Shoes for young toddlers?

Discussion in 'The Toddler Years(1-3)' started by Minette, Nov 20, 2006.

  1. Minette

    Minette Well-Known Member

    Is it important to buy "good" shoes for your toddler? Is it OK for them to wear hand-me-down shoes?

    Ours are almost always barefoot indoors, and they wear Robeez (or knock-offs) outside. But they're starting in the toddler room at daycare in December and they have to have "hard-soled" shoes. (Plus they can't wear Robeez in the snow.) I have one pair that fits Amy -- I got them at the twins' club sale -- and they are some no-name brand. I need to buy something for Sarah.

    Will I be scarring them forever if they wear inexpensive, used shoes? I just can't quite bring myself to pay $30 a pair. [​IMG] But since twin moms seem to be more sensible about such things than most of the singleton moms I know [​IMG], I'll do it if you say it's important.

    Alden
     
  2. Minette

    Minette Well-Known Member

    Is it important to buy "good" shoes for your toddler? Is it OK for them to wear hand-me-down shoes?

    Ours are almost always barefoot indoors, and they wear Robeez (or knock-offs) outside. But they're starting in the toddler room at daycare in December and they have to have "hard-soled" shoes. (Plus they can't wear Robeez in the snow.) I have one pair that fits Amy -- I got them at the twins' club sale -- and they are some no-name brand. I need to buy something for Sarah.

    Will I be scarring them forever if they wear inexpensive, used shoes? I just can't quite bring myself to pay $30 a pair. [​IMG] But since twin moms seem to be more sensible about such things than most of the singleton moms I know [​IMG], I'll do it if you say it's important.

    Alden
     
  3. yvonneinoregon

    yvonneinoregon Well-Known Member

    I think that shoes are VERY VERY important. Used clothes, toys, cars, books, etc fine-shoes NO WAY. Unless they were "used" but never worn, KWIM?

    We spend alot of time on our feet and need a proper fit, support and not have our foot "upset" by the mold of someone elses foot. I hope that makes sense.

    I buy Stride Rites, Pediped, Robeez, Preschoolians and some knock off Robeez. Unfortunately, all these are fairly pricey. Perhaps you have a Stride Rites Outlet in your area? Then they are around $25 per pair.

    If it were me, I would "save" elsewhere. Shoes are just too important, IMHO!
     
  4. debid

    debid Well-Known Member

    I had this discussion with DH. Their feet are growing and as the pp mentioned, proper fit is SO important for proper growth. I ended up getting them Preschoolians which are around $25 a pair with the twin discount (which means you have to buy 2 pair). $50 on shoes sounded a little nuts to me too but then I thought about how much we spend on other, less important things and that was the point I made to DH.

    Sorry, I know that wasn't the answer you were hoping for...
     
  5. j_and_j_twins

    j_and_j_twins Well-Known Member

    Agree with the others. Shoes are so so important. I always get them measured, usually every three months, just got winter boots $50 each ahhhh, and last running shoes $54.00 each, but I do only buy them one pair at a time and they wear until they grow out of.

    The little bones in their feet are still soft and developing and someone elses shape of feet could cause the shape of their feet to change.

    I always had my feet measured and good shoes and my feet are fine now, my husband had handme downs/cheap etc.. and his feet are so bad now, we decided even if we can't afford other stuff, always new shoes..

    Ok I"ve finished now I'll get off my soap box hehe..

    good luck
     
  6. LmSjt915

    LmSjt915 Well-Known Member

    I ditto the PP's. I just spent a lot on some new shoes for the girls but for a good cause. I got them two pairs of pedoodles and some preschoolians. I also found a GREAT deal on some Robeez knockoffs at the Disney Store for $4 a pair. Of course you don't have to buy as many shoes, I just have a fetish [​IMG] Out of all of those shoes I HIGHLY suggest the pedoodles. Love them! You can find them used on Ebay in really good condition.
     
  7. ljcrochet

    ljcrochet Well-Known Member TS Moderator

    Shoes are important. Everyone walks diffferently, so that effects how the shoes wear out.
    I have taken my girls to Sride rite to get measured then I bough them shoes at Marshalls or Kolhs. I just got Dani a pair similar to these disney sneakers for $15 at Marshalls. I bought Sydney a really cute pair of Tommy white sneakers with colorfull elastic for $20.
     
  8. twoin2005

    twoin2005 Well-Known Member

    Shoes are the only thing that I really spend lots of money on. The kids feet grow so quickly. We started in size 4s and they are now in size 7 1/2. So that is a lot of shoes for us. I don't have any qualms about buying shoes at Target. They have some styles that are well made and seem comfortable. But we do have to buy all of Ben's shoes at Stride Rite since he wears extra wide. Since we are there, I usually find things for Hannah that are on sale. But yes, it is expensive. But worth it IMO for a proper fit.
     
  9. morgan

    morgan Well-Known Member

    have you checked to see if there is a stride rite outlet near you? we have 2 within an hour drive and we can easily save over half the cost of the shoes in the store.

    I agree with pp about not using used shoes, btw. everyone does walk differently and will cause the wear in the shoes to be different. personally we just went with fewer shoes (usually only bought one pair, not getting a new pair until they outgrew those).
     
  10. melissao

    melissao Well-Known Member

    Personally, I would not use used shoes. I was just reading yesterday that another child's gait can change the shape of the shoes and put stress on you child's feet and that is not good for a new walker. I will probably use some of my children's first shoes for the new baby, but they were barely worn. Any that show signs of wear and tear will probalby be thrown away. I don't think you have to buy expensive shoes if you can't afford them, just be sure to buy shoes that fit well and have good traction. I buy stride rites, but am fortunate that my sister can get them at the outlet for me at about half price. She lives in Denver and gets them at the Colorado Mills outlet. Are you far from there? HTH [​IMG]
     
  11. twindependent

    twindependent Well-Known Member

    Well, I'm not a ton of help, but I believe that any not-too-stiff shoes are fine. I don't buy used, but I do buy at Target and Payless, as long as they are not too thick-soled per my pediatrician, and that they aren't just plastic- I hate shoes that don't breathe. I have paid as much as $15 a pair at Target, but they have been fine.

    I tried STride Rite, and went to 3 different Stride-Rite stores in the same day and the salespeople (all three claimed to have been there for over 10 years each) each came up with different sizes for the boys' feet. Needless to say, I didn't spend the $30/pair.
     
  12. RachelJoy

    RachelJoy Well-Known Member

    If you figure out what you want and what size, I would recommend checking out Ebay for new ones. Sometimes there are listings for brand new Preschoolians for around $15, which is better than the $25 with the twin discount.

    Good luck finding a good deal!

    -Rachel
     
  13. shelbyolivia

    shelbyolivia Well-Known Member

    Email Preschoolians about their twin discount. I get the girls shoes there regular price $40 pair for around $50 after the discount. In my opinion that is very reasonable for shoes. I have to admit, I only started putting regular shoes on them once it started to get cold here. I also buy Stride Rite sneakers for casual wear, they give a 10% discount in my area.
     
  14. sharongl

    sharongl Well-Known Member

    I agree with the PP's, that shoes and having them properly fit is very important. Only in the past few months have I bought everyday sneakers from somewhere other than Stride Rite. Fortunately, my guys have reached the age/size where they can wear the same size for 5-6 months [​IMG]
     
  15. ruthjulia

    ruthjulia Well-Known Member

    per our PT - you should not let them wear used shoes - BUT you don't have to buy expensive shoes - anything with a flexible sole and a natural upper (canvas or leather - not plastic) is fine - feel free to buy at target, payless, etc.
     
  16. Minette

    Minette Well-Known Member

    Thanks everyone -- this is helpful! Plus it will give me some ammunition to convince DH. [​IMG]
     
  17. kelly79

    kelly79 Well-Known Member

    Was talking with our EI specialist the other day about shoes and she mentioned the physical therapists from the same program who works with young children use SmartFit shoes. They are (in her words) just as good as Stride Rites and they sell them at Payless.
     
  18. Amy A

    Amy A Well-Known Member

    I guess I"m not as strict as everyone else here. I do buy my guys shoes new, but I also don't buy the expensive stride rite shoes. I get their shoes at payless, and they are currently having their buy one get one 1/2 off. so I usually spend about $30 TOTAL for two pairs of new shoes and they last awhile. My guys are tiny and haven't outgrown a lot of shoes yet. So it's not to bad for us.
     
  19. TwinxesMom

    TwinxesMom Well-Known Member

    I don't have a problem with cheap shoes but I do have a problem with used shoes. Every person walks different therefore has different wear patterns on their shoes which can cause problems for the child wearing the hand me down. Right now my girls are wearing 10 dollar sneakers from walmart because they don't wear them much but they do need something to wear when its cold.
     
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