JFF
I like Children's Place and Target. Often go to Ross or Marshalls and have found great deals on name brands shoes like Nike or Converse, but for much cheaper. Usually buy 2-3 sizes at a time if I find good deals and hold on to them for growth spurts. I don't believe in paying more than $20 for a pair of shoes for my growing toddler. Just curious how others feel and if you have a favorite place to get shoes.
Nordstrom Rack. Even though it can be hit or miss, they have great shoes at about half the normal price.
Always buy them at Payless. My 2 yr old only wears shoes that come in 'wide' sizes and payless always carries them.
This is one area I tend to splurge - I go to Stride Ride and usually end up getting 2 to 3 pairs of shoes a year (DD is 3 - sneakers tend to last 6 to 8 months, then there's some others that are more seasonal, like sandals for summer). I figure the better quality is worth it with her growth and development right now.
Target and Famous Footwear.
I'll usually get 1 nice pair/season - like a Stride Rite - because they really do last longer and are worth the money.
For the other pairs - day to day play and stuff, I like Target or Payless.
I hate any shoes that aren't all for the health for the foot for a developing toddler. I buy Robeeze or Pedipeds. I buy those online. Usually on ebay or a retailer that I so happen to like. They are usually $30.
I do have one pair from walmart because they were $5 and I use those when it's all snowy and very cold out. Like today :( But only because I couldn't find the boots that I wanted for my son in his size. Anywhere. It sucked. It's funny I'll buy my son $30 shoes, but it hurts me to buy a $10 pair from Target. Ugh. I need to buy me more shoes.
I go to stride rite, that is the only shoe I have and will put on my son, now with the snow boots I get them from walmart because he wears them for a few months. I like the stride rite because the soles are SOOOO much more flexible than any of the other kinds. My son has tried on the other kinds and gets all shades of pissy because he can not walk as well in them. So I get stride rite, typically I am able to get them on sale and spend 20-30 a pair sometimes I spend more but they last soo long they go from my son to his friend that is 2yrs younger then to that boy's friend and I think one pair actually lasted 4boys! So when it comes to quality they have it!
I suck it up and pay the price for at least one good pair like Stride rite....but I do buy the kids their shoes at Target, Kohl's and Children's place...I've been known to buy some sneakers at Walmart... :)
My parents are pretty indulgent with my kids so it is nice when they ask what they need....I tend to say new shoes and voila.....they get the kids nice ones....Thank God for Grandparents :)
My daughter is obsessed with the twinkle toes by sketchers, so that is where all her shoes came from this past year, however the few pair of sandals and 'crocs', we have got payless and target :-)
We buy our kids' shoes at Nordstrom, especially since our older son (aka Fred Flintstone) had XXW and now XW feet. They tend to carry a wider (all pun intended) variety for his feet.
Garage Sales ($1-$2/pair). Kid to Kid. Target/Kohls clearance ($5-10). Recently my niece discovered Twinkle Toes (ugh) -but we have found them on clearance at Sears, Kohls and Nordstrom.com for $22 plus shipping.
I always went to Stride Rite when my son was a toddler. Now I like Kohls.
I don't believe in paying more than $20-$25 for toddler shoes either! Preferably less than that if possible -and usually I do with sales, coupons, etc. We usually get our kid's shoes at Target, outlet stores for Stride Rite and other kid's outlets, a local chain called Abbaddabba's, REI sales and Nordstrom Rack.
Nike Outlet store (or any outlet store that sells discount items), Target, Payless, Kohl's (but that is really hit or miss to me) and Children's Place (but soon my daughter will be out of their sizes). I too do not spend over $20 is possible, my daughter goes through a size or two in a year and she loves shoes... no need to spend lots of money on something they will only wear for 6-12 months.
If I am looking for something specific I will shop anywhere till I find what I /daughter is looking for. Like a good pair of everyday boots or church shoes I will spend $25-30 on IF I can not find something similar at the other above stores.
I've found the best deals on kids' shoes at Nordstrom Rack. I got Merrels this past Christmas for both my sons for about $15 a pair.
When they were toddlers it was usually at Ross or Payless. But as they have gotten older I find that I usually buy them at Fred Meyer (Krogers). I wait until they go on clearence sale and am usually able to find their tennis shoes for about 15-20 bucks. Just bought my son's some New Balance a couple of weeks ago for $14! wootwoot. I feel the same way about spending a lot of money on shoes, especially for my boys. They are growing so fast!
L.
