Looking for Decent Quality Sneakers

The Sketchers outlet in Pine Trail Square at Okeechobee and Military in West Palm Beach was recommended to me by a family with 5 children. Mom is a doctor. The latest styles are buy one get one free. The clearance shoes are at a deep discount. You get the support of a stride rite at a much lower price.

J.,

I have been buying the Payless- Champion brand. those have worked for my daughter. Normally $20/pair- if you sign up for the newletter, you get email coupons to use online or instore. If possible combine with the BOGO sales, to save more. When I buy shoes for her, I buy a size that fits then the next size up so I am not caught off guard.

robeez
good quality
buy the ones on sale 21.00
they are leather, cute, and very well made.. i love them.

I would try Ross, TJMaxx or Marshalls. I have had great luck finding brand name childrens shoes there for reasonable prices. Their inventory is always changing but they often have stride rite, nike etc for cheap.

I buy KEDS for my daughter! They were her first shoes and since they are white leather and machine washable (match everything), they continue to be my favorites. I buy them at Rack Room shoes when they have BUY ONE, GET ONE 1/2 PRICE. (I also buy my son's leather Nikes there, too and I've washed them in the machine as well.) Buy buying two sizes, I'm always ready when the kids start outgrowing their old size and with the sale it makes the price more reasonable.
I second the mom that asked if you had checked out Target lately. I liked their Mary Janes (we had navy and brown ones for my daughter) because they were the right price and matched outfits better than running shoes at times.
I also look at consignment shops (more for sandals and my son's loafers, etc... I got an almost new pair of Sperry deck shoes!)
Target and consignment shopping are more for decorative shoes ~ I stick with KEDS and NIKES for everyday wear.

By the way --I could afford to buy Stride Rites... but cringe at the expense when the kids grow out of them so quickly!
My sister has her Masters in Physical Therapy (and is now a doctoral student) and specializes in pediatric gait therapy (kids walking)... I asked her if it was necessary to spend the $$$ on Stride Rites when my daughter first started walking. She said that as long as the shoe was adequately flexible in the sole and supportive around the ankle that it wasn't necessary.

I would second the consignment store idea. I have had a lot of luck finding shoes for my son there at a fraction of the cost. Also, Once Upon a Child, which isn't consignment, but does sell used children's clothes, shoes, and toys. It's a chain, so check their website to find the closest location.

Stores like Marshall's, TJ Max have good shoes at more affordable prices. I've seen Nike and Reebok sneakers for little ones under $25. Good luck.

I don't buy much for my kids that is brand new off the shelf of the store for the exact same reason of super high prices for little bodies that are growing so quickly. I buy my kids shoes from eBay and always look for new, like new, barely worn, etc. For shoes I buy them Tsukuhoshi brand now.... The best sneakers ever! And they retail for $ 50 + in Nordstroms. They are very light, flexible and have a washable antibacterial insole. They hold up to even the toughest kids. I bought my last few pairs on eBay for I think $15 for one and $7 for another....like new. I have also bought several pairs of Stride Rites for very cheap too. I just go to the store, see the styles I like and size my kids wear in that brand and then search it on eBay. I've always been happy and my kids stay in nice shoes for a fraction of the cost....

Target actually carries the brand Champion, which is a pretty good brand of sportswear. Payless also carries some better brands than their store brand. Sears is another good place with a nice variety.

Go to Ross or Marshalls! You can get great quality, name-nrnd shoes for $15-$20! I got stride-rite's for my son there!

Have you checked out Wal-Mart and Targets offerings lately, or are you just assuming that the quality is as poor as it was in years past? I can tell you (I also have a daughter) and I am fairly picky about her shoes - but not ridiculous about brands. Right now she has the cutest mary janes from Target (the store brand) in several colors. And, under $10! Her tennis shoes are from Wal-Mart and they look far more expensive than they are. Also $10. Her last pair had to be replaced (because she grew so fast) before they had the first mark or scuff - still looked new. But that didn't bother me because I only had $10 in them. You should know that I don't do tacky - characters drive me insane and too many sparkles or colors are a definite no. These shoes passed my test. I just didn't want to to write off the obvious choice while searching for a needle in a haystack. I guess your other option would be wait for a department store sale.

Good luck. :)

It may not be worth the drive for you, but there is a Stride Rite/Sperry outlet store in Orlando (its the first one you get to on I-4). You can get Saucony or Stride Rites for as little as $15 on most days. Sometimes the least expensive is $20, but well worth it. We usually go and plan to buy two pairs per kid (current size and next size up).

Hi, J.,

I know you have gotten a lot of responses but I wanted to add that I also get my daughter's shoes at Famous Footwear when they are having their buy 1, get 1 half off sale. I like the Buster Brown shoes that they have there (there is a white leather sneaker that looks alot like the KEDS brand). The good thing about the Buster Brown shoes is that they have the "toe zone" on the bottom that shows you when the shoes are too small. I think this is a great feature and wish all shoes had it! I also found some really cute Sketchers that light up on clearance for $20.00 and ended up paying only $10 during the sale. I think someone else also mentioned that you can sign up for their rewards program which I have done and receive additional coupons for $5 and $10 off your purchase. Hope that helps!

I buy most of my children's shoes from www.6pm.com. The rest I purchase from Ebay. They have an outstanding assortment of shoes for children and very inexpensive. I've never bought shoes for them from a store in Orlando. It's worth a look.

Check out the outlet malls. There's one on the east end of I-drive and one by Disney. There's Nike, Reebok, Adidas, New Balance, Stride Rite, and many others. When I go, I won't spend more than $20 - $25 per pair and I'll usually buy two (one for now and the next size up). All outlet stores are hit or miss but if you're not set on one brand, one of the stores is bound to have something for you.

JC Penny's is having a sale buy 1 get 1 50% off. I just bought my son some sneakers and just bought the size he's in and the next size up since I know he will need them. They have a lot to choose from also.

Have you tried the Stride Rite Outlet down in St. Augustine? They typicaly have a good selection of shoes around $19.99.

Try Dillards. The one close to my house (at Oviedo Marketplace) had a huge sale. They had quite a few pairs to chose from and were 70% off! Keds, Nike, Stride Rite. Also, try Ross or Marshalls. They carry quite a few name brand shoes and have great prices on them. Good luck with your search!

Check out eBay!

I get great shoes there...we just got a pair of stride rite (new in box) for $15. We tried them on in the store and knew they fit. it is worth hunting down good shoes. Also dept stores have great sales...See Kai Run is an excelent shoe at Nordstrom (avg $30-35) sales will make them about $20-25.

We go to the Stride Rite outlet store at Orlando Premium Outlets. You can get really GREAT shoes there for around $20, sometimes less if you get lucky and catch a great sale. When he gets a bit older, try getting shoes at Sears. If you sign up (for free) for their kid program, keep the receipt and their shoes are guaranteed not to fall apart-- if they fall apart before your child outgrows them, you can get the same exact pair in the same size for free.

Also, try Once Upon a Child, the consignment shop on Colonial. If you are OK with gently used shoes, you can sometimes get a pair of Stride Rites or other great brands for really cheap. You can sell his old shoes there, too, if they are in good condition, so you get a few bucks back on your investment in a good pair!

Rack Room sells a brand called "Victory" and everytime I go in there they are always on sale for $9.95. Hope this helps!

try Kohls, i have 2 kids and that is where i get my shoes from for them. they have good sales. i just got my daughter a pair of sketchers for $21 and my son a pair of nike for the same. i've always bought them these because they are better for support i think and they last better and seems to be more flexible like they are supposed to be. if you are looking for a good arch (which the dr's now say not to have in a shoe when the kids are little) try somewhere like payless. however, payless you'll be payign the $20 so in my mind it's better to go to kohls and get the shoes on sale.

Try consignment shops. Kids grow out of shoes fast, and I often found quality name brands, like Striderite, Berkenstock, and others that look brand new.

My daughter would wear out Target shoes and then start to fall alot in the first years until i hit the outlet store and got here Vans. They have thicker soles and cost less than $20.

I let Grandparents buy the stride right shoes that work too but she grew out of them too fast for me to spend 30-50 bucks per pair.

Hi J.,

I buy almost exclusively Nike's for my son but I often get them at Famous Footwear (online and in store)-they almost always have buy one pair, get second pair 1/2 price with free shipping and if you join their free rewards club, you get coupons for $5 and $10 off every so often on top of sales and free shipping. Online has a much larger selection than in store -they have a lot of Sketcher's too which is not a brand I personally like but everyone else seems to love them :)

I definitely feel it's worth it to buy good quality shoes for them! If you're near an outlet mall, good buys can be found at Nike, New Balance, Stride Rite outlets, etc.

Hi J.,

I have found great shoes at Payless for my son. They have the cutest Airwalk sneakers for boys and girls. I feel the same way about spending alot when I need to buy shoes every couple of months. Good luck!

S.

I just got my girls skechers sneakers at the outlet, buy one get one half off. the prices to begin with were cheaper than at regular stores. plus the 2nd pair was half off. i also got their shoes at stride rite outlet, 19 each. buy good shoes but buy them at outlet. you'll pay so much less.

Playless has a buy one get one half off sale. I think its still going on right now. The quality of there shoes are a little better then walmart/target. You could also try the burlington coat factory. They sell name brands for 1/3 of what they are brand new at the stores. Love that place, I bought my son some cute Us polo's for only $9.99! Also Bells outlet stores, or any outlet stores will have name brands for 70% less then they are at department stores. I also shop at thrift stores, I bough a pair of croc name brand shoes for only $3 at once apon a child in brandon. Orlando has a huge strip mall area of just outlet stores, its a little ways away, but its worth it when they are having sales. Good luck!

I agree that sketchers are really good shoes. That is all my husband and son wear for sneakers. If we don't find any good sales at Kohls, we go to the sketchers outlet on dale mabry. They usually have buy one get one half off sales there. We just got new sneakers for my husband and son and spent $60. Not bad at all. Good Luck!

J.... I know you don't want to pay the extra $ for shoes but here's my experience-- I have a 7-year old and a 4-year old. Both boys. Both VERY flat footed. Both VERY hard on their shoes. After trying everything under the sun and having shoes that were cheap, shoes that were expensive, etc. we found that some of the cheap shoes were falling apart within a month. They never even had TIME to outgrow them. Some of the expensive shoes were falling apart. Some certainly not worth the $. The best shoes we found, BY FAR, are Skechers. You can find them at Kohls, Rack Room, and Stride Rite. Kohls and Rack Room are your best bets for price. You will pay CLOSE to $30 for a pair of shoes for a 2-year old, but they will last MUCH longer than the cheapies and probably save you money overall, even with her feet growing.
Best of luck!

Hi J.,

Do you have a Stride Rite Outlet near you? I used to pay $15 - $19 for my daughter's tennis shoes.

Good Luck!