:complain: Fooking stores! I have been to hell and back trying to find Aidan sneakers. Poor kid is still jamming his feet into his size 8's when he really needs a 9!! I have literally been to every store here in my area....discount stores, departmenst stores, shoe stores....and I cant find a damn thing I like that isnt dorky or several years old or too expensive!! I typically get his shoes from Zappos.com, but right now, there isnt much of a selection (that I like) for his size in my price range.

Where the heck can I find decent sneakers for my kid?!? I would really like velcro or elasticy/slip on, because that would enable me to let him be a bit more independent. But they cant be vinyl/pleather, and they cant have cartoon characters on them. We like normal shoes :lol: (aka..adult shoes scaled down to kid size :lol: )

I am like you and I don't want to have to deal with Characters and such. I used to always buy Tylor's shoes at Kids R Us but they went out of business here so we go to kohls now. Here is the site for the Toddler boys. There are a few there that meet your description..and they always have a much better selection in the store if you have one near you.
http://www.kohls.com/main/subcategory.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=202396983&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=178108147&bmUID=1113772010562

Jayne

Karri, I was pleasantly surprised at the selection at Payless! They have a line called SmartFit that are leather and are nice and I think I only paid around $15 for them! :aok: Like you, I don't like the character/cartoon ones, but they had a good selection of basic shoes.

Here are the ones I got for Jackson (I went when they had BOGO):

Airwalk Double Strap Skate, $16.99

http://www.payless.com/Images/beauty/032970_beauty.gif

and these:

Leather Double Strap Suede Hiker, $14.99

Jumpers! Leather upper has two adjustable Quick On/Quick Off™ (http://www.payless.com/en-US/Consumer/CustomerSupport/KnowYourShoes.htm#quickonquickoff) straps for a good fit. Manmade sole is skid resistant (http://www.payless.com/en-US/Consumer/CustomerSupport/KnowYourShoes.htm#skidresistant) and flexible. Contrast stitching on upper. All SmartFit™ (http://www.payless.com/en-US/Consumer/CustomerSupport/KnowYourShoes.htm#smartfit) shoes have good arch support, extra cushioning, more room in the toe for growing feet and are very durable.

http://www.payless.com/Images/beauty/039072_beauty.gif

HTH! :)

Those are so cute Nichole..Now I wish Tylor was little :lol:

We buy all of the boys sneakers from New Balance. We generally get them at the local outlet, but they're in dept stores too. Last year Aidan had slip on ones that were a godsend. I haven't seen them since. :(

They both have these right now.
http://altura.speedera.net/ccimg.catalogcity.com/220000/226700/226732/products/11373740.jpg

i got tony's at payless as well, they're 'spalding' brand. basic white leather with some red accents. i used to only buy stride rite but i cheaped out this last time :blush1:

I want to say that SmartFit from Payless is a knockoff on Stride Rite, or they are StrideRite's cheaper brand. Or something like that. I think there is a connection.

Alyssa- I like NB for me, but I havent seen ANY around here for kids :dunno:

Nichole -Thanks! I would have never guessed Payless :lol: Elliott has some SmartFit sandals he got as a gift and wore them today for the first time and I liked them :aok: Anyway, I REALLY like those Airwalks! I've been looking for Vans and can't find the ones I like in his size velcro anywhere!

Jayne -I was at Kohls today....believe it or not, they ONLY had cartoon character sneakers and one pair of carters navy snoes (which he had last summer!). Apparently around here, people like their characters :lol:

In the winter, I have no problem spending more money on sneakers, because he only wears them inside. But in summer, he just beats the hell outta them and I refuse to spend $40 on sneaks that need to be replaced in 2 months!

I want to say that SmartFit from Payless is a knockoff on Stride Rite, or they are StrideRite's cheaper brand. Or something like that. I think there is a connection.

Are you sure it's Payless SMartFit?? I know for sure that Target's KidSmart brand is made by Stride Rite but I didn't know about SmartFit! :dunno:

Both Anne and I have bought shoes from here

http://www.darlingshoes.com/index.aspx

If you use the code BN5OFF you get $5 off a purchase of $30 or more.

Airwalk Double Strap Skate, $16.99

http://www.payless.com/Images/beauty/032970_beauty.gif



Alex has these and they have weared very well. He loves his "Airwalks". Grandpa taught him the brand name :rolleyes: instead of just tennies.

Alyssa- I like NB for me, but I havent seen ANY around here for kids :dunno:

It could be b/c they are a local company we get them here. :dunno:

Karri - I have both a Stride Rite and a Vans outlet near me, anything you want me to look for, for you?

I got a really nice pair of Sketchers at JCPenny's. I think I paid $30 for them.

I'm not a parent but I happened to see your question -- have you tried LLBean? They have kids' shoes -- they carry New Balance but they also have their own shoes for around $29. No characters and they have some that slide on. They are pretty much kid versions of their adult shoes.

Are you sure it's Payless SMartFit?? I know for sure that Target's KidSmart brand is made by Stride Rite but I didn't know about SmartFit! :dunno:

:blush: Oops. I think you're right.

SmartFit are definitely intended to be knock offs, though. I bought Krishan a pair for $13 that were identical to a $42 pair at StrideRite.

I like mini adult sneakers too for the kids so I tend to go to either Stride-Rite or Kids Foot Locker. Sometimes they have really good sales and you can get sneakers for $19.99

Karri, I was just in Payless yesterday and I saw a pair of Adidas shell toe copies. They have velcro, too! :aok: Thought you might be interested. :)

I am (and have been) less than impressed with Stride Rite's sneaker collection :dunno: They are pricey and just do nothing for me.

Nichole....we ended up getting the Airwalks! I got them on the website (because the store didnt have them in his size) and had them shipped to the store. And they have the BOGO going on, so I got Norah some white sandals, too :aok: I hope they fit Aidan!

You know he's got those actual Adidas now? :lol:

Yeah, I knew he did. :) I thought you might be interested in keeping with that look. :lol:

I'm glad you found some shoes and got the BOGO deal, too! :aok: I'm eyeing some sandals there and might just have to get them because they have BOGO going on again.