So - my daughter was an early walker and not very skilled at that.
We had her only in soft soled shoes for the longest time.

She wanted to go outside more - so these were her first pair of hard soled shoes.
It took a little getting used to, but they have held there own.

They go into the wash and are dry in the morning.
She runs around her childcare center all day - no holes - no stains - no cheap stitching.

And - for those moms out there with strong willed children, they don't completely knock you out when you get kicked in the face or have one lobbed at your head when your kid is trying to show how excited they are!