Where do you buy toddler shoes?

[blumooned]

DS has only had 1 pair of shoes & it's time for his next set. I bought the first pair online & love them. I could just buy the same brand again online in the next size, but I'd kinda like to look at the other options. Where (what stores) do you go to shoe shop for a toddler?

I looked today at some kids' clothing stores & they only had their own brands of shoes & were either too big (for older kids) or too small (for babies). I looked at a couple shoe stores & they had nothing for kids under ~5.

Specifically I'm looking for soft soled, size 18-24mo, fall/winter shoes. DS's current shoes are Smaller by See Kai Run - so something similar to those. I'm totally fine with getting another pair of SKR online, just thought it would be nice to see/feel/try on others.

TIA!!

[AKislandgirl]

I love soft star shoes! They are really a great shoe. We've had a couple different styles and have loved them both. We always get compliments on them but more importantly they are super comfy and DD loves them!

[cdmommie]

Originally Posted by blumooned

DS has only had 1 pair of shoes & it's time for his next set. I bought the first pair online & love them. I could just buy the same brand again online in the next size, but I'd kinda like to look at the other options. Where (what stores) do you go to shoe shop for a toddler?

I looked today at some kids' clothing stores & they only had their own brands of shoes & were either too big (for older kids) or too small (for babies). I looked at a couple shoe stores & they had nothing for kids under ~5.

Specifically I'm looking for soft soled, size 18-24mo, fall/winter shoes. DS's current shoes are Smaller by See Kai Run - so something similar to those. I'm totally fine with getting another pair of SKR online, just thought it would be nice to see/feel/try on others.

TIA!!

Target has some, but you have to look in the baby section. I don't actually buy them there because I can't afford them, but I do "window shop" that isle frequently

[nukuspot]

I'm interested in this too. I looked at Soft Star's website but there are just too many options to choose from. So I got overwhelmed between the types What ones do you like AKislandgirl?

[texaspeach]

are you wanting a brick and mortar store? stride rite carries skr and robeez as well as other brands.

[~savah~]

My favorite brands are bobux and soft star shoes. If you go to the bobux website you can do a search to find a retailer in your area. I'm not sure if soft star has that option, but their customer service is great.

[allical1284]

I'm really bad...
I went to Nordstrom with DD and tried a ton of different shoes and brands (SKR, Robeez, pediped, umi, etc...) I kept track of the sizes that fit her for each brand, then I went home and ordered some from Amazon for a fraction of the price
I went when it was kind of crowded so that the salesperson didn't bug us too much, and I was sure to put all the shoes back exactly how I found them

[Honey693]

Target has ones called (I think) Skidderz. The top is slipper like material and the bottle is nubby rubber. http://www.target.com/Pre-Walk-Infan...k&frombrowse=1

[cheryllynn]

I shopped at Babies R Us and was disappointed in the shoe selection. I just visited Toys r Us and they have a much better selection. Shoes there are about $10 - $14 / pair. I looked at the soft star and wouldn't be spending $40 - $80+ on toddler shoes.

We've also had pretty good luck at the Goodwill store. Shoes there are about $1 - $4 and mostly not very much worn.

[PirateMommy]

I'm with Cheryllynn, my DS is in and out of shoe sizes so fast, it's silly to contemplate spending so much. He was a size 5 at the begginning of summer. He is in size 8 now! I've found Target and Payless (Payless has Airwalks, which I personally love) to have super cute AND comfortable shoes for him. I was not impressed with Babies R Us. Most of the shoes were overpriced and not as safe (the soles were not grippy in most of the pairs we tried out - my little guy is a climber, we need good tread).

Good luck and happy hunting.

[mama2mygirl]

We have a local consignment store that carries See Kai Run, SKR Smaller, Roobez, Pedipeds and a couple more I don't remember. I traded some clothes and got a brand new pair of Roobez.
Also, I got another pair of Roobez at a yard sale a LLL mom I know had.
We are on a tight budget so I have to be creative.

[AKislandgirl]

Originally Posted by nukuspot

I'm interested in this too. I looked at Soft Star's website but there are just too many options to choose from. So I got overwhelmed between the types What ones do you like AKislandgirl?

Her first shoe was the classic shoe with laces and now she is in the rambler. The rambler has wool in the bottom which is nice this time of year (she actually wore these all summer too!) but both are great shoes. Once she outgrows this pair I think I'll get her another pair of the classic shoes. What I like about this brand is that they provide protection over rocks and gravel and such but can still be bunched in a ball. Great for developing feet! Also handmade in Oregon.

[gagin37]

we got most of ds's soft soled shoes at Target, the Mini Stars. The Marshall's here also carries a small selection of Robeez, he has one pair that he can still wear. I bought his stride rite sandals on ebay.

[luv-my-boys]

I have always loved stride rite (outlet is awesome) I never buy in their retail stores though jus tthe outlet since its WAY cheaper. But they carry so many sizes and widths which is really important to getting a good fit. Plus for us they have really stood up to my crazy boys enough that I do pass down shoes from one to another. Plus I love how they dont have characters galore on them and are "flashy" with glowing lights (although they do have a fewstyles)

I also like pediped and robeez for softer indoor type shoes but if you need shoes for outdoor/wet winter I would go with stride as they have thicker rubber bottoms as opposed to the leather in the others.

[texaspeach]

Originally Posted by allical1284

I'm really bad...
I went to Nordstrom with DD and tried a ton of different shoes and brands (SKR, Robeez, pediped, umi, etc...) I kept track of the sizes that fit her for each brand, then I went home and ordered some from Amazon for a fraction of the price
I went when it was kind of crowded so that the salesperson didn't bug us too much, and I was sure to put all the shoes back exactly how I found them

nordies does price matching btw (info), just thought I'd throw that out there. returns to the store are super easy too. and no, I don't work for them or own stock

[taramoon13]

Originally Posted by AKislandgirl

I love soft star shoes! They are really a great shoe. We've had a couple different styles and have loved them both. We always get compliments on them but more importantly they are super comfy and DD loves them!

another vote here for http://www.softstarshoes.com/
super well made, adorable, and we love supporting american-made

[allical1284]

Originally Posted by texaspeach

nordies does price matching btw (info), just thought I'd throw that out there. returns to the store are super easy too. and no, I don't work for them or own stock

Holy cow! That just made my day!! I do love Nordstrom (every once in a while I splurge on stuff for me) and I am always blown away by the customer service, but I never knew about the price matching!! I am so excited now! Thank you thank you

[blumooned]

Thanks for all the info, everyone! Yes, I was looking for a brick & mortar store - so I could actually see the shoes & compare them. I will try some of the suggestions you all made here.

Now, I just have to decide what kind of shoes we're going to need! Fall/winter seems more difficult to buy for than spring/summer.

[ellemenope]

Originally Posted by PirateMommy

He was a size 5 at the begginning of summer. He is in size 8 now!

Oh my! I think DD was a size 5 for 6 months! She is a 6.5 now and i think due for a growth spurt.

[redvlagrl]

Until she grew out of them (18-24 mths is the biggest size) we had Pediped originals (soft soles) for DD. Now she is in regular See Kai Runs. We also only have one pair of shes for DD. I don't see the need for more apart from 'specialty' shoes like rain boots. We get ours from our local fancy baby boutique.