Big feet vent! Good shoes cheaper?

[LynnS6]

I am apparently raising children with flippers, not feet!

Ds jumped two sizes this summer and is now in an adult 7 at age 9. And with that 2 size jump, came a doubling in price for shoes. We can't buy shoes in the kids' section anymore. Now we're lucky to get shoes for $40. AND he needs not only tennis shoes, but also soccer cleats (can't get those size 4 1/2s from last year on him no matter how hard we try).

Dd has also jumped sizes and is now in a size 2 1/2 at age 6. I just found out today that's the same size as our neighbor's 11 year old. Really! (OK, he's a bit small for his age.) She's 6. She needs tennis shoes for first grade and we have one week to teach her to tie her shoes. She needs dress shoes and 85% of them seem to have heels at this age. I wouldn't want my 10 year old wearing heels, but I certainly don't want my 6 year old to!

Any ideas on where I can buy decent shoes that won't break the bank?

[Qbear'smama]

Thank God there is someone else out there with children with giant feet! DD is 4 and she's seriously pushing past a 13 at this point! I'd try to find shoes online. I found some great deals for shoes I like, Tsukihoshis, which are wider than usual and sized about 1 size larger than most shoes (so DD can wear Tsukihoshis in an 11) you can hopefully find some good deals on this site:

http://www.6pm.com/shoes

Let me know if this site is helpful...I'm pregnant with #2 and I am sure, being a boy, we'll be contending even more with this big foot issue in years to come, DH bought shoes yesterday and he squeezed his boats into a 13 but is really happiest in a 14 or 15! Sigh!

[cschick]

Originally Posted by LynnS6

I am apparently raising children with flippers, not feet!

Ds jumped two sizes this summer and is now in an adult 7 at age 9. And with that 2 size jump, came a doubling in price for shoes. We can't buy shoes in the kids' section anymore. Now we're lucky to get shoes for $40. AND he needs not only tennis shoes, but also soccer cleats (can't get those size 4 1/2s from last year on him no matter how hard we try).

Dd has also jumped sizes and is now in a size 2 1/2 at age 6. I just found out today that's the same size as our neighbor's 11 year old. Really! (OK, he's a bit small for his age.) She's 6. She needs tennis shoes for first grade and we have one week to teach her to tie her shoes. She needs dress shoes and 85% of them seem to have heels at this age. I wouldn't want my 10 year old wearing heels, but I certainly don't want my 6 year old to!

Any ideas on where I can buy decent shoes that won't break the bank?

For you little girl's dress shoes, maybe something like:

http://www.landsend.com/pp/MaryJaneS...1&origin=index

or

http://www.landsend.com/pp/QuiltedMa...1&origin=index

?

It looks like you'd probably want to buy her a size 3 . . .

For your boy, do you have an outlet mall nearby? That's the only idea I have. Or if you're in an area with Shoe Carnival, I recall they sometimes(?) always(?) do a two-for-one deal

[St. Margaret]

I've been shocked this summer that Payless had some great shoes for very cheap. DD is still on the border before real kids sizes, but they had the same shoes in kids sizes-- very flexible, no heels, comfy and practical, and cute-- not garish, but cute. So you might find something for your DD there.

Adult shoes I know can be low quality there, no good support, not as comfy, but you never know. We finally got to the point where DD was outgrowing shoes way too fast to keep buying the pricey "good" shoes. We stuck out at Target but found shoes at Payless that may not be handcrafted leather but are fine for the two months that they'll fit!

Good luck!

[lifeguard]

Just had to post to say good luck. I assume your in the states so your choices are different (& generally better) than what we have up here in Canada but my big feet have been the bane of my existence for many, many years.

I have to say for shoes that you don't need to be terrific quality payless works pretty well.

[jessica_s]

I wanted to sub to your thread because I have a just-turned-4 yr old in 13 1/2. Oh and he's a 2E. That's extra-wide. It's not fat either so we're gonna have some fun as he gets older I'm sure.
For now we've been doing stride rite (pricy, but we stick to one shoe per season) because they have a good selection of extra-wides.
I usually search zappos and endless for sales/clearance.
My DH has wide feet and has luck with Saucocy, they are fairly inexpensive and seem to hold up. He's pretty rough on tennis shoes.

[Oubliette8]

Do you have a Marshalls or similar store near you? Ours has a decent shoe selection. I haven't checked the prices on shoes specifically, but their prices on other items are often close to 50% off retail. Also, what about Kohls? Their normal prices are obscene, but they very often have sales in the shoe department that bring the prices down to about $40/pair. If you keep an eye on their circulars, they often have additional coupons or incentives- 20% of one item, $10 back when you spend $50 etc.

[spedteacher30]

my 4.5 year old is in a 1.5-2. We did two things:

1) buy him Converse lo-top sneakers and a second pair of casual hiking style shoes at Target
2) go to Dick's Sporting Goods and get the elastic laces that triathletes use and relaced his shoes with the elastic laces and the clip.

Viola! Shoes that tie became shoes that don't need to tie!!

Converse also has slip ons, but they didn't have any in his size at Target. AND, AND, AND, AND, AND, they make the cutest slip on high tops now:

http://www.converse.com/#/products/S...Taylor/617660F

I cannot wait to buy a pair. but, my wife put me on a spending moratorium because I spent too much on books last night.

[somelady]

Are you sizing your ds with a sizer or what he says is comfy? My brother was wearing some totally ridiculous size until he tried http://www.wideshoes.com where you send in a tracing of your foot and a measurement around, and they figure out your size. Then he was a normal size but in 5E. I have no idea how the prices are but I know he also needed fewer shoes once they fit right.

[karemore]

My DD is 5 and is wearing a size 1.

Land's End clearance shoes are a great deal for more age appropriate shoes in larger sizes. Sign up on their email list for free shipping. I think most Sears stores have a Lands End department, but the online selection is better.



I also found her some Champion sneakers at Payless last month for $7!!! After paying $60 for the last pair of velcro sneakers we decide she needed to learn to tie laces!

I think you just have to buy ahead when you can find a great deal on sale. Good luck!

[Quinalla]

I highly recommend Payless for growing feet. The shoes are not as high quality as really nice shoe stores, but they will last until your child outgrows them. I got shoes at Payless for years growing up as I had the same issue with huge feet and fast growing feet and they are good about having at least a pair or two of flats. I still occasionally go there to look for sandals and whatnot since I wear a 12-1/2 and most shoe stores don't carry 12s or 13s, but Payless does. Also, try to hit department store shoe sections when they are having a big storewide sale. For soccer cleats, try to hit a sale at a sports store, but you will probably be out of luck on that one.

[Norasmomma]

I second 6pm.com they really have great deals, I've gotten $100+ shoes for $30 bucks, I love Keens and Privo, but I'm a cheapskate. They are a Zappos company, I believe their outlet center.

Sierra Trading Post is good and often on FatWallet.com there are deal codes in their forum for that company.

[4evermom]

When you say ds is a size 7, you aren't basing that on your own feet are you? A woman's size 7 is the same as a youth or men's size 5.