After being disappointed by two other pairs of Stride Rite shoes, the Monterey and the Guppy, I might have given up on the brand despite many parents who rave about them. Thankfully, I had purchased Stride Rite's First Mate model the same day I purchased the second pair that disappointed me, the Monterey model.
Like the Monterey model, these are also white fisherman sandals. But that's where the similarties end. The First Mate model offers everything the other Stride Rite shoes lacked: comfort, flexibility, durability, and ease of use. In addition, it has a few other aesthetic details that make it a clear 5 star winner in my book.
Please note that the photo shows the brown First Mate model. I bought my daughter these shoes in white. I'm not sure if this model has been discontinued, as I only found brown ones in my quick internet search. I purchased these for about $12.99 from a discount retailer (either Ross or TJMaxx) 4 months ago.
About the Shoes As you can see from the photo, these are fisherman sandals with a closed back. The collar on the back of your child's heel is cushioned, as is the pink insole. Both these features contribute to a comfortable shoe. Moreover, the leather on this model is more supple, so it is not as stiff and unforgiving as her other Stride Rite shoes. My daughter has never complained about these shoes (even now, when they're a bit small but she still likes wearing them!).
Flexibility is another positive attribute. The sole bends well and seems to be much more giving than the firmer soles of our other Stride Rite shoes. Unlike the other models, this model has two playful characters on the bottom heel of each shoe: a pink fish and a pale green starfish.
I also think these shoes have held up remarkably well. My daughter has worn them for almost 3 months. Yes, they're white, so you can see some dirt stains, but the soles and the toes are not that scuffed at all. This gives Stride Rite the edge in comparison to the See Kai Run shoes I normally favor, whose toes actually scuff quite easily because the leather is too supple/soft. This leather is actually the perfect in-between: it's not too firm and rigid, nor is it so soft and supple that it scuffs easily.
In terms of useability, I actually really like the hook and loop closure. My daughter is able to put these on and take these off with ease. While she sometimes puts the wrong shoe on the wrong foot, she can easily switch shoes when I point out the error.
Finally, I think these look quite nice. Intially, I thought the style looked a little "bulky" as it is not as sleek and streamlined as the Monterey sandal. The toe box seems a little high and rounded. However, the style quickly grew on me. There are also the little details, like the flash of pink and white stripes on the little square accent at the middle top of the ankle strap.
Final Thoughts This has been my daughter's favorite pair of sandals, even matched against far more expensive shoes. I'm hoping I'll be able to find more in larger sizes. Given the length of time we were able to use these, I'd be willing to pay full price for them if I can only find the larger sizes.
Stride Rites infant all purpose leather sandal with hook and loop strap closure, featuring a leather upper for comfort, flexible outsole for ease in w...More at eBay
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