It's just about the most expensive thing about kids just out of diapers. Replace children's shoes. Children wear out a lot of shoes. This is not news and I took this into account. Children also grow out of their shoes quickly. This is not news either and I also took this into account. My kids grow fast – but their shoes wear out even faster. This is new to me and I hadn't taken this into account! I have never replaced children's shoes because they are too small, but always because they are worn out. Bizarre right? And perhaps recognizable to you?
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Why do children's shoes wear out like crazy? I couldn't imagine it much at first (before I ended up in this phase), but now I know 😉 .
The walkers for toddlers and toddlers are of course clinchers for shoes. That dragging the toes of the shoes on the ground to slow down, no shoe can compete with that of course!
Could manufacturers of children's shoes and walkers have made a deal with each other?
I feel sorry for those “trailing shoes”, don't get me wrong. The noses are completely worn out and the soles are almost brand new. The noses are regularly repaired provisionally in order to extend the lifespan a bit. Doesn't look like much, but you need something.
After the walker phase I thought I was going to end up in still waters in terms of shoe wear. Well I was wrong. I have boys who prefer to play outside all day:playing football, running through the woods, in the dunes, and so on. Apart from the fact that the shoes are dirty and grubby in no time, they still wear out quickly! Replacing the children's shoes is still a challenge!
How do you keep this financially manageable? Buy cheap shoes and replace them frequently or invest a little more in shoes that will (hopefully) last longer?
Of course I chose the cheap option first. But those shoes are simply no match for the play violence of my children. Before I knew it, they looked like extras from a Pietje Bell movie:toes through their noses, soles flapping loose in the wind.
Let alone what this does to the health of their feet. I actually hadn't thought about this at all. Can those sweet feet breathe well, do they get enough support? Of course I don't want my children to walk next to their shoes!
The cheap option then becomes expensive again. Now it is time for investment, quality and extra attention to the health of the feet. And in my search I came across the brand Naturino. They have devised an exclusive sand-effect system for shoes in order to optimally support the growing child's foot. So they are pedologically responsible without looking like this. They look modern and hip.
I've gone overboard. You immediately notice the difference in quality. It is genuine leather and properly made (of course that is also allowed for that money). The noses are extra firm, the soles are thicker but supple. My son thinks she's cool and bold, so that makes a difference too. The zipper on the side is sturdy and does not falter. Now -after wearing them for a few weeks- son concludes that they are comfortable. I have only been able to discover a few small smudges, otherwise they are undamaged and can be cleaned well. Or your son notices something about the exclusive sand effect system? He notices that they are (more) comfortable and I notice that his feet don't smell like that anymore! Parents happy, son happy and feet happy too. I trust that these can last a long time! It is a solid investment, but you get a pair of sturdy, good, flexible shoes in return!
