My son LOVES these shoes!  It does not have an arch which lets his own foot muscle develop. But what is more amazing is the design of the shoe which is VERY easy to put on.  Some baby shoes that look great are very difficult to put on, especially depending on the type of sock your baby wears.  This shoe is so easy to put on that my 1 /2 old can put it on his own foot and IT STAYS ON!