Stride Rite shoes ... are they worth the $$$?

The walkers are way more flexible that any shoe - expect Keds - got this tip at Nordstrom - gotta love their customer service! And Keds at Nordies were only $14.99! They come in white, navy and red (I think) We always got navy and they looked good with khakis for church and kept well, so I was happy. So we bought Keds for DS for years. Also DS had an xwide foot and Stride Rites and Keds where the only shoes that fit. Now DD is in Stride Rites because she has splints in her shoes, and they custom fit the shoes to fit the splints - sigh I had to get plain white ones cause her feet are so little there is non variety...

[PrincessFiona]

Yes, Yes and Yes....from someone who used to buy all kids shoes at payless. When our ds was evaluated for balance/coordinaton problems he also had to be fitted for shoe inserts. The orthotics dept. brought out some average shoes that you can buy around town and compared them with the Stride Rite shoes...basically, most of the cheap-o shoes don't provide adequate arch support and don't have wide areas on the bottoms of the shoes. Apparently, shoes shouldn't be shaped like feet We have since had to have Aidan placed in orthotics as well.....and the explanations that we got about the shoes and feet really make sense.

I used to be in it for the cheap shoes, but now I am all about finding a good fit for the feet....

kris

[migirl]

Ok, so that's ... 11 'yes' and 4 'no'. Very helpful, people, thank you. I guess I'll keep my eye out for sales and check out that website that pinkpickles mentioned. I really like how they're supposed to be so great for beginning walkers, the cost is just so hard to get past.

I don't spend $40 on shoes for myself or DH.

See, this is what kills me about it too. The last pair of shoes I bought for myself I got for $20! AND I'll be able to wear them for years!

One of the problems with the Target shoes, IMO, is that the finish work isn't very good. There are seams or stitching that is rough or not covered up. I think a standard pair of sneakers (like what Sally mentioned?) might be less likely to have this problem? The shoes that caused the most grief were a pair of sandals and Keds-like slip ons.

Nordstroms usually has a standard type of kids shoe or two on sale during the half-yearly sale.

[houseelf]

Great, Kris,

Now I have to add "worrying about my kids' arch development" to my list.

Thanks a lot! My worry list runneth over.

Kelly

You know I love you dude.

Nellie -
When is the Nordie's half-yearly sale?

Flynn might know better. I think the men's sale is late June and late December (that one starts 12/26?). The women and kids...around late July and late January.

There is more in the store than on-line. The men's sale is a great time to buy shirts and ties.

Ya know...I've never looked at kids shoes at the Nordstrom Rack. I need to check that out. I also really like their kids jeans and N Kids brand in general. I have a mission!

[Amiens]

Ok, so that's ... 11 'yes' and 4 'no'. Very helpful, people, thank you. I guess I'll keep my eye out for sales and check out that website that pinkpickles mentioned. I really like how they're supposed to be so great for beginning walkers, the cost is just so hard to get past.

I don't spend $40 on shoes for myself or DH.

See, this is what kills me about it too. The last pair of shoes I bought for myself I got for $20! AND I'll be able to wear them for years!

I would say I am more of a maybe. We just could not afford $50 a pair of shoes for ANYBODY in the family, which is probably why I ended up having foot surgery.

Now that there is a bit more cash flow, I am looking at better shoes. Reed's Robeez have lasted him longer than any other regular shoes I have bought for my kids.

I have also heard that it is better to start them off with a soft soled shoe when they are learning to walk. Also don't know about this one- I had a friend who was told my an orthopod that you shouldn't buy secondhand shoes for your child, something having to do with each kid wears the soles differently, and it can cause problems later on.

Max has extra wide feet and we are on our 2nd pair Stride Rites and I definitely think they are worth it. Max goes to daycare and has to wear them all day so that is another reason. The were $40 and well, it is the only pair of shoes he has, except my SIL just gave us a pair of cute brown tennis shoes. I plan to keep buying them but only one pair.

I agree the price tag is hefty (especially when stuck paying full price). It helps that I have boys, and they pretty much wear one pair of shoes all of the time. I usually buy one pair of Stride Rite / kid / season, and any other shoes are cheaper. Last summer they lived in crocs, which are SO ugly, but so easy! And the ped told me the support wasn't as awful as I thought.

[DCJenn]

I figured that walking wasn't something I needed to interfere with if I could help it, given what the poor guy had alrady been through. The Robeez did last forever and it wasn't until summer that we moved him into the SRs.

I have spent more on cheap shoes from Target and the PX than both new pairs of SR cost. (Thomas the Tank engine tennies from Target- lasted maybe six weeks before they literally fell apart in my hand. Converse All Stars from the PX- his toes get squished and he hates them. Adidas tennies from the Adidas outlet- I hate these shoes because they lace and either they have to stay knoted or they are constantly coming untied. Black shoes from Target for his Halloween costume- scuffed and the pleather is now peeling off. I just decided that this was ridiculous and spent more on the outset for two pairs of shoes that he'll wear until fall. Of course, he also is in daycare and they only take their shoes off at naptime.

Jenn

Do you have any other children's shoe stores in your area? In my experience, the most important thing in buying shoes has been getting a good fit. We have a great local shoe store that carries children's shoes, and the salespeople there are better than the local stride rite. The prices are similar, but we have been able to get a lot more wear out of the shoes that they fit him in. The carry brands like footmates, willits, jumping jacks, and ecco. I think all of these are similar in quality to stride rite. I have also heard that some of the department stores are good at fitting kids shoes.

I agree, our "good" shoes are rarely Stride Rite for the reasons above. I am on the mailing list for the shoe store I like and they have a few sales a year. Nordstroms does a good job of measuring and fitting.

Another place to look for shoes on sale -- http://www.garnethill.com -- they have Stride Rite, Ecco, Primigi at a good price during sales. Once you know the size and brand you like, you might find something there.

[Cumberland]

I buy them but only at garage sales or thrift stores. :02: