To wonder why shoes are so expensive for toddlers

[Mama822]

Why are toddler shoes so expensive?
so I got my toddler some wellies from next with vouchers but he couldn’t walk in them, and i thought maybe wrong size, poor fit or not ready for wellies. He’s 18 months and been running since 10 months!
it’s the third time I tried to buy shoes online that just don’t fit!
last time I went to Clark’s LO was curling his toes and the shoe fitter just said “oh let’s just guess he is a size 4”, and then tried to squeeze shoes on and encourage me to buy the shoes.
so I went to a little independent shop and he’s needed a size 5! got shoes there, great service and fortunately the best fitting shoes were half price!
anyway went today to see if we could get fitted and get the right wellies and none of the wellies are supportive enough so tried on a pair of gortex ankle boots which fit great and comfy, waterproof and warm enough for winter and fine for spring too etc then asked the price —- £64?!!!! Is this normal?
I’ve come home to think about it, and will need to discuss with DH. If we get then we won’t get any other shoes , and won’t get spares. He will wear them until he outgrows them! They do leave plenty growing room.
money is tight but I don’t want to get badly fitting shoes - DH has foot problems and so have I, and was told by the foot dr it was from wearing poorly fitted shoes, and I’m so paranoid about that.

I don’t trust myself to buy online again or fit them myself.
I don’t want to go back to that Clark’s again. There is nowhere else near us that fit kids shoes so I think I’ll have to go back and get these shoes. And hope he doesn’t have a growth spurt!!

but I can get shoes cheaper for myself so it’s a little frustrating.

AIBU to wonder why shoes are so expensive for toddlers? Is it worth it? Is it normal? Should I just be ok with it?

tia x

Your comparison is off.

You would not get an equivalent gore tex for an adult cheaper then a toddler - a quick look at the Clark's website puts them at over £100.

We have a local independent children's shoe shop I get DS feet measured at. I only buy his shoes there because I've also had disasters buying (supposedly) the right size shoes elsewhere online. It's a false economy! Each time it's £60+ a pair.

Posted too soon

You can get cheaper toddler shoes in the same way you can get cheaper adult shoes. If you choose a branded show in Clarks you will of course pay a higher price

Yeh this is what I am thinking - I may end up spending more buying the wrong shoes, thinking I’m spending less, but h e to change them more often!

Oh that makes sense. I guess I feel more limited what I can buy my toddler because they are still so young and need the support.
but then maybe I should be buying better shoes for myself?!

I also know not all the fitters at Clark’s will be like the one I last experienced, but I do know at the independent shoe shop they are all experienced with young feet

Honestly for the amount of time he will be wearing them if be buying them secondhand. Either that or ask around any other parents you know I suspect someone will have a pair of wellies knocking around they would happily give you.

I don't compromise on toddler shoes - though I haven't had a problem with wellies and I don't think they need to be as supportive if not spending a long time running and climbing in them. But I do get shoes properly fitted and go to a trained fitter. She explained exactly why certain kinds of shoes fit my DC and others don't. However, the shoes are about £50 a pair and his feet grow ridiculously fast. So where I do compromise is that I measure at home too, buy the same brand and model online when I can find the right size in last year's colours discounted, and take him back to the independent shop every second pair. So I get the reassurance of a proper fit and to support the local business 50% of the time.

I also don't use second hand toddler shoes as they will be moulded to another child's feet and could influence his gait - he has second hand everything else though! Would use second hand wellies though.

My little girl has cerebral palsy we got all her baby and toddler shoes from vertbaudet they do fab shoes and boots with good ankle support

When my DD was 18 months old I had the same problems with wellies, even though she’d been walking for several months. But once her feet were big enough for them, she managed fine in Crocs wellies- think they start at size 6 though. They’re sometimes on offer for around £20 and are lightweight and not too clunky.

We usually get ours measured somewhere reliable, but then buy online, particularly Clarks outlet online.

Unless you're rolling in money it would be insane to spend £64 on a toddler's shoes. He may well grow out of them in 3-6 months.

I recommend these for wellies
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultra-Light-Wellington-Wellies-Liners/dp/B00STIRK76/ref=asc_df_B00STIRK76/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=345472269288&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7938203973585173610&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9041090&hvtargid=pla-637086486420&psc=1
they are really light, the lining helps them stay on and they are warm for winter. They are also quite hard wearing. My children wore these more or less as soon as they could walk so your son will be fine if he's been walking for a while already

I was paying over £40 25 years ago when my dd was a toddler…she had 1 pair at a time till they were outgrown. Shoes were a high priority for me, and I spent less on other clothes

I got my daughters feet measured at clarks and tried shoes on, then bought the pair I wanted from vinted for less than half price and excellent condition. Have a look on vinted for the make/style, they might be on there

You need one of these at home. https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/toddler-gauge/20352422-p?source=aw&?cm_mmc=AFLT--awin--575373-_-na1&utm_source=Ceon+Internet+ApS&utm_medium=affiliates&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=575373&awc=2515_1697661814_01c28d13fee4e0fef816e0ebc96bd419 then you can buy online with confidence in the size.

I bought a foot measurer on line and purchase shoes from Vinted. DD is a G wide fit but easy enough to get a bargain. Just got a gorgeous pair of suede Clark’s boots for £7. I do inspect the photos in detail tho for any signs of wear, if the photos aren’t good or not many of them I disregard the item. Worse case they’re no good (happened to me once) can re-sell

Look on temu or shien for kids stuff. Kids don't need to wear branded things unless they're Instagram kids

I wait for the Clarks sale whenever I can and buy that way. We're not loaded but I try to prioritise properly fitting shoes for my son and go second hand on other things, like clothes.

Have you tried Vinted for the same pair?

Goretex ankle boots are always going to be pricy! Have you seen what the adult versions cost?

Both my kiddies each had a pair of shoes from Clarks when they first learned to walk now live in trainers and barefoot at home. I can't afford to spend £60 in a pair of shoes they'll only wear a few months before they outgrow them. Also barefoot is best for their feet anyways as much as possible.
Vinted has been amazing for really good trainers/shoes a lot are new or nearly new and have fitted my kids fine. Wellies included. Maximum I've paid so far for a pair of footwear is £6.50 for brand new without label on them Nike trainers retailing currently for £25.

My little one is a size 4 and I just got him some kickers boots on mandm direct supposed to be £45 I got them for £15. Won't buy secondhand but won't pay ridiculous price either

Bogs toddler boots might be a cheaper more suitable option for an 18 month old. The gortex boots are fab but won’t survive lots of puddle jumping and will be outgrown fast.

I have a child with awkward shaped feet. Clarks and high street shoe shops were like scenes from the Cinderella with the shop assistants trying to squeeze shoes on his feet and insist they fitted. Found an indi shoe shop eventually that had shoes that fitted properly. Now I get him fitted once a year then buy the same brands cheaper on Amazon the rest of the time.

I’m also minimalist with his shoes. One pair of shoes and one pair of wellies.

I also get all of my kids' shoes on vinted. I can usually sell them on as well so they cost me a fraction in the end. I've got a measurement thingy and filter for the good brands.
But I also buy all my own stuff on vinted and have always bought second hand.