DS gets one or two pairs of sneakers every year as he outgrows them. That's ~9 months of wear (on average). Thus far I've bought him the cheap $16 sneakers from Target and I think they've been ok. Stride Rite has some really nice sneakers that are like cars with lights that he'd love...but they're $50! Is there anything that makes their big kid shoes amazingly superior (DS is a size 11-12), or are their labor practices such that the higher price is justified by paying their factory workers a living wage?

I just don't want to spend more money if its not worth it.