shoes for preschool age

[escapethevillage]

I hate it when the kids come in the really thick soled tennies with the velcro. They are disproportionately bulky on the soles. The toddlers are forever tripping over them. If they make your child an inch taller, they are too thick.

I love the inexpensive shoes just as well as the stride rite. As long as the kids can move freely while wearing them, I don't care what they cost. (also have to be easy to put on)

[luvsviola]

DS has been in PT his whole life and all of his PTs recommend Stride Rite. I buy some online, and buy ahead at the BOGO sales each year.

[EmilytheStrange]

I love the look of converse and I REALLY want some for DD.

BUT!

I wore them as a teenager and they totally screwed up my arches and I had pain when I went back into shoes with arches.

aren't kiddo feet sensitive to arch support? I'm always too scared to screw her up for other shoes later.

[kim-RT]

My DD wears converse all stars without any problems since size 5

[BigSamsMom]

Big Sam is 3.5 and has an XW foot, so we don't have a broad range of choices. He wears the Stride Rites (I order online), Crocs, New Balance, and Saucony. IMO, Saucony has the most flexible sole for tennis/running shoes.

[danner]

You may like the look of soft star shoes.
Softstarshoes.com

[EmilytheStrange]

not cool changing your avatar, Danner.. not cool

[carriek38]

DD gets a couple pair of Crocs every summer, we usually pick up a pair of the Converse on clearance at some point, and for cheapies we have great luck with Oshkosh/Carter's for her now-normal-but-formerly-fat feet. And I buy Land's End & LL Bean shoes for her whenever I can get them on closeout. They're durable & she's always been able to walk well in them--the All-Weather Mocs are a standby for fall/winter.

[RunawayBunny]

So I wrote down some of the brands you listed and sent my mom and DS off to the stores (I am on bed rest). She took him to an upscale, old-fashioned kids shoes store I guess. I about choked when I heard that but she says she is footing the bill...

Anyways, apparently DS has a gigantic, wide, and tall foot. Of all the shoes he sold only 3 pair were a style he could fit. So in the end there's no way he would have fit in converse shoes. He has some Japanese brand shoe... The guy assured her they came highly recommended and were light and flexible.

Gonna keep this thread book marked for the next pair he will need (and then I can buy them myself! Woo hoo!) I love the suggestions.

[Shimpie]

Tsukihoshi? Those are awesome kids shoes. Dd wears Tsukihoshi, Stride Rite, and Umi. I can only afford it because she has tiny slow growing feet. I think the ancient Chinese bound girls feet just so they didn't need to buy shoes so frequently.