Little Kids Shoes - Worth the Money?

I've been told by two different doctors that Target, Wal-Mart, Payless shoes are fine for little ones, no need to spend the extra $$$ for Stride Rite, Crocs, etc., shoes fitting properly with wiggle room no matter what the brand is the key. As a matter of fact, both said that going barefoot as much as possible is best for feet to develop properly.

That being said, I love some of the styles of Crocs and other higher-priced brands for my little guy, but don't have the money for them. So I subscribe to several "frugal" sites that alert me to sales, specials and deals, I just saw something last week for Crocs. I also just broke out a pair of new Geox sandals for him a couple of days ago I paid $0 for last year. They were offered on My Habit, right after Amazon launched the site. They were regularly $60, offered for $25, and they had a code for $25 off any order. And I got FREE shipping! These are them, except his are brown with lime green accents, but the exact same shoe:
http://www.zappos.com/geox-kids-sandal-kraze-11-toddler-y...

I buy Gymboree, Old Navy, Carter's, OshKosh, etc., for him, but always on sale with a coupon code, the same for me, I just purchased cute summer dresses, regularly $34 for $10 each, with free shipping last week from a one-day deal posted. A couple of sites I find these deals on are http://thefrugalgirls.com/ and http://www.frugallivingnw.com/ ~ I "liked" them on Facebook and see the deals as they post, or you can receive email messages.

I apologize for going off subject, but thought if you want to buy the higher-priced brand names I'd share my tip : )
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Update ~ Here's a Crocs deal I just found today, May 9:
http://thefrugalgirls.com/2012/05/dawson-mary-jane-crocs....

4 moms found this helpful

As long as the shoe is flexible when you try to bend it, that's really all that matters. If the shoe is stiff as a board, maybe pass on it but I don't believe you HAVE to buy the most popular brands to have a decent shoe. I've bought both, Stride-Rite and Target and really, it comes down to if the shoe fits, buy it. If you have any outlet malls near you, you can always check the shoes stores there if you are freaked out, but I wouldn't be, your kids feet will turn out fine whether they wore a cheaper Target shoe or an expensive designer shoe.

3 moms found this helpful

When my daughter was three years old, I took her to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon because she kept complaining about pain in her feet. It turned out to be nothing, but I asked if the fact that I had her wearing cheap Target sandals was going to mess up her feet. He said no. There is no evidence that wearing the more expensive shoes will be of any benefit or prevent foot problems in most children.

I tend to buy more expensive brand shoes for my kids just because they last longer, my kids' feet sweat less in them, and they are comfortable. But I usually get them when they are on sale at Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack. A few weeks ago, I got my son a pair of $50 leather Stride Rite shoes at Nordstrom Rack for $17.

My children are tiny and their feet don't grow very fast. If I had to buy more than one pair of shoes per season, I'd probably stick with the $4 clearance shoes at Target.

By the way, we love Stride Rite, New Balance, Umi, and Crocs.

3 moms found this helpful

Stride-Rite are very good quality and worth the money. Also, Sketchers and New Balance hands-down take the most wear and tear. I also used to buy the cheaper shoes, but found I was buying multiple pairs in a season. In the long run, it ended up being cheaper to go with more money and better quality.

3 moms found this helpful

Nope never paid more than about $15 dollars for my kids shoes while they were still growing like crazy and/or tearing them up rapidly. And none of them have any foot problems.

Now that they are older and have for the most part stopped growing (at least the older two) and aren't growing 4 shoe sizes in a year ... I'm willing to spend more on their shoes because I know they will last longer.

3 moms found this helpful

My son is 9, I buy him Nike, Adidas, Converse, Puma, etc.
When he was 4, I was still buying Stride Rite.

It's worth it. They will measure correctly & leave some growing room.

2 moms found this helpful

Oh please. If that mom thinks expensive shoes somehow avoid foot development issues - then SHE can buy your kids' shoes.

I digress - how about a question for a question:
Before the super cushioned, aerobic, flex, arch-super-supporting latest kinetic technology came out - how did all of our feet survive?

2 moms found this helpful

I won't make my kids wear cheap or used shoes. I don't, so I don't expect them to.
That being said, I don't pay a lot for their shoes. $25 is the absolute most I will pay for shoes, and that is rare. The last two pairs of Skechers I bought for my 3 and 5 year olds were $12 and $10 at JCPenney's 1st and 3rd Fridays "Best Price" sale. They're even light up ones that normally retail for around $55. I check clearance and many online sites regularly and I buy off season in the next size up. I have gotten pretty good at guessing which size they will grow into next. I usually spend around $10-$15 for crocs (which my kids live in during the summer).
I never have been able to understand why people buy shoes for full price at cheaper stores or buy them used, when I can (about 98% of the time) find new, name brands priced less on sale or on clearance.
Skechers hold up very well to my flat footed, rough on shoes 3 and 5 year olds. For the other two, who have more average feet, we have had good luck with New Balance, Nike and Puma.
Kohls usually has good clearance on shoes with/a coupon, JCP is my new find for "best price" shoes, piperlime sometimes has good clearance, crocs.com has great sales, 6pm.com is also a good place to check.
I've never been a huge fan of Stride Rite. Even their sale prices are high and quite frankly, I think their boys shoes are mostly ugly (I have all boys).

2 moms found this helpful

I usually buy Stride Rite. They are expensive, but the quality is good. And, I think kids should have good shoes. I just got my 6 year old two new pair--but they were buy one get one 1/2 price. So, I got 2 pairs of Stride Right shoes for $60. I also have 2 younger sons, so sometimes the shoes can be passed down.

2 moms found this helpful

Yes it's worth it. Soft, real leather and good support is important for growing feet. When my kids were little they generally only had one pair of shoes at a time anyway so they wore them every day, which means we got our money's worth. I did go cheap on shoes they would only wear occasionally, like dress up shoes or snow boots.

2 moms found this helpful

First of all, they are not 45 dollars or more. I always buy stride rite since my son would walk and I never spend more than 35 dollars since they are always having sales. Not the BOGO one, the regular sales. They measure your child's foot correctly and at the age of 4, a pair of shoes last at least 6 months. I only had one issue with a pair of shoes getting a tear in the leather and I contacted the company and they send me a brand new pair! So yes, completely worth it. Never a blister or issue.

2 moms found this helpful

I'm a Payless/Target parent, too. I try to buy her decent shoes but she outgrows them so fast. I do not buy the ones that she says pinch or don't offer any support for her foot. I was given some Stride Rites that a friend's daughter outgrew before they were ever worn so she has a couple of pairs. I also found a little shoe shop that sells shoes in onesies and twosies and sell Stride Rite for $20. Look for retailers like that, too.

When I was a kid, I did have foot problems and my pediatrician suggested Stride Rites. But so far DD's doctor is unconcerned. I do plan to make some "shoe investments" in the fall for a good pair of sneakers (I personally like Sketchers for myself) and a good pair of nice but not dressy shoes she can wear to preschool with a dress or skirt. I plan to check that shoe outlet I mentioned earlier.

2 moms found this helpful

Yes, I buy Stride Rites for my son. I just recently bought a pair of slip on shoes from Target and Grandma thought she was helping by buying cheapie shoes from Marshalls so right now we only have those - I will see how he walks in them - the soles are not totally stiff. The main issue is you want the sole to be flexible and easy for them to walk in. Plus my son needs wide and cheap shoes are not avail in wide so much.

2 moms found this helpful

Well we buy Jordans, sketchers, reebok, kswiss, and things like that. But we have girls, and its also a fashion choice. I dont buy the cheap brand tennis, but I do buy sandles at places at target, but i dont buy too many of walmarts clothes or shoes. I think its worth it, the quality, and they do last longer. and are easy for resale.

2 moms found this helpful

we purchase the cheap shoes, but they get worn so quickly. The quality shoes are expesive, but they last longer.

1 mom found this helpful

when they are just learning to walk, then stride rite has some great shoes that are softer soled shoes. I bought stride rite for both my kids when they were younger. Now I just bought my daughter some sketchers from jcpenney for only $35. I've had my sketchers for 3 years now and they are still in almost perfect condition. I have bought target brand for them in the past and they fell apart pretty quickly. So, for us, we do buy the name brands and also go a 1/2 size larger so they last longer. Once my kids out grow them, they are still perfect shoes and so we just wash them and give them to my friend who has 4 kids

1 mom found this helpful

No it's not better. I cannot imagine how a kids foot feels in his shoes so watch to see how he is walking when he tries them on. Are his feet straight? Is he walking with one turning inward or both of them? Then they may not be fitting correctly. I think the arches are one thing I can't judge though. I would not want one that was too high or too low.

Other than these things shoes are shoes.

1 mom found this helpful

We have always gone with stride rite but now that they are getting older i will still go for a good running shoe or something with them. sketchers dont last more than a month with my son they fall apart. He now has a pair of new balance that have lasted a lot longer than the others.

1 mom found this helpful

Babies' and children's bones are soft and plyable for that reason they need the best support for their feet. Your child will have healthy feet with good arches if you buy them good shoes.
When you think about how much your child runs, jumps, bounces ect his joints can take quite a beating in the course of a day. Children need good supportive shoes to properly form their feet and protect their joints from injury.
My daughter gets shoes for her son from the Stride-rite outlet when they go on sale. They are usually a BOGO and sometimes she will get one pair to fit and the other a half to full size bigger for him to grow into. He is also 4.

1 mom found this helpful

Funny thing is at that age I did and now that mine are older, I don't. As they've gotten older, like most of the time they didn't want to wear the expensive shoes and they are really a waste of money... What I found out about later is Zappos. That was you can order several pairs and have your son walk around in them on carpet indoors for more than 2 min and make sure he actually likes them. If he does, then they do last longer and I kind of took the view that their feet were still so kind of little then that maybe it did matter. And a boy likely wears the same pair of shoes all the time vs girls want to change a lot and no way am I buying 4 pairs of expensive shoes. So maybe invest once in really good ones and see what you think. Like I said, they really do last longer so if you leave some room to grow, it might be worthwhile.

1 mom found this helpful

I had to buy my son stride rite becuase he had a hugely fat foot - still does - and no one else made extra wides. But I would go to the outlets and get them for half the price. They say it's best to let your kid be barefoot as much as possible (around the hosue, etc.) and wear shoes only when needed for safety. Outdoors, playgrounds, stores, etc. While I'm sure there's nothing wrong with cheap shoes keep in mind it's good to have your child's foot measured properly so you're getting the right size, and it's good to feel the inside of the shoe to make sure there's nothing rubbing, being abrasive. Finally natural fibers are better if kiddo is going to be in closed shoes for many hours at a time - so if leather's not available then canvas or cloth so their little feet can breathe.

1 mom found this helpful

I am very fortunate that Grandma buys the shoes for her grandkids because she believes in good shoes. We buy See Kai Run shoes. My DD has had several pairs from Walmart, Target, Kohls, etc. and while they are cheaper in the beginning, she will only wear them for a short while because they hurt her feet. So, in the end, she goes and put her See Kai Runs back on. I don't like Stride Rites because I always get kicked and they are a lot harder leather. Look at the cost over a growth period and it may be less expensive in the long run to buy one good pair instead of several cheap ones. In my case it sure is!

1 mom found this helpful

When my son's feet stop growing so quickly, then I would consider getting him some more expensive shoes. But for now, I have found nothing wrong, with the cheaper shoes. I only paid $12 for his shoes now, and he runs, walks, and plays just fine in these. They have lasted a few months now, and still look great. Just because they are cheap doesn't mean they aren't going to last a good while. Also, according to many doctors there's nothing wrong with cheaper shoes. When it's all you can afford you do what you can.

It's just people's preference and what they can afford.

1 mom found this helpful

I love
seekairun.com
for littles' shoes. Totally worth the money, last a long time, super soft for developing feet, boxy to accomodate chubby feet too. They typically have decent sales as well.

1 mom found this helpful

I always get shoes at Stride rite because my daughter has wide feet and no other shoes fit. I get her school shoes there because she is in them most of the time. She does have some sparkly shoes from K-mart but she doesn’t wear them all the time.

I like the quality of the shoes Stride Rite sells, my daughter grows out of them before they ever start to come apart. I think most people will say get the better shoes because your feet affect the rest of your body and posture. You also want to be sure there is a good amount of cushion to absorb shock when children run, jump and play.

They have sales and offer coupons all the time so check the website too.

These are what my daughter likes to wear and they fit her wide foot well.

http://www.striderite.com/store/SiteController/striderite...

1 mom found this helpful

Well, now that we have a local Kohl's they get a lot of Sketchers, Nike, Adidas, etc. But I'm not too proud to wear or put my kids in Payless!

Last night we were at Kohl's and found some flip flops on sale for $2.99!! We are going to the beach for a week on Sunday, so my daughter and I both got a pair. They didn't have them for the little boys, but they did have some for $21.99! OUCH! We got them because they needed them and it will save me another trip this week.

1 mom found this helpful

My DD has wide feet, and Keen has been the best shoe to accommodate her feet. I like the toe protection they have so that they don't wear out quickly. I don't like how the "boy's" and "girl's" shoe color is so gender specific, but that's a problem in general. I buy Target rain boots, snow boots resale or from Land's End on sale, and Keen water sandals, sneakers and school shoes. I have bought Target shoes, or have tried, but they were too narrow.

I remember getting a pair of sandals from K-Mart every summer as a kid. I loved sandals and looked forward to the yearly tradition. I also remember that they were not the most comfy shoes I owned. There's something about shoes that if they aren't comfy, you think about your feet or shoes all day long. I don't need to inflict that on my kid if I can afford not to. (Maybe my tune will change next year!)

1 mom found this helpful

Payless carries a version of Stride-Rite. Both of my kids have shoes from Target, Payless and Kohl's. The Payless shoes for $20 have way outlasted the $40 Sketchers from Kohls.

I try not to buy shoes from Walmart. To me they are a poorer quality than Target.

1 mom found this helpful

My pediatrician told me once that barefoot (or just socks), at least indoors is best... so my girls usually go that way at home.

Out and about I try to get them shoes with a flexible sole that are comfortable. I cannot afford to spend a ton on shoes that they grow out of in a blink of an eye so most of the are under $15.

I used to work at my families boot store, and I can tell you from my training that most people problems with their footwear is NOT from cheap shoes... at least 50% of people are wearing the wrong size shoes... and most kids are wearing the wrong size! don't buy shoes a size up all of the time (or if you do, wait till the shoes are at least half a size close to fitting before you have your kids wear them.

It is better to have your kids have a pair or two of cheap shoes than just one pair of expensive shoes that start out way to big, and then they have to wear them until their feet are stuffed in like sausages.

Most uf our girls shoes come from payless or amazon... although we have a few kmart shoes. I buy sizes that are larger and then wait till they fit into them... so they have shoes that fit, and I can take advantage of sales. Right now my eldest mostly wears cheap strappy sandals from our family dollar store...

My favorite brands of kids shoes though? Probably "see kai run" and "pediped"- on sale.

-M.

1 mom found this helpful

Yes, I do think they're worth the money. My oldest daughter would not wear other brand than stride rite when she was little, I always got her the soft leathery ones with kind of foam insoles.

My middle one is less choosy and just now at 3 she wears some very pretty ones from Target. I have 3 girls so everything I buy gets good use so I don't mind paying a bit more.

I do somewhat agree with the other mom that when they're starting out walk and thru the toddler years, it just makes it more comfy for them to walk and run(also climb on furniture lol), which is all they do in that age.

1 mom found this helpful

My daughter was complaining that the cute, cheap shoes from Target hurt her feet while she was at school. I started buying better shoes for her but still haven't found that one brand that works well for her in terms of style and comfort. I buy Umi shoes for my toddler and my five year old. The 5 year old loves them but his go to pair right now is made by Merrell.

Umi's a little pricey but they have a clearance section on their website and a shoe of the month that is marked down, so it's a little more affordable. They have nice wide toes but they are sold in European sizes and the conversion isn't foolproof.

1 mom found this helpful

I try to buy a quality shoe for her primary shoes...it has to have arch support, padding, etc. I used to buy Stride Rite shoes, but they are so darn expensive and didn't last better than other brands. Now, I usually buy Buster Brown's or Skeetchers from Famous Footwear (during a buy one get one 1/2 off sale) or Carters from Kohl's. For dress shoes, I usually go to Target, as they have cute shoes at a good price.

1 mom found this helpful

You don't have to spend $45 bucks on a pair of Stride Rites. We have an outlet with shoes for $20 bucks, and you can also find SR & other good quality shoes at places like Ross, TJ Maxx, and online. You can also buy on Ebay, sometimes the shoes might have been worn once & then grown out of. You just have to know where to look.

I sometimes think it's the fit & size that more of a difference than anything else, though.

1 mom found this helpful

My son is 5 and we have been buying him Nike's for as long as I can remember. Now, there was a time when I did pick up a pair or two at either target or walmart for $10 - $20 when he arount 2, but they literally lasted a few weeks only before he tore them apart. Nikes last my son a long time, (We've tried Sketchers - they don't last for us). I usually shop at Shoe Carnival and when it's BOGO - so I can get him two pairs and he alternates, so they last a little longer.

1 mom found this helpful