buying baby shoes

[lrmillen]

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good place to buy baby shoes. My 1 yr old is a walker and we already bought him some shoes and they just look very uncomfortable. He takes a size 3 so many stores don't carry shoes that small. I can't bear to spend that much money on his shoes, but feel guilty on buying his last ones at payless because of the comfort issue. has anyone bought at a target (i notice people here really like that store!), wal-mart, or a store like that?

 

[JulianneP]

I never buy cheap shoes for my kids (as much as it kills are budget and as much as they want those character shoes at payless and Target ) It is so important to have the right shoes for childrens growing a developing. My daughter has such skinny feet she is even harder to buy for and if they are not fitted properly she develops terrible blisters. I have become friends with the manger at Stride Rite and he does a great job fitting her with shoes. Believe it or not Nordstroms has really resonable prices for shoes and carry Stride Rite as well. I just look to see who is having sales. I also go at least every 3 months to have their feet checked and re measured. Stride Rite is honest and let's you know if they need new ones or not.

Another thing you will learn is that certain shoes run wider and or skinner. I buy Nike for my son because they run smaller my friend usually gets New Balence for her son because they run wider.

My docter recommands that new walkers should really practice in their bare feet as much as possilbe and when you do need shoes (walking around more outside of home) you need to make sure that their is a lot of support in the ankle.

 

[shelbyjosh]

Neither one of my kids were in the cheap shoes that Target, Wal-Mart, etc. sells for little ones. I always took them to the Stride Rite store at the mall. Even today they go to a small "mom-n-pop" shoe store and get fitted. Their feet seem to to well in Skechers. This doesn't even compare to the price I pay for DD's figure skating boots!!

 

[rvoto]

I agree with julianne pasco. bite the bullet and high Quality is best.

 

[DonaldDuckFan]

I'm gonna have to agree with everyone here. I've heard so much about the importance of good shoes when they first start walking. I go to Stride Rite also. They aren't cheap, but I feel much better about them. My 20 month old son also has a wide foot and it is very difficult for me to find wide sizes anywhere else.

HTH, Amy

 

[Spinning]

The most important quality in a child's shoe is the a flexible fore foot and a high enough toe box. Especially with new walkers. This can be found in a cheaper shoe. Some times the more "expensive" shoes dont' have this. Children in general do not develop an arch till past 2, closer to 3. So keep that in mind. Also it is best to let your child be bare foot as much as possible.
And my biggest pet peeve about shoes......
check frequently for size! Kids feet can really grow over night and because they are so mushy many time parents just shove the feet in and don't realize the shoe doesn't fit!

I remember we had one child who had the strangest walk...I took his shoes off and he walked fine. Tried to put the shoe back on...took for ever! WAY TOO SMALL!
That is just my too cents. I don't get hung up on the brand but what fits my kids best.
DD still needs a very flex. shoe she is 8. If it isn't soft and able to move with her she won't wear it! DS he doesn't care.

 

[mom2grace]

I buy Nikes for my daughter, she's 2 1/2 and wears a toddler 6 1/2. I go to Shoe Carnival when they have buy one get one half off and buy the next two sizes. This makes them about $20 a pair. The only down size is that all of her shoes are identical! I'm sure people think I never buy new shoes since they are always the same. She has medium to narrow feet and they seem to fit well.

Her clothes are hand-me-downs and consignment, her shoes are always new. My mom drilled into my head that well-fitting shoes are crucial and I am a good daughter!

Susan

 

[lrmillen]

o boy --- looks like i'm gonna have to take a trip to stride right now. last time i went to the mall i couldn't even step into the store because i couldn't believe a pair of shoes so tiny could cost more than what i put on my own feet. but i guess what you all have said is true. and susan you made me feel better with the fact that i can save on his clothes but then spend on his shoes. thanks for everybody's input.

 

[Spinning]

Don't know where you live but around here , Value City, marshalls and Simms sells stride rite and other brand names. Don't always have a huge amount.But I do always check there first for shoes. They also have a lot of the band name sneakers too.

 

[piratesmate]

I haven't bought baby shoes for years, but NEVER bought Stride Rite. Our pediatrician said they were (donning flame proof suit) "the worst" because they weren't the least bit flexible. Of course that was 22 yrs ago when DS was little. Maybe they've changed???

He stressed bare feet as much as possible like someone else mentioned. I have to say that DS was the only child at church who didn't have that "toddler stalk." He walked like adults do. I always thought it was because of the flexible sole issue.

 

[lisa_from_nj]

Hi! I get my daughter's shoes at the Stride Rite outlets, they are much cheaper than the Stride Rite mall stores. Go to:

http://www.striderite.com/pages/store/index.asp

to find an outlet near you. The list of stores that pops up will list regular and outlet stores. To find an outlet, you may have to increase your travel radius.

Lisa

 

[Jen117]

I have bought Stride Rites at Walwart. It was about 2 years ago tho, so not sure if they still sell them there.

 

[soccerchick]

Our Picture People Store had $5.00 off coupons there for Stride Right. You might want to check them out. I have also found Stride Rights at Marshalls discount store and on sale/clearance at department stores like Nordtrom, JC Penney, and Hechts.