Best tennis shoe brands for toddlers & preschoolers?

[ourbabygirl]

I've generally stuck with Pedipeds for my kids (DD- 3.5, & DS- 1.5), but I'm open to other brands. I've heard good things here about Geox and New Balance (? I think?) for kids this age, but I have no idea how they run, and I'm afraid DD is a bit picky.
She loves green (we got her the green Jones Pediped Flex last year), so there are some Puma sneakers that she likes... the problem is that I think she may need a 12...though one comment online said they run small? So maybe we need a 12.5 or 13? She's currently in size 11 Keens, Crocs, & Pedipeds. Anyhow, I haven't been able to find them in a 12 in green, and a lot of times the bigger sizes like this have laces instead of velcro (she doesn't know how to tie shoes yet). Is there a way to convert lace-up shoes to velcro, or some other contraption to make it work for her?

Also, I don't know anything about Puma, so I don't know if those will work. She fits well in Keens, Crocs, and Pedipeds, and they're easy for her to get on, so I'd like something along those lines, though she of course prefers dark green. :loveeyes:

And what would you suggest for a 1.5 yo boy? I'll obviously be putting them on him, but maybe some cheap Target tennis shoes are o.k.? I guess I need to look for a flexible sole. I'm not a big fan of characters on shoes, so that's part of why I've stayed away from Target sneakers. All he's worn so far is Pedipeds and Keens.

What have you gotten for your own kids? I'd really rather spend no more than $40 on DD's shoes, and $30-40 (at the most) for DS.

Thanks for your help! :)

[crl]

I like tsukiihoshi sneakers. But they are a bit higher than your price point. You might find them on sale somewhere though.

http://www.zappos.com/tsukihoshi-kids-girls-sneakers-athletic-shoes/CK_XARC81wFSAtoKwAED4gIEGAECCg.zso

Catherine

[Simon]

We have had very good luck with New Balance sneakers both in regular and wide for Ds1 and Ds2. I will admit it is becoming my go-to brand.

Ds1 had a pair of Geox and they held up well, but weren't anything special. I bought another pair of Geox for Ds2 but they are too narrow (he has a wide foot) and very stiff with a hard footbed on the inside too. That turned me off to the brand.

At Target, they have C9 brand sneakers for boys without characters. They have some very flexible Crico brand shoes that may still fit your Ds. I don't have a favorite brand at that age (best price, flexible, good fit). I've had expensive shoes that ended up a terrible fit on my toddler and cheap shoes that held up great!

[AnnieW625]

Huge fan of New Balance. We started buying them because DD1 had a wide foot. I did buy her a pair of Stride Rites at just 5, but I didn't think they were anything special so I went back to New Balance.

[katydid1971]

My DC prefer their Keens to any of their sneakers.

http://www.6pm.com/product/7894365/color/135066

http://www.6pm.com/keen-kids-coronado-print-toddler-youth-black-dots-print

[rin]

We love Keens here!

For "converting" lace-up shoes, no personal experience but would something like these laces work? http://www.amazon.com/Footgalaxy-Twister-Curly-Laces-Shoelaces/dp/B0013EONG4

[SnuggleBuggles]

Love my New Balance. I get the 1s with 1 big Velcro strap for ease of use.

[ourbabygirl]

Thanks, Everyone! I'll look into the NB more, though what I saw on Nordstrom's site wasn't too exciting. ;) I like the tsukiihoshi ones you linked, crl; just not sure how much I'm willing to spend.

That one big curly 'lace' is cool- I remember those when we were little, even, though maybe they came out after I was old enough to tie my shoes. It's great that they come in lots of colors, too.

Keens look good, too, if I can find something that looks easy to get on, is a color DD agrees to, and isn't too pricey. I thought I could wait til REI's next 20% off sale (coupon) and get some Keens then, but they don't seem to have as many choices as some other sites.

I want to make sure that the one huge velcro strap on NB or other brands is not 'too sticky/ velcro-y.' :ROTFLMAO: I don't know if you've ever had some things that are super velcro-y and hard to pull apart (I have some reusable snack bags like this that I got off etsy)- anyhow, I just don't want it to be too hard for DD to get on & off at preschool and during the morning rush out the door, etc.

Has anyone gotten their kids Vans? They have some cute Hello Kitty ones at Nordstrom, and I like that they're slip on, but not sure if they'd provide much traction on the gym floor, etc.

Any other ideas, please keep them coming!
Thanks! :)

[crl]

Ds had vans in preschool. He loved his red and white checked vans. But they did not holdup well at all. Of course, ds is HARD on shoes.

Catherine

[SnuggleBuggles]

These are the NB I like. Boring, but I'll take easy to use, comfy and boring. :) (We used to buy Tsukihoshis but that was back when they were more reasonably priced for their quality, imo- they used to cost $40 back when ds1 was little!)
http://www.zappos.com/new-balance-kids-kv990i-infant-toddler-grey

eta- the Velcro is easy to deal with, not sticky.

[ourbabygirl]

Thanks! :thumbsup:

[Kindra178]

I like tsukiihoshi sneakers. But they are a bit higher than your price point. You might find them on sale somewhere though.

http://www.zappos.com/tsukihoshi-kids-girls-sneakers-athletic-shoes/CK_XARC81wFSAtoKwAED4gIEGAECCg.zso

Catherine

Our favs.

[SoCalMommy]

I like tsukiihoshi sneakers. But they are a bit higher than your price point. You might find them on sale somewhere though.

http://www.zappos.com/tsukihoshi-kids-girls-sneakers-athletic-shoes/CK_XARC81wFSAtoKwAED4gIEGAECCg.zso

Catherine

:yeahthat:

They are a little pricier, but occasionally you can find on sale. They are also machine washable. :)

DD wore her pair almost daily and they really hold up well. Plus, the Velcro made it super easy to put on/take off. It was more than I wanted to spend as well, but we are so happy with them that I would buy again without hesitation. If this will be a shoe that they will wear often, it might be worth paying a bit more since they are great quality.

[AnnieW625]

Love my New Balance. I get the 1s with 1 big Velcro strap for ease of use.

We get those as well, they are 688 for girls and the ones we get are $24.99 on the New Balance website.