his feet mold to them. All my children have worn and loved Ramblers!

  71. Great shoes and best customer service

    Rating

    I purchased these for my 6 yo after she reported loving her classroom shoes from Soft Star. She was complaining about not having enough room to move her toes around in other outdoor shoes so I knew she'd love these ramblers as there is plenty of room for moving those toes! I also got the cozy inserts and they are awesome. I wasn't sure about how to attach the inserts and the elves in customer service were SO helpful. Nothing beats great customer service and quality. I hope my daughter will continue to love them so I can buy more pairs as she grows!

  72. Doesn't get any better

    Rating

    I get both of my boys a custom pair of ramblers every season. It is the only shoe they wear and it holds up wonderfully. My boys love them and can put them on easily. They are so good for their whole body! Everywhere we go I get compliments and I'm quick to sing softstar's praises. They are not cheap but they are worth every penny!!

  73. Easy to buy from Canada

    Rating

    I bought these shoes and had them shipped to Ontario, and not only was the shipping free, but Softstar included a NAFTA certification so there wasn't any duty charged when I received them. Great to be able to buy something from the US and know that there aren't any hidden costs, just what you pay at checkout.

  74. Worth the $

    Rating

    These shoes are great - high quality materials and well crafted. My kid is totally comfortable running around in them. I followed the sizing chart and ended up with the right size (and a tiny bit of room to grow). Will be getting these again in the next size!

  75. Best shoes for active kids

    Rating

    We love our ramblers. This is the second pair we have purchased for our son. He is super active and these shoes hold up so well against all his wear and tear. These shoes are so well made and are worth every penny!

  76. Only shoes my kids have ever worn

    Rating

    I have three boys and the Roos and Ramblers are the only shoes my kids have ever worn. They love the bright colors and ease of putting them on and taking them off. I recommend getting the sheepskin lining so they are comfortable barefoot as well as with socks. People ask me about them all the time (I wear them too) and I tell them all about Soft Star being a USA-made, mom and pop company. Given the recent price increase I’ll habe to be purchasing these less often and hope these will hold up through three boys. So far they’ve held up through two boys and the one pair that didn’t hold up as expected was replaced with Soft Stars excellent customer service.

  77. Great fit, supple shoe for active toddler

    Rating

    These Ramblers are well made with just enough sole for protection but still very flexible for developing feet. The sizing is bang on as described for our toddler. They are very cute and we have had many comments on how great they look. The dye has transferred to socks when her feet are wet/ sweaty, but we expect that this will taper off as the shoes age? The opening is easy to slip on and off but the shoes stay in place when wearing. Really pleased with these shoes.

  78. Quality Shoes

    Rating

    These are beautiful, well-made, and support healthy feet! If I had my way, we'd only wear Softstar Shoes. My 2 ½ year old son puts them through the ringer. We've gotten them dirty, wet, muddy, etc, and they clean up well and don't dry crispy. I do try to avoid fields of mud with these on, but they've survived those too. These gently stretch and soften, molding to your feet over time. Our last pair continued to "fit" about two sizes longer than they technically should have, which makes them a good investment in my book.

  79. Works well for a preschooler

    Rating

    We have had these shoes for about 6 weeks (our first pair of Soft Star shoes). I was worried about how my 3 year old would adjust from traditional shoes but it was no problem. He loves that he can get them on by himself (was always a problem in regular shoes due to his wide feet). They are holding up well so far and he wears them for everything - muddy walks, hiking, even riding his balance bike. As a nice bonus, when we visit a socks-only play area, I can just stick his shoes in my pocket!
  80. Verified Buyer

    adore

    Rating

    these are our second pair, my kid outgrew the brown ones, I love them! He brings them to me when he wants to go on a walk, they are so soft inside out, I know he is cozy as can be. I ended up buying softstars for myself too :)

  81. Pretty much the only shoes my son wears

    Rating

    We've now bought three pairs of this exact shoe in sizes 5, 6, and 7. My son has been wearing these shoes as his everyday shoe since he started wearing shoes around 13 months. We live in a semi-rural area and like to hike, so we chose these for their extra strength in dirty, rocky conditions. They hold up extremely well to pretty tough use! They are also waterproof as far as we've experienced (though we are in CA, so not the wettest of places). I LOVE how flexible the sole is, and love knowing that his foot is developing normally and healthily despite the fact that he's in shoes. I really can't fault these shoes - love the colors, the quality, and the customer service of Soft Stars is excellent. Twice I have requested that they send me shoes faster due to my leaving on a trip, and they were happy to oblige both times. Love this company so much and LOVE these shoes!
  82. Verified Buyer

    Fabulous for kids

    Rating

    These are fantastic for kids. My child runs, jumps and climbs everything in her ramblers. They have held up well and have few signs of wear after two seasons of tearing around in them. We also get many compliments on how cute they are from adults. I tell them they can order a pair if they like since they come in adult sizes too. The only thing I would caution anyone on is that they should expect them to be worn with socks to keep from rubbing too much, especially when they are new. The leather is a bit stiff and small feet are tender.
  83. Verified Buyer

    ❤️❤️❤️

    Rating

    Best shoes EVER!!! So easy for a 3 year old to put on all by herself! They look super cute and are really versatile as far as going from casual to dressy.

  84. Good Minimal Shoe (Custom)

    Rating

    I ordered these in a size 10 for my nearly 4 year old daughter, who is barefoot 95% of the time. This size is typically made with a thicker and more durable sole, but because we're attempting to keep her footwear as minimal as possible, and she wears shoes so infrequently, I ordered them with the thinner sole option that normally only comes in smaller sizes. She's been wearing them periodically for maybe a month, and they're still going strong and I expect that they'll serve her well until she outgrows them. Thanks for customizing for us, Softstar!

  85. Always happy with the kids' ramblers

    Rating

    I have been buying soft star shoes for my two kids for many years. This style is always their favorite. The only reason I buy them other footwear is for wet weather. The colors on this pair are very cute on my toddler daughter.

  86. Perfect toddler shoes

    Rating

    Working great for our little one. First size we bought was too big so we kept them for when she reaches the next size up and ordered a smaller size that works perfectly. If it seems your toddler is tripping over the toe a lot it's most likely you ordered 1 size too big. Try the next size down if possible and see how that works. It's very common to accidentally give to much toe gap with toddler shoes. These shoes are well made and look great! Thank you

  87. Fantastic

    Rating

    My 3 year old son loves these shoes! I will request a neutral-colored heel lining next time, however, as we did experience some color-transfer when my son's feet sweat. Also, I highly recommend getting the sheepskin liners for maximum comfort and wearing without socks in hot weather. Will definitely order again!

  88. Love!

    Rating

    Bought these for my 4.5 year old daughter and she loves them! I highly recommend getting sheepskin liners for hot weather; much comfier and cooler.

  89. Amazing shoes!

    Rating

    Flexible, great thin sole, wide, fits my baby's fat lovely feet! They are durable and soft too.

  90. Loves the pink!!!

    Rating

    My daughter loved these shoes they only lasted her about 3 months then she grew out of them. I would totally give them 5 stars but out of all the soft star shoes we have owned this is the first pair that the leather color started coming off. We also love the rambler style shoes easy on and off which also means they do fall off by accident easier.
  91. Verified Buyer

    Fun shoes

    Rating

    These shoes have been fun for my 2 year old. He calls them his fancy shoes. Forewarning that the shininess wears off the material but my toddler is pretty active outside so I'm unsure if the wear we see is more than average.
  92. Verified Buyer

    Love them!!

    Rating

    My son loves these shoes. He can wear them for many things. Calls them his Cubs shoes. And I love that he can easily put them on himself at 4 years old.

  93. These fit my 3 year old perfect and she loves them!

    Rating

    I love that you can choose the width. I can't find any other soft comfy shoes in wide for my 3 year old that she can wear outdoors, besides these. I will be buying more, for sure!

  94. Enjoyable Toddler Shoes

    Rating

    Our 21 month old loves wearing his 'star shoes' just as much as we like putting them on him, knowing that they allow his feet as much freedom as possible while still wearing shoes. We live in Chicago, so we are still testing the durability of these shoes in fair weather, but they are perfect for indoor wear (at child care) and outside on non-wintery dry days. We chose these over other moccasin-like shoes because they have a more durable sole and they are handmade in the USA. They will last for more than one child, which is also great.

  95. Great shoe for our son

    Rating

    This is our second pair of ramblers, and I don't plan on it being our last. We love this shoe. It is attractive, durable and comfortable for our active little guy. He certainly puts them to the test!

  96. Excellent shoe for small people!

    Rating

    This is our second pair of ramblers in this colour. I cannot express just how amazing they are: comfy, easy to walk in, lightweight, easy to put on, spacious - we love them! We will be ordering the next size up as soon as we need them.

  97. Very high quality, but trips up my baby!

    Rating

    These are great shoes other than the sole sticking out so much -- my one and a half year old trips so much in these shoes!

  98. Takes a licking, keeps on ticking! Just like the old Timex commercials!

    Rating

    My daughter loves these shoes and never argues about wearing them (as most 3 year old tend to about things). I love how cute they look on her and also how good they are for her feet and mobility. She has put these through the ringer the last 6 months and they have some noticeable wear on them but are still in really good shape and I think will last past her outgrowing them. The only critique I have (and it's minor) is that because of the way the leather is positioned on the top/outside you can stick your hand/finger through the two pieces (the pink and blue) which is fine and I'm sure makes them not as stuffy or something. However, dirt does get in there which she does not seem bothered by but does make her socks extra dirty on the bottoms. We don't care though, the socks usually come out pretty decent in the wash and it is well worth the cuteness factor and most importantly how good they are for her to wear shoes like this versus cumbersome, heavy, bulky types. Keep up the fantastic job! We will be back for more!

  99. Great shoes!

    Rating

    Our two year old started wearing this style a few months ago and only wears these for everything (except puddle jumping)! They are very flexible and give traction. Good for parks and hikes and everything!

  100. perfect for busy toddler with chunky feet!

    Rating

    Love that these are so flexible yet sturdy for our busy toddler. He walks so naturally in them which is so important to me. The wide is perfect for him too. Also, they are truly adorable!

  101. Finally! Shoes he likes!

    Rating

    This was the third pair of shoes we bought for a 4-year-old with a somewhat wide foot. He liked them from the beginning. He runs, kicks, jumps, tumbles, climbs in them, and they take it just fine. We then ordered a smaller pair for our 2-year-old, and they are just as much of a hit with him. Both sets of shoes arrived promptly. Certainly not our last order.

  102. Such great shoes for little growing feet!!

    Rating

    I have been searching up and down looking for comfortable shoes for my two year old that are more sturdy than just moccasins. All he would wear for the past year were moccasins and he wore holes into both of the soles. So happy to find a more sturdy bottom that is also great for rainy days! He LOVES his new shoes and is able to run, jump, skip, hike, climb and all the above in them. The shoes truly allow little feet to be used the way they were meant to be used and not all wrapped up in big tennis shoes restricting healthy strength and growth. They are exactly what we were looking for! Great customer service too! This is where I will order all my kids shoes.

  103. cute

    Rating

    I think they are cute. But my kids who are 5 years old wore them a few times and don't want to wear them anymore. They prefer sneakers.
  104. Verified Buyer

    Great kids shoe

    Rating

    Holds up well to my rowdy kids. They are a play shoe and a good shoe all in one. Easy to clean after playing outside before sending them to.daycare the next day. My husband has very bad feet already from a life time of wearing improper shoes, so he insisted on getting these. Not only are they good for feet, but I also like that they are made in America by a family company.

  105. The best

    Rating

    These are simply the best baby/toddler shoes we have found. We live in the UK but happy to pay the price to ship them over. Our son loves his ramblers and won't wear anything else. It's true that initially he tripped over the edge as others have mentioned but within a week this had stopped. I just wish they were sold in the UK!

  106. Great shoes

    Rating

    Great when he put it on Nice looking Really charming Very flexible I loved it and so does he He's not two yet, He always point he wants to put it on even if we're not going down, He didn't do this with any new pair we've got before Soft on skin even without socks Easy putting on and off.. Thanks Softstar

  107. Great shoes

    Rating

    Very nice look Charming in his foot when he put it on! Easy wearing on and off Nice on skin even without socks Very felxible I really loved it❤ He's not two yet, He also loved so much All the time giving it to me pointing to wear even if it's not time to go down He didn't do this with any of his old shoes I'm looking forward to getting the next size from now❤ Thanks Softstar

  108. Awesome shoes

    Rating

    Let me start with I NEVER write reviews. After my 19month old had gone through 3 pairs of reputable shoes in 4 months I went to the inter webs for help. Came across Softstar, liked what I saw and pulled the trigger. I love these shoes! I have 3 kids and hands down these are the best shoes I have ever purchased. My son has worn his Softstar shoes everyday for the past 5 months and they are still going strong. Thanks Softstar for making a quality shoe.

  109. Perfect pair of shoes for little walkers.

    Rating

    The only shoes we have bought for our son have been Softstar. We love them, and he seems to be happy with them too. They are great quality, last the entire season, and look cute too! We get so many comments on our son's shoes. We will certainly be return customers for a long time to come!

  110. Wonderful experience

    Rating

    Wonderful shoes; high quality leather, soft, comfortable, flexible. My son wears ramblers since he started walking, and he is five now. Love this shoes!

  111. Love these!

    Rating

    I bought a size 9 for my big footed 2 1/2 year old. They are awesome, super easy to put on. I love the red color, he gets compliments all the time, plus the red color will work for his little sister when he grows out of them. They've held up really well. I'm going to apply water resistant to them to hold up in the PNW rain. Never had a tripping issue.

  112. Fantastic experience and product

    Rating

    My son always prefers to wear his "star shoes" over anything else. He still has baby feet and the wide fits perfectly. He can maintain his natural stride and build his foot muscles in these shoes since they don't have an elevated heel. They look great with nearly all of his clothes - the red is super cute. His older male relatives all want a pair! I had to return one pair since I wanted slightly more growing room in the length of the shoe and the Elves were great as usual.

  113. Love them!

    Rating

    I have tried to keep my kids in minimalist shoes since they started walking. I've even made them a few pairs of moccasins, but when my son started preschool, they required something with rubber soles. I'd read about Softstar, but was pleased to see that they sold shoes with the rubber sole, while keeping things soft, flexible, and simple. These shoes are very well constructed. Better than other brands that I've seen and my handmade ones. My son (3) loves them and they are so cute and easy for him to put on by himself. We will definitely be return customers!

  114. Great shoes for little kids

    Rating

    My 21 month old grandson just got his first pair of Ramblers. Now he has shoes just like his brother and cousin and he loves them. I've seen some complaints about the edge of the sole being too big and causing the child to trip, however, we did not have this problem with any of the kids. From the moment he put them on, he was running everywhere, with no more falling than when he was wearing his Roos. I'd hate to put little feet into any other kind of shoes.

  115. Tripping over

    Rating

    I agree with previous reviews. My toddler trips over the bit that sticks out ALL THE TIME. Otherwise they are super comfy and fit perfectly. I wish that she didn't trip so much over the edge. Softstar please fix this issue with the next series of shoes? THAAANKS.

  116. Only shoes my son will tolerate

    Rating

    My son was an early walker, with big, fat feet. He outgrew crib shoes before he could walk, and thicker shoes he acted like there were concrete blocks on his feet, or pulled them off immediately. These shoes he will actually bring to me to put on. He still runs around barefoot quite a lot, but I'm so glad to have a cute shoe that he likes for going out in public. I also love that they are made in the USA.

  117. A Winner!

    Rating

    With the exception of snow boots, my sons (5.5 and 2.5) have exclusively worn Soft Stars since they started walking. The Rambler is a solid, all-around good choice -- you couldn't ask for better. Simple, very well-made, wide toe box, very flexible, looks great, gets lots of compliments. It really is a fantastic shoe for kids. We have had several different color combinations over the years, and wasn't sure about this blue on blue one in particular, but they are actually pretty sweet in person. My kids love them, I love them, and Soft Star is unmatched in customer service -- just a great company that I truly enjoy supporting.

  118. Best shoes!

    Rating

    We got these for our young toddler-early walker who has wide, chubby feet. After some measurements and a quick email to customer service to make sure we were ordering the correct size, we received them in just a few days. They're easy to put on, stay on fairly well, and he took to walking in them instantly. We love the great quality, they're so soft and flexible, and everything we wanted for his little feet. We'll definitely order again!

  119. Awesome Shoes for the Beginning Walker

    Rating

    These are incredible, everything I have been looking for to support the development of my son's little feet. I returned several other brands of shoes before trying these. They are so flexible and are of amazing quality, I was doubtful that they were of higher quality than his bobux soft soles but they are!

  120. Love these shoes!

    Rating

    I ordered a size 6 for my 20 month old daughter. We really love these shoes for her! She can get them off unassisted and they don't fall off. She is also very sensitive to heat, especially her feet. She doesn't seem to overheat or get sweaty in these. She trips less and plays with less caution because she doesn't have clunky shoes causing her problems! This is our second pair of Soft Stars, we just love them! I hope to order some shoes for myself in the future!

  121. Great fall colors match more than I expected

    Rating

    We love this style shoe in narrow width. I purchased these instead of custom as our custom pair went missing for a spell. These colors are great fall colors and match more than I expected for both girls and boys clothing! My child is currently 3 and her Soft Stars are her favorite shoes!

  122. Overall great shoe

    Rating

    My 4yo has been wearing Ramblers (and this is her current style) since she started walking. We really like these, they are cute, flexible, easy to slip on by herself, and the DIY option is great! The only downside we've had with all the Ramblers is that, after only a few months' use, every shoe gets a hole at the big toe due to it pushing the fabric outward (the hole develops at the seam, so is easily fixable). I guess it's better than the toes being squished in a too-small, non-flexible shoe, but it's kind of annoying to have repair the hole multiple times before we upgrade to the next size. Also, I agree that it would be great to have a thinner sole option, although I'm guessing they wouldn't last as long due to little ones being rougher on them. The sole for the larger sizes (I think 8 and up?) is too thick, IMO.

  123. Love these

    Rating

    My daughter loves these shoes. She has the lace ups but prefers these as they are easy to pull on herself. For any other Aussies, we buy these little ones in the size above our regular size. My daughter is a size AU8 and we bought 9 for these. And they fit perfectly.

  124. Shoe Love

    Rating

    My son hates most shoes and all socks. He's starting Montessori school in 2 weeks and we bought these for classroom shoes. He tried them on and now he wants to wear them everywhere! We are going to have to order a second pair for school, as he has claimed these. He did trip quite a bit when he first started wearing them, but that has improved a lot in the past day or so as he's gotten used to them. I'm happy that they are made in the USA and are adorable. Thanks, Elves!

  125. great

    Rating

    I can second barefootmama's opinion - i would love a xero shoes barefoot sole on the shoes. Other than that, tops.

  126. Very well made

    Rating

    This is a very well made shoe. The quality is excellent! The first review doesn't make sense. So the poster loves the shoes but he / she selected 3 stars because of the school!

  127. I love but...

    Rating

    I love the look of this shoe, and my daughter loves them. Unfortunately however, her school does not let her wear them anymore. They said after 3 months, "just please put her in regular shoes from now on..." :(

  128. Unforgettable

    Rating

    My son started walking unassisted at 15 months, the very day he wore his Soft Star shoes for the first time.

  129. Close to Barefoot

    Rating

    I have twin 1-year-old boys, and their daycare insists they wear shoes. I didn't want them in something clunky or something that would hinder the development of their feet & ankles. I wanted a soft, flexible shoe with zero heel lift & that's what this shoe is. Both my boys walk great in them. My only complaint is the ridge that sticks out around the shoe. Occasionally it catches on things. I worried my boys would trip over, but thankfully they don't. I really like these shoes, with no ridge I'd give them a 10 (other color options would be nice, too).

  130. Great fit for wide feet.

    Rating

    Shopping for my daughter's shoes has been a nightmare. Her feet are wide, and even in shoe brands that carried wide, it seems the toes were narrow. These shoes fit great, and she has no complaints about foot pain in these. Already she has played in the slushy snow, and they look the same. Her feet stayed dry. The only thing is the soles don't offer much traction, so she fell quite a bit in the mud and snow. I will be purchasing again from Soft Star again, but next next time I'll buy the shoes with the rugged soles for more traction.

  131. Great shoe for my wide foot daughter!

    Rating

    My daughter has wide feet, so we've had a challenging time shopping for her. We decided to give Soft Star a try, and we are glad we did. They fit well, and are beautifully constructed. From right out of the box, she hasn't wanted to take them off. I found the sizing tips very helpful, and the Soft Star customer service very friendly and overall amazing! We will definitely be buying here again!

  132. The best shoes!

    Rating

    I bought these for my 3 year old for Christmas (I also got a youth size for my 6 year old and adult size for myself). They are such awesome shoes. They are so well made and cute. Plus, they are super comfy. We love to wear them around the house but I've even worn them on a snowy day. I got the sheepskin innersoles for them as well. I feel so great about these shoes I don't ever want to buy a cheap Chinese pair of shoes ever again! I definitely plan to try their boots and sandals. :)

  133. the cutest shoes!

    Rating

    My 3 year old wore these for a year almost every day! We got lots of compliments, and when we did, I'd tell them softstarshoes.com. He outgrew them a month ago, and I'm tired of shoving his foot into conventional shoes and tying the laces on his chukka boots. He takes "regular" shoes off within an hour of putting them on, so I'm looking forward to some new "elf shoes", as he calls them, that he will keep allllllll day. Many thanks to the Soft Star elves!

  134. great when kids are better walkers

    Rating

    We love Soft Star Shoes! These are the only shoes my 3.5 year old daughter has ever worn once she got good on her feet. The quality, durability, selection and customer service overall at Softstar is a 5. However, with these shoes we have noticed that for toddlers they are always tripping over the soles as soft star fan commented. We had the same experience with both our kids and I wonder if there is a way to make the stitching for sizes 5, 6 or so stick out a bit less because the kids trip on them.

  135. Quite pleased!

    Rating

    I ordered a pair of these shoes for my son, and was sent Roos instead. I called the company, and they rush manufactured a pair of Ramblers that I recieved in just a few days. Pretty cool, especially since it's just before Christmas! I even got a free bottle of Rain and Snow. I love these shoes, and so does my son. He has been wearing them all over the house, and even wants to wear them to bed. I do wish Soft Star would make a Rambler with rubber like the 4mm Xero shoes. That would be the perfect shoe in my opinion!

  136. Difficult to walk in

    Rating

    These are very good looking shoes and we got many compliments for them. However, my 2-year-old son has difficulty walking in these. He trips so much that after a two weeks, we've decided to not let him wear them anymore. The problem seems to be the outer rim of the sole which sticks out quite a bit (relative to the small size of the shoe). These are large and awkward on his feet compared to the moccasin-type shoes he's been wearing up to now. We love barefoot shoes but these are too clumsy for toddlers.

  137. amazing shoe for children

    Rating

    I bought the shiny dark purple rambler for my 3 1/2 year old and had to get the blue as well. We are so happy with Soft Star shoes! Needless to say, that's all my daughter will be wearing now!

  138. amazing shoe for children

    Rating

    I purchased this shoe for my 3 1/2 year old after discovering that the only shoe wide enough to fit her foot was a croc. The 10 wide fit her perfectly and she calls them her "happy shoes". They are holding up well and the construction and detail is amazing!
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You're reviewing: Child/Youth Rambler
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Customer Questions

Finding the right size shoe for your children can be challenging, especially because you never know when an unexpected growth spurt will come along. Fortunately, we have a lot of experience helping parents find the right size for their little ones, and we've gone through it with our own kids, too.

As a general rule of thumb (literally), have your child try on the shoe and make sure the heel is pushed all the way back. We recommend having a thumb's width of space between your child's toes and the front seam of the shoe. We have found this to be a good amount of space to allow for growing room without being too big.

Following these guidelines, parents buying new shoes during back-to-school season can usually expect the size to last most, if not all of the new school year (but again, growth spurts can be unpredictable).

Softstar shoes that are still in brand new condition may be returned for a refund for any reason within 45 days of receipt from any country in the world. This also applies to shoes that you customized with your own unique colors and motifs. We will refund the full cost of the shoes, but customers are responsible for all return shipping charges.

Visit our returns page to learn more.

There are some exceptions to this policy: shoes treated with leather care products, shoes purchased from our biannual clearance sales and shoes made with advanced requests are non-returnable.

Your refund will be applied after the shoes arrive at our shop. If you would like to exchange your shoes for a different size/color/style then you can simply place a new order at your convenience.

Please let us know if you need help with a return. Softstar also has a Happy Feet Guarantee which outlines replacements/returns for workmanship, fit or durability concerns. 

We 100% guarantee we will repair or replace any defects in leather, sheepskin or workmanship free of charge within 30 days of receiving your shoes. This does not cover wear and tear or misuse on behalf of the consumer. Wear and tear is damage that naturally and inevitably occurs as a result of normal use.

We stand by our product and will send you a return shipping label and either repair or replace your shoes if they fail for durability as described below:

  • Peeling of leather finish or print within the first 6 weeks, excluding our shiny leathers which naturally scuff and/or develop patina appearance with normal wear.
  • Stitching defects within first 3 months.
  • Heel support detachment within 3 months.
  • Innersole bunching, coming loose or developing bald spot within 3 months.
  • Sole delamination within 3 months.
  • Leather inlays coming loose within 6 months.
  • Non-functional closures (VelcroTM, buckles, elastic failures, zippers) within 12 months.

Click here for more details about our guarantee.

It depends on what you mean...

If you want one of our existing shoe styles made with your own unique color combinations and motifs, then YES! You can choose these custom options for any style that shows the swirly "CUSTOMIZABLE" rainbow icon in the upper right corner. When you are selecting colors for these shoes you will see a "Customize Your Colors" button below our collection color options.

This is part of our everyday fun to see what creations you design as we handcraft each pair for you here in our Oregon workshop. These custom shoes are also fully returnable according to the terms of our return policy.

If you are looking for customization beyond the shoe shoe designs, colors, or sizes available on our website then we do offer limited services for special requests. Special requests such as longer straps, special motif colors, split sizes or single pairs can often be done. Click here for more details.

XWIDE can only be made in child sizes 4–12 and is not available in baby sizes 2 or 3. The XWIDE option will only appear in the width dropdown menu above if an eligible shoe size is selected.

Many parents struggle to find shoes wide enough for their children. For the majority of these cases, our standard wide width will be enough, as it is already wider than most other shoes. However, a small percentage of our customers have children who experience a toddler growth phase with extra chunky feet. We call them "potato feet" in our workshop, and they usually even out after a few years. In addition to being wide, these children's feet often have unusually high insteps that make it difficult to even get their feet inside most shoes. Our XWIDE width option was designed specifically for this situation.

If you are unsure whether or not your child's feed are wide enough for XWIDE shoes, then we encourage you to contact our customer service team. They will ask you to provide specific measurements to determine which width will be the best fit for your child.

We can only make XWIDE shoes in certain styles. Due to the extra labor and materials involved in making an XWIDE shoe, selecting this width incurs a $10 surcharge. Sorry, but XWIDE is not available for customized shoes at this time.

If your child wears a half size then we recommend ordering the larger size.

All Softstar shoes are 100% designed and handcrafted at our workshop in Philomath, Oregon, USA. We don't outsource any of our manufacturing processes, but instead do it all under one roof. All of our order fulfillment and shipping happens directly from our workshop, too. For more information and to see how our shoes are made, visit this page.

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