Stride Rite

Stride Rite lives up to it's reputation for quality- the shoes are designed for kids' feet based on lots of research and the materials used will last. This particular location has great staff who geniunely seem to like kids- they always get down on the floor and talk to my kid before measuring his feet. They even play toys with him while I'm looking around at our choices. To get your kid to walk a bit in the shoes, they'll often blow bubbles (the kids then all walk over to them). I'd say the average is about $35-40 for a pair of tennis shoes and though I don't normally like to spend a lot on kids' clothes/shoes, I believe that this place is worth it because you're getting a professional who can help determine the appropriate size and fit for your child as well as a high-quality shoe. My only complaint is that they're often out of my kid's size! more

The Stride Rite store in Bellevue Square is a great place to buy kids' shoes. After doing a little research, and asking around when my older child was beginning to walk, I decided to give Stride Rite a try. The shoes are durable, fashionable and above all, good for kids' feet. The only drawback is that they do run a little on the expensive side, with most pairs averaging around $40. (I'm comparing here to, say, Target, where kids' shoes typically run around $15.) The thing I like most about Stride Rite is that they measure your kids' feet every time you go in, and they find the size that works best for them. They can be very busy on the weekends and during their sales, but usually are staffed for these occasions. more