It's the beginning of the school year, and my 7 year old son has gone through 2 pairs of sneakers already. He is so rough on shoes. Can anyone recommend a brand that holds up well? Thanks:)
Nike and Keen
Is he dragging his toes while on playground equipment or doing something else to cause excessive wear? I can't imagine going through 2 pairs of shoes already in a few weeks.
You get what you pay for in shoes, from kids to adults. Nike makes a good shoe.
Old school vans always held up for my boys.
What brand were the first two pair? Honestly, I can't imagine a shoe being so poorly made that 2 pairs have been worn out in 2 months, unless your son is really mistreating them. And to be completely honest, he is at the age where they do things to their stuff. I think it is a boy thing. I really do...
They write on the soles, they poke holes in them, they unbend paperclips and poke/prod the soles (mine did anyway), they drag the toes on the sidewalk, they drag the toes when they are riding bikes/skateboards/scooters, etc.
So first, I would have a heart to heart with the son. If you think better shoes would still be in pristine condition, then present him with a new pair and let it go. If you think that his behavior is even partially responsible for the sad state of affairs with his shoes, then present him with a new pair and warn him sternly: this is the last pair you will get until you outgrow them. If you destroy them, you will have to wear them that way, and you will have to pay me for the damages out of your own money.
Just my thoughts.
Oh.. and we bought Nike, New Balance, and Vans at varying times.
The best shoes we bought for my kids are the Nike Playground shoes. lasted until they grew out of them and my kids , especially my daughter, are really had on everything clothes.
We tried the new Champion C9 at Target this year -- did NOT hold up. It's been less than a month and they are falling apart.
The best shoes my son had were leather Pumas -- they even make them in velcro versions for little guys.
Sketchers was a good brand for us and more recently, Addidas LEATHER old school. (Zappos has a big selection) ...what I like about these is that they have good support for his foot all the way around (often, kids are in converse) and as much as I LOVE that shoe, it really isn't a good shoe for kids to run around in.. it's simply lacks support.. For a running shoe, we have tried Saucony .. it's worked well and Keen is definitely solid, my son used to wear the hiking / walking shoe.. it's kind of a mix of both..
they are pricey, but hold up and are good for the rain and mud..
My 2 year old tore up two pairs of shoes like that too. His new Sketchers have held up very well.
I really like Sketchers and New Balance. The latter esp seems to hold up well- the soles are made from recycled tires.
My 8yo has a pair of Nike and a pair of Sketchers. It helps that he has two pair, so he can alternate. Wearing socks helps, too. That took awhile to teach him. He loves wearing shoes without socks. It drives me nuts! The shoes (and feet) stink so badly when he wears them sockless.
My son went through two new pair of shoes I bought like that. I figured he moved up in size so I bough a size bigger. I thought he was just being ruff on them then finally I asked him what is he doing to his shoes. He said they hurt his feet, they were too small. I went to get him sized and sure enough, he feet really grew over the summer. Perhaps you can get his feet sized to make sure the sneakers are comfortable and he is not destroying them to make them more comfortable for him.
I have never had an issue with Stride Rite. He always outgrows them before they have an issue. If for some reason they get "trashed" the company will replace them for free.
My 8 y/o wears New Balance b/c I can always find a wide in NB. They seem to hold up pretty well for him.
We've had great luck with Sketchers. We get them at Kohl's.
