Children and shoes

[Bullseye]

I've heard that it's worth spending extra money to get properly fitted and supporting shoes for children, anyone here know whether this is true?

If so, how do you go about getting the right shoes? Are you stuck going to the expensive childrens specialty shoe stores? Or do you just need to pick certain brands?

My eldest son is two years old, if that matters. Just want to do the right thing here, and not pay more than I have to.

[imnew]

http://www.striderite.com/sdx/H24753.jsp

These are the shoes that we buy for our 1.5 year old. He has been wearing this brand since he started to learn how to walk. The prices are pretty reasonable if you can get them from the US outlet... We pay for his winter boots <30USD or all of his shoes are <30USD...

Yes, it is true... That's what I was told also... A neighbour of ours wouldn't even let his younger son wear his older brother's shoe because individual feets are develop differently..

Hope it helps....

[3weddings]

My kids were all fitted from the time they took their first steps until they hit Size 1 Youth. I have to say the shoes I bought most were Doc Martens (when they had kids shoes) and Minibel. There are quite a few Stride Rites in the mix as well.

One thing to keep in mind also, is to not hand shoes down. Especially when you get to sneakers and high end shoes, as they form fit to their feet and won't fit properly on the next child.

[Bullseye]

Thanks for the info so far.

Where is this outlet that sells Striderite?

[knapper]

Thanks for the info so far.

Where is this outlet that sells Striderite?

My daughter has a couple of pairs, and I am 90% sure they were picked up at Winners. Obviously with Winners the selection is hit/miss and they are not 'fitted'.

[3weddings]

Thanks for the info so far.

Where is this outlet that sells Striderite?

STRIDE RITE OUTLET #6021
NIAGRA FALLS FCTRY OUT.#109
1872 MILITARY RD
NIAGRA FALLS, NY 14034
Phone: 716-297-1024

http://www.striderite.com/jump.jsp?itemID=0&itemType=HOME_PAGE

[CSK'sMom]

We did the same as 3weddings, all of ours were in really good shoes like Striderites, etc. till they the the youth sizes. We never passed shoes down through the kids either, not that we could anyway. One of the boys has narrow feet and one really wide with flat feet.

[volan]

Can someone please explain to me why Stride-rite shoes are better than regular shoes?

I ask because my son was a very late walker. It turned out that he has foot issues. As a result he was seen by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and a pediatric physio therapist. I asked them both whether we should consider a particular type/brand of shoe and they both said no, there is no evidence that more expensive shoes provides better support or helps in any way. The important thing is that the shoe fits properly.

So is it just a perception that stride-rites are better or are they really better for your children?

[getmail99]

Volan, you are correct, make sure your child spends a lot of time bare foot in your house to develop the strength of the arch then using support from the shoe. The human foot is "designed" to support itself, not by expensive shoe. Actually I try to find shoes that are flat without any arch support.

[mart242]

As posted above, expensive shoes are not worth it. We got suckered for the first few pairs until we learned better from different chiropractor / physiotherapists. Buy new shoes (hands me down) with soft sole (nothing too rigid) and it will be fine. I buy my son's shoes at walmart or globo. Just make sure that they are the right size. Don't fall for the "but the shoe must support the ankle, arch, ..", as posted by getmail, the foot has to support itself. The shoe is only a mean used to protect the feet.

[nalababe]

As posted above, expensive shoes are not worth it. We got suckered for the first few pairs until we learned better from different chiropractor / physiotherapists. Buy new shoes (hands me down) with soft sole (nothing too rigid) and it will be fine. I buy my son's shoes at walmart or globo. Just make sure that they are the right size. Don't fall for the "but the shoe must support the ankle, arch, ..", as posted by getmail, the foot has to support itself. The shoe is only a mean used to protect the feet.

Being from a family of Physiotherapists, I will disagree with the comment above.

First, there are many reasons why better quality (not necessarily more expensive) shoes are better. First, there is more to consider than the arch. Does a shoe leave a child susceptible to pronation etc. The poor quality/cheaper shoes do not have the support need when a kid is running around. Knees, Ankles are also greatly affected by the shoe and how it fits. Also, NB is better constructed and will outlast the kid...the same will not be said for cheap shoes....

Also, when you are paying more (say kiddie Kobbler), we have had people who actually knew how to fit children's shoes...there is a difference here.

One last thing, sorry, but Chiropactors are not foot and general joint specialists. I would not go to a proctologist to check my eyes...Sure they have some general knowledge, but I'd rather trust someone in the field.

Now, if your kid is just sitting inside all day, then no the quality of shoe does not really matter that much...I agree, why even bother in the house, but running outside on uneven ground, around playgrounds....are you really worried about spending 40$ for a pair of quality NB once or twice a year (they constantly have sales).

[getmail99]

...The poor quality/cheaper shoes do not have the support need when a kid is running around....

Being a dancer and dance teacher (my second job :cheesygri ), I don't agree with the statement. A ballet slipper does not provide any support to the foot, yet a dancer performs many difficult movements than just running.

Our son was a "late walker" (not really late for walking, but afraid to walk without holding on anything). One of the parents of our students suggested us to buy those expensive shoes. She claimed that her child can walk at an early age. However, we (I and my wife) found that her child actually has weak foot and knee, cannot do a proper plié, ....

The strength of your foot is from proper training, not from the support of the shoe.

[nalababe]

Being a dancer and dance teacher (my second job :cheesygri ), I don't agree with the statement. A ballet slipper does not provide any support to the foot, yet a dancer performs many difficult movements than just running.

Our son was a "late walker" (not really late for walking, but afraid to walk without holding on anything). One of the parents of our students suggested us to buy those expensive shoes. She claimed that her child can walk at an early age. However, we (I and my wife) found that her child actually has weak foot and knee, cannot do a proper plié, ....

The strength of your foot is from proper training, not from the support of the shoe.

That may be correct, but last time I checked ballet was done on a flat floor. Outside is not flat....run around the local playground and there are divots, sand and gravel that sink...will quality shoes eliminate this no...but the will help. Situation is important. Dancing shoes, sprinters shoes...all need to be very light...but they are running and dancing on controlled surfaces...

Also, depends on age...For a one year old...no probably does not matter...three year old toddler I still believe that it does.

Also, remember that a dancer had built up a whole series of muscles that will provide support: foot, calf, ham/quad, hip flexors....all these are used to perform a motion...all provide support.

[JACKIE26]

Bullseye I was in Kiddie Kobbler at Burlington Mall yesterday, they are having a clearence sale right now. There were some decent deals although the on sale Stride Rites didn't have a huge selection they were 50% off. They did have a good selection of the Geox shoes though.

[getmail99]

North American kids are too busy shopping their expensive shoes or seeing their foot doctors.

http://shareafrica.org/images/54.jpg

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/19648/soccerboy.jpg

BAREFOOT SOCCER JUGGLING TRICKS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSv85H2JToI&feature=related

[Bullseye]

Bullseye I was in Kiddie Kobbler at Burlington Mall yesterday, they are having a clearence sale right now. There were some decent deals although the on sale Stride Rites didn't have a huge selection they were 50% off. They did have a good selection of the Geox shoes though.

Thanks for that useful info!

Didn't realize this was such a debated topic, but I thank everyone for their input.

[Bullseye]

Bullseye I was in Kiddie Kobbler at Burlington Mall yesterday, they are having a clearence sale right now. There were some decent deals although the on sale Stride Rites didn't have a huge selection they were 50% off. They did have a good selection of the Geox shoes though.

Update: great sale, all shoes $30 up to size 10, but not much selection. My 2 year old is a 10 (bigfoot lives!), and they had not one pair left.

Happily, I walked over to Winners and they had lots of shoes for $16.99. Found some Kangaroo's that seem pretty decent, and bonus, they have lights in the soles.

[ayeung]

Glad to see this post. Never knew that a proper pair of shoe is that important from infant age.

It's strange that Kiddie Kobbler doesn't have a store in Mississauga ... there are sooooo many babies and young children here.

[mart242]

Glad to see this post. Never knew that a proper pair of shoe is that important from infant age.

It's strange that Kiddie Kobbler doesn't have a store in Mississauga ... there are sooooo many babies and young children here.



Huh? How did you reach that conclusion from this thread? There are opinions for both sides!

[ayeung]

Huh? How did you reach that conclusion from this thread? There are opinions for both sides!

I reached my conclusion after reading opinions on both sides plus my own's.

[ayeung]

what doesn't "fitted" mean? Custom shoes?

[getmail99]

The pro-expensive shoes side does not suggest how to develop the arch strength and muscle of the baby. They just said that buy shoe with good support will be fine. For example, do they ask the children to do flex and pointe 64 times each day? Walk on toe for 3 minutes each day? I always wonder how the baby or child or adult develops the arch muscle if the shoe has arch support.

To develop the arch muscle, actually no special exercise is needed. Just use a shoe without any support,
every time you walk, you are training the muscle.

It is late, tell you guys another story in the next few day.