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

We were loyal to clarks for years, but I don't bother any more. I find the fittings inconsistent, even when it's a good fitting, it's only right for a such a short time with the speed they grow. Shoes off as much as possible, foam rather than plastic wellies and bog standard trainers (we favour tensaur type things).

Mountain warehouse do really good quality ‘hiking boots’ and are almost always having a sale. We got some for about £25 a few years ago.

Wet Wednesdays do the best wellies - cheap, extremely light and come with removable liners so span 2 foot sizes.

buy a foot gauge and measure several times.

Brands like Vivo, Bobux etc are pricey but have good resale value and wear really well. They are designed to support growing feet with soft soles and wide toe bits. You can either resell or buy second hand to keep the price down.

That's why our local independent shoe shop went out of business.

They were the only place that actually sold shoes narrow enough for DD. So I had to resort to getting measured at Clarks, not buying from them for the very good reason that they didn't have anything that fitted, and then going and buying online - sticking with the same shoe style that we'd been buying from the independent shop.

I didn't like using the sales service without buying from them, but I didn't have an alternative.

Sainsburys is best for good but cheap wellies op (my youngest is same age)

I only buy geox now. There is a removable sole which tells you when they need a new pair, then I just buy the next size. I alway take advantage of sales online.
every brand has slightly different sizing so no matter what it’s always trial and error.

We always buy good quality shoes one pair in the spring and another in the winter. They tent to last about 6 months currently but we do go to an independent retailer who try lot's of different shoes before buying. We have the narrow foot problem and like bare foot soles.
We like ricosta, froddo and have brought start rite in the past.
Now over 3 year old we have brought a pair for walking boots for muddy play to save the good boots.
£55 for good brand boots
£20 for mountain warehouse walking boots
£10 for slipper in the last week! Hope they all last a while!
I wouldn't buy second hand shoes as everyone walks differently so moulds the shoe on the base.