To wonder why shoes are so expensive for toddlers

Same here. The record was two half-sizes of growth in six weeks.

What I’ve noticed about our independent shoe shop is that they know which shoes will fit my kids. The experienced ladies only bring out shoes that will fit. They will know how different brands and styles fit, that can be worth paying for.

It might depend on how easy it is to get shoes that fit your kids. We struggle due to narrow feet and ankles, together with hypermobility so a need for support. The shoe shop we use is the one the physiotherapists at the hospital recommend.

You can filter on vinted to new with tags. Loads on there from people who have bought the wrong size or bought too many pairs etc but still much cheaper than in the shop. Just a thought to help save the pennies!

Small shoes don't cost that much less to make and are more fiddly. The main difference in cost in the U.K. is lack of vat. Shop has same overheads etc. they actually make lower profits on kids shoes despite them seeming expensive.

And wellies don't really work until a bit larger

I always got good shoes (start rites/expensive German brands) for my dc, btw, and I have never been terribly convinced that it made a difference.

I also notice a PP mention 3-6 months before outgrowing occurs. With my dc, sometimes it was 3-6 weeks.

The better TK Maxx stores have Start Rite for toddlers. And measuring is only a starting point. Find a pair which looks like it’ll fit, place toddler’s foot in it, and then see whether it (a) fits, (b) has space for growth, and (c) is comfortable (i.e., your dc instantly starts running around the shop with you in hot pursuit after them).

Not everyone has the same hangups around shoes that you (understandably) do. One of my children has standard width feet so theirs are often bought online, the toddler has wide feet and the eldest has narrow feet so I take them to try theirs on before I buy. I wouldn't buy second hand shoes and I wouldn't buy them shoes in excess of £50.

Get a measuring device, measure at home and order online.

Most of the people who do the fitting in my local Clarks are teenagers who've watched a training video. It's not magic, it's nothing you can't do yourself at home.

Just take them to a big supermarket- Sainsbury's and Asda have worked for us. Measure the bottom of some wellies on their feet and then pop them in to double check. Have them standing when you check the toes. About £11.
We had early walkers so I am sympathetic but £64 is madness.
I did buy some size 3 off Amazon the first time as they were so little.

My DD3 has ECCO or ricosta. They cost £55-60. But she has 1 pair that outlasts her growth. They fit properly, are waterproof and bullet proof. She absolutely smashes them.
Never once fallen apart, worn away etc.

My friend buys cheap crap from shoezone and buys her son a pair every couple of months because they fall apart. They aren't properly waterproof, the soles rub away. She doesn't really know if they fit properly. I can tell some of them haven't been a good fit. Plus, She spends more in the long run.

I worked in a shoe shop as a teen and did the “training” for shoe fitting. Any idiot can fit a shoe, it takes about an hour to learn and is all common sense. I wouldn’t set much store in what the fitters say as it really isn’t anything special. Just try on lots of styles to work out what suits eg my DD needs shoes that come quite high at the sides and ankle otherwise they gape.

This is worth repeating. You only have to look at threads on here to see that those trained fitters so often get it wrong or try to convince parents to buy a certain shoe or style simply because it's in stock. Honestly it really isn't a difficult concept to work out if a shoe fits properly or not, it's certainly not something you need to be trained in.

Toddler feet are growing fast and are very flexible. Cheap shoes are a false economy, as they can cause lifelong foot problems by forcing toes in or being too narrow or too wide. Buying used shoes is another bad idea, as shoes wear in to the shape of the foot. This can cause foot and gait problems, and is not sanitary. It’s best to buy one pair of shoes at a time only, and have them properly fitted in a reliable shoe store every time. Everything else your child wears can be secondhand, but never buy secondhand shoes.

As for scuffed shoes, buy only polishable leather shoes and shine every week or every other week with quality cream polish.
No, I’m not in the shoe business, but have very good feet in my fifties.

Also really recommend buying a shoe gauge. The little
paper slips you can print are not nearly as accurate, especially with children. It will save you time and definitely money in the long run.

And when I say top brands, I don’t mean silly Converse / Nike for babies. Clarks, Primigi, Ecco. M&S are good for summer shoes.

I bought DS's wellies from John Lewis at that age, no issues.

It sounds like you have a problem with measuring his feet correctly. Why don't you get him to stand on an A4 piece of paper and use a crayon to mark the lenght and width of his foot? You really don't have to take him to Clarks.

What's needed are shoes that are the right size and width, that are well cushioned and preferably leather or different breathable material. This is what I buy. DS's most expensive shoes were from Bobux, but bought on sale for £35 a pair. YABVU as you really can buy good quality shoes cheaper if you look properly.

However, in principle I agree that toddler shoes at full price are way too expensive, it's a money maker for these companies considering they're only in use for an average of 3-ish months.

Sale / Outlet / TK Maxx. I’ve gotten all the top brands.
Once you look at your child’s feet it’s easy to figure out the size. DS has wide flat feet. I know the shape of shoe to look out for & when he is ready for the next size up. Have had wellies from Clarks & Marks. They don’t wear them that often, I’d spend more on good trainers / leather shoes.

It takes just as much work to make a small pair of shoes as a large pair of shoes.

shoes and car seats were the two things I would never buy second hand for a child. When they are just learning to walk, someone else’s wear on the shoe can be an interference. I just only ever had 1 or at most 2 pairs of shoes for dd at a time when she was growing quickly.

Toddlers need multiple shoes. When you are potty training and they wee in them or get them soaked/covered in paint at nursery etc.

We always have a minimum of wellies, trainer type and then either a sandal in summer or a boot in winter. Wellies and sandals are cheap or secondhand. The rest we get in sales. I have a measuring gauge from
Startrite and measure myself.

I worked in a shoe shop as a teen and did the “training” for shoe fitting. Any idiot can fit a shoe, it takes about an hour to learn and is all common sense. I wouldn’t set much store in what the fitters say as it really isn’t anything special. Just try on lots of styles to work out what suits eg my DD needs shoes that come quite high at the sides and ankle otherwise they gape. She is also best with 2 straps. It’s just trial and error. Now I know what suits her I can get the bargains.

I tend to just order a stack online and then send most of it back as we are rural and shopping in person is a pain.

DD has a pair of Clarks ankle boots that were £52 this winter as she really wanted them and Grandad paid. But usually we aim to spend less than half that. Her leather trainers were £14 in the sales and her wellies are all free or 50p from the charity shop. I did once spend £11 on light up ones with Peppa Pig on but managed to recoup most of that when they were outgrown. You don’t need supportive wellies for puddles.

You need several pairs @Mama822 it is poor foot hygiene to wear the same ones all the time for starters.