Toddler Shoes-Where Does Everyone Shop???

Stride Rite and Sketchers fit my daughter really well, but I usually just get 1 pair for the everyday gym shoes. I've saved a little bit by buying when they're on sale, and if it's 'end of season' clearance type, then i've even bought 1 or 2 sizes ahead.
and then for any additional shoes, I actually have had good luck w/ payless. they've got little sizes which can be hard to find and are a lot cheaper than most places/brands.
good luck!

We have the opposite problem - wide feet, so that brands I like probably wouldn't be helpful for you! I think I'd go to a good shoe store (nordstroms or a children's boutique) and get some recommendations for brands that work well with narrow feet and once you find a few to look for you will be able to keep an eye out for sales and good prices.

I have the opposite problem - my kids have wide feet. I shop at Stride Rite, but that is typically the only pair of shoes they have. They do have sandals for the summer from Stride Rite too.

Good luck!

I guess I'm going to be the odd-Mom-out, but Stride Rites are NOT the best shoe available. Despite the fact that Stride Rite has XX-wide widths, they are not a good shoe for children with very padded/thick feet from sole to top of foot (I know this isn't your daughter's issue, but I've never had a child with a xx-small foot!) More importantly, Stride Rites are not as flexible as they should be for a healthy toddler foot.

I shop for my childrens' shoes at Von Maur. They have sales staff in their Shoe Dept that have been there for years. I buy Geox and Ecco and Keen. These shoes can be slightly more expensive than Stride Rite, but the quality and fit difference are superior. My kids have one "primary" pair like this, and then I buy a back-up pair (for playing in the rain, etc.) from Target. I recommend you have your daughter's foot measured at Stride Rite and then go have her measured at Von Maur and see what they have to recommend. I think you'll be surprised. This may not help you money-wise, but it will get your daughter into shoes that actually fit.

I do Stride Rite. Only one pair per size. I buy when they are on sale or I have a coupon.

Oh, just remembered Pedipeds. Those might be good for narrow feet.

My daughter also has narrow feet. I have been happy with Buster Browns available from Famous Footwear. Nice quality and although not "cheap" they are much less than Stride Rite. And they even have markings on the sole to help you gauge the fit. They offer free shipping from the website - you can return to the store if you don't like them!

We get most shoes at Gotskinds. However, they are pricey as well. It is important to have their shoes fit right at this age.

Oh I hear you. We have a XXW 23 month old. Stride Rite is it for us. We've tried other places with very little luck. I'm hoping his feet slim out a little bit so that we can open up some options. We did find some cute sandals at Timberland Outlet this past weekend that are adjustable, so that really helped. He also had a pair of Sketchers (again, adjustable) that fit for a little bit.

Good luck.

Stride Rite, for sure.

www.shoebuy.com
You can order lots of styles/sizes and return/ship the ones you don't want for free! Also, they often have deals and extra percentages off when you start ordering from them.
Check out the website! Lots of brands and styles. I usually go to a stride rite to get my daughter measured and then buy from the website.

We buy our kids' shoes at Footlocker kids, finishline or Journey kids. They always measure their foot and make sure they get the right size. Plus there are a big selection of top brands.

I have been to Stride Rite a couple times and they have not once gotten us the right size shoe. I love Chrisella's in La Grange (about the same price as Stride Rite especially if you get their occasional sales or do their punch card where you get 50% off your entire 10th purchase). Great selection of shoes for all sizes and the owner is excellent. He measures and then can right away pull out the brands that will fit. He also sells See Kai Run which are fantastic for toddlers. Very flexible soles and soft leather but hold up well to outside walking. Not a slipper like Robeez.

We are stuck with stride rite shoes since they're the only ones that come in XXW. we have big fat feet. There's a stride rite outlet in Michigan City and I'm pretty sure there's one in Aurora now. You can get the same $60+ shoes for $15-$25 so we go a couple times a year and stock up on sizes. Good Luck!
Jenny

Robeez. My kids have little feet too. Nordstrom is really helpful with measuring and then I go down the street to Nordstrom Rack and actually buy the shoes. :) So much cheaper and usually just last years styles. I bought my daughter and son croc and teva sandles this summer there for about $15 or so. Same price as Target and at least I know I'm getting quality. The Teva sandles are great because the velcro is adjustable. My 18 month old wears a 3 so I know about trying to find shoes for a walker who's feet are too tiny for shoes.

Stride Rite outlet in Michigan City, IN. They only carry kids shoes now and have a huge selection.

Good Luck!

I buy my daughters shoes at Payless. Granted Stride Rite is supposed to be the best-I have friends that hate them because they don't fit right-I cannot afford them. I can't pay $45 for a pair of shoes, let alone for just one of my kids. $200 in shoes, wow. I always have my daughters feet sized and check everything about the shoes before buying them. A woman at church only buys Robeez (sp?) for her daughter and she is also petite. There is a Stride Rite outlet store in the Aurora outlet mall but you have to really look to find the shoes at great prices.

Well if you need some sandals right now, Hanna Anderson's website has some clearance sandals for $20. My daughter's feet are the same, narrow & tiny. I ordered her two pair and they fit really great. I've had the same problem with shoes from cheapo stores... they just don't fit. Nordstrom has an excellent shoe department (we go to the Old Orchard store) with knowledgable sales people. They have more brands to choose from. I've also bought my daughter SEE KAI RUN shoes (cheaper and cuter than stride rite and also much softer, nicer leather). I hate spending the money on expensive shoes, but truly it's not even worth the energy of buying all these cheap shoes, only to return every pair.
My 4 year old son does not have narrow feet, but we've always bought him good shoes. I think we bought cheap shoes from Target one time and they weren't water proof at all (not real leather) and they fell apart quickly.
Try to shop the end of season sales. Get on the mailing/email lists for the stores you like so that you know when the sales are going to be.
Piggy Toes on north Western Avenue has a good selection of european brands... but even more pricey than stride rite. They do have good clearance sales though.

I only buy Stride Rite and it's very important that you get a good shoe for them at this age, as it will affect their feet in the future. It's worth to spend the money. I basically only buy one or 2 shoes until my son needs a bigger size. I also buy at Nordstrom so if something goes wrong with the shoe, I have NO hassle returning it and having it replaced.

Hi Your daughter needs to get shoes from a speciality store that only sales shoe for her type of feet. Here in Northwest Indiana, we have a store call Big and Little where shoes are made to fit properly. My daughter takes my grandson there for his shoes and they fit well. Try looking on the internet to see if there's a store in your area that specialize in shoes.