Toddler shoes...are good shoes all expensive?

[ll80]

A good fitting shoe is really important, like AJP it's the one thing I won't compromise on either.
I always get DD fitted properly and by a clarks shoe usually.
Their feet are still molding into shape, the bones are not set as they are in adults.

"It's a complex structure of 26 bones and 35 joints, held together and supported by scores of ligaments. A baby's foot is padded with fat and is highly flexible."

If they wear ill fitting shoes then it will lead to all sorts of problems later on, not only in their feet but also in their knees, hips and back.

I figure by spending a little extra now I am saving myself from spending $$ at podiatrists later on, or physio... etc and my DD some pain should she develop anything.

[Salsa]

Oh, just thought to add, that if you do look for shoes that are cheaper and not from a specialist shoe shop, you should go to a good shoe shop and get their feet measured. Thats what I used to do anyway, go get a proper fitting and then know what size Ds was for where ever I got the shoes from, once I found some that I was happy with. If you can afford to buy Clarkes or similar though then its alot easier and worth just getting those.

[Kitt3n]

Correctly fitting shoes for kids are so very, very important.

Not only the length, but the width aswell. It is essential that this is measured correctly.

As they are still relatively soft, an incorrect fitting can have terribly detrimental effects on their feet for the rest of their life.

I'd prefer to have DD in one pair of shoes at a time rather than a few cheapies. Even her school shoes are about $100.

The kid costs more in shoes in one year than I do in 3-5!!

[Celsie]

My son wears Clarks shoes etc too, but I don't pay anywhere near that price for them. Toddlers grow out of them so quickly, they're hardly worn so most Mums and Dads sell them off on ebay and they are like new. I bought a pair of Clarks First Shoes (which DS has worn for about 3-4 months) for $16. And they were NEW!!! I just had to rush out today and buy him some more shoes, as he literally grew out of his others over the weekend.

I also got a pair of beautiful brown leather boots, that were never worn for $4. I had to take them to be repaired the other day, my DH managed to pull of the tongue. The shoe repairer commented on what good quality shoes they were! How good is that!!!

I went to Big W, Kmart etc and there was nothing I'd be happy putting his foot in. All plastic and rubbish. Too narrow, no support. Not even going there. Out of pure desperation I ran into Spendless Shoes (I was carrying DS around the shops with no shoes on) and they had Grosby Suede Leather Boys boots going out on special for $14.95!!! BARGAIN!!! They fit like a dream. DS is VERY proud of his new shoes!

So, try having a look on ebay, if you don't mind the idea of 2nd hand shoes. You can save yourself a lot of money and still have great quality shoes.

[Lana]

Not sure where you are but I have been told you can buy Clarks at the factory outlets. Apparently you can get them at Direct Factory Outlets (DFO) Melbourne and still be measured up. I haven't been myself but been told they are cheaper than $70.

[Kitt3n]

Yes, Lana is correct. Sometimes they even have 50% off second pair - I recently got DD a pair of full leather clarks boots AND a pair of clarks sneakers for $40!! (yes, both, not each).

You just have to be lucky with DFO etc - sometimes there is so much to choose from, sometimes it really is "the end of the line"

[M D]

At what age/stage should you put your bub in shoes?

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

OK, I pay under $50 for DS's shoes (Clarks); he has had one pair so far. I get his feet measured every 2 months and he hasn't needed new shoes yet; I bought his over 6 months ago.

I would say DON'T buy off e-bay for the same reason you don't buy a car-seat off e-bay; they say it's new and not used but do you know what's really happened to it?

Babies need shoes... tbh, never. No-one needs shoes. DS still goes barefoot a lot, as do I, even outside. But generally when they're walking and ready to walk outside then shoes are not a bad idea, but barefoot outside is better IMO.

Shoe freak here though, I had surgery on my feet due to bad shoes and I'm SOOOO picky about DS and his feet you would not believe it. Or maybe you would reading this LOL.

[~Raven~]

Eeeks Rosehip Fairy guess you've never had the pleasure of splinter/pr!ckle removal from a small toddlers foot then

I prefer to spend the money on better shoes as the cheaper ones don't last in my experience.
I got Caleb some nice Hush Puppies last week on sale marked down from $69.95 to $39.95. Keep your eyes peeled a bit in advanced for when you might need a new pair and you'll do well.

[Celsie]

I would say DON'T buy off e-bay for the same reason you don't buy a car-seat off e-bay; they say it's new and not used but do you know what's really happened to it?

The reason for not buying carseats on Ebay is that you don't know if they've been in an accident and therefore there are safety concerns. I hardly think shoes fall under the same criteria. Not all of the shoes are new. Most say "like new" and it's quite easy to tell if they've been worn or not. What do you think the risks of buying second-hand shoes would be? I doubt my child is going to catch some horrible disease from a pair of shoes.