Tom's shoes

[MrsDoubtfire]

I agree that they are not an attractive shoe - I am referring to the "classic canvas slip-on" here. My DD13.5 asked for a pair, and I found them on the Nordstrom web site for $44 with free shipping. I bought her a pair of black canvas, and she loves them. They seem to be on the narrow side, which is good for her. I would never wear them - and I think most Crocs are kind of u*g*l*y also. I bought her a womens size 7...but will try to find some cute ones in a girls size 5 if she desires another pair down the line.

 

[pintamino]

We just came back from the mall. The kids shoes are $45 and the same adult shoes are $55. The ones my DD really wants are $60 and of course no one had the size she needed.....she was willing to go for the ones they did have which are a 1/2 size smaller than she would need. To that I said 'no way'....so of course she's miffed. I want her to be able to try on the right size to be able to truly decide what the right size is.

Actually, having owned a couple pairs, sizing down would have been best - they do stretch out quite a bit.

Kohl's sells the Bob's by Sketchers....I tried to talk my DD into them but it was a no way.

I don't blame your daughter -- I'm not a big fan of intellectual property theft either.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Actually, having owned a couple pairs, sizing down would have been best - they do stretch out quite a bit.



I don't blame your daughter -- I'm not a big fan of intellectual property theft either.

Yes...we were told in all the stores that they would stretch a 1/2 size. She's a 6.5-7 and tried a 7....they were OK maybe a tiny bit loose. Then she tried a 6 which was a tiny bit tight....of course she wants them so bad she said it was fine. I want her to try a 6.5 to be sure which size is right.

For some reason...I guess it's called being a teen....she isn't getting the idea that money doesn't grow on trees and I work VERY hard for all I have. Many times I will make her wait until payday to get something....I'm trying to make her understand that you have to responsible with money.

Intellectual property theft ?????? Sorry, but not toally sure what you mean by that. If it makes any difference Sketchers also donate a new pair of shoes to a child with every purchase of Bob's. I have no problem with it but my DD says she will look like an idiot with Bob's since EVERYONE else has Tom's.

 

[pintamino]

Yes...we were told in all the stores that they would stretch a 1/2 size. She's a 6.5-7 and tried a 7....they were OK maybe a tiny bit loose. Then she tried a 6 which was a tiny bit tight....of course she wants them so bad she said it was fine. I want her to try a 6.5 to be sure which size is right.

For some reason...I guess it's called being a teen....she isn't getting the idea that money doesn't grow on trees and I work VERY hard for all I have. Many times I will make her wait until payday to get something....I'm trying to make her understand that you have to responsible with money.

Intellectual property theft ?????? Sorry, but not toally sure what you mean by that. If it makes any difference Sketchers also donate a new pair of shoes to a child with every purchase of Bob's. I have no problem with it but my DD says she will look like an idiot with Bob's since EVERYONE else has Tom's.

Buying a size down sounds right -- if they fit, even a little snugly, when you buy them, they will stretch and become too loose over time.

I work very hard at my job too? It's fine for teens to understand being responsible. She could earn money and buy them herself if she really wanted.

My point on the Bobs is that they're a blatant rip-off of the design -- aka, intellectual property theft. I think (and it's right) that it's better not to have something than to have an imitation that undercuts the original creators. I am aware they also donate shoes but it doesn't make it "okay".

 

[dancin Disney style]

I work very hard at my job too? It's fine for teens to understand being responsible. She could earn money and buy them herself if she really wanted.

Often I will have her do a few things for me as a means of working for something. Funny, she is very willing to spend her own money on things. Problem is she is not all that willing to find paying jobs with family to earn the cash. My mom will invent jobs to be able to pay her.....but DD is likely to say no.

My point on the Bobs is that they're a blatant rip-off of the design -- aka, intellectual property theft. I think (and it's right) that it's better not to have something than to have an imitation that undercuts the original creators. I am aware they also donate shoes but it doesn't make it "okay".

I totally respect your point.

 

[hops&dreams]

OP - they should be tight, because they will stretch. The ones that she tried on that were a teeny bit tight - did her toes hang over the edge? If not, then those are the ones that she should get. They stretch quite a bit.

Also understand that the shoes are simply canvas. They are not some treated or otherwise modified material to last longer. They will poop out. They aren't meant to last a long time. I believe the cost is more a fashion statement... you're paying for the name/status. Same thing with Swatch watches when I was growing up, or Benetton, or Au Coton.

I personally find the shoes comfortable, and don't mind paying $35 for the kids ones, knowing that a pair goes to a child in need. I liked them even better when I found out they are giving shoes not only in 3rd world countries, but domestically as well. I see it as part buying the shoes, part donating to charity. DH thinks they are ugly (laughs at my Hunter Boots as well), but for me, the comfort and helping others trumps the ugly. And really - I wear them with everything - dresses, skirts, shorts, capris, jeans - with and without socks.

 

[dancin Disney style]

OP - they should be tight, because they will stretch. The ones that she tried on that were a teeny bit tight - did her toes hang over the edge? If not, then those are the ones that she should get. They stretch quite a bit.

Also understand that the shoes are simply canvas. They are not some treated or otherwise modified material to last longer. They will poop out. They aren't meant to last a long time. I believe the cost is more a fashion statement... you're paying for the name/status. Same thing with Swatch watches when I was growing up, or Benetton, or Au Coton.

I don't know if the ones she tried on had her toes over the end or not. However, she had a hard time getting her heel in....they are that tight. When they told me that they would stretch a 1/2 size it made perfect sense as they are soft canvas.

I remember well the Benetton and Swatch days. I still have my original Swatch watch from the 80's.

 

[IDoDis]

My DD has had her Toms for almost 2 years now. I thought they'd fall apart in a couple of months, but they've surprisingly lasted a long time. There is a small hole now in one of the shoes, so I said she could get a new pair soon since they stood the test of time -- unlike Vans which cost almost the same and never last.

 

[drinkme]

Am I the only person that finds these shoes gawd-awful ugly?

Of course I think I am the only person that finds Vera Bradley bags gawd-awful ugly, too.

I agree! Though the blue It's a Small World shoes are so disney that I don't mind those. The VB bags are really awful. And what about Crocs??? lol.

 

[AllisonK]

I personally find the shoes comfortable, and don't mind paying $35 for the kids ones, knowing that a pair goes to a child in need. I liked them even better when I found out they are giving shoes not only in 3rd world countries, but domestically as well. I see it as part buying the shoes, part donating to charity. DH thinks they are ugly (laughs at my Hunter Boots as well), but for me, the comfort and helping others trumps the ugly. And really - I wear them with everything - dresses, skirts, shorts, capris, jeans - with and without socks.

What adult sizes do the kids sizes translate to? I just bought my first pair today and the store only had adult sizes and I did size down (I'm usually an 8 and bought a 7.5, which felt a tiny bit tight) and I'd love it if my next pair could potentially save me a few bucks but still participate in the one for one.

 

[piratehookspixiedust]

Has anyone worn these to Disney World? I'm wondering if they would be good for walking all day. My thought it NO..... but oyu never know

 

[dislaney]

Has anyone worn these to Disney World? I'm wondering if they would be good for walking all day. My thought it NO..... but oyu never know

My dd alternated 2 pairs while we were at Disney World and I wore flip flops all day and Tom's at night the entire trip. I think it just depends on if they are comfortable to you. My mother hates them and thinks they are very uncomfortable, but dd and I love them and think they are very comfortable.

 

[sk!mom]

Has anyone worn these to Disney World? I'm wondering if they would be good for walking all day. My thought it NO..... but oyu never know

My DD16 wore them exclusively last Summer at WDW.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

I'm glad to know that TOMs were comfy for you guys in WDW My DD & I love our TOMs! I wouldn't wear them to WDW in the summer, because they'd get sweaty & yucky, but it's good to know they'll withstand long days in the parks. We are going in December, so this is definitely an option.

 

[IDoDis]

Has anyone worn these to Disney World? I'm wondering if they would be good for walking all day. My thought it NO..... but oyu never know

My DD 16 wore her Toms on our trip a couple of weeks ago. She didn't wear them every day, but she did wear them entire days and walked miles in them -- after having them for almost 2 years. When they got wet from the rain I was worried she'd get blisters because of not wearing socks, but nope. Her feet were fine.

 

[marypopfan]

What adult sizes do the kids sizes translate to? I just bought my first pair today and the store only had adult sizes and I did size down (I'm usually an 8 and bought a 7.5, which felt a tiny bit tight) and I'd love it if my next pair could potentially save me a few bucks but still participate in the one for one.

I would love to know the sizes also. Thanks

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I alternated between two pairs of Toms the last time I was at Disney and for the first time I've ever, in my entire life, been on a "walking" type vacation, I did not have one single blister or hot spot!

It was wonderful!

 

[Maybelle]

Am I the only person that finds these shoes gawd-awful ugly?

Of course I think I am the only person that finds Vera Bradley bags gawd-awful ugly, too.

You are not the only one. I think Vera Bradley is gaudy...sorry to Vera lovers everywhere, just my .02. As for Toms. I hated them when they first came out...but I guess they have grown on me some. All the high school and college kids here wear them and love them. DD has two pair, so I guess I have gotten used to them.

Has anyone worn these to Disney World? I'm wondering if they would be good for walking all day. My thought it NO..... but oyu never know

I think if you are in the habit of wearing regular, cheap flip flops, then Toms would be ok for you to walk around. As long as you don't have a high arch or any foot/knee/ankle/hip problems, you'd probably do fine. Toms have NO arch support whatsoever. They are like wearing flip flops but your foot is covered. DD wears hers with insoles in them because she has an ankle injury. Her Physical Therapist told her NO flip flops and NO Toms unles she wears an orthotic with them. They have NO support.

Also, be prepared, as someone mentioned previously, they do wear out from wear. They tell you to buy 1/2 size small because they stretch, but they will wear holes from the big toes after a while. Took about a year for my dd's. All the kids around here patch them with colorful patches, so that is a possibility.

As for the smell, some of the Toms have a leather insole. Those, when worn w/o socks, which is the preferred method of wearing, I am told, end up with a TERRIBLE, like GAG ME odor!! Worse than running shoe odor! Better when worn with cheap insoles. The ones with the cloth insoles are not quite as bad.

To the OP...you can buy knock offs. I keep seeing them around, Bobs were already mentioned. However, I think one of the reasons the kids like them so much is that for each pair of Toms purchased, a pair gets donated. But, they are pricey! Other than the pair that we got DD for Christmas last year, we require her to buy her own.

 

[dancin Disney style]

What adult sizes do the kids sizes translate to? I just bought my first pair today and the store only had adult sizes and I did size down (I'm usually an 8 and bought a 7.5, which felt a tiny bit tight) and I'd love it if my next pair could potentially save me a few bucks but still participate in the one for one.

The kids sizes go up to a 6Y which is equal to a size 8 adult. One of the stores I was in said that they have no say in what Tom's sends them in terms of kids sizing. So you may or may not have a bit of a time finding the right kids size. I looked online and there was so much more available than in the stores.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Maybelle - about the high arches thing, I think that if you need orthotics they're not right for a high arched foot, but I have a typical American Indian foot (okay, with some White mixed in, but it's mainly American Indian). High arches, extra wide, and I have a bump on the top. Shoes, even if they're wide don't fit, generally.

Also, my feet are two different sizes - after a couple of weeks, my Toms fit both feet perfectly!

I love my Tom's because they fit to my feet instead of expecting my feet to fit the shoe.

Actually, I've never had a problem with the toes wearing out, but my shoes are always a little bit long to accomodate the width of my feet and the location of my arches and so that they don't ride on top of the bump on my feet, so when I buy Toms there's always a squidge of margin at the top! I expect other with wide feet are finding the same thing.