Buying Shoes: How much would you spend on kids shoes?
My son is fixated on getting a new pair of shoes. Though not any pair, specifically running shoes. He's been asking for them for months and as we embark on the start of a new school year, it is appropriate that he gets a new pair seeing how he has outgrown his sturdy hiking shoes and seeing how this may be the beginning of a new school year ritual. While there was a good discussion on tips on buying shoes and those with wide feet, I'm really curious as to how much you would spend on a pair of shoes for a 5 year old? Also, any suggestions for shoes for someone with flat feet (which means that his ankles will have a tendency to rub against the inside of his shoe)?
My son tends to go through his running shoes pretty quickly, so I try to go for quality but at a reasonable price. I also hate the thought of paying a lot for shoes only to see them get muddy, dirty, icky, etc... For me, $25 is about the limit on good kids shoes. I've found that you can usually find something good in this range at the outlet stores down in Woodburn. We've had good luck with kids shoes at the Nike outlet and the Carters outlet. JCPenney's at Washington Square usually has good deals as well.
Posted by: KarenNM | July 31, 2008 at 01:01 PM
I get my kids the all-weather mocs from lands end, which are $24 (I think). Last year I got my 8yo the Upland Moc (also LE) which are $35. (It's their Keen knock-off.) That's as high as I would go. I get those shoes because I know they'll fit my wide-foot boys and they will last and are easy to put on themselves. They wear them every day, practically. They like them far better than running shoes.
Posted by: Zinemama | July 31, 2008 at 01:18 PM
I like to buy shoes on the nicer end for my kids, but I only buy when there is a major sale. The Nordstrom sales are a good time. I'll pay $20-$30 for shoes that were originally about twice that price. I plan ahead and buy shoes in advance.
Posted by: Kelly | July 31, 2008 at 02:08 PM
i buy sneakers and hikers at rei...but usually find the best deals on their outlet website. i've gotten keens there for less than $20, but its a crapshoot for sizes/colors. i know that there are some really nice sneakers and hikers on there right now for $20-30. the other reason i shop there exclusively for my kids hard-wearing shoes is that rei guarantees everything they sell, no questions asked.
the lands end shoes we've bought in the last two years have, sadly, fallen apart within a couple months of regular use.
Posted by: leslie | July 31, 2008 at 02:29 PM
My oldest (6) is small for her age and can wear shoes a long time - nine months or more. Her school shoes tend to last the entire school year. So we tend to buy decent shoes that will last for her often in the $40-$50 range. Usually she has a pair of sneakers, a pair of slightly dressy and rubber boots. In the summer she has several pairs of cheap flip flops. With the length of time she wears them and the fact that she is hard to fit we have found it to be worth it. I like to buy from Clog and More for Kids on Hawthorne but also shop the Nordstrom sale.
My youngest is 2 1/2 and outgrows shoes much faster. She is also very easy to fit. I have been lucky to find some good sale shoes but also tend to go the same route as our older daughter.
I have foot problems and cheap shoes hurt my feet a lot. I feel comfortable spending a little more in the shoe department in an effort to help them avoid the pain.
Posted by: Sarah C | July 31, 2008 at 03:04 PM
I love keens style and durability but boy are they stinky! Is this just a hard playing summertime phenomena or has anyone else noticed this particular feature in Keens?
Posted by: rebecca | July 31, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Although my son is almost 4, he still has some chubby feet (it doesn't help that they are pronated-runs in the family). Keens are great as they are durable, long lasting, and great for all kinds of summer play- but they sure are stinky!!
Posted by: courtney | July 31, 2008 at 08:17 PM
So far we have only bought used shoes from Ebay or Craigslist or new shoes from Target. I haven't yet paid more than $12. BUT, my DD is desperately in need of shoes and we haven't found anything really comfortable for her yet, so I may be shelling out a few more dollars very soon. Hopefully not over $20.
Posted by: KE | July 31, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Yes, Keens are stinky, it's almost unbearable! But the nice thing is you can wash them to get rid of the stink.
My son's last pair of "nice" shoes were Merrell's (on sale at REI). He uses his feet for stopping on his bike so has a tendency to wear out the toes, and is all around generally very hard on this shoes (takes after his papa). For the most part, I was pleased with the durability of the Merrell's but the velcro part was a bit small and didn't stay fastened completely. I'm cheap by nature but I also know you have to pay for good quality and so in this department, I draw the line at $30.
Posted by: hau | July 31, 2008 at 10:25 PM
leslie, thanks for the tip about the REI outlet website! I didn't even know there was such a thing.
Posted by: Zinemama | August 01, 2008 at 07:31 AM
The most I'll spend is $30. Bad feet run in my family and when I was little I wore a lot of cheap shoes and the effect shows. Therefore, I have never put my little one in anything cheap because I fear he'll go through what I have.
I'm sure everyone knows this but when REI has a sale and/or Nordstrom on brands they both carry (ie: Keens), they honor each other's sales. I got my son's KEENS for $25 on sale at Nordstrom's earlier this summer.
Posted by: Mary | August 01, 2008 at 08:01 AM
I used to buy my daughter several pairs of cheap shoes, mostly from Payless. Then last year, in Kindergarten, she started wanting to wear only one pair, every day. So this year, I bought her one pair of high-quality, go-with everything shoes {dark brown suede with velcro straps}. They were $60. I wouldn't do that if she grew out of them fast but shoes tend to last her about a year. It's not just about being thrifty for me though, I do care that she looks nice.
Posted by: K.Inez | August 01, 2008 at 02:08 PM
I used to buy my daughter several pairs of cheap shoes, mostly from Payless. Then last year, in Kindergarten, she started wanting to wear only one pair, every day. So this year, I bought her one pair of high-quality, go-with everything shoes {dark brown suede with velcro straps}. They were $60. I wouldn't do that if she grew out of them fast but shoes tend to last her about a year. It's not just about being thrifty for me though, I do care that she looks nice.
Posted by: K.Inez | August 01, 2008 at 02:10 PM
I really struggle with shoes, too. My daughter had growing pains & we thought it was poorly fitting shoes at first so we started taking her to Stride Rite where we could get her fitted & have the lady there (Clackamas Town Center) advise us as to a shoe with a good shape for her foot. We were always able to get a sale shoe for $30.
Last year we went to Haggis McBaggis & bought a pair that although they don't look wide they fit her foot. Josh gave good advice on fitting and buying big, but not too big, and those shoes have lasted a year. They've been through mud and salt water & they still look good! They're GEOX and they were the most I've ever spent on a kid's shoe ($60) but I think it was worth it.
Posted by: capella | August 02, 2008 at 08:30 AM
OK. I'm a total shoe freak; quality (and easy on the eyes) shoes are something I'll spend some money on. The most I've spent on shoes for my now 5 year old was $55 (Geox, at Haggis McB), but that was full retail price and I was a little disappointed in the quality (very clearly made in China). So now for where I got my deals!:
Overstock.com had about 25 styles of Naturinos a couple years back (before they were made in China - the diff in quality now is sad!), and I picked up a couple pairs for $30-40 each (vs. the $120 retail price). They lasted forever - until he used one of them as a hardcore scooter-stopper.
6pm.com (haven't bought there yet) has TONS of quality European shoes for very, very little money compared to retail. And if you like Teva's, their entire stock (incl adults) is $19.95.
I just bought some sale shoes at vincentshoestore.us to try them out, and am VERY pleased with the quality and style - the prices are still 30-75% off, so I would check them out right away - they emailed that their sale ends tomorrow on Sunday. They shipped mine out the same day from NC. Vincents are my new favorite shoe brand - when they're on sale, they're a real bargain! $15-20 for a shoe that would comparably be a $100 shoe. Lined in leather, nicely padded at ankle and protective interior, flexible soles, kickin styles. They are made in China, but the craftsmanship rocks. They do seem to run about 1/2-1 size bigger.
Wish I could say I've found amazing shoes for good prices locally! Nordstrom Rack is a real hit and miss, so it's better as a place to buy ahead of size.
Posted by: L | August 02, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Obviously I'm biased. Let's put that either up there or out of the way.
That said, Nike makes something called the "Motion Peanut" that is designed to protect kid's feet and give them great traction while at the same time allowing full sensory "barefoot" perception to help with motion training and muscle development for all ages (1-10).
If your child consistently wears shoes out, I would suggest any of Nike's indoor soccer shoes for pre-school and older. Our pair of these shoes has lasted all the way through two very "busy" and active boys who like to drag their feet to stop on riding toys.
If you are interested in either one of these and need more info, feel free to email me (linked above).
-Chris
Posted by: Chris | August 04, 2008 at 08:51 AM
We're also big fans of the Nike peanut. They're great shoes, comfortable, wide enough, not just the cheap take-down of adult shoes as most Nikes tend to be, and can go in the washer. If you have friends who are Nike employees, don't be afraid to ask for a guest pass to the employee store! Employees get a few passes every year, and rarely use them up, at least in our case.
Posted by: Kate | August 04, 2008 at 10:30 AM
How ever much converse are, is what I pay. Long live the Chucks!
Posted by: K | August 04, 2008 at 08:42 PM
i mostly used skechers uk for my family i found it reliable and its economical..i am looking for winter collection thanks for sharing ..i found skechers uk collection for my kids http://treds.co.uk/category/unisex/boot/1
Posted by: skechers UK | November 15, 2009 at 10:47 PM
yes i do spend lot of amount but i found converse uk economical ... thanks for sharing nice information i would like to share winter collection http://treds.co.uk/category/unisex/boot/1 kids approved designs do you have like those which i can save more money thanks
Posted by: converse uk | November 16, 2009 at 10:25 PM