Buying quality vs. frugality--shoes and undies?

[melissel]

So my toddler has outgrown her two-month-old Stride Rite sneaks : I have all kinds of trouble with my feet, so I've only ever bought quality shoes for the kids, but right now, another $40 pair of shoes is going to hurt more than usual. I could buy on eBay, which I've done in the past, but the sizing is hit or miss. I really want to buy her good shoes. What are my options?

And then, she's just about (dare I say it?) completely done PLing during the day. We have some underwear for her, but they're the kind that ride up given the slightest opportunity. I bought Hanna Unders for my DD1 a few months ago and she's been so comfortable in them, and she's never...um...digging around for her underpants anymore. I was thinking about buying some for my little one and found a great deal, but still, they're more expensive than your basic Hanes.

WWYD? Buy quality, or go as cheap as possible? I mean, the two purchases wouldn't break the bank, but still, things are quite tight, and the more we can save now while my DH's unemployment is still in effect, the better off we are in five months when it runs out.

Ugh. :

[Mothra]

I don't pay more than $10 for my kids' shoes. At that age, it's not worth it. I bought Stride Rite for my oldest, and he always outgrew them before they were even worn in. Yes, they are good shoes, but are they really worth the $20+ a month you're spending on them? You can get a pair that will function just fine at Payless for a fraction of the price. It's not the same as buying yourself a nice pair of shoes because you know they will last.

I would put the money in the underwear, where it will actually make a difference.

[EineMama]

I am a firm believer in good quality shoes. If money is really tight right now, maybe you can find some good sneakers at a place like Ross or Famous Footwear? I would rather skimp on the underwear. Then again, those are my two expensive items, too. I love the softness of the HA ones. DS has eczema on his belly, and those are the only ones that don't make him itch constantly...

[AllisonK]

I will NOT buy expensive shoes for the kids when they are growing so much. I bought Micheal a pair of shoes about 3 months ago and he has all ready out grown them. I just can't afford to buy shoes all the time especially with three going on four kids. It would break my budget. I will buy them more expensive shoes when they are older and will wear them for a bit longer though.

[MorganRiley]

i have always bought stride rites ON EBAY and never been a miss for sizing

if in doubt...buy a size bigger...they will grow into them!

never paid more than 10$ on ebay for stride rites (used)

[Meg_s]

What you believe is good for your child's feet is also a consideration. I have some hand me down shoes that were extremely expensive from some friends of ours and they've never been on my child's feet because they are so stiff. Different people have different beliefs too, some are all about the "support" in a pair of shoes and other people (me) believe that shoes should be as flexible and soft as possible while still being protective to whatever elements the kid is being exposed to, to build the kid's natural support and strength. I have feet probs that were made worse from a top notch professional's "help" with inserts and special things and made way better when I decided to just go barefoot and do foot exercises as often as possible. My base structure is not perfect, but that is not because of shoes it's due to genetics and maternal nutrition.

[EmsMom]

I think if the cheap underwear is that uncomfortable for your child, you should just get her the other You might look for a sale, though. Or ask around and find another good brand that is cheaper. I have always bought the Hanes underwear at the supermarket for the kids and have been pleased. Once I bought some at Costco but they did not hold up well AND they rode up on my dd and drove her crazy. Different kids really do have different body shapes but there is probably more than one decent brand for your child. As far as shoes goes, I used to buy Stride-rite shoes at the children's resale store near me. Less than $10 a pair. And they typically had a good selection. I also noticed that the Stride-rite sneakers (I always bought canvas because my dd had such hot little feet!) lasted through her need, and through my sons need and then passed on to my friend's son and are still going strong. As a pp noted, some shoes are so hard and inflexible and look so uncomfortable. I think there are also Stride-rite outlets around and there is e-bay as well.

[Selesai]

I really believe in quality footwear. I wear an 11W and my husband had clubfoot, so he also requires good quality shoes. My son (16 mo) wears Stride Rite. He probably needs a new pair and I won't hesitate to spend the $50.
Now, you might want to disregard my opinion. My son had clubfoot, too, so he needs good support and padding, and due to that condition and genetics, he wears a double wide.

[Caneel]

We buy Stride Rite for our son because he has extra wide feet. The older I get, the more quality vs. quanity I become. (I was raised in a more of cheap is better than less of good family)

[scoob]

Originally Posted by Selesai

I really believe in quality footwear. I wear an 11W and my husband had clubfoot, so he also requires good quality shoes. My son (16 mo) wears Stride Rite. He probably needs a new pair and I won't hesitate to spend the $50.
Now, you might want to disregard my opinion. My son had clubfoot, too, so he needs good support and padding, and due to that condition and genetics, he wears a double wide.

Delurking for a minute: My son is a bilat. clubfoot too. I'd always intended to buy expensive shoes for him (my eldest brother was a clubfoot as well and, though my parents had no money, they always talked about having to buy orthopedic shoes for him and how expensive they were). When I talked to his pediatric ortho. surgeon about shoes, he told me that they didn't need to be expensive. I believe his exact words were "go to Kmart and get him a pair; just make sure they're flexible". The orthotics people who dealt with fitting him for his nighttime shoes were equally laissez fair about brands, though they also emphasized flexibility. I remember looking at shoes at cheap places, but nothing ever seemed very "flexible" to me. We started him in the Robeez type shoes when he was first walking and moved on to Crocs after that. He's pretty happy in various Croc styles (we have a closed type without the holes for cooler weather; we live in the South so it never gets too cold) year round and they seem to fit his short, fat foot well. We used to buy him a pair of sneakers as well (as other's mentioned, you can get good brands for very cheap at Ross) but he always wanted the Crocs.

[pbjmama]

We buy stride rites and I think it is worth it. Buying used shoes isn't a great idea, IMO. But you do have alternatives. I try to buy at least one pair during the summer/winter sales, half a size and/or a whole size up verison of what he already has. I also shop around for sales at other places and online.

[schrocat]

DS wears stride rites but I buy them cheap in advance. The most I've ever paid for a pair of stride rites is maybe $15 from Amazon. Marshalls sometimes has stride rites. I got his first pair of stride rites there for $7.50 on clearance. He wore his $7.50 stride rites from august to march and was perfectly happy in them. His current pair of stride rites cost about $10.50. It is possible to get quality shoes cheap, you just need to buy ahead.

[normajean]

For my kids who change sizes every 4 months, its not worth it to spend more than $15 on a pair of shoes. Combing the sales for good quality shoes at that price takes more time, but it can be done.

[Sharlla]

I buy used or clearance quality. I don't buy WM clothes at all. I bough DS1 $45 Vans at JC Penny's for $17.

[zoebugsmom]

Target actually has some decent kid's shoes. At that age those shoes really just need to be flexible. I've also had great luck finding good shoes (Stride-rites, Merrels) at places like Famous Footwear, Marshals, and outlets. Until this past month we hadn't paid more than $20 for shoes for dd and she's worn name brands.

[Adamsmama]

I would buy them at Target. That is what we do...they only wear them for a short amount of time. I'm all for good footwear for teenagers/adults. I'm not sure about the underwear...depends on how expensive the good ones are.

[KariM]

I'm probably an awful mom, but I buy high quality used shoes for my kiddos. I check the bottoms for wear and make sure they aren't already molded to someone else's foot, but generally I can find them in nearly new condition at a fraction of the new price.

I've also been buying brand new Stride Rites from eBay sellers at about half of retail ($23 and less).

I try to have two pair of shoes in each size for each kid and then a pair of dress shoes and a pair of winter boots. I like to put them in real shoes (oxfords or mary janes, not sneakers) whenever possible, but will sometimes keep a pair of sneakers around as well.

As for underwear, I learned the hard way for myself that quality does make a difference! DD is still using diapers, but I plan to seek out higher end undies when she does transition!

ETA: On the shoes I have searches in my favorites on eBay and get notices when new pairs are listed. I can watch them and bid when I see a great pair at a good price. I try to stay two sizes ahead and then just store them until DD is ready to wear them. That way I'm never scrambling to buy her a new pair of shoes when her feet grow quickly!

[mtm]

endless.com often has stride rites for $20 and negative $5 shipping so essentially shoes for $15. With two kids I buy when I see a good sale knowing one of them will fit them if the other doesn't.

[Ammaarah]

Endless.com is great!

I found some nice, flexible, well-made athletic shoes for my daughter at Target. I watch for good clearance sales and stock up if it's a style that's bendy and suits her feet. I'd love to buy more high-test ones but these work very well for her.

[Ruthla]

I'd go to Payless for toddler shoes- they'll be outgrown in 2-3 months anyway, right? Do you have any undewear from your older child that can be passed down to the younger? If not, I'd start with one small package of "cheap" underwear and see if she finds it comfy, if so, buy her more, and if not, invest in something more expensive.