Shoes for Toddlers
- Thread starter rani
- Start date
I don't know if you are looking for hard leather type shoes -- but if smart looking sneakers will do -- a friend of mine got her son a pair of Nike sneakers that were a combination of hard/soft. The sole of course was of rubber -- but the top part was of a stretchy type material that made the fit comfortable. She got them at Sogo.
A few months back I was at WiseKids in Causeway Bay (the one closest to Mitsukoshi) and saw some shoes there, too. They didn't have a lot, but you might call ahead and check it out with the clerk.
Have you checked the main "shoe" store at Stanley?
A few months back I was at WiseKids in Causeway Bay (the one closest to Mitsukoshi) and saw some shoes there, too. They didn't have a lot, but you might call ahead and check it out with the clerk.
Have you checked the main "shoe" store at Stanley?
Marta
Registered User
Shoes
Rani,
Bumps to Babes stocks Elefanten, THE German brand for good Children shoes. They have also this measurement thing to take the correct size of the feet. I can really recommend them. (not yet from my own experience, but from my 3 nieces and 1 nephew....)
Regards
Marta
Rani,
Bumps to Babes stocks Elefanten, THE German brand for good Children shoes. They have also this measurement thing to take the correct size of the feet. I can really recommend them. (not yet from my own experience, but from my 3 nieces and 1 nephew....)
Regards
Marta
armstroe
Registered User
Hi Rani
For the last 6 years I always end up going to Footstop because they really do great fittings. As much as Seibu has lovely shoes (and well-priced at sale time), they are pretty diffident when it comes to fitting properly.
Also, at Footstop they carry a good range of widths, which makes all the difference for fitting shoes well.
For the last 6 years I always end up going to Footstop because they really do great fittings. As much as Seibu has lovely shoes (and well-priced at sale time), they are pretty diffident when it comes to fitting properly.
Also, at Footstop they carry a good range of widths, which makes all the difference for fitting shoes well.
rani
Administrator
Hi Armstroe,
Thanks for the feedback on Footstop. I haven't had a chance to visit their store. I heard the Start-Rite shoes they stock are great, but they are just as expensive as adult shoes
Do you remember how quickly your daughter outgrew her shoes? Just wondering if we'll be buying shoes every couple of months or so. Do I need to start saving now?
Thanks for the feedback on Footstop. I haven't had a chance to visit their store. I heard the Start-Rite shoes they stock are great, but they are just as expensive as adult shoes
Do you remember how quickly your daughter outgrew her shoes? Just wondering if we'll be buying shoes every couple of months or so. Do I need to start saving now?
armstroe
Registered User
Hi Rani
It's even sadder when your kid's shoes cost more than yours! My daughter seemed to do a whole season, or about 6 months, in one pair of shoes - and the women at Footstop always measure for growing room. The secret I learnt was to just buy one pair at a time. Like one pair of good sandals that could go to kindy, then the playground and then get cleaned up for parties. And when it got cold I'd just put her in socks underneath them (you can commit more fashion crimes when you are young)
At Footstop they have a loyalty card too. Plus when you are in there, you can go and check out the new Italian deli across from there shop.
It's even sadder when your kid's shoes cost more than yours! My daughter seemed to do a whole season, or about 6 months, in one pair of shoes - and the women at Footstop always measure for growing room. The secret I learnt was to just buy one pair at a time. Like one pair of good sandals that could go to kindy, then the playground and then get cleaned up for parties. And when it got cold I'd just put her in socks underneath them (you can commit more fashion crimes when you are young)
At Footstop they have a loyalty card too. Plus when you are in there, you can go and check out the new Italian deli across from there shop.
On your recommendation, I went to Foot stop today and found the help and the shoes quite nice...but I didn't ask how much the shoes were until they had done the fitting (in fact, they do a thorough job). Yikes. The model that I liked was HK$580. I decided to wait.
I did go online and check the price at Nordstrom's which is a US retailer that carries the line and found the shoe priced at U$46 (for a model quite similar to the one that I liked at Footstop). That's roughly HK$368. Not sure how they justify the markup.
Nice shoes, though.
I did go online and check the price at Nordstrom's which is a US retailer that carries the line and found the shoe priced at U$46 (for a model quite similar to the one that I liked at Footstop). That's roughly HK$368. Not sure how they justify the markup.
Nice shoes, though.
I agree when the merchants are charging an arm and a leg one can't afford to be too fashion conscious when it comes to buying shoes for those fast growing feet.
My reservation about having just one pair is, no matter how well the fit, shoes are bound to exert pressure on ones' feet (that's why it's healthiest to walk barefooted which unfortunately isn't always possible). Wearing the same pair of shoe day in and day out means the same pressure points day in and day out. I think rotating between at least 2 pairs help promote healthier feet in the long run.
My reservation about having just one pair is, no matter how well the fit, shoes are bound to exert pressure on ones' feet (that's why it's healthiest to walk barefooted which unfortunately isn't always possible). Wearing the same pair of shoe day in and day out means the same pressure points day in and day out. I think rotating between at least 2 pairs help promote healthier feet in the long run.
Hi Rani,
There is a store in Stanley (who sell children clothes) that sells Star Rite shoes. They might not have all the sizes and width but if you know what size you want, you can get a pair at a good discount.
I also found that Footstop is very good because of its fitting service and that they carry different width of children's shoes. It helps a lot because I can see the difference when my 18 month old is walking with a pair of well fitted shoes comparing with any others. She's more willing to walk when she is wearing the right shoes. While wearing the other, she would always want us to hold her instead.
Plus, if there isn't a perfect pair for your baby, Footstop staff will help you put some kind of cushion sticker inside the shoe to help it fit better. Their service is very good.
Hope you found this useful.
There is a store in Stanley (who sell children clothes) that sells Star Rite shoes. They might not have all the sizes and width but if you know what size you want, you can get a pair at a good discount.
I also found that Footstop is very good because of its fitting service and that they carry different width of children's shoes. It helps a lot because I can see the difference when my 18 month old is walking with a pair of well fitted shoes comparing with any others. She's more willing to walk when she is wearing the right shoes. While wearing the other, she would always want us to hold her instead.
Plus, if there isn't a perfect pair for your baby, Footstop staff will help you put some kind of cushion sticker inside the shoe to help it fit better. Their service is very good.
Hope you found this useful.
Errata
Need to correct myself, the shoes that I had my son try on at Footstop was called Start Rite and I was checking prices online at the Stride Rite site. They are not one in the same!
I made a mistake. My apologies to Footstop! in mentioning the price discrepancy when there was none to speak of in the first place.
Sorry, moms.
Need to correct myself, the shoes that I had my son try on at Footstop was called Start Rite and I was checking prices online at the Stride Rite site. They are not one in the same!
I made a mistake. My apologies to Footstop! in mentioning the price discrepancy when there was none to speak of in the first place.
Sorry, moms.
armstroe
Registered User
Perhaps Lai San knows more about this, but I was always told never to pass shoes down between kids - either in the same family or friends. I guess the main thing is because all kids feet are different. Can anyone clarify this - it's hard to see good quality shoes go to waste when they are "built to last" and appear to fit a sibling or friend.
It is definitely not recommended passing shoes on - aside from things like wellington boots. Certainly no shoe that will be worn regularly. The shoes stretch to fit each child over time so the shape will be altered. You could get away with maybe a party shoe that would only be worn for very short periods of time. Children's shoes are very expensive and if you can, it is worth timing purchases around the sales. When my son was younger I used to buy a size or two up in the sale to have when he grew out of them. This doesn't work now as he will go months without growing a size and then go up two sizes in the space of two weeks. And the shoes get more expensive as their feet get bigger! You also need to be aware that it doesn't really matter what size your child is measured, each brand/style of shoe has a different fitting and they often need a smaller/bigger size than they are measured for. You have to try the shoe on to know if it is right. My daughter has a high instep and it is very difficult to get shoes to fit her here. Ordering shoes in what you think is the right size without fitting them is a big risk. The main thing to watch out for is that their is good support. I always went for shoes and sandals with a boot style back as this gives the ankles more support, especialy in the early years. Good luck! Believe me, you'll need it.
svasbt
Registered User
aohman:
According to the experiences with my niece in the States, Stride Rite is almost exactly the same as Start Rite, just a tad cheaper. They even have very similar designs, I'm not sure who's following who. And their sizing is ALMOST identical. But, yes, I agree that every child's feet are different, and you need to properly try the shoes on before buying them. Good luck.
According to the experiences with my niece in the States, Stride Rite is almost exactly the same as Start Rite, just a tad cheaper. They even have very similar designs, I'm not sure who's following who. And their sizing is ALMOST identical. But, yes, I agree that every child's feet are different, and you need to properly try the shoes on before buying them. Good luck.
armstroe
Registered User
I just want to give Footstop another big thumbs up.
I bought a pair of Start-Rites for my 6.5 yr old two months ago and yesterday one of the leather straps broke. I've never had this problem with any of her shoes before (and have always bought Start-Rites from them)
Took them back to Footstop today and they quickly exchanged them while apologising for the problem.
To me, this is why I would rather pay more to begin with and use a good shop, so if there is a problem it can be resolved.
I also bought the 14 month old her first shoes while I was there. They spent an hour fitting her and trying on all sorts of styles.
There is quite a lot of different styles and sizes on sale if any one is interested.
I bought a pair of Start-Rites for my 6.5 yr old two months ago and yesterday one of the leather straps broke. I've never had this problem with any of her shoes before (and have always bought Start-Rites from them)
Took them back to Footstop today and they quickly exchanged them while apologising for the problem.
To me, this is why I would rather pay more to begin with and use a good shop, so if there is a problem it can be resolved.
I also bought the 14 month old her first shoes while I was there. They spent an hour fitting her and trying on all sorts of styles.
There is quite a lot of different styles and sizes on sale if any one is interested.
Hi,
By co-incidence I've just got home from Footstop. I managed to get two pairs of Startrite shoes for under HK$500 as one pair are made from canvas and the only leather shoes that fitted my daughter happened to be on sale at 1/2 price!
Their standard prices are expensive but well worth it. Why? Even after measuring the lenght of her foot and her width, she still tried on 15 pairs of sandals and shoes to find the ultimate fit. The fitter explained that even though they were all the same length and width, they still vary in actual size depending on what last (mould) they were made on. I could see what she ment too - some had no room in the toes to grow into, some were too wide and others had too big a gap at the heel - very Cinderella!
Before we found the lucky 14th and 15th pairs that I bought, she found shoes that fitted in width but did not have that much length to grow into. She could have just sold them to us and have had us come back in a few months but instead, based on the last pair they sold us, we won't be back until Christmas.
Happy shoe shopping
By co-incidence I've just got home from Footstop. I managed to get two pairs of Startrite shoes for under HK$500 as one pair are made from canvas and the only leather shoes that fitted my daughter happened to be on sale at 1/2 price!
Their standard prices are expensive but well worth it. Why? Even after measuring the lenght of her foot and her width, she still tried on 15 pairs of sandals and shoes to find the ultimate fit. The fitter explained that even though they were all the same length and width, they still vary in actual size depending on what last (mould) they were made on. I could see what she ment too - some had no room in the toes to grow into, some were too wide and others had too big a gap at the heel - very Cinderella!
Before we found the lucky 14th and 15th pairs that I bought, she found shoes that fitted in width but did not have that much length to grow into. She could have just sold them to us and have had us come back in a few months but instead, based on the last pair they sold us, we won't be back until Christmas.
Happy shoe shopping