Hand-me-down shoes?

[allisonrose]

I read somewhere (I don't think it was here at MDC) that used shoes should be avoided because they mold to the first user's feet and may not provide proper support to the next user's feet. I have a toddler boy and now an infant boy. I've held onto the shoes that my first son used but are still in good shape. It seems like a waste to toss them. So what do you think about hand-me-down shoes?

ETA: Yup, my son does/did spend most of his time indoors barefoot. Shoes are mostly for going outside the house. I do buy ones with flexible soles.

Edited by allisonrose - 2/9/11 at 4:00pm

[SpuglyRoo]

I have heard the same thing, but I personally believe that it really depends on the shoe and how much wear it has had.  When it is a pair of dress shoes he wore a dozen times or so, I definitely hold onto it.  The sneakers that he used to tromp around the yard and all over creation, I don't think I'll use again (although I still have them in case I need an emergency back up because of accidents/massive amounts of mud/etc.) But that is just me.  My kids tend to be barefoot most of the time anyway and the shoes I get them are so flexible that I'm not sure the shoe "supported' much from day one.

[crunchy_mommy]

My DS is barefoot in the house (and often elsewhere as well) so that's at least 50% of the time, so I don't worry as much about which shoes he's wearing the other 50% of the time. Half of his shoes have been hand-me-down shoes. I don't really believe in the 'mold to your feet' theory -- first of all, it doesn't seem like most toddlers even get to wear a pair of shoes long enough for them to change shape/support before they outgrow them... but also, I don't feel like all that 'support' is even necessary, and especially if you are choosing soft-soled shoes, there's not much to them so I don't see how they could mold to someone's foot. So as long as they are comfortable & nothing's digging into him or whatever, I don't see the issue... But that's just my opinion, not really research-based (unless you count the 'barefoot is better' research )

[~Amy~]

I haven't heard the molding to the feet bit but have heard that shoes wear according to the wearer's gait. I've chosen not to hold onto DS1's shoes for DS2 (except Robeez-type), but I do pass them along to friends if anyone wants them.

[JessiFish]

Just from poking around in the shoes that DD has, there doesn't seem to be much in there anyway. She has one pair of athletic-looking shoes that seem to have some padding, but the others pretty much seem like rubber with a layer of fabric. Not much to mold.

My shoes definitely gear wear patterns from the way I walk, but I don't think DD wears any of hers long enough for that to happen.

[elus0814]

We pass down seldom work dress shoes, snow boots, rain boots, sandals, water shoes, and some slippers. Everyday shoes and frequently worn slippers are single user items in my opinion. 

[JudiAU]

I think it really depends on how much wear the shoes has had. Some of LOs look brand new and some clearly have taken a beating.

[lifeguard]

Personally I wouldn't use second hand shoes from a source I don't know because you really can't tell from looks alone how much they've been worn. Ds' first "real" shoes he wore for 6 months constantly. We really abused those shoes & quite frankly they look as good as new but I most definitely would not put them on my second child 'cause I know they are well worn.

I would use very lightly used second hand shoes but without knowing the source I don't know how you could tell that.

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by JudiAU 

I think it really depends on how much wear the shoes has had. Some of LOs look brand new and some clearly have taken a beating.

This is what we do.  If there is a molding in the shoe-- then it might not be comfortable.  But really they grow so fast/ don't really wear the shoes that long, and are really not heavy enough to cause an imprint. 

You can feel the imprint--even if you can't see it.  You just feel the insole and if there are dents, dips, etc. Then maybe not. 

I honestly think that this has been over hyped by the folks profiting off of 50 buck a pop baby shoes.  Kids have been wearing hand me down shoes for ages.

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by carmel23 

I honestly think that this has been over hyped by the folks profiting off of 50 buck a pop baby shoes.  Kids have been wearing hand me down shoes for ages.

Yup, probably hyped up by the same people who say you need a fresh pair of $300 running shoes every 3 months...