1st shoes & sticker shock

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1

Ladies -

We just bought our 9 month old his first shoes. (stage 2 at stride rite). he isn't walking independently as yet, but he is cruising nicely, and walking behind push toys. It was a big milestone for this first time momma. My heart went pitter patter, and then, my wallet went pitter patter.

I didn't expect the $50+ price tag. Any suggestions for good children's shoe stores which are less costly? My MIL suggested 2nd hand shoes, but I hear those can be damaging to young feet. Also, I have flat feet, and problem feet run in my family.

Are there any good cheaper options? Am I silly to write off 2nd hand shoes?

Thanks a bunch.

2

Look for the SmartFit shoes at Payless Shoe Source. They're made by Stride Rite.

3

2nd hand shoes is never a good idea - especially for babies. Unless of course, you absolutely can't afford new shoes.

Try Marshalls and TJ Maxx. They have a great selection of baby shoes for a discount.

Also, get your baby's feet measured at Stride Rite and then shop online for cheaper shoe (Zappos has free returns).

4

Wow, I would NEVER pay that much for kids' shoes!! I buy all of my kids' shoes at Target, the Circo brand is great. My son is ROUGH on shoes (he's 5) and his shoes still last for 6+ months. They are under $20. At 9 months, your son definitely doesn't need anything fancy. I leave my kids barefoot at that age, unless they are outside, then I just get those leather Robeez ones at Target.

5

i dont see why 2nd hand shoes would be bad...I mean they hardly wear them, my daughters still look brand new years later...I just found them while packing the other day

6

Let him go barefoot as much as possible. Shoes do not do anything to prevent flat feet - actually if he is able to grip with his toes, that will help build his arches naturally. You can get Robeez shoes for him to wear whenever he'll be indoors (if and when it's necessary that he's not barefoot). Robeez are the closest to barefoot that you can get.

Other than that, if he'll be walking outdoors or on rough terrain, I really do like the Stride Rite shoes. Check and see if there's an outlet mall near you. Sometimes you can find a Stride Rite outlet where they'll sell the shoes at half price.

7

My kids and I like to wear Sketchers and I only buy them when:

  1. They are on sale
  2. They are on clearance or
  3. We are at the Sketchers outlet store

Kohls has good deals on shoes.

8

the problem with buying the expensive shoes (for me) is that I never want them to ruin them so I never put them on. And then they don't fit. If you get them at target, walmart, payless, sure they might fall apart but when that happens they don't fit anyway. I would not do 2nd hand shoes for everyday shoes but for special occasion shoes I can't see them wearing them enough for it to cause problems.

9

I'd get 2nd hand shoes for special occasion/dress up shoes, but stick with new if you are worried about problem feet. The 9 month old really doesn't need shoes though - you can wait a long time and let him go barefoot (they say it's best anyway). Check around for a Stride Rite outlet. They have an awesome clearance section.

10

Absolutely do NOT put used shoes on ANY child, ever. Shoes form to fit a foot, and are not designed to be worn by two children (or two adults). The only shoes I've ever saved to "hand down" to another child were dressy shoes that were only worn a few times.

However, you don't have to buy shoes for a baby for 50 dollars, either...you realized he's going to outgrow them in a few weeks! :) They go through shoes pretty quickly at this age, although my youngest, who is 15 months old, has been in the same shoes for about 3 months (yay!) but ready to outgrow.

My suggestions would be to stay away from anything vinyl, plastic, etc, as shoes made from these materials are not good for feet. Leather is best, but you can find nice leather shoes for much cheaper than what stride rite charges, just be prepared to size them yourself or have "inadequate" help. I know everyone is so thrilled with stride rite (my mom swears by it, all my shoes came from it) but I, personally, am not super plussed by their shoes.

Once my oldest was walking well, we put her in what's basically known as a "skater" tennis shoe...wide, cushy sole, well padded ankles and heels. You can get nice leather ones, and they are very attractive, and can be thrown in the washing machine (yay!). I think in the early years we paid around 30-40 a pair, depending (brands include Etnies, DC, Adidas, AirWalk, K Swiss) and they've gotten a little more expensive now that she's in children's sizes (she wears a 1.) I don't know what shoes stores are available in your area, but try a Foot Locker (or something like that)...that's what always worked best for me.

My youngest, all summer, as been wearing a pair of Adidas sandals that are essential made out of foam. They have a heel strap and two top straps that velcro, so they are completely adjustable to fit her foot well and they are super comfy. She loves them. (However, she's walking/running, etc, and is 15 months old. She's been wearing them since 12 months.)

11

I didn't buy shoes until my daughter started walking seriously. Before they actually need them to protect their feet when walking outside they are simply a fashion accessory.
Unless the weather requires closed watertight shoes I would stick with barefoot inside the house and soft soled outside. Robeez are expensive, but Target makes an equivalent for $15 a pair.
Once you actually need shoes, I personally shell out the big bucks. I would never buy a $50 pair of shoes for myself, but for kids shoes, you really do get what you pay for.

What I buy cheap or used are dress shoes, that are not meant o be worn every day or for extended periods of time. As for used shoes those may be an option while your child is still little. I have found a few pairs that obviously had never been worn (maybe they were a present and the wrong size...) at the second hand store and I felt comfortable putting them on my daughter. I would not buy used shoes that show any sign of wear though.

Most foot problems in children and adults are caused by improper footwear... and it is now a common recommendation to let your children walk barefoot as much as possible to support a healthy development of their feet.

12

You spent $50! Are you kidding??

Next time try Payless Shoes. They are just as good and about $20.

13

At nine months and in summer, I wouldn't bother with shoes. Barefoot is best for kids until they are walking, and as early walkers. It helps there body learn how to walk when they can feel and grip and move freely.

For my 2 year old, we did buy the stride rites (now that she is older I don't think she needs them but my MIL insists so she buys them :)). I agree with everyone, no second hand for everyday use, but dress up or fancy is okay. Check outlets. I also have bought a few pairs on eBay. They have New in the box, with tags Stride Rites on there. I just took my daughter to the store, had her foot measured, wrote down a few styles we liked and then searched for them on eBay. When she was about 15 months I ordered 3 pairs (two tennies and a sandle) and paid $25 for the shoes and shipping all together. They were all new in the their origional boxes and from Stride Rite. My daughter has very small feet and doesn't grow to quickly so I have been lucky about not having to replace them too frequently.

14

Well I bought regular store brand shoes for my son when he started walking. The soles were so hard , I wondered if it is even comfortable for my son. I then got stride rite shoes for him, they are so good. They were having a sale last month when I got it, so I got them less than 30 dollars. It's very important children wear good shoes when they just start to walk. These shoes are recommended by pediatric orthos. I am planning to buy these shoes for my son next couple years atleast and after that buy him regular shoes. Yes, hard to imagine shoes for my little one cost more than what I generally buy for myself. But if it's the best for him, and I am all for it. Look for sales though, I got 3 shoes for little less than $100 instead of 2 and I need not buy anymore until next year since I got bigger sizes.

15

My sister gets stride rite for her son because he has fat feet she always shops the outlet she also finds them at marshalls for a lower price.
I always let my kids go barefoot at home and when we were out they were robeez that I found on clearance at an outlet because they were last season.

16

I buy my sons shoes at payless. He is 2.5 and wears wide shoes. Hes been wearing smart fit in wide at payless. I just bought him a new pair recently and they were $17.

17

i've always bought stride rite for my kids, but i recall them being in the $36-$40ish range. just looked online, and can't find any on the website for more than $39 in the stage 2 - not sure what you got, but wow - yeah, $50 is a lot. i am funny about shoes - shoes should be a proper fit, and not previously worn by another child - the soles "mold" to the feet after a few wears, and obviously no two people have the same exact size/shape feet and toes. that can affect foot/ankle/knee/hip/back development - i'd skimp in other areas(clothes/toys) if i needed to, but shoes are important. my kids are 2, 5, and 8 now - i typically stick with new balance for sneakers, stride rite or teva for sandals, stride rite for dressy girl shoes, sometimes skechers for the boys brown leather shoes. yeah, shoes are expensive!

18

This is why I always check all the thrift/consignment stores in our area. I also have bought quality kid shoes on ebay. Sometimes a child outgrows shoes before they have worn them much. You can tell they are still in great shape by looking at them.

19

We bought Robeez or Pedipeds when our daughter was that age. Perfect for new walkers w/ a soft sole. Afterward sold them on Ebay (also purchased some on Ebay) :)

20

Barefoot until he needs to be in shoes (outside and walking around). This is from our pediatrician who said that baby shoes are a complete rip-off until they actually NEED them!

Pedipeds are less expensive and more like slippers to keep their feet clean and dry. Once he's actually walking and "going places" then the shoes should be (again from our pediatrician):
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Sturdy for support on the sides
- Bendable soles for flexibility

Kohl's has a decent children's shoe section when you get to that point!