Durable Toddler shoes?

[Violet2]

Actually, I'm not even sure if DD is wearing toddler sizes anymore. Is 9/10 a toddler size still?

All I know is my usual shoe outlets for DD stop at 7 or 8.

I need decent shoes. Yeah, Target is cheap and has the sizes, but the shoes are crap.

Stride Rite is expensive but their shoes don't last either. I paid $45 for shoes there once and the colored leather peeled off!

I liked the angel squeakers and supporting a charity at the same time, but they are always out of stock and their sizes stop at 8.

So, where are you finding durable shoes? I love Robeez but they never have stock of the bigger sizes.

V

[Lizafava]

My boys have worn keens after the first wobbly toddler days are over. They are incredibly durable, cute and washable. The foot bed is nice and wide for my kiddos and they are very stable shoes, especially for sandals. They wear closed versions during the winter.

[Violet2]

OOooo great suggestion. Found a great tennis shoe for her. Knock on wood her feet are growing a bit slower right now so hopefully she'll use them for 4-6 months.

Okay, so now I need a 'dressier' shoe and I didn't see anything on Keen. I'm thinking brown leather and we like cutesy but tasteful designs.

Thoughts? Please?

V

[corrieoseal]

The Pediped Flex shoes go up to 13.5. Super cute and durable shoes. I get great deals on Amazon and during their Make-a-Wish promotions. I also love See Kai Run, but they only go up to 9 in their toddler sizes. They recently had a great shoe of the day promotion with 50% off one boy and one girl pair each day. I find that the leather is not as durable on the SKR as it is super soft, but I love them anyway and don't mind a bit of scuff, we just don't wear them to the playground.

Also, I know you aren't looking for tennis shoes still, but I find that Converse has some cute and super durable shoes.

[Violet2]

Great suggestion.

Are you sure the pediped don't scuff easily/peel--they remind me a bit of the Stride Rite shoe that scuffed on Day 1 and peeled by Day 5.

V

[pantrygirl]

We've been happy with the See Kai Run line of shoes and they have a line I think called Eleven that extends the size of the shoes past toddler size.

They've been fairly durable. Scuffs, which I think are a part of toddler shoes, happened but not immediately. I would say my kid is right now wearing SKR for 3 months before her feet grow. They usually look fairly decent at 3 months. The only exception was her first pair but she was also learning to run at the time and there were alot of tumbles.

[kriket]

My little one is a 5.5, but he's active, and falls a lot. We really like vans, and Converse. We have a pair of stride right like this Grandma bought and they are holding up pretty well.

[corrieoseal]

I think the Pedipeds hold up pretty well for a toddler shoe (a shoe that will probably take some abuse.) The leather upper is a little sturdier than her SKR, almost nubbier (does that make sense?) DD isn't really hard on her Pedipeds, though. She is wild at the playground (usually in Converse), but not as much out and about running regular errands or attending events.
We have had these:
http://www.pediped.com/Product/ProductInfo.aspx?id=146
and these:
http://www.pediped.com/Product/ProductInfo.aspx?id=149
and both held up very well and still looked great after months of wear. (Especially the polka dots.)

But there are no guarantees with toddlers and their shoes.

[Violet2]

Thanks for the info.

This thread has been so helpful!

[junipervt]

Originally Posted by Violet2

Great suggestion.

Are you sure the pediped don't scuff easily/peel--they remind me a bit of the Stride Rite shoe that scuffed on Day 1 and peeled by Day 5.

V

DD has a pair of pediped mary janes & they scuff pretty easily, but they are shiny & shiny shoes seem to wear faster. They still look wearable & there is no pealing.
they are these, but red
http://www.pediped.com/Product/ProductInfo.aspx?id=279

[honeybunmom]

I'm loving Livie and Luca for my toddler and preschooler right now.

[apple o' my eye]

I wear Keen sandles and although they are comfy, I always get rocks in them. I wonder if my DD would too? Once the rock goes in I have to take them off to get it out.
What a pain!
We may try the shoes in the fall though.

[russsk]

DS wears SKR shoes. I really like them. They do scuff, but he wears them everywhere and pretty much any leather is going to scuff if you're running and jumping in them, yk?

[peainthepod]

Another vote for Pedipeds. We love those shoes! They seem to take endless abuse and they have some adorable styles.

[AKislandgirl]

Soft Star shoes are wonderful! We even stomp in puddles in them and no peeling or fading! They are hand made in Oregon. Sizes go through adults... I want a pair for me!

[honeybunmom]

Originally Posted by AKislandgirl

Soft Star shoes are wonderful! We even stomp in puddles in them and no peeling or fading! They are hand made in Oregon. Sizes go through adults... I want a pair for me!

That's great to hear! I was considering a pair of their boots for dd last winter.

[ssh]

I'm surprised about the stride right shoes. My DDs outgrown old pair still look good after 8 months wear. Did you call or email the manufacturer? I had a pair of See Kai Run that the insole came unattached and they replaced them. Maybe your specific shoes were defective. We also got DDs stride right shoes at an outlet store so the first pair was $34 and the ones she's wearing now were on sale buy one get one half price, so at $14.95 the second shoe was $7.45. The outlet stores always have some styles on sale. We like them because they come in extra wide. We love the SKR shoes but the Eleven brand is just too expensive and may not be wide enough.

[~savah~]

Originally Posted by honeybunmom

That's great to hear! I was considering a pair of their boots for dd last winter.

I got a pair of ss boots for dd last winter and they are still going strong. The leather is dyed (azo free dye) so even if the do scuff it is still the same color, there isn't a layer that peels off. I'm considering getting a pair for myself this year.

[EmmaJane]

See Kai Run has a line for bigger kids called "Eleven." They use a somewhat tougher leather than for the original SKRs, and the shoes last much better. (Plus a little colored polish can work WONDERS...)

Pedipeds have been getting better about wear. In the new fall line more of the shoes have e.g. rubber toe caps -- we've had some in the past that got bad scuffing, but only on the toes. I wonder how long they'll keep expanding the size range? DD1 had their baby shoes when they first started, and so far every time she's been about to outgrow their size range, they expand it... just got her some 30's, and they only just introduced 30 and 31 this month.

Those two brands have been the only ones that fit comfortably out of the box, no blisters, no complaints... and the shoes hold together structurally, so I think I'm mostly willing to live with the scuffs.

[mama2soren]

Our Pedipeds went through about 6 months of near-daily use with a 19-25 month old. They still look nearly new. I'd definitely spend the money for that brand again.