Kid Shoes

My kids currently have one pair of shoes each.  One. 

We used to have back-up shoes, usually their just-outgrown shoes that do not fit but they can still squish their feet into for a little while. 

They are wearing their Keens to church, school, the back yard, the store, everywhere. 

I like the idea of having only one pair of shoes.  It's an environmentally and financially responsible way to go.  But when your kids only have one pair of shoes, it's incredible how often they are filthy dirty, or one of the pair is lost. 

I'd like to find something inexpensive and versatile, with a covered toe.  Any suggestions other than Crocs, or should I just bite the bullet and buy the darn ugly things?

Comments

[Leigh]

I like Lands End. Sometimes you can get them on Ebay for a lot less. I like the tie-ups that aren't really tie ups, they just look like it.

Unfortunately, we have more than one pair. They get outgrown so quickly.

[Corey]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Don't succumb to the Crocs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love Lands End too. And their summer water shoes are supposed to be antimicrobial, so they are supposed to be anti-stinky.

Their boys canvas slip ons are $9.99 right now! You cannot beat that with a stick. And the kids can get them on ALL BY THEMSELVES! And their mesh water shoes are $19.99.

[susan]

I like the idea of canvas slip ons. We have some navy ones from Old Navy that have been nice and easy back ups.

[Patricia]

I third the Lands End! They are the ONLY shoes my son cannot destroy in a month - he has actually outgrown a pair before ruining them...
Also last year i bought him the Sketchers sandal - it has both a closed toe and heel (so school and daycares like them) and he did not ruin them either.

So don't succumb to CROCS!

[Kohana]

Oh we've been anti-Crocs for years...and now both of our big kids wear them nearly all of the time. Not even real Crocs, but knock off crocs...Sigh. They are ugly, but I haven't heard any fuss about "I can't get my shoes on" in months, and I'm loving that!

[Heidi]

didn't you buy them last year? so why not, and also, I am a big fan of flip flops for the summer, are you anti flip flop?

[Heidi]

I should have read that lands end thing first, sounds fabulous. but my flip flop question needed to be proceeded by why covered toe?