Stride Rite shoes

[Anonymous]

For Seth’s first pair of real shoes, we bought him some from Stride Rite. This way, I was able to be certain they fit properly and were comfortable since he was learning to walk then. Well, that was less than three months ago and he has already outgrown them! We were at the mall Friday and I was looking at shoes for him for Easter and now that he will need some more play/school shoes too we were looking at about 80 bucks for two pair of shoes. So, I didn’t buy them yet because I wanted to think about it. My question is, are Stride Rite shoes really better and should I just suck it up and pay the money or is there another kind that anyone would recommend?

[Anonymous]

I buy my girls the Smart Fit from Payless. I really think they are well made and they give plenty of support with nice thick soles and nice cusion on the inside. They last a reasonabley long time and they are inexpensive. If your son doesn’t have any foot problems I don’t think it’s necessary to spring for the costliest shoes out there.

[Anonymous]

I buy Nike tennis shoes on sale at Toys R Us for about $15 a pair. As far as dress shoes, I shop at Payless. The Stride Rites are just way too expensive for me. Hailey has a foot condition too (congenital curly toes and one toe overlaps another) and she’s had no problems with any of the shoes I’ve bought. I have to just make sure I buy shoes with a wide front.

[Anonymous]

Hi Christine, thanks for the suggestion. I was doing some research on- line and interesting enough it looks like the Smart Fit line at Payless may be made by Stride Rite! Does anyone know if this is true? I’ll definitely have to go check them out.

[Anonymous]

Stacey, I agree they are just way too expensive for dress shoes that he may just wear a few times. I can see going a little more for his everyday shoes if they really are better. My twin nephews (3) have always had the no name character shoes from Kohl’s or somewhere like that and they have been fine (just try to take away their Buzz Lightyear light up shoes!). I guess I am already subcoming to peer pressure- all of the kids in his class have Stride Rites!

[Anonymous]

I don’t know if you have a Kohl’s near you, but I have bought all of Brodie’s shoes there. I usually buy him Nike sneakers and we have bought Addidas too. I have bought the carter’s leather sandals and velco sandals too. They always have good sales and I can get the sneakers for between $18-$20 and the sandals for about $15. You can shop online too. RLM4262006-4-3 15:53:58

[Anonymous]

I get the SMart Fits at Payless also. They are great!

[Anonymous]

Is there a Stride Rite outlet near you? I have only bought Kayleigh Stride Rite or Nike’s since she was learning to walk and have now found an outlet mall near my sister’s house so she buys them for me. I just got 4 new pairs of shoes for 15 bucks each!

[Anonymous]

I also use the Smart Fits from Payless. I don’t know if you have Winner’s in the US (it’s the same store as TJ Max I believe) but they have kids shoes and often sell stride rites for half price.

[hellbennt]

I was going to suggest outlets, also. From reading posts at another board, many outlets will mail you items- so if you know his size, you call the outlet store, or email them, see what they have in stock and they’ll mail them to you (you pay shipping of course)… http://www.outletbound.com/cgi-bin/stores_by_name.cgi?StoreN ame=Stride%20Rite%20/%20Keds

also, I think some dept stores carry stride rites? Like maybe JC Penny? I think I bought a pair onsale there once…

[Anonymous]

Tiffany, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that SMART FITS are made by the same company as Stride Rites, because they really are great shoes. Once I found them, I stopped looking for anything else and that’s all I buy for my kids.

[Anonymous]

When my boys were learning to walk up until they were 4 or 5, they always had Stride Rites. My MIL always bought them because she swore they were the best shoes for kids. We were told that if a child outgrows their Stride Rites in less than 4 months, you get a free pair.

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