Buying shoes for a toddler-need advice

[bonniebabies]

A pair of Osh Kosh sneakers I bought my daughter on clearance sale at an outlet have very little traction. Of course I can't return them and she also had a pee accident in them. A pair of Target shoes I bought her also have little traction though they look like they have good treads.
Can anyone give me tips on how to pick out good toddler shoes and also what to do about pee accidents (are most shoes machine washable)? Should I fork out the money for Stride Rite sneakers?

[foggierbard9]

I've thrown my son's shoes in the washer before. I have also dried them in the dryer, but you could just air dry them also.

I just look at the bottom and see how much tread they have. My son has 2 pairs that I got from Target (a circo pair and a transformers pair). The circo pairs has better traction, actually has some raised spots on the sole. The transformers pair is really flat on the bottom and we will have to see how those work when he grows into them.

I really like stride rite shoes, but I don't like to spend the money on them with how fast their little feet grow. I just shop around for good/cheaper shoes because my son tears them up too fast or out grows them.

[disneygirls]

Im having an issue with this!! My 20mo old daughter only fits into stride rights that are wide width. Im having a hard time finding shoes that are wide anywhere else. I just dont want to spend $50 on a pair of shoes she will outgrow in a matter of 3 months!!!
Sorry wish I had advice for you

[MrsPinecone]

I buy Stride Rites at the outlet. I've never paid more than $20 for a pair.

I am of the opinion that you get what you pay for with kid's shoes.

[shoppinglinda223]

My 23mo DD also wears wide width shoes, so Stride Rite is the only option for me in my area. I have not found wide width anywhere is except Olly Kids and those are even more expensive the Stride Rite. However there is a Stride Rite outlet about 40 minutes away so I go there. If I find a good sale I buy several pairs in different sizes. For example, last month there were sneakers on sale for $14.99. I got them in 7W, 7.5W, 8W, and 8.5W.

I think Stride Rite is worth the money. They wear well, clean up in the washing machine pretty good, and don't shrink in the dryer.

If anyone else knows of any brands that offer wide widths for less than $30 a pair, please let us know!

[foggierbard9]

Originally Posted by disneygirls Im having an issue with this!! My 20mo old daughter only fits into stride rights that are wide width. Im having a hard time finding shoes that are wide anywhere else. I just dont want to spend $50 on a pair of shoes she will outgrow in a matter of 3 months!!! Sorry wish I had advice for you

Payless carries wides sometimes also. The champion brand.

[WeatherGirl]

The Thom McAn brand of shoes at Kmart has wide widths. Also I scour resale stores like The Children's Orchard for shoes with elastic or Velcro enclosures. My son has Sasquatch feet.

[bonniebabies]

Originally Posted by foggierbard9 I just look at the bottom and see how much tread they have... I really like stride rite shoes, but I don't like to spend the money on them with how fast their little feet grow. I just shop around for good/cheaper shoes because my son tears them up too fast or out grows them.

The sneakers survived the washer, thanks! I agree, my DD is growing so fast that I'm not sure it makes sense to spend that much on shoes just yet. I'll have to just look at the soles more carefully when I shop.

[tmsmalley]

Definitely try Payless if you don't have a Stride Rite outlet. Payless will measure their feet and help you find a good fit. And they defnitely do have wide widths, maybe not in every style and size, but they have them.

Tess

[amjurey]

find a New Balance store by you. they come in narrow & wide and their toddler sneakers are around $20/pr. DD is on her 3rd pair of new balance and we love them!!!