Nordstrom has their kids shoe sale right now.. Look online or go in.. They carry stride rite ect.. I bet u could return your other shoes and get some stride rites on sale around 20 30 dollars.
I just went to Target this week and saw that they are now making shoes that look just like the Stride Rite stage 2's. I have a 1.5 year old, and they definitely did not have them when he was learning, and we paid the $50 price tag too! I would give those a try, they have a very bendable rubble sole just like the Stride Rite ones. We also always go to the Stride Rite outlet, it's a little bit of a drive for us, but most shoes are around $20-$30 so worth the drive. (They say they do not get many stage 2 shoes, so we had to buy them at full price) But they do have a ton of stage 3's for when he's ready. I also don't think you are silly for writing off 2nd hand shoes, and this comes from someone whose kids only have garage sale clothing. Shoes are different, each kid molds them to their own foot so it's really best for them to have new ones.
I have a thing about 2nd hand shoes - I just will not wear them. I know, I know, but I can't.
With that being confessed - all of my son's shoes came from Walmart or Payless when he was little. I mean, under age 13 "little". He outgrew them so fast, that I could not being myself to spend more a pair of shoes for him then I would for shoes for myself.
Now, being a "grown" boy of 15, he is much more particular about his shoes, and we shop at Shoe Carnival, or Shoe Station, type stores.
Oh, lord, the price increase when he went from boy's sizes to men's sizes was ridiculous - for the exact same shoe.
So, save the money now, you can find good quality, affordable shoes at a number of store.
I think its silly how much money people are persuaded to spend on kids shoes. Seriously, they wear them a few months. Young kids aren't even heavy enough to make an imprint in the sole of a shoe. My kids only wear shoes if we are going somewhwere and the youngest spends a lot of that time in a stroller. Personally, I think its a lot of nonsense, good advertising, and a symbol of status.
I never bought into the pre-walker shoe fad. Babies don't need shoes until they are actively walking, IMO. Even at that age, I wouldn't fork out that much money, because they outgrow them so fast. I would try Ebay, Ross, Craigslist for lightly used stuff.
In child care classes we are taught to take the shoes off. They walk sooner and better if they learn with no shoes at all. Their toes grip the floor better and it helps develop the muscles quicker.
When they are going out, like going to church or to eat, they can wear any shoe. The podiatrist told us that if you can take the shoe, the toe in one hand and the heel in the other and twist it then it is not a good shoe for support. We bought our little guy hiking boots that are high tops. They support his ankles, he is WAY pigeon toed and bow legged.
Evidently anyone who knows the dad could pick our guy of a group by his feet and legs. That's why the visits to the podiatrist. The doc said any shoe would work. It's better to be barefoot as much as possible but when he is going somewhere that needs shoes make sure they support his foot very well.
I have read that secondhand shoes ars not a good idea for kids, because all shoes form to the foot. We buy our kids' shoes at Payless.
I never bought "baby shoes" or shopped at a children's shoe store. Stride Right is high end. When my kids were little, they didn't have shoes til a year, but I got theirs at JC Penney. You can buy shoes at Walmart, Target and Kmart. They won't have a person come and measure you, at Stride Right you pay for that service, at a cheaper store, you just keep trying shoes on him til you find what fits. Good luck
Don't waste your money on expensive shoes. Buy an inexpensive pair of sneakers. Even our doctor told us this. If you have nothing better to do with your money, then go ahead and buy the expensive ones, but they will do nothing special for helping your child walk or for their feet. All they do is show everyone that you have money to waste.
See if there is a stride rite outlet close to you. That is where I buy most of the shoes for my sons. I can usually get shoes for about $20. Also look at fm add or marshalls because I have bought stride rite shoes there for about $14.
Hello!
We had the same sticker shock when buying for our kids. However, the both started with very wide feet and it was about our only option! What I did find was that Stride Rite outlets are very affordable. I was able to get them both shoes in the $20 range. They may be the colors of the previous year but really who cares! You may want to look and see if there it an outlet around you!
First of all, you don't really need shoes for a non-walker. In fact, it's recommended to let kids go barefoot as much as possible -- always when they're at home. If you need to wear shoes, the very soft soled ones are best (like Robeez); I believe Target makes a knock off of Robeez. Once he's walking well, you can get more solid shoes, but there's no need to buy fancy ones. Payless, Target, etc. all make fine shoes. But, barefoot is really best. Lots of runners have even started wearing those Vibrams because it turns out running barefoot (or as close to it as possible) is best for health, so feel free to let him run around barefoot as much as possible!
I will also use second hand shoes for LO -- when they're Robeez type, you don't have to worry about conforming to the foot because they're just leather soled. When they're real shoes ... well, LO just doesn't wear them very long at this age.
I will spend $50 on shoes for me, but not for a baby who will grow out of them in a few months!
Hi Fang,
Check out Bobux. They are a soft-soled shoe and all your baby should be wearing until about 2-3 years of age. I picked up a pair new for $30 (can find them on sale but best to find at yard sale or borrow/buy from a friend).
Soft soled shoes allow them to feel the floor and learn to walk more confidently, as well as being al the support they need at that tender age.
Better, unless you are going out somewhere, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE! Some of the non-white pairs really age well and just look - distressed. As long as they aren't falling apart, they are worth the $.
You can check out Luvaboos.com - and she ships. There are other places but happy to support a work-at-home NEW Mama!
Good luck,
Michele
I don't think your son needs shoes at all! The best way to get them walking is to skip shoes all together. If you are going to be outside walking, look for some soft sole shoes like Robeez or Momo (they sell at Target for like $16!)
Shoes can impede walking so until they really get the hang of it, I say skip it!
And don't write off 2nd hand! I have bought both my kids shoes second hand and most have never even been used!
You are definitely silly to write of 2nd hand shoes, because at this age, their feet grow so quickly, that the 1st person to own those shoes probably barely even wore them in before their feet got too big for them.
Another option, though, are the Mini Star shoes that you can buy at Target. Very very similar to Robeez without the huge price tag (I think they're about $15)
Find a Stride Rite outlet store. They can measrue your child and their prices are generally better. Jackson Premium outlets is the one I know of in NJ>
Just go to Walmart.
TAKE THEM BACK! What a waste. Kids learn to walk better barefoot, and shoes are just for looks right now. Stride rite will brainwash you into believing your child's feet will be deformed if you don't buy their ridiculously expensive shoes!
Go to Target or JCPenney, and find some shoes that are sturdy, etc. As he grows, you will learn what to look for. You won't want tying shoes until he can tie them himself. Some styles that are similar to converse have very stiff bottoms that do not flex when kids walk and they will trip a lot. Just get basic shoes. Target, WAlmart, etc. still have brands you have heard of, but it really doesn't matter. Try your best to make sure they fit well.
You can also get shoes 2nd hand in good shape. especially at these young ages. kids BARELY wear them, so they are not worn out.
Your baby does not need shoes until he is walking...especially since its summer. Stride Rite are the best shoes but seriously, did you not see the sale rack? I always go to SR but never spend more than 30 dollars. We don't have an outlet near us but you can get for even less. Plus with a boy, you only need to get 1 pair of new shoes every 3-6 months. Second hand shoes are fine as long as they are a good brand. Take them back and get some knock-off Robeez or the real thing at a Marshalls or TJ Maxx.
I say take them back, too! I NEVER got any of my four kids shoes until they have been walking for a awhile, and when they started walking in public (it isn't good for their development), sure, in cold weather I got the what I call "foot covers"... Stride rite DOES have nice shoes, but, get them when they are ON SALE:)