UPDATE in OP! I need help finding a play shoe with nice colors for DS

[WatchingThemGrow]

Oh.my.goodness. Shoe shopping should not take this long!

And....I will never take my DC in a store together to buy shoes, at least not for a long time. We hit Nordstrom, SR, and REI this afternoon. (We've been to all of them already, mind you.) DS2 rearranged a whole wall of Pedipeds on hooks, then DD fixed them back. While I was explaining to the lady I couldn't buy the $69 Geox, DS2 went around the corner and pushed the handicapped door buttons to the parking lot! I grabbed him before he made it all the way outside, and buckled him back in the stroller while DD was hitting DS1 to get the socks he borrowed to try on shoes. They were both screaming and flailing on the floor of Nordie's. Of course we saw another mom acquaintance, her mother and 2 girls while I'm carrying out my screaming 3yo who had just been hit by the 5yo, while also pushing the BJCMD. We pressed on to SR and found some that had some navy, but streaks of shiny silver, tight straps, etc., but none were the exact size he needed. I texted DH the names of the finalists, and he had complaints about this one or that one. Finally, REI had held the Keen Parkers in size 12. They worked out, and the girl checking us out had sympathy for me (holding the 2yo, with the other DC running laps around the stantions at the checkout) and I was asking if they were going on sale anytime soon, if I could return/rebuy later, etc. She said that she'd give me the 20% off (coming out oct. 7th) if I promised not to use the actual coupon when it comes out. FINALLY, I got some navy/gray running/biking/climbing/plain enough for church shoes that DH AND DS1 like, and I paid $40 + tax. I can't believe I've been trying to find shoes for him for like 2 months. That was torture. Thank you for all your help and encouragement!!!
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We usually get our boys pretty plain navy shoes that can be used for dress up when needed. These Stride Rite Jack (http://www.shoebuy.com/stride-rite-srt-ps-jack/457684) shoes were the ones we were waiting for this fall. Shoebuy sent them to our house last night and despite the loveliness of craftsmanship, they're going back. The opening for DS's superskinny foot is so tight that he grunts and fights to get it on. The reviews on stride rite said that, but I had to try it on DS anyway.

Can you help me find a navy velcro sneaker in size 12 that's just a regular width, with subtle colors and can be had for around $32ish? No writing, characters, neon, light up, strings, preferably no white, orange, green, etc. We already have a pair of Merrell Jungle mocs coming in gunsmoke, so we don't need another pair of brown shoes. Thanks for your help!

[mommytoC]

Do you like these at all?
http://www.shoebuy.com/stride-rite-walker/457686/969665?cm_mmc=frooglelist-_-none-_-none-_-none

[Kindra178]

Keen Coronado or Sula would work, but they are over your price range:

http://www.zappos.com/keen-kids-sula-leather-toddler-youth-midnight-navy-neutral-gray?zlfid=111&recoName=zap_pdp_sub

These are in olive but so cute and closer to your price range:

http://www.zappos.com/umi-kids-action-toddler-youth-grey-aqua?zlfid=111&recoName=zap_pdp_cross

These are also too expensive but great shoes:

http://www.zappos.com/keen-kids-austin-toddler-youth-gargoyle?zlfid=111&recoName=zap_pdp_sub

Or these:

http://www.zappos.com/stride-rite-zuma-toddler-grey?zlfid=111&recoName=zap_pdp_cross

[pakin]

Nordstrom has Coverse Chuck Taylor Triple Strap sneaker in navy here: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/converse-chuck-taylor-triple-strap-sneaker-toddler-little-kid/3023142?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=converse_chuck_taylor%28r%29_triple_strap_s neaker_%28toddler_&_little_kid%29:256791&cm_pla=shoes:sneaker&cm_ven=Froogle&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=C4F22C6A-1968-DF11-9DA0-002219319097

They are $34.95. Shipping is free.

HTHs.

Pakin

DS 4/2001
DD 6/2005

[WatchingThemGrow]

Those are all nice, but I forgot one thing - semi-church worthy is another. We have several pairs of navy climbers that he'll wear to church or to the ILs' retirement village dining hall. It is rather dressy there and I don't want to have to run back home to grab appropriate shoes. Yes, I know it's a long shot to find something so specific. I appreciate the help.

This one looks nice - Keen Parker (http://www.rei.com/product/803551/keen-parker-shoes-kids) Does anyone have it? Some reviewers said it is hard to get on. I don't have the patience for hard to get on...

[Kindra178]

Those are all nice, but I forgot one thing - semi-church worthy is another. We have several pairs of navy climbers that he'll wear to church or to the ILs' retirement village dining hall. It is rather dressy there and I don't want to have to run back home to grab appropriate shoes. Yes, I know it's a long shot to find something so specific. I appreciate the help.

This one looks nice - Keen Parker (http://www.rei.com/product/803551/keen-parker-shoes-kids) Does anyone have it? Some reviewers said it is hard to get on. I don't have the patience for hard to get on...

No experience with that one, but we love the Skyline, Targhee and Austen, none of which have been hard to get on. My boys love their Keens.

[WatchingThemGrow]

Ok, we have a few contenders -- trying to find the best price for the Pedipeds as they are DH's favorite.

Pediped Jimmy http://www.endless.com/dp/B0042AO0K0/ref=asc_df_B0042AO0K01714106?tag=googlecom09c9_end less-20&creative=395033&linkCode=asn&creativeASIN=B0042AO0K0

New Balance
http://www.shoebuy.com/new-balance-kv993/350925/745862

or maybe these cheap SRs from Nordstrom but it looks more like a summer shoe to me http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/stride-rite-caleb-sneaker-baby-walker-toddler/3229319?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=stride_rite_'caleb'_sneaker_(baby,_walker_&_toddler):326454_5&cm_pla=shoes:men:slip_on&cm_ven=Froogle&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=F4C279C0-4F14-E011-AB84-001517B1882A

[Kindra178]

My boys all have the NB you linked - we have both blue and brown. It's a great sneaker (I thought of them earlier, but was thinking dressier or different for some reason).

[WatchingThemGrow]

My boys all have the NB you linked - we have both blue and brown. It's a great sneaker (I thought of them earlier, but was thinking dressier or different for some reason).
yeah, DH says they are too sporty to wear to the in-laws' place...:rolleyes: and he thinks Keens are too clunky for our waif of a 3yo, lol. Dang Stride Rite...why did they mess up this year?

[hellokitty]

yeah, DH says they are too sporty to wear to the in-laws' place...:rolleyes: and he thinks Keens are too clunky for our waif of a 3yo, lol. Dang Stride Rite...why did they mess up this year?

This is an unpopular opinion, but I do not like keens for my kids. They are difficult to get on and off and my kids constantly trip over their feet, b/c they ARE clunky shoes. I like MY keens, but I'm an adult. I would look for something other than keens for a 3 yr old.

[pakin]

I obviously have too much free time... :)

How about these Crocs: http://www.crocs.com/crocs-dawson-sneak/11464,default,pd.html?cross=proddetail-Dawson-Slip-On-Kids_Kids-Dawson-Sneak

Or http://www.crocs.com/crocs-kids-dawson-sneak/11624,default,pd.html?cid=44U&cgid=boys-footwear

Pakin

DS 4/2001
DD 6/2005

[Mamma2004]

DS lives in GEOX. We only buy them on sale, but here are the ones he just started wearing this week:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/geox-tornado-10-sneaker-toddler-little-kid-big-kid/3172455?origin=category&resultback=135

They are $$$ but amazing. Maybe one of the online retailers has them at a better price?

Good luck - kids outgrow shoes quickly but we know they need good ones! :-)

[katydid1971]

This one looks nice - Keen Parker (http://www.rei.com/product/803551/keen-parker-shoes-kids) Does anyone have it? Some reviewers said it is hard to get on. I don't have the patience for hard to get on...
We got DS the Keen Parkers for his school shoes this year. He loves keens and these have been no exception. That style is a lot slimmer looking than other styles we have had in the past. I have noticed that DS doesn't tighten them as much as he did his pair from last year (Truckees I think). DS has no problem getting them on himself. He's 6 and wears a size 13.

[AnnieW625]

If you haven't ordered him new shoes yet try these from New Balance Kids (http://www.shopnewbalance.com/KV993BRP) in the brown/blue. I really wanted to get these for school for DD1, but they only came in a single wide. Her school has a rediculous school shoe policy (it actually me think of your DH and his clothing/shoe issues) everytime I read it.

[WatchingThemGrow]

If you haven't ordered him new shoes yet try these from New Balance Kids (http://www.shopnewbalance.com/KV993BRP) in the brown/blue. I really wanted to get these for school for DD1, but they only came in a single wide. Her school has a rediculous school shoe policy (it actually me think of your DH and his clothing/shoe issues) everytime I read it.
LOL Yes, it's crazy. After reading the Waldorf school's dress code, I think that's where I'm going to keep an eye out for clothing sales. They meet all his same standards - no cartoonish looking things, no writing, labels, metallics, neon, etc. Of course, I did show him the New Balance in navy and he said, "Well, with the big N on there, they look much more sporty than just casual. He couldn't wear them for dressing up." pulling my hair out.

I'm amazed by the great links you guys are pulling up. Thanks for them all! I'll keep you updated if we find just the right shoe! The Pedipeds, we decided, may not be just the right ones. Maybe I'll go seek them out in person.

[lchang25000]

or maybe these cheap SRs from Nordstrom but it looks more like a summer shoe to me http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/stride-rite-caleb-sneaker-baby-walker-toddler/3229319?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=stride_rite_'caleb'_sneaker_(baby,_walker_&_toddler):326454_5&cm_pla=shoes:men:slip_on&cm_ven=Froogle&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=F4C279C0-4F14-E011-AB84-001517B1882A
Bought DS these to wear this fall/winter. They are super cute, but run small, so size up! Plus, you can't beat the price and free shipping/returns!