Toddler shoes...are good shoes all expensive?

[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.

[stillhoping]

I'm not 100% sure on this but I would think that buying second hand shoes, would mean that the shoe has moulded to the first childs foot. You know when you try a shoe on in a shoe shop that has been on display, it is always different from the one kept in the box. I think it is best to buy good shoes at the start.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

The risks of second hand shoes:

They are already worn. It takes a VERY short time for the shoe to mould to a foot. You wear a pre-worn shoe and it contorts your foot into that shape, which can be painful. As babies' feet are still changing so much it can push the bones into positions that will last the rest of their lives and need operations on in the future.

A carseat may not have seen and accident and you may not have one, so that can be immaterial. An old shoe WILL cause untold damage to your child - take it from someone who has had her feet damaged by bad and old shoes.

eta: we only play on the grass barefoot and I go out and pick up all the holly leaves first! But DS will happily run over stones barefoot and all I can do is follow sometimes - his feet are REALLY tough.

[BabyButterfly]

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.

A podiatrist told me second hand shoe problems are due to the fact that all people walk differently, ie if a child walks on the side of their feet, then by your child wearing those same shoes, it may encourage the foot to naturally fall into that pattern of walking.

[{sarah}]

Yep I ordered them online, just measured the sole of his feet & got the appropriate size from there