Merrell Bare Steps H20 Water Shoe Review - Turquoise/Lime, 4 US Unisex Little Kid
The Merrell Bare Steps H20 Water Shoe is a versatile option designed specifically for active little feet. With its vibrant turquoise and lime color scheme, this shoe not only looks appealing but also promotes natural movement and comfort for children as they explore their surroundings.
Crafted with care, the shoe features a 100% leather fabric type that ensures durability while being easy to clean. The innovative design of the Bare Steps H20 focuses on providing a 'barefoot' feel, allowing growing feet to move naturally without restriction.
Related Products
Features
- Extra wide toe box providing ample wiggle room for growing toes.
- Multi-directional flex grooves in the outsole enhance flexibility.
- Outsole with rounded edges mimics the natural shape of a child’s foot.
- Flexible grooves offer a barefoot experience.
- Eco-conscious footbed made of 10% recycled EVA; outsole made of 20% recycled rubber.
- Care instructions: Machine wash for easy maintenance.
Pros
- Promotes natural foot movement.
- Wide toe box enhances comfort and allows for growth.
- Durable leather construction suitable for various environments.
- Flexible design encourages a barefoot-like experience.
- Eco-friendly materials used in production.
Cons
- May not provide enough support for children who require structured footwear.
- Limited color options might not appeal to all kids.
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Product | Toe Box Width | Flexibility | Eco-Friendly Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrell Bare Steps H20 | Extra Wide | High | Yes |
| KEEN Newport H2 | Standard | Moderate | No |
| Salomon Techamphibian 4 | Narrow | High | No |
Detailed Review
The Merrell Bare Steps H20 Water Shoe stands out in the crowded market of children's footwear, primarily due to its unique features tailored for young adventurers. One of the shoe's key advantages is its extra wide toe box, which allows growing toes to spread comfortably. This is particularly beneficial for children who are still developing their foot structure. The multi-directional flex grooves in the outsole are designed to adapt to various terrains, ensuring your child can run, jump, and play freely without feeling restricted.
Moreover, the shoe boasts an eco-friendly element, using 10% recycled EVA for the footbed and 20% recycled rubber for the outsole. This aspect not only supports sustainability but also shows a commitment to reducing environmental impact, a feature many parents appreciate today.
On the flip side, the absence of substantial arch support might be a consideration if your child has specific foot care needs. While the flexible design is perfect for casual use and summer adventures, those requiring more structured shoes may find these lacking in support during extended wear. Additionally, while the turquoise and lime colors are fun, some might prefer more variety in color options.
In summary, for parents seeking a comfortable, flexible, and environmentally friendly water shoe for their little ones, the Merrell Bare Steps H20 proves to be an excellent choice. It's best suited for active play and casual outings rather than structured activities.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 9/10 | Exceptional comfort with a wide toe box and flexible design. |
| Flexibility | 10/10 | Outstanding flexibility thanks to multi-directional grooves. |
| Durability | 8/10 | Well-made with durable leather but may show wear over time. |
| Eco-Friendliness | 9/10 | Uses recycled materials, promoting sustainability. |
| Support | 7/10 | Offers minimal arch support; may not suit all foot types. |
User Reviews
We love the Merrell brand for our toddlers. Wide toe box leaves room for growth. The sizing is definitely generous compared to other brands which is great. The sole is durable, but flexible which is great for growing feet. Mine have sweaty feet so we love these for the spring-fall and bonus, they are machine washable and clean up so well. These will be passed down for sure
I can't speak highly enough of these shoes. They are classic high quality Merrell. They are so easy to slip on and off. The soles are incredibly supportive. My daughter's feet are secure in these because of the straps across the foot and around the ankle. I love that the ankle strap and straps across her feet can adjust as she grows. The velcro is so strong too! We live pretty minimally and frugally, but I wanted a high quality supportive and versatile summer shoe and these are perfect. They are so cute, people keep commenting on how cute her shoes are. They are worth the price tag in my opinion.
I keep buying these shoes because my son loves them and they are super comfortable. We don't even use them only as water shoes because we live in warm climates so we use them for hikes, bike riding, running around, and pretty much everything and they never fall apart nor make my son's feet feel sweaty or stinky. I will buy thousands more 😄😍
My daughter has had wide feet from the get-go and we have not been able to find shoes for her that fit properly for months. These were the best find for a solution for her. Straps are very easily adjustable with the Velcro. Shoe is leather in the straps and a nice footbed with a nice width. Overall a great value for the price/quality. They have held their quality and held up to high activity and lots of running. I will definitely be buying these in more colors & sizes as she grows out of them.
These are super comfy and cute for our toddler boy. Love that they are Velcro at the back and really easy to adjust to growing feet!
These fit well, my daughter is able to walk in them easily. They are not too bulky. I chose this shoe because it is a “barefoot” shoe, so much better for development. She goes into water with them (sprinkler not fully submerged) and they’ve held up well all summer. I’d recommend!
These check all the boxes for me, flexible soles and wide toe box (both very important for foot health), durable soles, comfy straps, velcro for easy on and off, and they’re cute! My only complaint and why I docked a star, the inner sole material wore down extremely quickly, like less than a month of having them and they look much, much older.
We love love love these shoes. They are the most flexible shoes we have. Great quality, light weight, with great traction, breathable… the list goes on. We have ordered our 3rd pair and sad that we are going to be growing out of the available sizes very soon. Please make these in every size