Help this Reader! How Much Do YOU Spend on Toddler Shoes? Anyone Have a Favorite Brand?
Check out this reader question from Kathryn…
My little one is starting to walk so we are looking at shoes but they seem so expensive! Does anyone have recommendations for buying toddler shoes, and what is considered a good price? Thanks!
I’ve bought Carters brand shoes from walmart/costco ($10-$12) till my kids were 2yrs old. Then shifted to The Children’sPlace shoes ($12-$15), when they were very active – 2-3yrs age. And finally to Champions from Payless or Reebok shoes. All these years I have always had a pair of crocs too.
I have 3 boys. They all 3 LOVE skechers. I wait until Kohls has a good sale with the 30% off and a $10 off kids purchase OR at the outlet they are buy one get one half off ! The kids love them and don’t complain about their feet hurting.
The skechers foamies are great for little growing feet and then I move them into the memory foam skechers once theyre bigger ! Great shoes
I love stride rite and try to find them at thrift stores.
We bought New Balance shoes with our youngest son. They offered great support and were extra wide. His little feet were as wide as long.
Be sure to go to a real shoe store to get your baby’s feet measured by a professional. I have a boutique I go to. That way you know what size, and width – the width is especially important for babies! My kids always had extra wide feet so we bought stride rite. They are much older now and we are still loyal to the brand. I love there outlets and online flash sales. $19.99 per pair!!!
If you have multiple kids/cousins who can share handmedown shoes, get great quality gender neutral ones. Tiny kids cannot wear out shoes before outgrowing them. Older kids put more wear on shoes because they are more active/rough and they tend to stay in a size longer.
I usually would get them at the children’s place or Payless, because they grow so fast that I don’t think that big investments at this age are worth it. Don’t get me wrong if you get a really good deal on stride right then by all means go for it. When my son started school I did invest and bought him New Balance shoes because they are very comfy and they have to wear them for a long period of time. Hope this helps.
My current go to is stride rites surprise brand at target. They are cheaper than buying through the stride rite site and are so cute and last really long. Also places like Ross, Burlington, marshalls, etc all have name brand shoes for cheap.
I will be cheap on many things but shoes are not one that I will go low quality on. Nothing bugs me more than when my kids shoes fall apart after barely any use!
Stride rite is the way to go and you can get the cheaper ones at target rather than the actual stride rite store. However I go to my consignment stores and look for them. I have even found some at good will for 1.99 a pair. At this age children barely wear them so they are in perfect condition. I just throw them in the wash and they have been fine.
I love stride rite for my toddler and will buy them whenever they have a good sale going on. Be sure to sign up for their free rewards program and get benefits like free shipping too. I’ve also found some good deals at marshalls and nordstrom rack for name brand shoes like Nike, Adidas, Toms, etc. Or I will also buy from kohls during the 30% off and free shipping sales.
I buy good shoes for the most part. Both kids have good tennis shoes (Nike, under armor, or reebok usually), they also get keen sandals for summer, and bogs winter boots. My daughter I also buy Sperry boat shoes. I NEVER pay full price, I shop local sales and scour the internet for best price, not a specific color or style. The most I’ve spent on a pair of shoes is $35. With my son I always buy the next size or two up to have on hand when I find a good deal. I used to buy cheap shoes and they just didn’t last, and with sales why bother with shoes that are going to fall apart and need to be replaced before they are outgrown.
I have been buying my kids shoes from stride rite for the most part. The shoes are cute and sturdy. They are going to be more expensive than the ones at target/ Payless etc but the quality is much much better. I have also gotten them shoes from Nike/ adidas outlet stores.
For summer shoes, the hands down winner is saltwater sandals. They’re leather, timeless, can be worn in water, worn in church or at the playground, and are unisex! They are the only shoe for which I’ve paid full price. I buy for my eldest and the others inherit. The kids love them too! Until about size 8 for boys and 12 for girls, I love consignment sales.
It all will depend on your preference for shoe style, quality, material, usability and willingness to store some shoes that are a good price but not yet for the little ones to wear. I have been able to get name brand shoes for less than $10 at department stores and off brand shoes for free or less than $5 at Kmart/sears with point offers and surprise points, or coupons.
Exactly!! Oh i was reading all reviews and its like ” these people are spending way too much” lol i also get all kinds of shoes buying online at sears and kmart. There i can use coupons, price-discounts, codes, surprise points, etc AND most of the time they hip for free (unless the item is not available for shipping so you have to pick up at a store) i usually get shoes for my daughter $10 or less. I also buy from kohls but you have to keep an eye on the prices to get a good deal when they have the 30%off plus free shipping for cardholders. Got them leather suedes slippers tommy tiippe for $7 or less after discounts ( baby sale $10off $40, $10kohlscash when purchase$50, 30%off and FS) I also buy clothes for my daugher there. Carter’s sets for $7or less after discounts.
I sometimes get hand me downs for my daughter from others. The consignment store shoes in our area always look really beat-up and the Target/Walmart don’t often have my son’s size. We also don’t have a K-mart near us. I have bought shoes for him from Kohl’s, Carters, Fred Meyer, JcPenney and the prices range from free with coupon or $10-$20. JcPenney also has the reward program that if you buy so many shoes you get a reward back. I also look for a lot of low-entry blog giveaways for gift cards or credit for shoes and we have gotten two pairs of free shoes for my son, two free pairs of shoes from my daughter that way and two free pairs for me.
I agree with some of the others I think buying cheap shoes is a waste of money unless that’s all you can afford. We are brand loyal in our house especially when it comes to shoes. I personally couldn’t wear another persons shoes that’s how you get athletes feet and so forth No thank you. If I couldn’t wear them I’m sure not putting my daughter in them. I will stick to buying brand new shoes even if they are pricey.
My 5 year old has sperry dress shoes and has timberlands crocks new balance a pair from payless to play in and he finally settled on loving DCs but theyre not good for gym or play. I always shop the good sales and spend $20 or less a pair.
I do Nike, I go to there outlet stores and check clearance or sales and I normally can find them for 15-20 for my toddlers.
Yes! I LOVE the sunray protect for my toddler. Only pair that would fit her last year & I got her a pair this year. Perfect for everyday play.
Crocs! My two year old loves her crocs. They are so durable for outside play. Look for sales online at 6pm or even at marshalls or tjmaxx.
My 9month old has Sperry’s found brand new in the box at once upon a child for $7.50 originally from Dillard’s For $39.99 I think that’s what the tag said. we have crocs that were a gift, I have bought Wal-Mart geranimal’s for $12.88 look just like Nikes my husbands thought they were until he picked them up and looked at them close. also have a few pairs of used Nike shocks I got of Facebook for $10 each. My son has never given me any problems wearing any of his shoes yet. Also had a few of the carters soft sided I guess crib shoes is what they call them. He also ways kept them on even at 6 days old. Think it also depends in when you start putting shoes on your child’s feet so they are used to them and also making sure they fit. I think $20 for one paid is too much however my son is only 9months and is not walking yet except for when in walkers and things so he wears shoes then and when out places most of the time. Once he can walk and will wear a size longer than just a few short months I will then start upping the price but will always look ahead of time for the best deals target bogo, walmart, outlets, resells, yard sells, Ross, Dillards sales with coupons had kids Nikes, Sperry’s and Converse for about $30.00. I will put my son in the brands I like to wear.
We have decided to spend a bit more on fewer pairs of shoes. Our go-to summer shoes are Keen sandals. They can get wet and dry without any smell. I also love hitting the sales on the tiny Toms. Both brands have lasted really well and we plan to use again with our second child.
I use the rewards from my banana republic visa at the gap factory outlet and have tons of shoes that I paid almost nothing for. I always wait until they’re half off and then use my rewards and percentage off code from doing receipt surveys or whatever sale code they email me. I scored at old navy yesterday using my rewards dollars. I put everything on my visa – gas, phone bill, cable bill etc.
Depends on what size your child is. My daughter is 2.5 & her feet are too small for Carters & most brands. I got her 3 pairs of sandals for the summer? Some white dressy sandals at Payless for $7, a pair of Minnie light up ones from Kohl’s for $10, & I splurged on her everyday play sandals because they cover the toes (the rubber goes up over them), they aren’t slippery, & can get wet. Thet are the Nike sunray protect for toddlers & were on sale for $27.99, but I used my Kohl’s cash, so I got them free. We had them last year & they were amazing, held up great, & I got so many compliments on them. More then I like to spend, but worth it to protect her feet & keep her comfortable.