RE: What kind of shoes do you buy???
I agree. For me the most important things is a flexible sole. I am willing to pay more for a shoe that they will wear every day. But I also just got DD a pair of sneakers at babyGap for $12 to wear to preschool. I don't see any sense in paying $40 for a shoe that is going to get mud and fingerpaint on it and she will only wear 2 mornings a week.
I have never had good luck at a StrideRite outlet. They do have a lot of shoes, but I never seem to find what I'm looking for. And since its an hour away for me, I would personally rather buy a shoe for $40 that I know fits and is what I want, than drive an hour each way to MAYBE find a similar shoe for $25. I probably spend $20 in gas to get to the outlet.
I do like Elefanten, but I only buy them on sale at Nordstrom.
HTH,
Beth, mom to older DD (8/01) and younger DD (10/06) and always missing Leah (4/22 - 5/1/05)