shoes

Last year we went through 4 pairs of shoes per boy, not because they out grew them, but because they trashed them being little boys. I only bought walmart-kmart cheap shoes. So, this year I am wondering if it would be worth the money up front to just buy them a pair of skeetchers or something like that. They are about 40-50 dollars and that is at least what I spent on 4 pairs of cheap shoes. Just wondering if any of you have any experience with the more expensive shoes. Do they last longer or would it be a waste of money?

 

I have found that cheap shoes, are just that, cheap shoes. The boys just outgrew some stride rites we got last summer, whereas they wore through the cheaper ones in 6-7 months. So, I do think that quality is worth the money.

 

My mom buys my kids one pair of Stride Rites each in August, and they last 10-12 months -- both in fit and just holding up. And those are the boys' main shoes that they wear pretty much every day for everything. Plus, I know they fit correctly. When you add it all up, the Stride Rite price is well worth it.

I've learned my lesson with cheap shoes. I bought the boys some Airwalks at Payless this summer that they HAD to have, just as play shoes, and now they both hate them because they don't fit well, the laces won't stay tied, etc. I spent $25 on each pair, and it was a complete waste of money.

 

At our Rack Room shoe store they have the buy one get one 50% off deal. Maybe your stores have taht deal? My son got a pair of Sketchers last November and they are still holding up great, too bad he's outgrown them! He needs a new pair before school and I'll definately buy him a good pair. He's super rough on his shoes too, as all boys are!

 

I spend more on shoes than I really want. But, it's like your experience, you spend more replacing the cheap shoes.

What I've tended to do is watch landsend.com for shoes hitting clearance. I purposely buy bigger and they sit in the closet and wait for the kids to grow bigger and I have the shoes waiting as they grow into them. I can usually pick up for around $15 on clearance so I don't spend much more anyway. My kids have outgrown plenty of pairs of Landsend shoes, but they have yet to wear one out. I wear them and I've yet to wear a pair out.

Marissa

 

I came across these last night after reading this thread. http://www.landsend.com/pp/Perfect348807BoyCanvasSneaker~200116_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::LST&CM_MERCH=IDX_00008_0000000024&origin=index

If you want a cheaper alternative for nicer shoes, you should look at those. They are in the Not Quite Perfect section at Landsend. They say they have dirt/oil marks or sewing faults. I ordered some in the dark Olive Green color for Timothy when he's bigger. I figure if there is dirt marks, it won't show so much on the dark green. I got Sarah a light pink coat from them with the same description and we honestly can't find a thing wrong with it. If you get them and don't like them, you can take them back to Sears and return them. If you pm me, I have a coupon code for free shipping from them.

Marissa

 

Sears, Sears, Sears! Their kidvantage club (free) guarantees that if they wear it out before they outgrow it, Sears will replace it. This is true for clothes and shoes. One of my boys blows through the knees of jeans in a matter of weeks. I just take them back and they give me new ones!

 

Dielle! I totally forgot about that!! All three of my boys blow through pants in no time it seems. I think a trip there for pants will be well worth the cost rather than buying consignment or sales like I usually do. We don't have trouble with shoes for the most part but you just made my day about the pants! :thanks:

 

Well we just bought $91.00 in Skeetcher tennis shoes, so I hope beyond all hope they hold up. I had totally forgot about Sears, I will definately keep this in mind for the next set. Thanks for all the replys.

 

I buy my girls good shoes for every day and cheaper shoes for fun. Each has been getting a pair of Striderites for fall/winter/spring and then flipflops for summer. What I have found is that those well fitting Striderites are the ones that get worn, and the cheap ones don't get worn since they are't comfy. This year my 5 yr old twin girls and 11 yr old dd got DCs and Converses. So far, they are both hits.