how do you buy shoes? (for a 10 yo?)

[namama]

Our DD just turned 10 her feet are in that super growth stage. We live 30 minutes from town and the resale shops.

I feel like I cannot keep her in shoes -and then last week we went nuts, I was desperate to help her deal with the no shoes situation: every where we went there seemed to be none in her size --none in the big sizes for kids and none in the small sizes for adults. And then when we realized that the difference between pricing for new adult shoes is on average double kid prices, her heart sank (we buy Tevas for summer, they live in them --kid Teva new $35 adult new $80) she was so disappointed by the obvious scam. We never have luck at Goodwill... or resale with shoes. And mail order seems to be a huge let down the shoes never fit --I still have a "bargain" pair of clogs from Hanna Andressen that we bought but never returned when they didn't fit because I hoped she'd grow into them, well they NEVER fit --we missed seasons... arrrgggghhhh!

Anyway, I would love some Momma words of wisdom over how you all buy shoes... this is the one of two areas of clothing that we struggle with saving $$ and being frugal --shoes and underwear!!

[KayleeZoo]

I feel your pain! My 10yo DD has big feet, too And her feet grow insanely fast- she went through 3 sizes last summer alone

I buy only good shoes and never buy used- I'm really conscious about them since a family member (orthopedic Dr) told me that used shoes can cause not only foot problems later in life, but more importantly hip and knee problems. SO- I always buy on sale/clearance and save them. We have a big rubbermaid tote full of shoes in DD's closet that have all sorts of sizes in every style (I have 4 kids, though, and someone will always fit into something eventually) I get Tevas on clearance at REI after the summer for 60% off, and can order Crocs up to 75% off, etc. We buy Skechers sneakers on clearance for 50% off and save them (the "must have" shoes for my 2 school aged dds)

So there are always some shoes for each season that fit somebody. If we miss a season, there will be another kid that will fit into them at some point. Not sure if that would work for someone with fewer kids, though.

If you have to buy according to season up front, I'd definately shop online- Amazon.com often has really good deals on kids' shoes and you can often get free shipping over $25, or free no matter what with Amazon Prime. I do much better online, on average, than in stores for discounted kids' shoes.

[karne]

This might be a bit smarmy, but I have taken my oldest to try shoes on in the store to make sure I know the size, then searched the internet for the best pricing on what we want, and ordered. We're in the same boat-preteen w/ a foot larger than mine! Flip flops are helpful in the summer because they can accomodate a bit more growth, but I also feel that you need at least one solid pair of shoes.

You could also try a women's consignment store for adult sizes.

[ChristyMarie]

For the Teva's she might fit into boys longer than girls. I have bought boys snow boots in the past for me because they fit and are much much MUCH cheaper than women's.

When you do find a pair that fit well I would buy the next size up when it is on sale. I know that one brand has fit my son over and over so if I find those on sale, I'm buying them.

[Ianthe]

We usually buy shoes and clothes as they go on clearance a size or 2 big.. so I buy sandels in the fall and winter that are much cheaper than buying in season.

Also, my MIL is obsessed about making sure my kids have good shoes, so when I don't buy them cheap, she buys them shoes whenever she thinks they need some.

[philomom]

Thrift stores. My kids have great shoes... they were worn by other folks first though.

[lilyka]

mostly my kids wear cheap shoes but they do get one good pair of tennies every year. I try to buy off season but usually suck it up and pay full price. we have a shoe store here with good shoes and crappy service but stuff is always on sale and always buy one get one half off (applies to most sale prices as well).

a good place to buy online is www.zappos.com. their return policy is amazing. not a lot of sales but worth the money. I bought a $40 pair of shoes. they upgraded my shipping to overnight. thanks. but they did not fit. So said send them back. they emailed me a prepaid shipping lable. gave me a week to return them and overnighted me a new pair. for free. and all of this was orchestrated by a real live person!

[gbailey]

Not sure if this will help but if your DD still needs summer shoes this weekend will be a great time to buy. A lot of online places are having huge sales to get rid of their inventory to make room for the fall/winter stuff.

[EmsMom]

I never say no to decent used shoes. I wouldn't really use any that had an obvious wear pattern, but some shoes are only worn a few times before grown out of. And there are lots of families that buy shoes with abandon and therefore sell unused shoes. So I keep my eyes peeled at yard sales. I also buy sizes ahead when the price is right.

Now my dd is into my same size (she always wants to borrow my shoes ). I found a brand of sneaker that fits her well (she needs a wide shoe) and watch for sales in her size. She doesn't really need a heavy duty running shoe or anything, so I just buy that brand (New Balance) in a lighter weight sneaker and they almost always have a sale on some sneaker. They also will always take back the shoe if the fit is wrong. I also check out places like Marshalls for discounted other types of shoes in her size. So we can generally get through the year with a couple of pairs sneakers and some sandals and a pair of boots. If she needs dressier shoes, she borrows mine (and walks carefully... She has worn the soles off of some shoes in less than a week -- how does she DO that?)

Last year I bought adult men's boots for her because nothing else fit her. They were extremely nice boots for the snow, warmer and more stable than any woman's boot I ever saw and cheaper "to boot".

[zebra15]

I watch for sales for DS who is just coming out of kid sizes and into BIG KID sizes. (whatever a "4/5" is plus WIDE at times). Good shoes are not cheap and cheap shoes hurt his feet. I watch for sales on crocs, teva, keen, etc. I tend to order one size up and usually do ok, but sometimes I have to suck it up and pay fullprice. Yes it hurts but, its not the kids fault the foot is growing.

[Jyotsna]

As a single mother of three, I have a very limited budget. I recently found out that Walmart has $10 athletic shoes every day. I just got one of my daughters a pair a few days ago. They look fine. I wear Birks and so far have not been able to buy my kids Birks because they grow out of the shoes so fast.

[butterfly1976]

I have always bought my kids' shoes at thrift shops. That's where I buy mine as well. I don't think I've ever paid more than a few bucks for them.

[zinemama]

I generally bite the bullet and pay for good quality shoes. I get most of their other clothes and outerwear at thrift stores (I've had great luck with coats), but shoes are harder to find, and not worth all the shlepping around and looking. And my kids are so hard on their shoes that shopping at Target or Payless just doesn't pay.

I do stock up on shoes in larger sizes when they are on sale, though. And I still keep a look out at thrift stores - maybe I'll get lucky sometime!

[Om Girl]

I get the girls' feet measured every season and then carry around their current size in my wallet. Then I shop around and see what's popular this season and what the current prices are. I usually will buy their shoes at the big REI sales or at our local shoe boutique when they have sales.

Kids shoes are always cheaper than adults sizing. Since I have small feet size 5 in kids, I usually find a shoe in the store and try it on for size then I come home and shop online to find the best deal.
Zappos.com and REI.com have great return policies and usually ship free.

Shoes are the one thing that I will save on but I will NOT scrimp. They're too important for their foot health and development.