Best walking shoes for kids (shoe size 4+)

[CyndiLooWho]

My boys have finally outgrown Stride Rite, which bums me out. They always had good advice on shoes and I knew that anything I got there would have good support and not hurt their feet.

They are in the size 4-5 range now, and Stride Rite won't work for them.

I want them to have good, supportive shoes that will be comfy for our week at Disney. What is a good shoe for them?

 

[SmallWorld71]

Whatever you choose, make sure they are well broken in before your vacation. My boys always alternate between their regular sneakers (DS10's are Nike, not sure about DS13 - his feet grow so fast!) and their Crocs. Our last 2 trips were in August and they were very used to their Crocs by then.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

The breaking in is why I'm asking. We have just over 6 wks to go, and I want to get everyone in their shoes ASAP. We bought a good pair for dh today, and I will likely start looking for myself this week, while the boys are in school.

Re: crocs. We moved to Europe about the time crocs were getting big here and have been back about 9 mos. These are not very popular overseas (seen as big, ugly and typically American), ergo my kids have never had a pair. Are they really all they're cracked up to be? Cuz I'm thinking they might be good to wear to the pool this summer, and if I get them, I want them before our Disney trip...

 

[SmallWorld71]

They are pretty ugly in my opinion. I haven't worn them myself, but as soon as my kids got some, that's all they wanted to wear. I know some people have gotten blisters with them but that has never been the case for us. If you decide to get them, definitely get the real ones, not the cheap ones. (Although DD had some Sketchers ones that were comfy for her.) The kids liked to wear theirs on AK day. DS10 and DD6 can't put their feet up on the bar on Kali River Rapids and their feet would get soaked. Wet socks and sneakers are very uncomfortable! Good luck in your search.

 

[Miss LD]

The breaking in is why I'm asking. We have just over 6 wks to go, and I want to get everyone in their shoes ASAP. We bought a good pair for dh today, and I will likely start looking for myself this week, while the boys are in school.

Re: crocs. We moved to Europe about the time crocs were getting big here and have been back about 9 mos. These are not very popular overseas (seen as big, ugly and typically American), ergo my kids have never had a pair. Are they really all they're cracked up to be? Cuz I'm thinking they might be good to wear to the pool this summer, and if I get them, I want them before our Disney trip...

I totally recommend Geox. DS, 5, loves them and even though they are pricey they are comfy and he does really well in them. The coverd toe sandals are fantastic - like a running shoe with ventilation and he can wear them with or without socks.

We just bought our baby (13 months - size 4.5) adorable pink Geox - expensive, but again worth it for a good quality shoe.

As far as crocs go ... DS has some, but we hate them. He is only allowed to wear them when he won't be running. He can wear them to the pool or to visit people, but never for a full day. He has had several tumbles in them. Like bad falls. Last week he fell really hard. We were en route to our doctor's office, and when she saw the bump and saw he had crocs she told us that many kids fall in them because they aren't like usual shoes.

They are comfy though!

 

[CyndiLooWho]

I totally recommend Geox. DS, 5, loves them and even though they are pricey they are comfy and he does really well in them. The coverd toe sandals are fantastic - like a running shoe with ventilation and he can wear them with or without socks.

We just bought our baby (13 months - size 4.5) adorable pink Geox - expensive, but again worth it for a good quality shoe.

As far as crocs go ... DS has some, but we hate them. He is only allowed to wear them when he won't be running. He can wear them to the pool or to visit people, but never for a full day. He has had several tumbles in them. Like bad falls. Last week he fell really hard. We were en route to our doctor's office, and when she saw the bump and saw he had crocs she told us that many kids fall in them because they aren't like usual shoes.

They are comfy though!

Hmm, my 8 yo trips enough already, don't need him to be running in Crocs.

I LOVE Geox shoes, but I haven't seen them since we moved back to the US. On the occasions when I had to buy shoes for the boys in Europe, that's what I bought (and probably paid twice what they cost here, which is why I tried to buy shoes when we were home at Christmas or over the summer).

I will have to do a search to see if they carry them anywhere near here.

 

[tloveswdw]

New Balnce running shoes, Geox, Prigmi, Keen, Ecco


Have a great trip