Pulling off his boots to slip on his own “soft shoes,” Halahan sets off to do a little second-story work, not realizing the trouble he’s in for.

The soft, knitted Suavs shoes, however, were ready to go from the moment I slipped my feet in. They're light and very flexible, and even in the midst of a late summer heat wave, breathable.

After doing some research, I found that occupational therapists, physical therapists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend shoes with soft soles that mimic bare feet for babies who are ...