Bobux
I-Walk First Shoes
7.5/10 overallFrom £44.00
A leather barefoot-style first shoe from the New Zealand brand best known for soft-sole baby shoes.
The verdict
Bobux I-Walk First Shoes are a leather, barefoot-style shoe from the New Zealand brand, with a flexible sole and outdoor grip pattern, priced from £44. Best for parents who prioritise natural foot development and already know their child's foot shape. The clearest reason to consider an alternative: there's no in-store width-fitting service in most UK stockists, and it's among the pricier options in this category.
Bobux built its reputation on soft-sole pre-walker shoes, and the I-Walk range is its step up for children who are walking confidently — still a genuine barefoot-style flexible sole, but with slightly more grip and structure than its earlier soft-sole range, aimed at outdoor use rather than just indoors.
It sits closer to Start-rite's Baby Bubble than to Clarks in philosophy — flexibility and natural foot movement are the priority over a firm, structured sole — but Bobux's grip pattern is designed with outdoor walking specifically in mind, which is the main practical difference from a pure pre-walker shoe.
Fit-wise, Bobux doesn't offer the same in-store width-fitting service as Clarks in the UK, so it suits parents who already know their child's foot shape or are happy sizing from the brand's size guide, rather than a genuinely first-ever shoe purchase where an in-person fitting gives more reassurance.
Is the I-Walk First Shoes worth it?
- Barefoot-style flexibility with a grip pattern suited to outdoor use
- Well regarded by parents who prioritise natural foot development
- Lightweight for a child still building walking confidence
What are the downsides of the I-Walk First Shoes?
- No in-store width fitting service in most UK stockists
- Among the pricier options in this category
Specs
- Sole
- Flexible barefoot-style with outdoor grip pattern
- Origin
- New Zealand brand, sold widely in the UK
- Closure
- Riptape
- Width fittings
- Standard only, sized via brand's guide
How we scored it
Foot Development
Sole flexibility and room for natural toe splay, per UK podiatry guidance for first walkers.
Flexible barefoot-style sole with outdoor-ready grip.
Fit & Sizing
Range of width fittings and how securely the shoe stays on a new walker's foot.
No in-store fitting service; standard width only.
Durability & Value
How well the shoe holds up against how fast feet grow at this age, including hand-me-down life.
Holds up reasonably to outdoor use, at a higher price point.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
How this review was done
We haven't used the I-Walk First Shoes ourselves yet. This review is built from Bobux's published specifications and product information, and scored the same way as everything else on the site. We'll update it, and the badge above, once we've tested it hands-on.
How it compares
|  |  | TermFirst Shoes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | From £44.00 | About £45 (often discounted to around £30) | From £34.00 | From £39.00 |
| Overall score | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| Sole | Flexible barefoot-style with outdoor grip pattern | Thin, flexible rubber outsole, barefoot-style flex | Flexible but more structured than barefoot-style brands | Thin, highly flexible barefoot sole |
| Closure | Riptape | Single riptape strap, T-bar cage-sandal cut | Riptape or T-bar buckle | Riptape |
| Width fittings | Standard only, sized via brand's guide | Standard fit only, no wide option | F (narrow) to H (extra wide), varies by style | Wide, foot-shaped last (no tapering at the toes) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Bobux I-Walk good for outdoor walking?+
Yes — it's a step up from Bobux's earlier soft-sole range, with slightly more grip and structure aimed at outdoor use rather than just indoors, while keeping a genuine barefoot-style flexible sole.
Can I get my child fitted for Bobux shoes in-store?+
No — Bobux doesn't offer the same in-store width-fitting service as Clarks in the UK, so it suits parents who already know their child's foot shape or are happy sizing from the brand's guide.
How does Bobux I-Walk compare to Start-rite's Baby Bubble?+
It sits closer to Start-rite's Baby Bubble than to Clarks in philosophy — flexibility and natural foot movement are the priority over a firm, structured sole — but Bobux's grip pattern is designed with outdoor walking specifically in mind.
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Reviewed by
Sepehr
Software engineer, soon-to-be dad, uncle to four — the tech-obsessed half of the two of us testing this stuff. Currently building this site with my wife, ahead of our own baby arriving.