How much do you pay for shoes?

[Bell30012]

Let me first say that I am the biggest cheapskate out there. I make Scrooge McDuck look like a big spender. Now that said there are three things that I never scrimp on. I wish I had learned this earlier in life.

Never try and save money when buying:

• A Mattress
• Car Seats
• Good Quality Shoes

For years I slept on the cheapest mattress I could find. Now I have a $4000 Tempur-Pedic Cloud Luxe that makes me sleep soundly through the night and awake refreshed. I know the four grand gave me nightmares initially! I'm in my bed 7-8 hours per night.

Car seats? Good quality leather. Your back will thank you. If you don't like the feel of leather put a cover over it. The firmness is what makes the difference. I'm in my car 2 hours plus a day due to commuting.

Good Quality Rockport shoes. I can't believe the difference. I've been wearing nothing but Rockport shoes for 5 years now. My back doesn't hurt at the end of a long day. Yes, Rockport makes gym shoes.

If you keep these three things off your cheap list, your back will thank you. I wish that I had learned it 20 years earlier. I wore cheap combat boots, slept on rocks/cots/bunks and rode in tracked vehicles with little to no suspension while sitting on really bad seats made by the cheapest bidder.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I just keep my eyes open at the thrift for brand new shoes I like.

I just picked up a pair of New Balance sneakers for $5.88 that are still at Dillards for $100.

Now, I will admit that this is the thrift I haunt. They have a v. good used book selection and I can usually find a plastic tablecloth for .59 or less (The plastic covering/protection of a thousand uses!) so I will haunt and wait until I find a shoe I want in a size I want in a condition I want.

If I absolutely have to buy new, I buy at Target, Payless, Shoe Station or similar. I have an American Indian foot (extra wide, high arch, bony knot on top), so the shoe's not going to fit me well no matter how much money I spend, so what's the point in spending a lot?

 

[Leajess99]

IMO yes, you are being overly cheap. Shoes are not something to mess with, especially since he has wide feet. A good pair of shoes will last forever and they will provide the support that he needs. A bad pair of shoes will cause foot problems that will last him the rest of his life. I wear a 10 and I refuse to buy cheap shoes, ever. I don't even do cheap flip flops in the summer. $100 is usually the bottom range of what I spend, usually around $150. I only have a few pairs a a time, 1 running shoe, 1 sneaker for day to day/working out, a dressy shoe for slacks and a pair of black heels for dresses. Anything else I get is on sale.'

My sneakers I replace every year, my dressy shoes about every 4-5 years, my heels only when my feet grow (which was w/each pregnancy).

I have found a couple of brands I like and I will order them off Shoebuy or Zappo's when I find a good price. I also wait for the Nordstrom sales and get deals.

It is actually recommended that you repalce your athletic shoes every 6 months. This is what I have been told by every podiatrist I have seen.

 

[princessmom29]

Wow, I am a cheapskate, I don't like paying more than $25 for a pair of shoes and even then, I like to wait until there is a buy one, get one free.

Another cheap-o here . I asked for a pair of shoes for Christmas (we draw names and my mom got mine). We went looking, and after seeing multiple pairs in many stores, with nothing under $50, we finally ended up at Ross (one of my favorite shoe buying places) and bought a pair for $16 . Paying more than $30 makes me cringe. I do understand that for good leather boots, $100 is not unreasonable. That's why I don't have any good leather boots . DH, the kids and I all get our shoes from Ross/Walmart/Payless. --Katie

one day, your feet/back will likely force you to begin spending more. I REALLY wish I had made that choice BEFORE I started having foot problem and saved myself a lot of pain. Mom, who insited Wal-mart shoes were just as good for 30 years, now has degenrated discs as a result of years of impact. Her doc says her footwear likely played a large role.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We spend money on good quality shoes. Totally worth it.

Growing up, I was stuck in cheap drugstore type white tennis shoes that didn't fit right. My feet hurt most of the time, got all squished and messed up.

Once I started wearing good quality shoes, my feet have slowly mostly recovered. I still have issues but it's much better.

Because of that experience, I've always made sure my kids are in good quality shoes.

 

[emma'smom]

I'm cheap with a lot of things too...but I splurge on footwear. I only by Danskos, Merrells, and Keens for the most part and I'll routinely pay 80-125 for them.

It's worth it....seriously, if your feet hurt then you are miserable.

I too have paid 50+ dollars for flip flops---but in a pinch I once had to throw on a 20 dollar pair once at Disney and my feet were miserable- I ended up hobbling all day and kissed my Flip Flops when I got back to my room.

 

[tink_lover]

Three words - price per wear. I have no problem paying more for something that will last. My kids all have Duluth Pack backpacks which cost over $100 each. However, they use them every day, travel on all our trips with them - my 13 year old has had hers since kindergarten. I figure it has cost pennies per wear and I have not had to buy new ones each year. Feel the same with shoes (although they don't last as long )

 

[DOOM1001]

I still amaze myself how much I've changed since high school where I bought two pairs of $125 Timberlands,and this was back 15 years ago.Today I really,really have to like the shoe to spend over $70,I will go to around $100 but the truth is I rarely find many shoes that I fall in love with anymore,as long as they look nice I'm happy.My last sneakers I got at Kohl's were $65 Asics,my other ones were falling apart I saw these the day before at DSW,looked online for prices and Kohl's had them $5 cheaper so I go them.What amazes me even more is those $125 Timberlands was so long ago and were a price I consider expensive today,as you get older you value money a little more and don't drool over clothes and shoes quite as much as you used to.

 

[englishteacha]

I have lots of shoes, most are under $20 and don't get worn all that often. But the pair I wear all the time are my New Balance sneakers. We live in Maine, have 2 outlet stores for NB, and I can get really good sneakers for a reasonable price. I've sometimes lucked out with $25 on sneakers from a couple seasons ago, but usually pay around $50. In other stores the same sneakers would go for $150-200. So if the shoes your son got fit well, then $100 isn't too bad. My hubby has a pair from LL Bean that he loves. The salesman there said that if you alternate between 2 pairs of shoes, they'll last 3 times as long. It makes sense; give them a day to air out and gain back their shape while wearing another pair, they will last longer, much longer than one would expect.

 

[mom2val]

.

 

[SandrA9810]

Well worth the cost.

I learned it the hard way as well when I started working at Disney. They're very specific on the style shoe you have. So I stopped at Walmart or something and got a cheap $20 pair. Starting out, I was working on the bridge at Animal Kingdom. There's a slight tilt to the bridge, just enough to wreck havoc on my feet. I was in SEVERE pain in the morning. Like I could barely get out of bed. Once I did, it was like my feet were numbed by the pain. Of course, standing is not considered an injury on the job, but the nurse at the clinic on property, told me some feet exercises to do, and get new shoes.

I bought my first pair of $100 New Balances, and haven't looked back yet. I did try a $40 pair of Sketchers over the summer, and again those wreck havoc on my feet. There's nothing wrong with a really good sale. But I'd never buy cheap shoes again.

My aunt is also spending a small fortune on special orthodic insoles, from bad shoe choices in the past.

Sometimes quality outlasts the pay per use. Kind of like when I had to talk her into getting me an $50 Jansport backpack back in the day. I hated the cheap $10 walmart ones, which usually became worthless half way through the school year. After that bag, I used it from 8th grade till graduation, and for years beyond that.

There's a price to pay for good shoes, either now or later. If you choose the later, it's probably gonna hurt a lot more than just the wallet.

 

[SandrA9810]

Comfortable well made shoes are one area I never go cheap on. DD has long narrow feet that are hard to fit. She wears New Balance shoes. There is only one style she likes- white with velcro. I pay $60-$85 for them depending on if I can find a sale online. I take her every 3 months and get her feet measured at the store and then come home and scour the internet for the best deals! Lucky for me her feet have stopped growing so quickly so in 2011 I only had to buy 2 pairs for her.

You can try SAS shoes as well, when her feet aren't growing so fast. They go to very very narrow widths.

 

[mjantz]

Definitely agree that you get what you pay for. I'll buy & wear cheap shoes if I know they're just for church or a night out (mostly sitting). However, my travel shoes I pay for. We're going on an Alaskan cruise next summer & I've already decided to invest in a pair of Sorels for the trip. Lots of walking on shore excursions & on the ship & I want my feet to be comfortable.
I will say that I reject the idea that supportive shoes have to be frumpy. My standard 'travel shoes' are a pair of black Mary Jane looking sneakers (Naturalizer & very comfortable) & some knee-high boots from Nine West. Über comfortable and stylish.

 

[tasha99]

I buy quality shoes for myself and my kids. The problem with cheap shoes is they often end up costing more in the long run due to foot and back problems. DD once had some cheap Target shoes that she loved. They had no support, however, and she ended up having to go to a podiatrist. Several visits and cortisone shots later, I decided that I wouldn't waste my money on shoes that only look good.

Edit to add: This goes for insulation as well. Both mine and my son's boots were over $100 on excellent sales (He has Sorrel boots and I have Keens). Boots have to be warm and waterproof, and the cheap ones (or not so cheap ones like Uggs that are for fashion) are pretty dangerous for people who could get in a situation where they have to walk some distance in the snow.

 

[HelenePA]

I have a local shoe outlet, they get the last of last years styles and I get them at bargain prices.. I pay no more than 35$ for name brand shoes... Higher number new balances included. It also pays to have small feet! usually I can grab some really cheap shoes on the clearance rack for me and my dd's... under 20$ for what use to be 120$ shoes last year.

 

[walkdmc]

I can't stand cheap shoes. I have a small collection of cheapies in my closet, barely worn. I usually pick my more expensive, more comfortable and supportive shoes. I would not skimp on shoes.

I've done the same thing the OP's son did. I've bought expensive shoes only to find they were not as comfortable as I thought. Now, I have my favorite brands and styles and wear them around the house first, before going outside in them. I've taken a few pairs back that felt great in the store but lousy after 2 hours putzing around my house. Maybe your son will become attached to this $100 brand and this will be "his" shoe from now on? I feel your pain, I do but don't skimp on his shoes. Now, if he came to me in a month with the same complaint, he'd be buying his next pair.

 

[Sandy61]

I buy shoes based on how long the person will wear them per day and per year. I will buy a $14 pair from Kmart to run to the store and they will last a couple years.

Tennis shoes that my husband will wear at work all day is an unlimited price...he gets what is most comfortable and is usually $100. He has a less expensive pair for weekends etc.

My sons that wear them at school all year is also an unlimited price. Unfortunately my DS13 has gone through 3 sizes this past year and needed new ones often even after getting them big enough to last awhile. He is up to size 11 now.

The shoes should be flexible at the toes, well made (sewn) on the sides to prevent injury, not sliding on and off the heel, and inside support. Wear them around the store awhile and then around the house to make sure you like them or to tell if they need to be returned.

 

[MrsPete]

I think I'm with the majority here: As a teacher, I stand up literally all day long (on tile floors), and I need good shoes. Otherwise my legs and feet feel horrible at the end of the day. I can't say that I spend $100 regularly though. Most of my "everyday shoes" run $50-75; for example, last fall I bought a new pair of black flats from Lands End, and they were in that price range. And for that much money I expect the shoes to be classic/match several things in my closet, and I expect them to give me at least 5 years of good service.

With clothing I typically buy on clearance, but I wear the world's most popular shoe size . . . and nothing's ever left for me on clearance.

HOWEVER, the question was about a 16-year old, and that is different. If his old sneakers were worn out (like the boots), I'd say, "Replace them" in a heartbeat . . . but I have the impression that the sneakers are essentially new -- he's just changed his style preferences. If he's that picky about shoes that he's looking to wear JUST for PE class and for vacation, he either needs to get a job and pay for them himself OR they need to be a birthday/Christmas gift.

When my daughters ask for clothing I think is over-priced, I tell them, "I'm willing to pay X amount." If you'll pay the difference, you can have the more expensive item." It works. Sometimes they ante up and get the more expensive item, sometimes they decide to skip it -- but they stop and think about what they really want, and that's my point.

 

[hsmamato2]

Sounds like DS needs a job.

 

[hsmamato2]

When my daughters ask for clothing I think is over-priced, I tell them, "I'm willing to pay X amount." If you'll pay the difference, you can have the more expensive item." It works. Sometimes they ante up and get the more expensive item, sometimes they decide to skip it -- but they stop and think about what they really want, and that's my point.

yes...... I agree with this. Mostly I buy shoes my kids like on clearance or even (gasp,wait for it) 2nd hand (if they're great brand in great shape) so far I never paid more than $30 for boys who have man sized feet(that was for new leather dress shoes) and that's b/c kids feet grow, their preferences change fast,and the kids destroy their shoes SO fast- and I refuse to spend a lot on something so temporary-
2 years ago I found one ds 4 pair of high top Converse on clearance (his fave) for $15 a pair,I got all 4 pairs and let him know if he needed anything more he could spend his own $ on them....so far he's fine. LOL
when a kid is stuck on one brand or type, then it's time to start discussing how much they want to contribute to the cost,IMHO.