What do you look for in shoes?

[ShadowMom]

I recently decided to stop getting my DS those crappy Thomas the Tank Engine shoes from Target (the damn things lasted about 3 weeks and gave DS blisters no matter how much I sized up!) and get my DS some decent shoes.

Now that I'm working FT, I can afford some nice shoes and I've decided good shoes are worth their weight in gold!

Anyway, I was just wondering what you other mamas look for in shoes.

I have decided I really like a leather inner (not sure if that's the right terminology, but the inside of the shoe, esp. the part their foot actually sits on).

And, I love those z-strap closures because they're SO much easier for DS to put on.

We ended up with this pair of shoes :

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/20324003/c/365.html

They are very nice (very expensive too! Hopefully they will at least last a few months)

And when he's at his dad's he wears some Crocs (his dad is incapable of keeping any pair of shoes in decent condition).

We tried several different pairs of shoes including Stride Rite (superball, i think they were called - VERY nice but difficult to get on, the strap didn't move much) and Primigi (very expensive, didn't hold up well, and didn't seem worth the $$ to me). I also tried some Birkenstocks but I wanted a little more protection for his foot.

So, what do you look for in shoes? And what shoes do you like best for your DC currently?

[Monkeygrrl]

i look for shoes that are very flexible and easy for me/child to put on...

currently, my 11mo wears robeez and we just bought him see-kai-runs...
my 4yo wears flips, leather sandals, or tennis shoes...

hope this helps...

peace...

[velochic]

We lived abroad in dd's early years and I found that the metric system they use is a lot better than what we use in the US. The shoes are measured by the centimeter (dd is in a 28 right now) and fit better. So, basically, I look for European shoes... Ricosta, Elefantan, Doc Martens, Primigi, etc. Dd has a pair of sandals that is on it's second year and one on it's third summer. Of course, with shoes, you don't have that much time to let feet grow, but all of her shoes and boots have lasted at least a year, and been handed on to be used a couple years more.

[KarenEMT]

I usually end up with Stride Rites because they fit my son's EE to EEE foot much better than other "wide" shoes. If anyone else has extra-wide recommendations, please share. As his feet get bigger, there seem to be less extra-wide options now.

[AarenLisbeth]

We LOVE Gucio shoes. They are handmade in Poland I believe. Definitely a more expensive shoe, but will last for another child. DS can put them on and take them off no problem. Now if he could only master which shoe goes on which foot. . . Oh, at least these shoes are a bit forgiving when he doesn't get it right

here is the link www.toddlertreads.com

[Zach'smom]

Does anybody have any ideas for good shoes that are not really expensive? Ds rides bikes, scooters, skateboards and kind find dirt a mile away. He has been ruining shoes before he can outgrow them these days. I don't even want to think how much we are spending on replacing shoe. We do have seperate shoes for play and for school so we have at least one pair of decent shoes.

[oyemicanto]

I've had really good luck with Merrells (sp?) - they are very easy to get on and off, and they probably would last a year if my kids feet didn't grow out of them within 6 months!

[MommytoTwo]

I always get Stride Rite shoes. They are not cheap but I feel that good shoes are worth it. I can cut corners on clothes instead.

[zansmama]

Used shoes. That way, I can be as picky as I want to be, and I don't worry about them getting thrashed. We get some hand-me downs from a french family that I babysit for, I think the ones he currently has are by Pom d'Api. Also, Converse has been great for us. They're hip enough to wear with anything, and cheap enough that I don't mind if they get ruined. Also, very flexible. Of course, my mother believes in leather only, but A) she's not paying for the shoes, and B) Dp is vegan. Somehow we always end up buying leather sandals, though... I guess dp hasn't noticed.

By the way, looking for shoes that will stand up to tough treatment: have you tried Vans? Dp is incredibly hard on his shoes, skateboarding, walking in creeks,etc, and they stand up very well for him.

[ShadowMom]

Originally Posted by Zach'smom

Does anybody have any ideas for good shoes that are not really expensive? Ds rides bikes, scooters, skateboards and kind find dirt a mile away. He has been ruining shoes before he can outgrow them these days. I don't even want to think how much we are spending on replacing shoe. We do have seperate shoes for play and for school so we have at least one pair of decent shoes.

Have you tried Crocs? There are some super cheap knock offs, and they are really easy to clean. I couldn't say they would last a particularly long time, but they would be cheap to replace.

Also, ebay is a good place to find good shoes for less money, either used or unused. Lots of places don't take returns, though, so check their return policy and make sure the sizing is right.

They just go through shoes crazy fast, don't they??

[lnitti]

I look for very flexible, good fit. Preferably leather uppers, but occasionally will buy man made. And dd is old enough now that she cares what her shoes look like (she's 3).

But I also can't spend alot either. We've had good luck with Keds and New Balance sneakers. I've considered some Nike sneakers that looked like they were decent.

I've also had fantastic success with the Smart Fit line at Payless. They are flexible, many are leather uppers. And they are cheap cheap cheap. Especially right now with the buy one get one half off sale. I've just bought dd 4 pairs or shoes. There was a 5th pair (sneakers I like), but I wasn't finding a 6th pair to take advantage of the sale. But I may look again before the sale is over and see if there is anything new.