Toddler feet

Throughout the summer my twins went barefooted most days. But now that they are walking and running I usually put shoes on them when we go out, if they'll let me,

Yesterday I noticed that their arches tend to turn inward when wearing shoes. Is this normal? What kind of shoes are comfy and will support their arches?
I purchased a pair of Rachel shoes for my daughter, they are all leather and quite sturdy..but my daughter hates them! Yes, hates! So I'll be taking them back to the store.

Do I have to go out and purchase a pair of shoes for $25-$35? Shoes that they'll only wear maybe for a couple of months? I will if it's the only best option for them, juts want to know if there is shoes for less but just as good?

Thanks!

 

I buy stride-rites for my girls b/c they are very good shoes and have excellent arch and foot support. They are pricey, but you defintely do not have to pay full price. If you are patient and keep a close eye on clearance you can rack up on good shoes at a great price. Dillards, for example, is where I have been purchasing my girls stride-rites. The last two clearance sales I got them both a pair of stride-rites for $11.50 a piece. Also, stride-rite stores has a buy one get one 50% off sale a couple of times a year and I head straight for their clearance rack. Sometimes you can even find them on ebay at a great deal. Stride-rite has a foot measurement thing you can print off to measure their length and width.

 

If you have an outlet nearby, you can get Stride Rite at a great price. If you have a Kohl's nearby, they carry Munchkin shoes which are made by Stride Rite.

 

I buy Stride Rite shoes on Amazon because I get terrific deals. I don't have to worry about whether the shoes will fit because their sizing is consistent and every pair has been well-made and worn happily until it was outgrown. Actually, we had a minor problem when the blue pair of Superball shoes came with an extra set of longer laces (for double-knotting) and the red pair didn't but I contacted SR and they sent me long laces that matched at no charge.

 

Well, I can tell you what we were told. Go cheap on the clothes but don't go cheap when it comes to their feet. So, that's what we do. We will spend about 100 to 120 dollars on good sneakers (usually Nikes because they are generally the lightest of the various brands) every 3 months or so. Back when they were little I remember always saying I would never spend 50 dollars on a pair of shoes for a baby/kid but here I am in the reality of it and yes, we spend the money. I buy their clothes at Walmart, Target, and on the sales racks at the outlets and I get a lot of hand me downs so I don't mind spending the money to make sure that they have shoes that fit them properly and are good for their growing feet. I will buy some of the play shoes and dress shoes that they wear only occassionally from Target but for their everyday shoes (their sneakers) I make sure they have what is going to truly be best in comfort for their feet. For me, there is no price on that (even though we cringe everytime they tell us the total!).

I personally think that at the age of your twins and until they are older that you should go to a good quality shoe store (ex. stride rite, eventhough we don't go there) and have them measure your kids' feet and talk to you about the different kinds of shoes that are best for your kids. They generally know what they are talking about and it's better than just going into a store that doesn't have people to help you and who are knowledgeable about children's feet and shoes and picking out whatever. JMO

 

Thank you all for your advice!

Now that summer is over there is no way getting around it. Come this weekend I'll be heading to our local mall and stepping in to the striderite store...who knows I may just be pleasantly suprised!

 

Denise, I had the same issue. I bought nothing but stride rites for MY peace of mind. But the Pedi said that they will grow out of it when they get bigger and stronger! :hug: